Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw Update

The Village is updating the Official Community Plan (OCP) and Zoning Bylaw and will be engaging citizens on many important topics over the coming months, including: jobs, tourism, downtown, parks and trails, climate change and land development.

Upcoming Events 

The Draft Official Community Plan is now available and public comment is encouraged! Dive into the Draft OCP and make sure that we have heard your vision for your community.

Project Timeline

What We Heard

The final engagement phase of the Official Community Plan (OCP) and Zoning Bylaw update took place during November / December, with the opportunity for the public to give input as the Draft OCP is completed.  The Draft Directions Engagement took place online through a series of webinars and a survey designed to gather feedback on specific policies.  See the report on the feedback from this engagement here. 

Public involvement in the Valemount OCP Project is key to ensure chosen strategies, policies and regulations reflect citizen’s current vision for their community and address present-day concerns.  The September Engagement Week was a significant in-person engagement session to speak with council, citizens, and various stakeholders within the community. Themes for the week centered around priorities for the future, opportunities for growth, identifying concerns, and discussing solutions.  See the full report on what we heard here.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does this affect my day-to-day life?

Housing choice and affordability, parks, trails, a vibrant downtown, and local jobs/economy are just some of the aspects of your everyday life that are influenced by the OCP and Zoning Bylaw. The OCP directs the Village’s future investments in these important aspects of your community. The Zoning Bylaw controls what can or cannot be built as well as housing affordability and choice, locations of parks and trails, transportation networks and property taxes.

How can I get involved and stay updated on the OCP Project?

There will be numerous opportunities for public engagement throughout the project beginning in August 2020. Depending on the status of COVID-19 engagement opportunities will be carefully balanced between online platforms and in-person events.

If you would like to sign-up for project updates and upcoming events please email OCP@valemount.ca or stay tuned on the Village’s website and Facebook page.

Why is it important I get involved? How does my opinion get incorporated?

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to influence the future of Valemount! The OCP was last updated in 2006, almost 15 years ago and it has since guided the decisions of the Village. Now is the chance to influence the next 15-25 years. 

The OCP project team will listen to all voices during the project. The team will gather all feedback into a comprehensive understanding from citizens of the local values and priorities for the future of Valemount that will guide the policies in the OCP and regulations in the Zoning Bylaw.  

What is an Official Community Plan?

An Official Community Plan (OCP) is a long-term vision for a community. An OCP is the key plan for the future of the Village of Valemount. An OCP is a series of policies and objectives that guide future decision-making of the Village and has legal status as the highest level plan in the Village.

To learn more visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/local-governments/planning-land-use/local-government-planning/official-community-plans

What is a Zoning Bylaw?

A Zoning Bylaw regulates how land, buildings and other structures may be used. The Zoning Bylaw is a key implementation tool for the Official Community Plan. The OCP sets forth the vision through policy and the Zoning Bylaw implements that vision through regulations on development and land use. Zoning bylaws divide a municipality into zones, name each zone and establish the boundaries of those zones.

Learn more here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/local-governments/planning-land-use/land-use-regulation/zoning-bylaws

Why does the Village need to update its Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw?

The Village’s current OCP was adopted in 2006. While a few amendments have been made to the OCP since 2006, a comprehensive update has not been completed. Since 2006 the Village has changed and it faces new opportunities and challenges. Today, a new OCP is required to give a renewed vision for the Village.

The Village’s current Zoning Bylaw was adopted in 2007 and has been amended numerous times since its adoption. Undertaking a comprehensive update to the Zoning Bylaw at the same as the OCP provides a unique opportunity to ensure the these two major Village documents are closely aligned and consistent.

Who will be leading the OCP and Zoning Bylaw project?

The Village’s Planner, Megan Vicente, is the municipal project lead. Following a competitive bid process, the Village has contracted a highly qualified consultant team lead by MVH Urban Planning & Design. The consultant team has extensive experience working in mountain / resort municipalities and has completed numerous award-winning community planning projects. Learn more at: http://www.mvhinc.com/

Project Contacts

View the walk on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/DDuA-0uxq3g