(Campbell River, BC) - The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) is pleased to announce the adoption of the Official Community Plan (OCP) Bylaw No. 276 for Electoral Area D, Oyster Bay - Buttle Lake.
At the December 13th, 2023, regular meeting, the SRD Board formally voted to adopt Bylaw No. 276, Official Community Plan for Electoral Area D, Oyster Bay - Buttle Lake. This plan is the result of significant efforts and involvement from the Area D community. In accordance with the Local Government Act, the SRD Board gave First and Second Reading to the draft OCP Bylaw at the November 22nd, 2023 Regular Board Meeting before proceeding to Public Hearing on December 6th, 2023.
The Official Community Plan (OCP) is a principal planning document that provides guidance on the future growth and development of the community. It sets the long-term vision, providing goals and policies to guide decision making related to land use and development. The community vision, objectives and policies, and Development Permit Areas are the core elements of the OCP. The OCP states that:
Electoral Area D consists of quiet and friendly low-density neighbourhoods in a rural setting, offering an alternative to city life. The residents wish to live in quiet, spacious and friendly, low-density neighbourhoods with limited commercial development. Areas of open green space or beach access should be close by, protected and open to all to enjoy. Natural areas, parks and trails are within walking distance from most neighbourhoods and are welcoming places that offer a variety of recreational opportunities for different age groups and abilities to enjoy. Agriculture is an integral part of the rural lifestyle of the community. Commercial development is limited to areas along the old island highway.
New additions to the OCP include:
- Policy support for secondary suites and carriage houses in established residential neighbourhoods, providing gentle density and infill without requiring the need for subdivision. The implementation of this policy will result in a future updated Zoning Bylaw which regulates buildings in Area D.
- A new section with policies and objectives regarding First Nations.
- New sections increasing the SRD's commitment to sustainability by developing policy on Climate Change, Coastal Planning and Sea Level Rise, Coastal Lands and Development, and Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
- A new section on Economic Development.
- A new Parks land use designation and updated Parks Inventory Map.
The consultation process was successful with over 100 Electoral Area D residents participating in the OCP Interactive Open House held on October 5th, 2023, and over 160 online survey submissions.
"I want to thank all of the people that came out in Area D to participate in the whole process," John Rice, Electoral Area D Director said in the Dec. 13 SRD board meeting when he spoke on the bylaw. "What's very important about this document is that it's a document that everybody needs to collaborate on ... I think we have a really good framework now for being able to do some really good land planning for the next however many years."
For more information about this project, please visit: www.srd.ca/area-d-ocp-review
-##-
Media Contacts: Aniko Nelson - SRD Senior Manager, Community Services | anelson@srd.ca