The visionary plan to guide development in Oak Bay for the next 30 years is up for debate Saturday.
Highlights from the 169-page official community plan survey, released last week, includes overwhelming support to regulate secondary suites (78 per cent), more housing alternatives for seniors and the disabled (73 per cent) and strong support for maintaining and conserving parks, trees, green space, pathways and the shoreline.
The results did not surprise Coun. Pam Copley, who chairs the OCP advisory committee. She said it’s validation that council and the community are on the same page.
“There is support for managed, limited growth that respects aspects of Oak Bay (that people love),” Copley said. “Most importantly, we were able to reach people who don’t typically come out to meetings or public hearings.”
Almost 33 per cent of Oak Bay households responded to the survey, significantly more than the 10 to 15 per cent return rate anticipated by Points of View Research, the company hired to conduct the survey.
Feedback from the open house will be used to compose the first draft of the new OCP. Copley said the process is now more than half done with two more open houses scheduled before a final draft is presented to council, likely before the November municipal election.
“If you want some bedtime reading that is not of the light variety, there is lots online on the municipal website,” Copley said.
Find the results online at oakbay.ca. The open house will be held at Oak Bay Recreation Centre, 1975 Bee St. from 1 to 4 p.m.