OCP Review Given Broader Scope

By Michelle Cyr-Whiting

Prince George, B.C. -  City Councillors have unanimously endorsed a plan to expand the scope of the Official Community Plan review.

When the review first began in 2006, city staff were focused on looking at the OCP's objectives and policies on issues such as growth management, housing, commercial and industrial development, along with housekeeping amendments to the roads and infrastructure mapping.

But Manager of Long Range Planning, Dan Milburn, says feedback coming into the city through the myPG sustainability process has made it apparent that some broader, more modern, community goals be considered --objectives for economic, environmental, social and land-use development.

Councillor Debora Munoz says she's pleased to see the myPG consultations and suggestions flow into a new scope for the OCP review.  Both Councillors Shari Green and Don Bassermann were interested in the bottom line -- Green with regards to potential staff impacts and Bassermann wondered if there would be any extra costs attached to expanding the review.

Milburn says there are no anticipated impacts on either count.  He admits it will significantly modify the priorities of his division, but says the changes can be dealt with internally.  He says a significant amount of the work has been initiated by myPG, so "we're not starting from ground zero."

Milburn also emphasizes the expanded scope will not impact the current contractual arrangement with HB Lanarc -- the consultant working with the city to prepare the myPG sustainability plan.

Councillors also voted in favour of another 'revision' to the OCP review:  a new consultation 'check-list' of stakeholders -- groups like the regional district, local first nations, and school board -- the city must consider consulting with, prior to the statutory public hearing on any changes to the Official Community Plan.

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