GRAND FORKS Official Community Plan
The 2022 update of the Official Community Plan was adopted by Council at the Regular Meeting held on July 11, 2022.
Quick Links
Grand Forks Official Community Plan FAQ
WWHR What We Heard Report June Engagement
Survey link: Survey closed
Background documents:
-
- May 9th 2022 Staff Report: 220509-OCP-Draft-Release.pdf
- Draft OCP for engagement: 1 GRAND FORKS OCP-draft_220509.pdf
- Draft OCP Maps for engagement: 2 GRAND FORKS OCP MAPS-draft_220509.pdf
- “OCP in a page” handout: 3 GF-OCP-in-a-page-LResolution-v2.pdf
- Existing OCP Bylaw 1919 consolidation: 5 2019-01-08 OCP Bylaw 1919, 2011 Consolidation
- Draft OCP Bylaw Front Matter Bylaw2089-2022OCP.pdf
- Draft OCP Repeal Bylaw By1919-R-SustainableCommunityPlanBylawRepealBylaw-DRAFT.pdf
Updates to the Official Community Plan Bylaw
The City is updating the Official Community Plan (OCP) and will be engaging citizens on many important topics over the coming months, including housing, tourism, downtown, flood mitigation, parks and trails, wayfinding, climate change, and land development.
Questions and/or comments can be sent by email to: ocp@grandforks.ca
FAQ
What is an Official Community Plan?
An Official Community Plan (OCP) is a long-term vision for a community. An OCP is the key plan for the future of the City of Grand Forks. An OCP is a series of policies and objectives that guide future decision-making of the City and has legal status as the highest-level plan in the City.
To learn more visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/local-governments/planning-land-use/local-government-planning/official-community-plans
How does this affect my day-to-day life?
Housing choice and affordability, parks, trails, a vibrant downtown, and local jobs/economy are just some of the aspects of your everyday life that are influenced by the Official Community Plan (OCP). The OCP directs the City’s future investments in these important aspects of your community.
What key areas are the focus of this OCP update?
Four key topic areas were identified by Council for this OCP update.
- Market district concept (a vibrant downtown core)
- Housing
- Form and character definitions and expectations (the look and design of buildings in your community)
- Active transportation (walking, cycling, rolling) policies and objectives (e.g. trail networks)
The current OCP will also be streamlined for clarity and readability and reviewed to ensure that it aligns with the Zoning Bylaw and other City planning documents. In addition to updating the OCP, the City is taking on several other initiatives which will be rolling out in the following months. These other projects include:
- Wayfinding Strategy,
- Design Charette for the North Ruckle Area, and
- Policy and Zoning Bylaw updates related to flood plain mitigation.
The community will be engaged on these important projects and topics in the coming months either alongside the OCP update or separately.
How can I get involved and stay updated on the OCP Update Project?
There will be numerous opportunities for public engagement throughout the project beginning in June 2021. Depending on the status of COVID-19, engagement opportunities will be carefully balanced between online platforms and in-person events.
If you would like to sign-up for project updates and upcoming events, please email OCP@grandforks.ca or stay tuned on the City’s website and Facebook page.
Why is it important I get involved? How does my opinion get incorporated?
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to influence the future of Grand Forks! The OCP was last updated in 2011, 10 years ago, and it has since guided the decisions of the City. Now is the chance to influence the next 10-15 years.
The OCP project team will listen to all voices and ideas during the project. The team will then gather all feedback into a comprehensive understanding from citizens of the local values and priorities for the future of Grand Forks that will assist in guiding the policies in the OCP update. A publicly available What We Heard document will be available following each phase of public engagement. The team has the exciting challenge of bringing together a host of ideas, best practices and perspectives, including: community values and priorities, Council direction, staff direction, consultant team member expertise, and latest best practices in community planning.
Why does the City need to update its Official Community Plan?
The City’s current OCP was adopted in 2011. Since 2011 the City has changed, and it faces new opportunities and challenges. Today, a focused update on the current OCP is required to give a renewed vision for the City.
The City of Grand Forks Strategic Plan 2019 indicates that revising and updating the OCP based on emerging issues is a strategic priority. On August 31st, 2020, Council participated in a workshop which explored that strategic priority further. At that workshop, Council had the opportunity to consider important themes, and various approaches for updating the OCP.
Who will be leading the OCP and Zoning Bylaw project?
Graham Watt, Manager of Strategic Initiatives / Flood Recovery, is the municipal project lead. Following a competitive bid process, the City has contracted a highly qualified consultant team lead by MVH Urban Planning & Design. The consultant team has extensive experience working in similar sized BC municipalities and has completed numerous award-winning community planning projects. Learn more at: http://www.mvhinc.com/
Contact Information
General Inquiries
City Contact
Graham Watt
Manager of Strategic Initiatives / Flood Recovery
Consultant Contact
MVH Urban Planning & Design
Michael von Hausen
vhausen@telus.net
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