Draft Official Community Plan for the Electoral Areas (Bylaw 4373) & Ideas Book

ABOUT THE MODERNIZED OCP

The CVRD is modernizing the Official Community Plan for the Electoral Areas (OCP Bylaw 4373). The OCP sets out a vision for the electoral areas over the next five to ten years consistent with Cowichan 2050.

The Cowichan 2050 Regional Collaboration Framework was initiated by the CVRD in September 2017. In part, the project grew out of the CVRD's 2016 Corporate Strategic Plan, which identified a need for a regional planning strategy or framework to support more sustainable and coordinated growth and development in the region.

Per Bill 44 – Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act, 2023 - an interim Housing Needs Report (HNR) is required by December 2024 and must be prepared in a prescribed format and level of detail. An Official Community Plan and zoning bylaws must plan to accommodate the HNR projections. The new HNR must consider growth for 20 years. The CVRD is initiating the Housing Needs Assessment interim report research now and the results will inform updated projections on growth and housing to 2050. The report is anticipated to be complete by December 2024.

ABOUT THE HARMONIZED OCP

In 2021, the CVRD harmonized seven official community plans into one OCP for the Electoral Areas (Bylaw 4270). The harmonized OCP allows the CVRD to address regional issues holistically and plan more efficiently. The harmonization to the modernization process is illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 1: From Harmonization to Modernization

Watch the 'Harmonization/Modernization' VIDEO for an explanation of the process.

The scope of Bylaw 4373 includes all nine of the CVRD's electoral areas and hopes to create a better community for everyone. Your voice matters.

Electoral areas in the CVRD:

Area A - Mill Bay/Malahat
Area B - Shawnigan Lake
Area C - Cobble Hill
Area D - Cowichan Bay
Area E - Cowichan Station/Sahtlam/Glenora
Area F - Cowichan Lake South/Skutz Fall
Area G - Saltair
Area H - North Oyster/Diamond
Area I - Youbou/Meade Creek

Watch the 'A Place to Look After' VIDEO for an overview of the electoral areas.

The OCP's framework for organizing land use is called the Transect. Watch the 'Transect' VIDEO for an explanation of how the process helps us develop and inform land use in the CVRD.

WHAT'S NEXT

Spring 2024

OCP Schedule B Local Area Plans consultation with Advisory Planning Commissions.

Click here for more information about the Local Area Plans.

WHAT IS THE IDEAS BOOK?

More than 750 participants provided ideas and completed 125 workbooks during the Spring 2022 Community Circles. An additional 800 participants provided ideas at open houses in the Winter of 2022 - 2023.

These ideas are compiled into an Ideas Book to share back with the community at forthcoming Ideas Fairs and online. This is a living document and ideas will be added after each consultation. View the Ideas Book here.

WHAT IS A STORY MAP?

The Story Map is a visual representation of some of the key portions of the OCP. It will take you through the different land use designations and what they mean for the CVRD. This tool will help users get acquainted with land use designations and the OCP in an interactive way.

It's an immersive resource where you can click, zoom, and explore the CVRD through maps and graphics - Click Here or on the image below to launch the Story Map.

WHAT IS A SPECIAL STUDY AREA?

Special study areas indicate the potential for future comprehensive development and/or infrastructure servicing needs in three categories:

Infrastructure & Servicing
Comprehensive Development
New Parks & Open Spaces

Click HERE for the complete list of Draft Special Study Areas.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Help spread the word throughout your communities.