CloseShare Your Input on Community Growth in the SCRD
Where should our communities grow and where should they not? What do we need to consider as we grow, when it comes to housing, climate and the environment? What type of housing do you think would suit your neighbourhood? Starting tomorrow, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) will be in communities asking these questions and more as we work to incorporate your feedback in the Official Community Plan (OCP) Renewal Project.
Before we continue, a reminder of what an OCP is. An OCP is like a roadmap for the future. It guides how our communities grow, evolve, and respond to change. Whether it’s planning neighbourhoods, determining housing options, protecting the environment, developing parks and infrastructure or preparing for the impacts of climate change, the OCP sets the course for decision-making that affects everyone, now and for generations to come.
During the first phase of engagement, the SCRD heard from thousands of people in person and online about their priorities for both their own neighbourhoods and the region as a whole. We heard loud and clear that communities across the Sunshine Coast want an approach that focuses new housing in areas that already have services to help achieve our goals of improved affordability, livability, and the preservation of natural areas within and around our communities. All of this while ensuring that we maintain the character and uniqueness of our communities.
At the same time, over the last six months the SCRD has undertaken technical analysis and reviews that show that new housing and services will be most efficient if they are focused in community hubs. This can help control costs associated with taxation for these services, while focusing amenities and services where they are needed most, all while respecting what makes these communities special in the first place.
Taking all of this feedback and analysis, the SCRD is bringing forward a map that shows where opportunities for growth exist on the Sunshine Coast. These are locations suitable to handle development from a technical point of view. Where growth will actually be planned for has not yet been determined. Your feedback will help shape our communities as we plan for the future.
So how can you provide your input? Well first please check out letstalk.scrd.ca/ocp-renewal to read up on the project. Then join us in person or online.
In person
Join us for Coffee, Tea and the OCP at the dates and locations below.
- Saturday, February 7: London Drugs in Gibsons, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Monday, February 9: Welcome Woods Market in Halfmoon Bay, 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday, February 14: Roberts Creek General Store, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Saturday, February 21: Gibsons and Area Community Centre (Coastal Tsunami Game), 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, February 28: Madeira Park IGA, 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
A schedule for three community workshops will be released shortly.
Online
Take ten to fifteen minutes and complete our community questionnaire. You can find it by clicking here. The questionnaire will close on March 31.
Please take some time to read the introduction to each section to help answer the questions. You can also check out this video which outlines what this phase of engagement is all about.
As a thank you for taking our questionnaire we’re offering you the chance to win a gift card to a local business. Take the questionnaire, add your name and good luck!
The name says it all, Official Community Plan. It’s about our community, and your voice is essential.