Official Community Plan Review

Central Saanich has adopted its new Official Community Plan (OCP). The OCP was developed over three years and with considerable community input.

The municipality extends our deep appreciation to all of Central Saanich’s community members who shared their ideas and feedback throughout the OCP update process, including members and staff at the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council and our First Nations community members, as well as the members of the OCP Advisory Committee.

The OCP provides a strong foundation for District decision-making, we look forward to working with the wider community on implementation priorities as they evolve.

The OCP is one of Central Saanich’s most important documents. It presents the long-term vision for the community, setting out objectives and policies that guide decisions on planning, land use, and the provision of municipal services. In doing so, it helps us determine how and where we live, work, play and move.

We are pleased to inform you that Council has scheduled a Public Hearing to receive input on the Official Community Plan for Wednesday, April 19 at 6 pm, to be held in Council Chambers located at 1903 Mount Newton Cross Road.

We greatly appreciate the input received during the early phases of this project and welcome any further comments on the final draft OCP. If you would like to provide comments, please submit them before noon on April 19th. Early submissions in advance of the public hearing date are appreciated.

HOW TO PROVIDE INPUT:

• Email or mail-in comments: Your comments must be received by noon on April 19 and will be submitted to Council. Email: municipalhall@csaanich.ca
• Attend the Public Hearing in person and speak to Council
• Attend Virtually: To register to speak via electronic meeting, email municipalhall@csaanich.ca or call 250-652-4444 by noon on April 19 and you will be sent instructions on how to connect electronically to the meeting.

WATCH THE MEETING:
Live online or view the video the following day at https://www.centralsaanich.ca/municipal-hall/council-meetings (Click on the meeting date in the calendar).

On January 9, 2023, Council received the Final Draft OCP and gave the bylaw First Reading.

What does giving it First Reading mean? First Reading is part of the legislative process to adopt new bylaws and for this project it means that the Draft Bylaw can now be sent to the CRD for approval of the Regional Context Statement, a legislative requirement. Following CRD input, the document may be revised as needed, and after that, a Public Hearing can be scheduled for Council to directly hear from the public.

If it is a “Final Draft” does that mean no more revisions to the OCP document? No, but it means that additional revisions would be done at the direction of Council. The Final Draft is intended to be the version of the OCP to be presented at a Public Hearing where the public will be able to address Council.

How is it different from the Second Draft? Fundamentally it is largely the same, however it has been entirely reformatted into a more polished document. A number of edits are included for grammatical purposes, or to improve clarity in a policy. With this version, you can click on headings, footers, table of contents etc to move around the document.

If I already provided comments do I need to send them again? No, any correspondence received has already been provided to Council, and would be provided to Council again at the time of a Public Hearing. However, anyone can provide additional comments if they wished.

When will there be a Public Hearing? Once the CRD approves the Regional Context Statement then a Public Hearing will be scheduled. Watch the website for an update, and the Peninsula News Review for an advertisement of the date, time and place.

On September 22, 2022, Council received the second draft of the Official Community Plan (OCP). This revised version is based on the public feedback and stakeholder input received to date. Input was received from Council, the OCP Advisory Committee, external referral agencies and the general public. (A summary of input has been compiled in the What We Heard Report, see the comments and/or survey results, see the July 25, 2022 staff report.)

Watch staff present a 13-min overview of the second draft in this video.

How is the second draft of the OCP different?

1. It’s shorter. One of the messages we heard was to make reduce the size and make the document more reader friendly. This has largely been achieved by:

• Removing the advocacy policies, which will instead be used as reference material when Council is developing its Strategic Plan in 2023.
• Removing the ‘Implementation’ section, however retaining the implementation policies in each section.
• Combining numerous policies into one where practical.
• Shortening or removing bulleted lists within policies.
• Removing the ‘History and Context’ section and instead using it to augment information currently on the District’s website.

2. Some policies have changed, these include but are not limited to:

• Agricultural land reserve (ALR) policies:
  1. The policy regarding when ALR subdivision boundary adjustments are supported is removed, with boundary adjustments referenced in the broader policy on subdivision.
  2. The draft OCP reverts back to the blanket “do not support ALR exclusions” policy. Should the District want to consider excluding land from the ALC in support of a major community/infrastructure project and application, the OCP could be amended if needed.
• Land Use Designations:
  1. The change in land use designation near the intersection of Keating Cross Road and Central Saanich Road has been removed due to the time frame for completion of the Keating Flyover and a high level of public concerns regarding traffic impacts, consideration of a change in land use designation should be postponed until traffic flow patterns are re-established following the flyover construction and infrastructure improvements to improve pedestrian/ cycling safety occur in the area.
• Additional policies to support attracting health care services to the community have been incorporated.
• Specific references to third parties were removed unless germane to the policy.
• A requirement was added to the policy supporting moderate and high-density housing along main corridors, including townhouses and apartments up to 4 storeys (where it can be demonstrated that the development is sensitive to the surrounding neighbourhood). The addition notes proposals would require Council approval for amendments to the OCP and the Land Use Bylaw, and require a Development Permit to ensure the form and character is consistent with guidelines and sensitive to the neighbourhood context.

• The updated draft OCP changes the ‘Good Governance’ section to ‘Institutions and Community Services’ with more emphasis on providing services in the community and less emphasis on governance overall.
• The policy regarding the re-alignment of Keating Road when the Butler Pit is exhausted has been removed.

• Numerous edits to improve clarity, readability, or strengthen policies.

Included in the Second Draft are all maps and schedule, and the existing Development Permit Guidelines, which will be updated through a separate project.

See the detailed changes in the OCP Draft Revisions table.

What’s next?

In early in 2023, staff will present Council with a Final draft, containing more imagery, for consideration of first reading. A Public Hearing would be scheduled following First Reading.

Where to Find It:

A Second Draft OCP has been prepared that is available here for viewing/ downloading.

How to Provide Comments:

Please provide comments before FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2022. If you would like to provide comments on the Second Draft OCP, you can do so by:

• Email OCP@csaanich.ca
• Write to Planning Department, Central Saanich Municipal Hall, 1903 Mt Newton Cross Road, Saanichton, BC, V8M 2A9.

Is this the last time I can provide comments?

• Once Council gives First Reading to a Draft OCP there needs to be a Public Hearing for the community an opportunity to provide input directly to Council.
• At this time, we anticipate a Public Hearing will occur in early 2023.

A big thanks to everyone who provided input on the 80% Draft OCP, your input has been invaluable to the project.

With event restrictions lifted, the District of Central Saanich Council has extended the Official Community Plan (OCP) engagement to allow for in-person open houses this spring.

Central Saanich’s OCP review began in September 2020 and has included a range of public input opportunities to hear various perspectives and engage residents, First Nations, businesses and stakeholders. The Draft Official Community Plan was published in January 2022 for public comment and seven information sessions have been held online to date.

Upcoming engagement opportunities

Agricultural event

March 16 and April 12, 2:00 pm, Saanich Fairgrounds (no registration required in advance)

Three open houses will take place in May:

1. Saturday May 14, 10-2, Cultural Centre—Room B (by entrance to the Centre for Active Living 50+), 1209 Clarke Rd
2. Tuesday May 17, 3-7, Fire Station 1, 1512 Keating Cross Rd
3. Thursday May 19, noon-4, Fire Station 1, 1512 Keating Cross Rd

District planning staff are also available to make group presentations and discuss the OCP at request.

A number of documents and videos are available to help those interested take a sneak peek or a deep dive into the Draft OCP. Visit LetsTalkCentralSaanich.ca/OCP or stop by Central Saanich Municipal Hall at 1903 Mount Newton Cross Road to get a copy of the Draft OCP and corresponding survey. Residents are also welcome to contact planning staff by phoning 250.544.4209 or emailing OCP@CSaanich.ca.

Central Saanich Draft OCP: Feedback Survey

The District is seeking your input on the Draft OCP.

The Draft OCP is available here for downloading.

Just want the highlights?

What’s the same:

• No changes are proposed to the Urban Containment Boundary, which complements smart growth management strategies, creates walkable communities, and protects rural and agricultural land.
• Overall, the policy approach to land use is not changing.
• Protecting and enhancing the rural and small town character of the community remains a key principle.
• The OCP policies remain strong on protecting agricultural lands and supporting farming.

What’s new?

• All policy sections have been updated.
• Throughout the OCP there are a number of policies to improve relations with First Nations and advance Truth and Reconciliation.
• Climate Action policies are in each section throughout the OCP in addition to a new Climate Action section.
• A new Good Governance section has been added that includes a number of topics, such as emergency preparedness, how the OCP is implemented, and relationship building.
• A new Implementation Section has been added that summarizes all of the future plans and projects identified in the OCP.
• In the Economic section a vision for the Keating Business District has been added.
• Three areas have been identified to transition to higher density, multi unit development over time to improve housing options and support work-force housing.
  • In the central core area of Saanichton Village land use designations will reflect the Saanichton Village Design Plan to support more multi-unit housing.
  • Dignan Road in Brentwood Bay has been identified by Council as an area for increased density, the land use designation will change to Multi-unit between West Saanich Road and Stelly’s Cross Road.
  • Properties close to the intersection of Keating Cross Road and Central Saanich Road are identified to transition to multi-unit housing.

We want your input on these draft policies. Please register for an information session with staff, take the survey (available Feb 1-March 6) or email OCP@csaanich.ca.

This is the time to review the Draft OCP - and provide input until March 6, 2022.

We are please to share a Draft OCP for based on input we received from the community, stakeholders and our OCP Advisory Committee.

We want to make it easy for you to understand what the Draft OCP is all about. There are a number of ways to get the highlights or the details!

• Draft Central Saanich Official Community Plan
  • Draft OCP Land Use Maps
• Draft OCP overview
• A live information session or a recorded video prepared by staff (register below)
• January 2022, Staff Report to Council

How to Participate:

The District of Central Saanich encourages all residents, stakeholders, organizations, and businesses to share their views on the OCP vision, policies and direction.

1. ONLINE SURVEY: February 1- March 6.

2. VIRTUAL SMALL GROUP INFORMATION SESSIONS:

Staff will host a number of group information sessions during the consultation period.

These sessions will be small groups to enable time for questions, discussion and feedback.

Register for Thurs, Feb 3:

• 1:00-2:00 p.m. here: https://csaanich-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0qcumsrjksE9f-GgZX8M9ZzVqp6xI5cTJP
• 3:00-4:00 p.m. - FULL
• 6:00-7:00 p.m. here: FULL

Register for Fri, Feb 4:

• 1:00-2:00 p.m. here: https://csaanich-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIod-CtqjIuH9YF2XPN1khHx2zzXMSXD6TG
• 3:00-4:00 p.m. here: https://csaanich-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMpfuiqrDIiGtNyA9i3gQTuOWL_iXxFFiuu

Register for Sat, Feb 5:

• 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. here: FULL
• noon-1:00 p.m. here: https://csaanich-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcudeysrzIjGddzGrMae0Z9tpPxs5kk83TQ

A recording of this session will also be posted online for your convenience.

3. REQUEST A PRESENTATION (for groups 10 or more):
Our planning staff are available to make virtual short presentations and discuss the OCP at request.

To make the most effective use of the opportunity to meet, the following guidelines are encouraged:

• Participate in the survey and information sessions.
• Identify the types of topics and questions you would like to focus on, if you have a special area of interest.
• Presentations and discussions will generally last 40 minutes during the workday.
• Make requests by contacting staff at OCP@CSaanich.ca

Draft OCP policies will be ready for public viewing and feedback at the end of January. In the meantime, you can view a high-level summary here.

Please join us as staff present an overview of the updates! These sessions will be small groups to enable time for questions, discussion and feedback.

Register for Thurs, Feb 3:

• 1:00-2:00 p.m. here: https://csaanich-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0qcumsrjksE9f-GgZX8M9ZzVqp6xI5cTJP
• 3:00-4:00 p.m. - FULL
• 6:00-7:00 p.m. here: https://csaanich-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtdu2trz4sG9UAyUrN0jB3UQVVI8w7PVNq

Register for Fri, Feb 4:

• 1:00-2:00 p.m. here: https://csaanich-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIod-CtqjIuH9YF2XPN1khHx2zzXMSXD6TG
• 3:00-4:00 p.m. here: https://csaanich-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMpfuiqrDIiGtNyA9i3gQTuOWL_iXxFFiuu

Register for Sat, Feb 5:

• 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. here: https://csaanich-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEsce-qqj8jE9JfOT5jqyzUKnFfS0OaSHEe
• noon-1:00 p.m. here: https://csaanich-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcudeysrzIjGddzGrMae0Z9tpPxs5kk83TQ

If these sessions fill up, we will add more! Please email us at communityservices@csaanich.ca if you have any trouble registering.

The updates in the Draft OCP are based on input we received from the community, stakeholders and our OCP Advisory Committee.