Friday, 11 May 2007 00:49
Written by Louis Peterson
The upcoming review of the Official Community Plan leads me to ask: "What is an OCP?" "Why is there an OCP?" The "Government" says we have to have such a device (Local Government Act, Division 2), as "a statement of objectives and policies to guide decisions on planning and land use management, within the area covered by the plan, respecting the purposes of local government." (875 (1)). The Act also states: "An official community plan may include the following: policies of the local government relating to social needs, social well-being and social development." (878 (1)).
Given the breadth of scope and latitude permitted in an Official Community Plan, an 'aerie-faerie' motherhood objective of our current review might be "to improve and develop a Plan that is the best possible for all of the people of our Community - the young, the elderly, and those in between." It is to be a Plan for the People, by the People. Given the differing - often very different - aspirations not only between these groups but even within these groups, the success and acceptability of the Plan will be a major challenge for all participants.
A set of proposed "Topic Groups" is shown below. An examination of the sub-topics reveals strong inter-relationships or inter-connectivities between the Topic Groups, indicative of the "mosaic" nature of a community. No one part stands alone, but is part of the overall mosaic. As our discussions and perceptions evolve during the succeeding months, additional sub-topics may emerge and the organizational structure may change.
The final product may differ substantially from what is currently proposed. To reiterate the Mayor's message (April/May Community Newsletter), "This is an ideal opportunity to have a say in the future of this special place". Will the new OCP meet the litmus test of what is "best" for the Community? It's up to us!
Proposed OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN
TOPIC GROUPS
1. OUR ENVIRONMENT - Watershed boundaries, Green Belt Protection,Trails and interconnectivity, Shoreline Recreation, Trees, Wildlife, Water Conservation
2. 0UR COMMUNITY - DEVELOPMENT - “Green community”, Village boundaries/amalgamation,First Nations issues, Future Land Use/Zoning, Alternative Housing, Commercial development ,Home Businesses, Secondary Suites, Cemetery, Parking,Transportation, Smartgrowth
3. 0UR COMMUNITY – SOCIAL - Community Centre upgrade, Recreational services, Beach development, Volunteers, Community Support, Block Watch, Youth, Library, School Viability Pre-school, Child care, Events, Filming, Communications, newspaper, Website, Community Foundation
4. MUNICIPAL SERVICES - Administration, Policing and crime reduction, Fire protection, Road Safety, Emergency Planning: storm, flood, earthquake, tsunami,Air Quality
5 .INFRASTRUCTURE
- Drinking Water, water distribution, Hydro plant, Road Maintenance, Sewage Waste, Landscaping Underground Wiring, Green Energy
6. GOVERNANCE - By-law enforcement, Relations with other communities, mutual aid/coordination re regional concerns, GVRD/SLRD,Relations with service providers: BC Rail, MoT, Telus, BC Hydro, BC Assets & Lands, TransLink, School District No. 45, North Shore Health Region, RCMP, etc. Council/community relations, Property standards, Taxation and Finance
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What (and Why) is an OCP?
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