Council Schedules OCP Workshop Prior to Next Phase
Over the past nine months, there have been a variety of opportunities for public input during the first phases of updating the Official Community Plan (OCP). On Monday, July 12, Council adapted the OCP Review process in response to public feedback and paused further public engagement until after a facilitated Council-Project Team workshop can occur in September.
Hundreds of North Saanich residents have participated through online surveys, community conversations, workshops, virtual meetings, and in-person pop-up sessions, providing valuable input about how the community might change over the next 20 years. Much of the recent feedback received noted a strong desire for more in-person public engagement opportunities, concern related to a number of the Big Concepts, and further clarity around how public input will inform Council decision-making.
“North Saanich residents have repeatedly confirmed their support for the rural, marine, and agricultural character of our municipality. Residents also understand that we are a suburban/rural residential community with varied neighbourhood identities, a large agricultural land-base, forested areas in parks and on private parcels, and a substantial commercial area situated on the Victoria Airport lands and nearby west Sidney industrial area,” said Mayor Geoff Orr. “Our challenging task moving forward is to create meaningful opportunities for community-focused, respectful, welcoming, and inclusive dialogue. We heard very clearly over the past eight weeks that residents were concerned with certain aspects of the OCP Review process and the content of the big concepts. Council has paused the process and given direction in response to the feedback received.”
The facilitated workshop will provide an opportunity for Council to review the May 19 big concepts in more detail, determine what future engagement will look like, and articulate a clear path forward. View the detailed Council motions.
An additional OCP Review process update will be delivered to each household in North Saanich in the coming weeks.
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