At the City of Fernie, we recently launched a project to update our Official Community Plan (OCP). Last revised in 2002, our OCP is one of our most important planning documents. Not only does it establish policies around development and land use, it also gives direction to other community plans, including capital plans, transportation strategies and the like.
Our OCP also ensures that decisions from different City departments (e.g., leisure services, engineering, planning) are aligned and working towards a common direction – a vital, thriving and sustainable Fernie we all want to call home.
What’s an Official Community Plan (OCP)?
An OCP is a provincially mandated regulatory document that provides policies on a broad range of topics including land use, transportation, housing, parks and infrastructure. OCPs designate land for specific purposes, like commercial/retail, residential, park, industrial, and often provide specific guidelines around the form and character of buildings and streets.
Local governments also use OCPs to help guide and support decision-making on a number of other important community matters including economic development, transportation, recreation, environmental protection, climate change, arts & culture and more.
Check the OCP Update pages for more info on how you can get Involved.
Timing?
Work started this summer and we expect to complete it by winter 2013. The timeline outlines major project components and expected timing.
Such an approach will recognize the interplay between different components of our community, our economy, our transportation networks, our homes and neighbourhoods, our parks and natural areas, our buildings and infrastructure, etc. and how they must all be considered parts of one larger community system.
Who’s working on it?
We established an OCP Advisory Committee to help review materials, provide input and reach out to the community. The 15-member, volunteer group is made up of a broad cross-section of Fernie residents, two City Councillors and our Mayor.
We are also working with the Whistler Centre for Sustainability (www.whistlercentre.ca), a non-profit organization that provides sustainability planning services to local governments across BC. They are working with a larger consultant team of community planners and technical staff that includes EcoPlan (www.ecoplan.ca) and Cascade Environmental Resources Group (www.cerg.ca).
How can I get involved?
Public participation is an important part of our OCP update project. Whether you are a business owner, a resident, a visitor, or own a home in Fernie, we want to hear from you. There are several ways you can get involved and stay informed:
– Join the email distribution list: Join our email distribution list and be part of the online community! Send your request to join with your email address to FernieOCP@whistlercentre.ca
– Check the website regularly: Check this website for regular updates, upcoming event information and to learn what the community has said. We will be providing all project materials on our website, including newsletters, information posters, open house reports and other materials.
– Participate in public events: Three Open Houses will be held throughout the project, all of which will help feed community input directly into project decisions. Specific dates will be provided on this site as we get closer to the planned open house.
– Talk to us! Have a great idea or want to share your thoughts? Email or talk to a city councilor or a member of the OCP Advisory Committee.
– Check out background documents: If you interested in learning more about the OCP update check out the online resource below.
City of Fernie Official Community Plan