Official Community Plan

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OUR CITY PLAN

WHAT IS AN OCP, WHO IS IT FOR, AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

The OCP is a bylaw, prepared and adopted by City Council in compliance with the Provincial Local Government Act. It is a long range policy plan that guides the City’s decision making related to growth and development approvals as well as other community interests such as housing and infrastructure until 2031, when the city is expected to be home to approximately 4,500 more residents. It is the umbrella policy document for the City of Courtenay , owned and implemented by all departments. It provides the overarching strategic direction for City Council and staff, who consider and apply OCP vision and policies to a wide range of municipal decisions such as budgeting, servicing, capital projects, and in the review of land use and development proposals. The OCP is not intended to provide highly detailed policies on topics that are already covered in the City’s other Master Plans and regulations. Rather, this OCP builds upon and supersedes those plans and tools.

This Official Community Plan (OCP) is the culmination of creative and inspiring visioning with community members across Courtenay of diverse ages and backgrounds. It paints a powerful picture of what Courtenay will be like within the next 10 years – and beyond – and the steps that will be taken to get there. It also sets the stage for the continued evolution of Courtenay beyond that timeframe, recognizing that significant challenges and opportunities of our time require a commitment to long-term action. It influences how people live, work, shop, play, access services, and move around the community. This OCP is also a local response to significant challenges and opportunities of our time, including climate change, inequity, community well-being, and relations between Indigenous and non‑Indigenous Peoples.

City of Courtenay OCP Background Report PART A Foundations