Draft Official Community Plan for the Electoral Areas (Bylaw 4373) & Ideas Book

ABOUT THE MODERNIZED OCP

The CVRD is modernizing the Official Community Plan for the Electoral Areas (OCP Bylaw 4373). The OCP sets out a vision for the electoral areas over the next five to ten years consistent with Cowichan 2050. The OCP is nearing completion except for the development of the Local Area Plans. In the late fall of 2024, the OCP including Schedules A (OCP), C (Development Permit Areas) and all mapping schedules will be advanced to the Board for consideration of first reading. Note Schedule B Local Area Plans is still in development and not anticipated to be completed until Fall 2025.

WHAT'S NEXT

Fall 2024 / Winter 2025

The following draft Schedules will be presented to the CVRD Board for first reading:

Schedule A – OCP Policies and Objectives

Schedule C – Development Permit Areas Designations

Schedule D - Agricultural Land Maps

Schedule E – Fire Protection Maps

Schedule F – First Nations maps

Schedule G – Growth Containment Boundaries and Growth Areas Maps

Schedule H – Heritage Designation Maps

Schedule J – Sand and Gravel Deposits Maps

Schedule L – Land Use Designations Maps

Schedule M – Marine Area Maps

Schedule O – Floodplain and Dam Maps

Schedule P – Terrestrial Parks Maps

Schedule S – Service Area Maps

Schedule T – Transportation and Major Roads Maps

Schedule U – Development Permit Area Maps

Note - Schedule B Local Area Plans will be presented to the Board for 1st reading in Fall 2025.

Fall 2024 / Spring 2025

OCP Schedule B Local Area Plans Step 3 - Implementation planning is underway which will result in an implementation plan and metrics for each local area plan. Draft local area plans will be presented to the Advisory Planning Commission in Spring 2025.

Click here for more information about the Local Area Plans.

ABOUT THE MODERNIZED OCP

The Modernized OCP includes nine Local Area Plans generally consistent with the Growth Containment Boundaries.

Figure 1: Modernized OCP

Watch the 'Harmonization/Modernization' VIDEO for an explanation of the process.

The scope of Bylaw 4373 includes all nine of the CVRD's electoral areas.

Electoral areas in the CVRD:

Area A - Mill Bay/Malahat
Area B - Shawnigan Lake
Area C - Cobble Hill
Area D - Cowichan Bay
Area E - Cowichan Station/Sahtlam/Glenora
Area F - Cowichan Lake South/Skutz Falls
Area G - Saltair
Area H - North Oyster/Diamond
Area I - Youbou/Meade Creek

Watch the 'A Place to Look After' VIDEO for an overview of the electoral areas.

The OCP's framework for organizing land use is called the Transect. Watch the 'Transect' VIDEO for an explanation of how the process helps us develop and inform land use in the CVRD.

WHAT IS THE IDEAS BOOK?

Ideas from public engagement from 2020 to 2024 have been compiled into an Ideas Book. This is a living document and ideas will be added after each consultation.

The Ideas Book has now been updated with community input from the Local Area Plan Step 1 Facilitated Workshops. The Ideas Book is currently being updated from Local Area Plans Step 2 APC Consultation.
View the Ideas Book here.

WHAT IS A STORY MAP?

The Story Map is a visual representation of some of the key portions of the OCP. It will take you through the different land use designations and what they mean for the CVRD. This tool will help users get acquainted with land use designations and the OCP in an interactive way.

It's an immersive resource where you can click, zoom, and explore the CVRD through maps and graphics - Click Here or on the image below to launch the Story Map.

WHAT IS A SPECIAL STUDY AREA?

Special study areas indicate the potential for future comprehensive development and/or infrastructure servicing needs in three categories:

• Infrastructure & Servicing
• Comprehensive Development
• New Parks & Open Spaces

Click HERE for the complete list of Draft Special Study Areas.