City of Courtenay Official Community Plan - 2026 update

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Throughout the project timeline the City of Courtenay engaged specifically and separately with the K'ómoks First Nation in government to-government ideas exchanges.

HOW THE 2022 OCP CAME TOGETHER

The City of Courtenay thanks all participants who contributed their voices, values and ideas to the OCP process in 2022. Creating the OCP was truly a community effort. Regular advertising for the OCP process occurred through a dedicated e-newsletter, social media posts, advertisements in the paper for consultation opportunities, posters, through interest-holder networks, and was featured prominently on the City's website.

Draft OCP Extending from past engagement and research, policies and guidelines were developed for all facets of the OCP. An updated growth scenario was created to open up more land along corridors, further increasing options for land development within the city’s existing footprint and shaping draft land use policies.

Community Visioning A vision and a set of goals were co-created with the community through an Ideas Fair, which set the foundation for the 2022 OCP. One of the OCP goals was to respond to the climate emergency, by supporting the City Council approved target of net-zero emissions by 2050. At this time, the COVID-19 global pandemic was declared.

Fall 2021- Summer 2022

Summer 2020 - Fall 2020

Fall 2019 - Winter 2020

Winter 2020 - Summer 2021

Spring 2020

Final OCP Preparation and Adoption Community and stakeholder input was solicited on the full draft OCP, through an online survey, virtual town hall, or private meeting with City staff. First Nations and statutory agencies were formally referred the OCP for further input. The OCP Advisory Community prepared their final report to Council in this final phase of consultation. The OCP Bylaw was then adopted in Summer 2022.

Background Research & Advisory Committee Baseline information on existing conditions was collected on OCP topics, ranging from urban form and transportation to parks and environment. Population projections, land use supply, future demand, and projected greenhouse gas emissions were assessed. Throughout the process, input and insights were provided by an Advisory Committee comprised of members of the public representing a variety of topic areas including arts and culture, business, development, economic development, environmental stewardship, health and social services, housing, and matters pertaining specifically to seniors and youth.

Community Engagement

An online survey (782 participants) and eight (8) virtual stakeholder workshops were offered to allow community members the opportunity to provide input. Eleven (11) neighbourhood “walkshops” were held across the city and supplemented by nine (9) virtual workshops, to gather input on how the OCP’s draft vision, goals, and growth concepts could come to life in each neighbourhood. During this process, age-friendly research and engagement was incorporated to encourage participation of community members across the age spectrum, with specific emphasis on opportunities for older adults to youth.

Interest-Holder Engagement Between winter 2020 and summer 2021 a series of focused virtual stakeholder sessions were held on a variety of topics to refine policy concepts. 130 individuals participated across all 10 sessions. regional Housing Needs Assessment, this study created strategies for housing needs in Courtenay, which were included in the OCP. Affordable Housing Strategy Options Study Building on the 2020

Growth Scenarios The growth scenarios prepared included a “business as usual” approach and two (2) compact growth approaches with high based on community based performance measures and were also modelled using GHG modelling to address net zero target alignment. The scenario was refined which resulted in a hybrid growth model. intensity along corridors. The scenarios were tested

City of Courtenay Official Community Plan