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Have your say on new plan

More public consultation for Official Community Plan ahead

It hasn’t been updated since 1997, but thanks to a push from council and some residents, Oak Bay will be the proud owner of a renewed Official Community Plan by late fall.

A community survey was approved in principle at a special council meeting last week. The survey, which was first drafted through consultation with the official community plan advisory committee, was given initial feedback at a July 25 meeting. The final draft of that survey will be completed by a subcommittee, comprised of Coun. Pam Copley, committee member Jan Mears and Gary Nason, the chief administrative officer, then sent to all Oak Bay residents sometime in September, giving every community member a chance to define the new vision of Oak Bay.

“This final survey will let all residents have a chance to give their views on a vision for Oak Bay,” said Oak Bay Mayor Nils Jensen. “This is one important step in our Official Community Plan community consultation. And this is an exciting and big step in the OCP process.”

The plan will guide the municipality in future land use and development of the district, through a framework policy that addresses residents’ core values on housing, transportation, infrastructure, parks, economic development and the natural and social environment.

After the survey is delivered between Sept. 16 and Oct. 21, council expects results to be collected through mail, phone and via a web survey.

Results will be analyzed through the end of November. That won’t be the last say, however, Jensen says more opportunities will be available for public input over the next six to eight months, through meetings or letters to the district.

The survey is expected to cost the district between $7,100 and $8,200, due to the number of residences reached.