Area E hosts meetings on possible development of OCP
By Nelson Daily Editor
The Nelson Daily staff
The road to an Official Community Plan could be in the future of Regional District of Central Kootenay electoral Area E.
With the results of a land use survey showing a greater number of people who supported the development of an OCP for the area (43 per cent versus 37 per cent who were undecided or needed more information), the regional district will be holding a series of public meetings to discuss development of an OCP for Area E.
The next meeting is slated for Thursday, Nov. 25 at the Balfour Hall from 6:30-8 p.m. People can also attend another meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 30 at Blewett Elementary from 6-7:30 p.m., and on Wednesday, Dec. 1 at the RDCK building in Nelson from 6:30-8 p.m.
In all, there were 2,136 surveys sent out, with 40 per cent of landowners and residents returning the surveys.
In addition to these opportunities for input, people are welcome to attend Advisory Planning Commission meetings to ask questions or voice their concerns.
Individuals can also provide written submissions to the Advisory Planning Commission, RDCK planning staff or Area E director Ramona Faust ((250) 353-7691, Ramona_r@telus.net) at any time throughout the process.
For more information please contact your local APC representative or Sangita Sudan, RDCK senior planner at (250) 352-8157 or by email at ssudan@rdck.bc.ca.
What are zoning bylaws
There are no restrictions associated with adoption of an OCP on an individual property owner, unless a Development Permit Area is established to protect the value important to the community.
Would an OCP change what people could do on their property?
An OCP sets out the goals and objectives of the communities within Electoral Area E.
In an OCP, land use designations typically reflect the current use of properties in an area based on BC Assessment data, and does not conflict with what people already are doing with their property.
Official community plans are broad policies or guidelines that reflect the 25-year community vision. While they are binding on the regional board, they have no regulatory effect or ability to control the use of private property.
If a local government wishes to have control on the use of private land they must institute appropriate regulatory bylaws which are consistent with the official community plan.
