Pacific Marine Circle RouteJuan de Fuca Official Community Plans
Official Community Plans & Maps
- East Sooke
- Rural Resource Lands
- Malahat
- Otter Point
- Port Renfrew
- Shirley & Jordan River
- Willis Point
Description
Each community in the Juan de Fuca area has a comprehensive bylaw called an Official Community Plan (OCP). This document is created by the community in dialogue with locally elected commission and committee members, and is meant to serve as a statement of the objectives and policies of the local government. The OCP's clauses address the form and character of existing and proposed land use, development, protection and servicing requirements.
Most plans begin with a thorough accounting of the ecosystems, flora and fauna found in each community, as well as descriptions of topography, watersheds, forest type, and the ecological value of each region. This portion of the plan is an invaluable resource for residents wishing to know more about their area, its inhabitants and sensitive ecosystems.
Each Community Plan can be divided into three sections:
- Inventory of geography, current species, ecosystems and protection objectives
- Development policies for residential and greenspace areas
- Long term community policies for parklands, trails, services and development
Development policies often provide specific exceptions to or enhancements of the CRD's land use planning bylaws. Long term community policies address desired practices, recommended activities and goals for ecosystem protection.
The key to development of an OCP is that each is a community driven exercise which reflects the community's values with respect to growth and development. Thus, each one is particular to its local community.
© Image courtesy of Mary Sanseverino