KIMBERLEY, BC - The City of Kimberley is excited to announce that the City’s Official Community Plan (OCP) will undergo a comprehensive review in 2016. The project is being launched in early January and is scheduled to be completed by the end of summer. First adopted in 2005, the current OCP needs to be reviewed to ensure its alignment with the current community values and vision and with other community planning exercises such as the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan, Climate Change Adaptation, and Affordable Housing.
“Throughout the update process we want to explore the linkage between land use decisions and their impact on infrastructure and service delivery” says CAO Scott Sommerville.
“The cost of servicing and maintaining infrastructure for some forms of development is causing financial stress for most municipalities, and Kimberley is no different. Infrastructure renewal, new revenue and financial sustainability are key priorities of Council. We want this OCP update to set the stage to encourage investment and development that improves our infrastructure position and enhances our financial resiliency.”
Most importantly, the OCP update is an opportunity for community members to have their say in how Kimberley should evolve. City staff have designed a process to ensure multiple opportunities for community members to be informed and engaged in the project. Troy Pollock, Manager of Planning Services, says “we have developed an engagement process that provides several innovative opportunities to get involved.” In late January the City will set-up a temporary “OCP in a Week” conversation space to invite community participation in the Plan. “We are looking forward to getting out of the office and being readily accessible to the community. We want to encourage everyone to stop in for a coffee and share their ideas of how to make Kimberley a good place to be.” City staff will also be using an online platform for residents and business operators to provide feedback on the OCP process for those that would prefer to contribute when and where it is convenient to them.
Mayor Don McCormick echoes staff’s comments, “This project is our community’s opportunity to not only update policies around development and land use, but also give direction to other plans including capital infrastructure plans and budgeting. Council needs this updated Plan to support decision making that is in line with the community’s expectations.”
More announcements will be made after the holiday season identifying the dates and times for the “OCP in a Week” event and other opportunities to provide feedback.