Public consultation for the CVRD’s official community plan has resulted in more emphasis on sustainable growth, housing, climate action and environmental stewardship
According to the district, the adopted bylaw in the OCP will provide a comprehensive framework for land use in all electoral areas for the next 20 years and chair Kate Segall says this adoption was done after significant engagement on current issues.
“Throughout this process, we heard clearly what matters to most residents; strengthening our communities, supporting responsible growth and protecting the rural landscapes that define us,” she says. “The board and CVRD staff worked thoughtfully to bring input into the document and were grateful for the community’s commitment to understanding how this plan guides our shared future.”
Segall says further engagement is needed to update zoning bylaws.
“Moving forward, we’ll be modernizing our zoning bylaw, which is where the ‘rubber hits the road,’” she says. “We’ll be reaching out to the development community on how to streamline our process.”
According to the district, interest in the OCP from the public has grown in South Cowichan and Segall says the district will need to engage those Electoral Areas to include them in the plan.
“There’s a lot of interest around our master plan development identified in Areas A, B and C, so those are some potential works,” she says.
Some of the highlights will also include growth management to establish containment boundaries, detailed policies for development permits and gathering community input on projects within the Cowichan Valley.
