Development & Community Sustainability Services
Community Planning Projects
Multiple land use and community planning projects are usually underway at any given time within the Regional District. Browse through the project pages to learn more about current, recently completed and ongoing community planning initiatives:
Agriculture
Housing
- Housing Action Plan
- Housing Needs Assessment Report
- Final Reports for the 2024 ‘interim’ Housing Needs Reports are linked below:
Hazards – Clear Water and Steep Creek Hazards
In the summer of 2019, the RDCK undertook region wide assessments to update existing flood mapping to make flood and landslide hazard engineering report and mapping available to the public. The results of this project, including reports and maps can be downloaded from the table below.
Heritage
- Community Heritage Register Report
- Community Heritage Register – Nomination Form
- Nominated Places that Matter in the RDCK can be viewed at: RDCK Public Web Map
Growth Management
- Regional and Local Community Needs Project – active including municipal partners (Castlegar, Creston, Kaslo, Nakusp, Nelson, Salmo, and Slocan)
Electoral Area Specific Projects
Project Purpose
The RDCK is in the process of finalizing a new Official Community Plan (OCP) for Electoral Area I, and we need your assistance. The current OCP was created in 1996, and we are excited to refresh it.
What is an Official Community Plan?
An OCP is 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.’ OCPs are important – they capture the vision for our communities’ future and set the stage for other bylaws and plans that initiate action and drive development including zoning bylaws, subdivision bylaws, transportation plans, asset management plans, etc.
The making of an OCP is a collaborative process with extensive engagement with the public, local business owners, community associations, non-profits, First Nations, servicing providers, school districts, and other government agencies.
For more information, review this FAQ document.
The Sentinel Mountain (Area I) OCP Ready for Consideration
The draft OCP was brought forward for initial consideration at the November 11, 2024 Rural Affairs Committee (RAC) and was referred to the December 11, 2024 RAC meeting. At the November RAC meeting Planning staff provided an overview presentation on the OCP review project to date. A copy of that presentation can be found here: LINK
On December 12, 2024 the Regional Board gave first and second readings to Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2821 and directed staff to schedule a Public Hearing. A hybrid Public Hearing was held on February 6, 2025. On March 20th the Regional Board gave third reading and adopted OCP Bylaw No. 2821.
New Area I – Sentinel Mountain OCP
| Schedule A.1 | Existing Land Use |
| Schedule A.2 | Future Land Use |
| Schedule A.3 | Aggregate Resources |
| Schedule A.4 | Community Connections |
| Schedule A.5.1 | Hazardous Lands – Wildfire |
| Schedule A.5.2 | Hazard Lands – Steep Slopes & Flooding |
| Schedule A.6 | Natural Environment |
| Schedule A.7 | Aquifer Protection Development Permit Area |
Area I Context
Backgrounders and mapping provide important information on the current state of key topics.
Project Backgrounders:
- Residential Lands and Housing
- Economy & Jobs
- Food, Agriculture and Rural Lands
- Natural Resources
- Health & Social Wellbeing
- Local Infrastructure & Services
- Transportation & Mobility
- Natural Environment
- Climate Resilience & Hazard Lands
- Climate Mitigation & Energy
Other Relevant Projects and Studies:
- Brilliant Head Ponds Stewardship Collaborative
- Aquifer Vulnerability Assessment – Shoreacres Aquifer
- Area I Community Wildfire Protection Plan
- Flood Map Study
- Community Heritage Register
- Housing Needs Assessment
Mapping:
Project Timeline and Past Events
| TASK | DESCRIPTION | STATUS |
| Board Endorsement | In 2016, staff was directed by the Board to initiate the Area ‘I’ OCP Review. | Complete |
| Public Survey | In 2016, a “land use survey” was completed by approximately 250 Area ‘I’ residents. Results of the survey are available here. | Complete |
| Community Planning Workshops | In November 2016, a round of Community Planning Workshops were held in several different Area ‘I’ Communities. A summary of these workshops is available here. | Complete |
| Community Meetings | In July 2017, a round of community meetings were held in several Area ‘I’ communities. A summary of these workshops is available here. | Complete |
| Project paused for additional studies | The Area ‘I’ OCP review was temporarily paused in order to undertake the “DRASTIC” Shoreacres Aquifer Vulnerability Study and Brilliant Headponds Guidelines. | Complete |
| Open House (virtual) | Open house to review. See presentation from the open house here: OCP Re-Launch Open House | Complete January 2023 |
| Community Specific Focused Conversation Sessions (in-person) | In-person community meetings held in Tarrys/Thrums, Brilliant, Pass Creek, Glade, and Shoreacres/Voykin Subdivision: What We Heard Report | Complete March 2023 |
| Community Open House (in-person) | In-person community open house to obtain feedback on Draft OCP. Open House Presentation Draft Key Policies | Complete November 2023 |
| Referral | Review of draft OCP | Complete End of August 2024 |
| Refinement | Incorporate comments received and make changes to the draft OCP and related amending bylaws. | Complete |
| Initial Consideration of Draft OCP Bylaw | The Regional Board gave first and second readings to the new OCP bylaw and related amending bylaws, and directed staff to schedule a public hearing. | December 12, 2024 |
| Public Hearing | The public hearing provides a formal opportunity for community members to speak or submit written comments on the bylaw(s). | Complete February 6th, 2025 |
| Final Readings of the Draft OCP Bylaw | A public hearing summary report will be presented to the Regional Board along with the potential for the Board to consider third reading and adoption of the Sentinel Mountain OCP and related amending bylaws. | Adopted March 20th, 2025 |
Staff Contact
Stephanie Johnson, Planner
Tel: (250) 352-8175
Email: OCPReview@rdck.bc.ca
Contact Information
250.352.1536