DRAFT OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN HANDED OVER TO COUNCIL FOR REVIEW

More than 150 Oak Bay residents attended the May 31st Official Community Plan (OCP) Open House to help inform the final draft of the OCP that was officially turned over to Council on Monday June 9th. Councilor Pam Copley, chair of the OCP Advisory Committee (OPAC), presented the 2014 OCP to her Council colleagues on behalf of the committee’s citizen volunteers who have devoted hundreds of hours taking up the challenge to bring the community together to articulate a common vision for Oak Bay today and into the future. The 2014 OCP builds on the foundation of the 1997 OCP and will serve as a key planning tool setting out municipal policies to help guide and adapt to evolving community needs over the long term.

Following a high level review of the proposed OCP by the consultant and District of Oak Bay staff, members of council undertook a thorough review of the 100+ page draft document providing further comments and requests for clarifications. Council directed staff and the consultant to proceed with the formalization of the OCP capturing the discussions of the evening. The final OCP in bylaw form will be presented to Council on June 23 for consideration and 1st and 2nd reading. A date for a public hearing is expected to be announced at that time, and the 2014 OCP will then be posted on line and sent out for referral to external agencies for comment as required by the Local Government Act.

“OCP renewal is a priority for this Council,” said Oak Bay Mayor Nils Jensen, who, along with Councilor Copley, Councilor Green and Councilor Herbert, participated on the OCP Advisory Committee. “The 2014 OCP represents a significant shift in the way our community engages with local decision making. In 1997, council presented a draft to residents for their approval. For the past 18 months, we have embraced a dynamic and inclusive community process that has invited and empowered all Oak Bay residents to help define the form, function and character of their community well into the future.”