Courtenay's Official Community Plan is being reviewed!

Please check back on this webpage to stay up to date on project updates and learn how to get involved.

The COVID-19 pandemic may impact the engagement timelines for this project. Please subscribe to the project newsletter below to receive updates.

OCP Update E-Newsletter

Online Consultation Opportunities on NOW

In the time of physical distancing for now, there are online opportunities for you to share your ideas for Courtenay's future. More will be added throughout the summer:

GIS StoryMap

Snap-comment-share photos of what in Courtenay is important to you, or in need of change. Share while you're on a walk, or upload photos from your home computer. Available all summer long - participate as many times as you like!

Thank you!

A huge thank you to everyone who participated in our Official Community Plan Ideas Fair on February 19, 2020. View a summary of the key themes [PDF - 82 KB] from the event, or the full Ideas Fair Public Engagement Report [PDF - 18 MB].

View the Ideas Fair panels:

Ideas Fair Welcome Panel [PDF - 2 MB]

Ideas Fair Display Panels [PDF - 9 MB]

Ideas Fair Interactive Panels [PDF - 12 MB]

OCP Advisory Committee Panels [PDF - 2 MB]

Glossary & Key Concepts of Community Planning [PDF - 213 KB]

View the DRAFT Phase 1 OCP Background Report

DRAFT Phase 1 OCP Background Research Report [PDF - 15 MB]

This Background Research Report begins to build a baseline for Courtenay, focusing on key factors that are important to understand in creating an OCP. Please note that the Background Report is still in draft form and is subject to review.

What is an Official Community Plan?

The Official Community Plan (OCP) is a tool for Council and citizens to manage change in our community. The OCP sets out land use categories and approximate locations and densities of land uses. It becomes adopted as a Bylaw by Council and directs all other community plans including servicing plans, development design standards and the Zoning Bylaw.

New developments must be in line with the land use designations and other policies outlined within it.  The OCP applies to the entire municipality and is the principal policy document that Council uses to make decisions on matters such as:

• Land use
• Growth management
• Design of the built environment
• Protection of the environment
• Climate change
• Transportation and mobility
• Economic development
• Infrastructure
• Housing needs

View Courtenay's existing Official Community Plan

News and Updates:

February 5, 2020: Upcoming Courtenay Official Community Plan Ideas Fair

View past OCP Update E-Newsletters:
March 5, 2020: OCP Update - Consultation Opportunities Continue Throughout 2020
February 18, 2020: Reminder: OCP Ideas Fair
February 7, 2020: Courtenay Official Community Plan Ideas Fair

Why is the Official Community Plan being updated?

After nearly 15 years, the Official Community Plan (OCP) update is required to ensure it meets current population projections and community values, while continuing to meet statutory requirements. Courtenay has been experiencing steady growth and is projected to continue to be a desirable place to settle. The ultimate objective of the OCP update is to generate “climate friendly” community planning solutions in line with Courtenay Council's 2019 declaration of a Climate Crisis.

Please check back on this webpage to stay up to date on project updates and learn how to get involved.