Saanich invites early public input on the Strategic Official Community Plan Update

July 21, 2022

For immediate release

Survey topics include new housing forms in neighbourhoods, land uses along major roads/corridors and building complete, walkable communities.

 

Saanich invites early public input on the Strategic Official Community Plan Update 

Saanich, BC – The District of Saanich invites residents to participate in a survey to provide early input to the strategic update of the Official Community Plan.

The focus of the initial public survey is on preliminary ideas around changes to District land use policies to address emerging priorities. Survey topics include new housing forms in neighbourhoods (through residential infill), land uses along major roads/corridors and building complete, walkable communities. Staff will work with the early input and provide draft policies for extensive public review and feedback in early 2023.

“Hearing from the public at this early stage is important to help us develop draft policy that reflects broader community priorities and responds to pressing challenges including housing and climate change,” said Project Manager Amber Walker. “We look forward to providing you with additional opportunities to share your feedback on the strategic update of the OCP at a later project phase.”

The Official Community Plan (OCP) was adopted in 2008 and is the primary document that guides growth and change in Saanich. It provides a long-term vision for a livable community based on shared values and sustainability. The OCP works together with other plans and policies.

In 2021, Council endorsed project terms of reference for the OCP update, which provides a detailed account of the project to be undertaken and completed. The approximately year-long project will take place over three phases. This timeline reflects the project’s focused scope of work and ensures other community planning key initiatives continue to advance as planned. 

The Strategic OCP Update will focus efforts on critical elements that reflect recent trends and Council directions and improve the document structure and layout while retaining the current OCP vision.

 The update focuses on five priorities:

  1. Incorporating recent District work, such as the Climate Plan, Housing Strategy and Active Transportation Plan, into the broader directions of the OCP.
  2. Integrating updated demographic data and statistics.
  3. Updating the land use framework to address emerging policy priorities (i.e. corridors, missing middle/infill housing, walkable neighbourhoods).
  4. Refining its sustainability approach and linking it with One Planet Living.
  5. Strengthening monitoring and implementation.

This initial consultation phase focuses primarily on updating the land use framework to address emerging policy priorities. The next round of community input will cover all aspects of the Strategic OCP Update and residents can look forward to a range of opportunities to participate in early 2023.

Participate in the online survey

Project updates

Sign-up for project updates to follow progress and hear about future opportunities to get involved, including Phase 2 consultations planned for early next year.

Learn more

You can learn more about this project at saanich.ca/OCP.

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Media contact:
Amber Walker
Project Manager, Community Planning
amber.walker@saanich.ca
250-475-5494 ext. 3452