Trust planners to lead OCP/LUB project

In social media terms, if Salt Spring’s Official Community Plan and Land Use Bylaw (OCP-LUB) update project had a relationship status, it would probably say “it’s complicated.” After spending years [...]

In social media terms, if Salt Spring’s Official Community Plan and Land Use Bylaw (OCP-LUB) update project had a relationship status, it would probably say “it’s complicated.” After spending years attached to lead consultant McElhanney — whose personnel decided in February their company should start seeing other projects — the OCP-LUB update is looking forward to a fresh start, with the Islands Trust’s Regional Planning Team now taking the reins. Local trustees met Thursday, July 9 to review a new “phase two” project charter and workplan for the beleaguered update, now explicitly framing it as a major, not minor, overhaul of the island’s planning framework — likely further acknowledgment that it’s no mean feat to “increase housing options and housing equity” on the island and integrate multiple interests.

“We were trying to come at it in a procedural way, so the outcome wasn’t determined,” said trustee Laura Patrick. “We didn’t know if it was [going to be] minor, or comprehensive.” The draft charter now clearly describes the project as a major amendment to the OCP-LUB, with policies planned to address attainable housing, environmental stewardship, climate change, reconciliation with First Nations and growth.

The 2024 terms of