Official Community Plan
February Growth Scenarios and Climate Action Engagement
To start, Please watch the Introductory Engagement Presentation
The presentation (16 minutes) introduces the project, information on the projected population and housing growth, and project climate impacts on Port Alberni.
After watching the presentation, proceed to the four engagement STATIONS below, starting at STATION 1
Background Information
VIDEO: What is the Official Community Plan (OCP)?
The Port Alberni OCP maps how our community will develop overContinue reading
February Growth Scenarios and Climate Action Engagement
To start, Please watch the Introductory Engagement Presentation
The presentation (16 minutes) introduces the project, information on the projected population and housing growth, and project climate impacts on Port Alberni.
After watching the presentation, proceed to the four engagement STATIONS below, starting at STATION 1
Background Information
VIDEO: What is the Official Community Plan (OCP)?
The Port Alberni OCP maps how our community will develop over the next two decades. This plan shapes the everyday things you experience – like housing, economic development, transportation, land use, how we tackle climate change, and much more.
Snapshot documents
These were developed to highlight the Touchstones created through collaboration with the community in 2022, serving as guiding principles for upcoming policy development.
• Active Lifestyle • Climate Change • Diverse, Balanced Economy • Ecosystem Protection & Leadership • Healthy, Vibrant, Inclusive Community • Livability | • Population • Reconciliation • Resilient Urban Growth & Development • Responsible Infrastructure Management (A Reconciliation Snapshot document will be created in collaboration with Hupača̓sath First Nation & Tseshaht First Nation.) |
Please take some time to review the documents and bring your questions and ideas to the engagement events.
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STATION 1: Growth Concept Ideas
about 2 months agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.Step 1: Please watch the presentation first.
It provides an introduction to the project, information on the current situation, some initial population and housing projections, and projected climate impacts on Port Alberni.
Two scenarios are provided to get conversations started on growth:
- Business As Usual Growth - how Port Alberni has traditionally developed over time
- Alternative Growth Scenario - ideas on how growth could reflect the OCP Community Touchstones (guiding principles for the OCP).
STEP 2: Participate in Stations 1 - 4 after watching the presentation!
NOTE: other participants will see your User Name. The email address you used to sign up with is not public but visible only to the project team.
Please share your ideas on the Alternative Growth Scenario opportunities. You can also vote for or comment on others' ideas! Once you have done that, proceed to STATION 2: Concerns.
Melissabartley2 months agoMaintain parking space
While densifying the downtown core is a great idea, if you still want the area accessible for shoppers and businesses and their employees then parking must be considered. In Squamish they made a terrible mistake by allowing developers to pay for variances to minimize the spaces required for parking staying that “since the residents are living close to everything they won’t need to drive”. This was absolutely not what happened. People who live in the core still have vehicles. As prices rise, more people get roommates who move around to work. If parking spaces are removed from units then people park on the street and finding parking downtown to enjoy a meal or buy goods becomes annoying or even impossible. Please consider this in the plan and don’t be swayed by the developers’ reasoning because it’s clear what happened in Squamish was not what it was sold to the council.
3 comments1295001400about 2 months agoSports Complex *(multi-plex)
Am a resident of Port Alberni. Currently, there are no indoor sports area that has a hockey arena, soccer field, proper pool, track & field. During rainy season/winter, most kids always end up spending time inside. These seasons are normally longer than usual. There is an open ground beside hole on the wall (cleared recently) and on the abundant APD sawmill/somas. This places would be ideal for indoor stadium for different sports activity. This would benefit not only young people in our community but also the community at large and kids and youth living in areas close to Port Alberni like Qualicum, Parksville, Tofino, Ucluelet etc. It would also encourage younger families to move to Port Alberni. Such a place is much needed as we are leading sedentary lives, and some physical activity is imperative for all of us. Mosaic should be involved to help fund the establishment because this is a case where the benefit would outway the cost.
2 comments9val2 months agoWe need much better public transit
In order for public transit to be useful and therefore useable, it has to be go where people need it to go. Buses need to go from the neighbourhoods to the main town hubs and these buses need to go with a regular frequency. Only then can we start leaving our cars at home and taking the bus.
1 comment19JBartleyabout 2 months agoMountain biking support
0 comment7coachabout 2 months agoImprove and develop more sports facilities
It would be nice to see as our community grows improved sports facilities for our members. Specifically, better soccer fields and lacrosse box. a new turf field for soccer would be good. A covered lacrosse box would also be good. Also, improved maintenance for the facilities.
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STATION 2: What concerns do you have about the Alternative Growth Scenario?
about 2 months agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.The Alternative Growth Scenario supports the community Touchstones (created through collaboration with the community in 2022, serving as guiding principles for upcoming policy development.)
Share your concerns about the Alternative Growth Scenario, and vote or comment on others' concerns.
Then go to STATION 3: Additional Ideas or Questions on Growth.
Sgilmour52about 2 months agoThe Alternative Growth scenario is good with the exception it still puts development in the Beavor Pond area.
There does not seem to be a choice that prevents further forest removal. There is a lot of space within the community that could be repurposed without more urban sprawl. Houses into could be updated or redeveloped. Old buildings could be replaced with condos or townhouses in the downtown core. There are a lot of empty parking lots that would be great for multi residence.
0 comment5Sgilmour52about 2 months agoIs the OCP just in the Port Alberni footprint or are edges of the Regional District included?
0 comment1AnnEmabout 2 months agoIts assumed humans cause climate change . Extreme climate occurred before fossil fuel use. Censorship of voices. https://clintel.org/
Canada is implementing Agenda2030 , United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
0 comment0Jim2 months agoInfilling and densification makes our city more interesting and liveable, especially when we keep access to our magnificent natural areas.
1 comment13Jim2 months agoWhy two growth scenarios?
Over twenty years (and why aren't we thinking of 100 or 500?) there are thousands of alternative scenarios that will play out. Isn't it more important to identify the principles for our future, and let those principles guide our development. The planners seem to want us to define a particular growth scenario (that incidentally allows for development of one important natural area, and the development of the Somass Lands in contradiction of the best use of that land for restoration of natural habitat, recreation, and cultural values.)
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STATION 3: Additional Ideas or Questions on Growth
about 2 months agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.Share additional ideas or questions on growth in Port Alberni below. Once completed, proceed to STATION 4: Climate Action.Community Touchstones:Business As Usual (Traditional Growth Model):
Alternative Scenario (Based on Community Touchstones):
Rainbird2 months agoCity digging and maintaining sewage line connections to the City Wastewater Treatment Plans
What are the chances of the City digging and maintaining sewage line connections to the City Wastewater Treatment Plans in the next 20 years? The estuary has been beaten up enough.
0 comment2Melissabartleyabout 2 months agoHospital expansion
If the city hasn’t already talked to Island Health, then this should definitely happen. What demographics are we expecting with our growth? Childbearing? Then we need an expanded midwifery, obstetrics and labour a delivery department. What about the walk in clinic that is overbooked before the doors open? What about our surgical department? Also medical/surgical and psychiatric services are already overflowing. Please do not expand without a health plan because nothing, not even a community, can live if it’s not healthy
1 comment1MHabout 2 months agoProtect the beaver ponds
The beaver ponds are an amazing example of biodiversity in an urban environment. Any development near the ponds needs to be far enough away to preserve this area.
0 comment0Rainbird2 months agoThe city seriously needs a bandshell.
Could the city not partner with community groups to raise money for one in Gyro Park, Roger Creek Park or some other similar area?
0 comment5val2 months agoWalkability and Bike-ablity
We need crosswalks where we don't worry about being plowed over by cars. We need to be able to bike safely from South Port to North Port. And to make this city more walkable, our very wide streets could have boulevards with trees. This would be good for the environment, add some vibrancy to our town and let us be more active.
4 comments13 -
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STATION 4: Climate Action Feedback, Ideas
about 2 months agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.STEP 1:
Please ensure you watched the Introductory Engagement Presentation provided HERE
STEP 2:
Indicate your level of support for climate mitigation (reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions) and adapting to climate change in Port Alberni between now and 2042 in the survey HERE.
STEP 3:
Share additional ideas for reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions or adapting to climate change by posting an idea below! Remember, you can vote for others' ideas as well.
collin.middletonabout 2 months agoAdopt the provincial Riparian Areas Protection Regulations (RAPR)
The city should adopt RAPR to ensure adequate measures are in place to protect sensitive aquatic habitats when considering development applications. RAPR has been adopted by many other municipalities in BC that are facing increasing development and population growth pressures (e.g. RDN, Langford, Sooke). As it seems the city is casually trying to move ahead with the Pacific Mayfair Estates development (seemingly contrary to public support for the project), they should do so in a way that lessens their blatant conflict of interest with taking action on the climate crisis and at least meets the provincial standard for protecting riparian and aquatic ecosystems in the face of impending development.
0 comment3val2 months agoLet's not build housing on the Somas Lands
How can the City be considering building housing on the Somas lands when the predictions say there will be rising sea levels? Building there will further harm the salmon there too. Let's leave that land for public spaces and for rewilding it. Let's look to the future!
1 comment8collin.middletonabout 2 months agoPromote local food security
Update bylaws and zoning to to allow for more small-scale urban/backyard agriculture. Create community garden spaces and support organizations that promote cooperative models of food production and distribution.
0 comment1Port Alberni Palabout 2 months agoFull support for progressive climate action and community leadership
We should fully engage with ways to become a resilient and climate friendly city. As others have pointed out, we need to be choosey; not every proposed development will be appropriately aligned with the community goals, and it is going to be okay to seek better options. We will waste resources and leave our community feeling disempowered, disregarded and precarious if we continue with a reckless, unsustainable status quo growth/development. Keep engaging with the community after the OCP so that we can build connections to each other and demonstrate our beautiful community identity— We want opportunities to be involved in making our community better, and we want to identify with changes made in our community. Without this, people in Port Alberni can feel taken advantage of, ignored, and ultimately resentful because of an intentional disconnect between their good-faith, consistently expressed public will and what is ultimately and disjointedly implemented in practice.
0 comment3Some Guyabout 2 months agoBan wood burning for heat
It's a terrible option for heating as it releases massive amounts of carbon compared to the energy gained and microparticles have a major impact on the health of the whole community. Most municipalities have already banned or limited wood heat. We need to catch up on this.
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Videos
- Port Alberni is growing and changing. The province has issued new legislation for housing. The community of Port Alberni has told us what is important to them. The OCP document will guide decisions about what is important to Port Alberni (Visions and Touchstones), address the legislative changes, and be thoughtful about the growth and change projected for Port Alberni. Return to the OCP home page and start at STATION 1 Growth Concept Ideas!
- The City of Port Alberni is ready to launch the next phase of the engagement process for the Official Community Plan (OCP), a blueprint that sets out the long-term vision and goals to guide our community’s growth and success over the long term.
OCP Project Timeline
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February 8 - 19: Public Engagement, Growth and Climate Action
Official Community Plan has finished this stageFebruary 8 - 19: Online, or,
February 14th or 15th: Echo Centre (drop in event), 4:30 - 8:30
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March 8: Social Sector Workshop
Official Community Plan has finished this stage -
March 9: Community Representative Team (CRT) Workshop
Official Community Plan has finished this stage -
April 3: Tsheshaht First Nation Engagement
Official Community Plan has finished this stage -
April: Report to Council and Public
Official Community Plan is currently at this stageWhat We Heard Report: Public Engagement - Growth and Climate Action
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May (TBC): Hupacasath First Nation Engagement
this is an upcoming stage for Official Community Plan -
May 4: Community Representative Team (CRT) Workshop
this is an upcoming stage for Official Community PlanOCP policy scan and priorities
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May: Public Feedback
this is an upcoming stage for Official Community PlanSurvey to check in on identified policy priority areas
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May: Update to Council and the Public
this is an upcoming stage for Official Community PlanDraft OCP policy priorities
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June - August: Draft OCP document developed
this is an upcoming stage for Official Community Plan -
September: Public Feedback
this is an upcoming stage for Official Community PlanDraft OCP document
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October: Draft OCP Bylaw Document
this is an upcoming stage for Official Community PlanBased on public feedback in September, a draft OCP Bylaw Document will be prepared for the Council process in November
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November: OCP Considered by Council
this is an upcoming stage for Official Community PlanCouncil considers First Reading of the OCP Bylaw
Public Hearing scheduled for OCP Bylaw
Documents
- OCP Snapshots
- OCP Growth, Climate, Policy Engagement 2024
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PHASE 1: Vision & Touchstones Development
- 2022 10 WWHR_FINAL Vision and Touchstones PA OCP (1.81 MB) (pdf)
- 2022 08 Draft Vision & Touchstones v.1.pdf (240 KB) (pdf)
- 2022 04 WWH REPORT: VISION COMMUNITY SURVEY 1.pdf (3.39 MB) (pdf)
- 2022 06 02 VISION ENGAGEMENT SUMMARY_WORKSHOP Final.pdf (3.74 MB) (pdf)
- 2022_07_14_OCP Update_Committee Report_FULL PKG.pdf (2.76 MB) (pdf)
FAQs
- What is an Official Community Plan (OCP) review?
- Why is the Official Community Plan important?
- How does an Official Community Plan (OCP) help us reach our community goals?
- Who does an OCP affect and how is it used?
- Why is there such a focus on land use and development policy?
- Why is public input needed?
- What is the difference between the Official Community Plan (OCP) and the Zoning Bylaw?
- Where can I get more information about the Official Community Plan Review?
Who's Listening
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Email ocp@portalberni.ca -
Email ocp@portalberni.ca