The Peace River Regional District is seeking public feedback on its draft new plan to guide development around Fort St. John, Taylor, and Charlie Lake.
PRRD directors gave first reading to the PRRD’s proposed new North Peace Fringe Area Official Community Plan on Oct. 7. Among its key themes are protecting agricultural land and rural lifestyles along with the environment, and collaborating on managing growth and long-term plans for the area.
“An Official Community Plan sets out the vision for an area for the future,” the PRRD says.
“It provides a framework to guide decision-making on land use planning matters including where new growth and development will be directed to, what uses are permitted and how areas will be protected for things like agriculture, recreation and the environment.”
The OCP first went under review in June 2015, and has been through several public consultations since.
Of particular note, the new OCP designates the Old Fort as ”an area of non-decision,” according to the PRRD.
“This means that the new NPFA OCP will not include this area and the old OCP will remain in effect,” the PRRD states. “This will allow the new NPFA OCP to move forward and ensure that additional planning and review of the Old Fort area can take place later when appropriate.”
The PRRD says the draft of the new OCP also incorporates its recent housing needs assessment, and updates development permit areas to match land use designations to “reflect the need to protect the natural environment and agricultural lands.”
The PRRD is planning a virtual open house flr Nov. 3 and an in-person open house for Nov. 6 to gather public feedback. Public comments will be closed Nov. 12.
Residents can review the draft OCP and provide feedback online through the PRRD’s website by clicking here.
