FAQs

The OCP is a community-wide land-use policy document that helps shape the future of the community. It is adopted as a Bylaw and serves as an overarching vision and framework to assist Council in its decision-making process.

It sets priorities and provides direction on a variety of topics, including:

• Land use & growth management (real estate, planning and design, parks)
• Protection of the environment (sustainability, climate action, ecosystems)
• Economic development (commercial, industrial, other)
• Social & cultural interest (heritage, arts & culture, youth & families)
• Community services (volunteer associations, church groups, service providers)
• Agriculture and rural charter (farming, food security, rural values)
• Transportation (public transit, trails, road network)
• Housing (affordable, accessibility, special needs).

Generally, OCPs should be reviewed every 10 years to ensure they remain current. 

While the local COVID-19 response is our top priority right now, it’s important that we move ahead with long-term planning for a resilient future. Adopted in 2008, our OCP is intended to be adapted and amended to respond to evolving conditions and community needs.

The OCP is the District’s overarching policy framework, and it touches citizens’ lives in some way every day: such as how housing needs are met, where businesses and services are located, how parks are used, and how we protect the environment.

Recently the District has been working on a range of projects that will support the OCP Review, including the Residential Infill and Densification Study, Active Transportation Plan, and Saanichton Village Design Plan. Similarly, there are a variety of other plans that have been developed since the 2008 OCP was adopted that would also contribute to the review process, such as the Keating Business District Plan and the Climate Leadership Plan. These initiatives are the building blocks for the OCP, and the District will work to ensure what we hear as part of these processes informs the OCP review – and vice versa. 

The review of our OCP may identify new priorities that require us to update current policy. As this project concludes, those changes will be brought to Council. Until that time existing policies guiding our evolving community will remain in effect.