City hosting virtual sessions in July for updates to Official Community Plan

The City of Courtenay is updating the Official Community Plan (OCP) to guide long-term decisions on land use, housing, transportation, infrastructure and more. The B.C. government requires that all local governments across the province include 20 years of housing needs in official community plans by the end of the year.

Four virtual public engagement sessions covering two different topics will take place in July:

Housing and livability
Tuesday July 15 or Thursday July 17
12 to 1:30 p.m.

Growing and servicing complete communities
Monday July 28 or Tuesday July 29
12 to 1:30 p.m.

The two sessions for each topic will have the same content and format, starting with a short presentation followed by questions and answers with project staff and consultants. Pre-registration is encouraged to get the virtual link in advance.

Public engagement opportunities will be shared throughout the summer and fall on the project page engagecomoxvalley.ca/courtenay-ocp

In late 2023, the Province of British Columbia introduced a suite of housing legislation aimed at accelerating housing supply and take a more proactive planning approach, including updating OCPs by December 31, 2025 to accommodate housing needs.

For Courtenay, these needs are identified in the Housing Needs Report completed in August 2024.

The updated OCP will build upon the existing policies of Courtenay’s current OCP adopted in 2022, and guide smart, inclusive and well-supported growth. The OCP’s vision and values include reconciliation, climate action, equity and community well-being.

The OCP update will expand housing choices by updating land use designations and associated policies, aligned with recent strategic plans and policy updates for consistency and coordination across plans. It will also outline how growth needs to be supported by infrastructure, parks, open spaces and amenities. Courtenay’s Zoning Bylaw will also be updated to ensure sufficient pre-zoned land for the 20-year housing need. To learn more, visit engagecomoxvalley.ca/courtenay-ocp