The municipality launched the update of the Official Community Plan earlier this summer, hosting an open house at council chambers that attracted approximately 50 people. Members of the OCP Update Steering Committee welcomed the public, explaining the process and inviting questions.

Dave Witty, chair, said that it was important for people to understand that the work underway will build on the core values of the existing plan. The intent is to complete an update, rather than a review of the 15 year-old document, said Witty. “We won’t be starting from zero and rewriting” the policy framework. Rather, the job of the steering committee, with assistance from municipal staff and Bowen residents, will be to identify what needs to be preserved, removed or added. The result, said Witty will be a “user-friendly accessible plan.”

The OCP is a legal document and tool of Council used to help manage growth and change on the island. It sets out objectives and outlines policies to guide Council’s decisions on a range of issues such as housing, heritage, transportation, parks, environment and natural resources use, municipal infrastructure and economic development. New requirements, established through provincial legislation, include consideration of the local impact of climate change and the need for targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

The committee has hired a consulting firm, CitySpaces, who will work the community and Steering Committee, to update the existing OCP. Planning consultant, Ann Kjerulf will work closely with the committee as the process proceeds through four phases leading to the formation of a bylaw.

Witty said there will be ample opportunity provided for the public to get involved in the process and to offer ideas and feedback. The committee is organizing a two-day community workshop on August 14 and 15 at Cates Hill Chapel. Details are contained in the OCP Update Newsletter #2. A dedicated website has been established, which will post a survey amongst other interactive components, and of course the public is welcome to attend all committee meetings (dates and times posted on the BIM website).
 
The idea, said Witty, is to initiate a public dialogue, encouraging community members to speak with one another, not just directly to the committee. Ensuring a transparent process with significant public input is crucial. The result will follow that at the end of the day “there should be no surprises in the community,” said Witty.

“If we do this successfully, when the public hearing unfolds, people will be supportive. I want to be able to say:  ‘The community produced this document.’”

In reference to a question regarding whether an economic plan for Bowen Island will be an outcome of the update, Witty responded that is not a purpose of the plan. But, the Update will give clear direction for the development of such a plan, if that is the wish of the community.

“The OCP will address social, economic, environmental and physical development considerations. If there is a desire to have detailed exploration of particular issues, needs or concepts that relate to the update mandate (areas of social, economic, environmental and physical development), further special studies, that build on the update’s vision, principles, objectives and policies, will be identified for follow-up once the Update is adopted. The process will empower and give direction to the community so that more detailed discussions can ensue.”

Joining Witty on the steering committee are:  Libby Beck, Peter Drake, Sue Ellen Fast, Neil Gray, Casey Grundy, Robert McGilvray and John Rich.
 

The following document lists a collection of documents that will be relevant during the OCP Update.  Click on the link below to view the document. 

http://www.bowenocpupdate.ca/resources/Resource_Document_Summary.pdf