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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

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

Growth Management

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.1Existing Land Use
Schedule A.2Future Land Use
Schedule A.3Aggregate Resources
Schedule A.4Community Connections
Schedule A.5.1Hazardous Lands – Wildfire
Schedule A.5.2Hazard Lands – Steep Slopes & Flooding
Schedule A.6Natural Environment
Schedule A.7Aquifer Protection Development Permit Area

Area I Context
Backgrounders and mapping provide important information on the current state of key topics.

Project Backgrounders:

Other Relevant Projects and Studies:

Mapping: 

Project Timeline and Past Events

TASKDESCRIPTIONSTATUS
Board EndorsementIn 2016, staff was directed by the Board to initiate the Area ‘I’ OCP Review.Complete
Public SurveyIn 2016, a “land use survey” was completed by approximately 250 Area ‘I’ residents. Results of the survey are available here.Complete  
Community Planning WorkshopsIn 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 MeetingsIn 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 studiesThe Area ‘I’ OCP review was temporarily paused in order to undertake the “DRASTIC” Shoreacres Aquifer Vulnerability Study and Brilliant Headponds GuidelinesComplete
Open House (virtual)Open house to review. See presentation from the open house here: OCP Re-Launch Open HouseComplete 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 ReportComplete 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
ReferralReview of draft OCPComplete End of August 2024
RefinementIncorporate comments received and make changes to the draft OCP and related amending bylaws.Complete
Initial Consideration of Draft OCP BylawThe 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 HearingThe 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 BylawA 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