District invites feedback into draft vision, goals, and policy directions for new Official Community Plan
Today, the District of North Saanich kicked off its latest round of public engagement on the Official Community Plan (OCP) review.
The OCP guides decisions on how lands will be managed and reflects the community’s values and vision for the next 20 years. It will guide decisions on things like land use, infrastructure investment, and mitigating and adapting to climate change. It is adopted as a bylaw and informs Council and community decision-making.
“Residents can help shape a vision for North Saanich that protects our greatest attributes and responds to the emerging and varied needs of our community,” said North Saanich Mayor Geoff Orr. “This spring, we are continuing in-person and virtual conversations with North Saanich residents to generate ideas and capture feedback, welcoming as many diverse perspectives as possible.”
The district’s population is projected to grow by almost a thousand people in the next two decades: from 12,235 in 2021 to 13,000 in 2038.
Six interconnected OCP themes, informed by previous phases of engagement, will guide the OCP conversations: agriculture and food systems, marine and land-based natural environments, climate action, healthy communities, jobs and the local economy, and housing and affordability.
To reach as many residents as possible, there are a variety of ways North Saanich residents can participate.
A survey invites participants to review the draft vision, draft goals, and potential policy directions that are being considered as the District looks to develop a draft OCP. The survey, which closes on June 12, is available online at connectnorthsaanich.ca/ocp, and hard-copy versions are available at Municipal Hall (1620 Mills Road).
The District is also offering several in-person events for residents to learn more and provide feedback. These in-person events include two open houses and a workshop for residents in the district’s “Southeast Quadrant”: the McTavish, Bazan Bay, Terraces, and Eaglehurst neighbourhoods.
No registration is required to attend the in-person open houses. Both locations are accessible and offer activities for children.
The District is also offering a virtual open house over Zoom, recognizing that this provides more flexibility for people with busy work lives, family commitments, and other circumstances that prevent attending in-person events.
(For scheduling and registration details for the various public engagement activities and events, please see the “ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES” table.)
A number of local resident and environmental associations, as well as the OCP’s Advisory Working Group, have been invited to participate in dedicated community dialogue sessions.
To complete the survey and to review detailed information about the OCP, visit connectnorthsaanich.ca/ocp.
The same page includes a link to the Phase 3 Engagement Background Materials, which include the draft vision, draft goals, and potential policy directions.
ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
| Event | Date | Time | Location |
| Survey | Closes Sun, June 12 | Anytime | Online at connectnorthsaanich.ca/ocp or pick up a copy at Municipal Hall |
| Virtual Open House | Tues, May 31 | 6:00-8:30 pm | Online; register by emailing planning@northsaanich.ca |
| In-person Open House | Sat, June 4 | 2:00–5:00 pm | McTavish Academy of Art: 1720 McTavish Road |
| In-person Open House | Thurs, June 9 | 6:00-9:00 pm | Deep Cove Elementary School: 10975 West Saanich Road |
