OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN REVIEW AND UPDATE: ENGAGEMENT WEEK #2

OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN REVIEW AND UPDATE: ENGAGEMENT WEEK #2

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the report titled “Official Community Plan Review and Update: Engagement Week #2” prepared by the Senior Planner and dated May 6, 2025, be received.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to present to Council an overview of upcoming engagement on the Official Community Plan (OCP) update and review that is planned in May and June.

BACKGROUND:

Engagement material is being prepared for the upcoming engagement on the draft land use scenarios and designations, and growth scenarios that have been informed by the Vision and Guiding Principles Survey, Community Growth Survey, public input at open houses and workshops, staff analysis, and two technical memos on housing and land economics prepared by the Town’s consultant, Urban Systems.

This third engagement touchpoint during Phase 1 of the OCP update will take place between May 16 and June 8, 2025. During this period, the Town will focus on both in-person and online engagement. The project team will employ two main points of contact with the community to engage, gather ideas, and hear from residents: an online survey and open-houses.

Online Survey and Open Houses Engagement Summary:

• Review draft land use scenarios and designations.
• Ask respondents to identify which scenario is preferred.
• Ask respondents to identify what elements of each scenario they like or dislike and why.
• Ask respondents to provide input on specific growth areas identified in the draft scenarios and whether these are supported or not and for what reasons.
• Ask respondents to review the draft vision statement and goals and ask if we “got it right” based on feedback from the Vision and Guiding Principles Survey.

The Vision and Land Use Survey will be live from May 16 to June 8, 2025.

The details of the open houses are as follows:

• Tuesday, May 27, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at Eagle View Elementary
• Sunday, June 1, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Strawberry Vale Community Club Hall
• Wednesday, June 4, from 4:30 to 7:30 pm at Town Royal Town Hall

In addition to the survey and open houses, staff propose to host pop-up events around the community. The purpose of these events will be to raise awareness and encourage participation in the Vision and Land Use Survey.

Staff have identified the following locations to set up pop-ups events:

• Eagle Creek Village
• Admirals Walk
• View Royal Park
• Portage Park
• Eagle View Elementary
• View Royal Elementary School
• Shoreline Community Middle School

To facilitate promotion and raise awareness about the project, staff will continue to connect with the community through social media and alternative media platforms both online and in-person, as follows:

• Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky
• View Royal E-Newsletter
• Mayor Release
• News Release
• Stakeholder Emails
• Project Webpage
• Town Webpage
• Posters (parks, businesses, bus stops, Town Hall)

The period of engagement between May 16 and June 8, 2025, marks the third of four touchpoints the Town has planned as part of the Phase 1 OCP review and update. Staff are proposing to focus their efforts around another “engagement week” to take place between May 27 and June 4, 2025. Engagement Week #2 marks a key point in the OCP update process, as staff shift focus to look at the OCP land use designations and growth scenarios.

The expected outcome of this engagement period will be clear direction that will inform the 50% draft that staff and the consultant will begin drafting for presentation to the OCP Review Advisory Committee and Council in the summer.

ANALYSIS:

Impacts and implications can be summarized as follows:

ALIGNMENT:

The recommended option aligns with the Town’s following core guiding documents as follows:

Strategic Plan:

• Enhance Liveability
  • Goal 5: Build strong relationships and engagement through community events and celebrations.
• Community Engagement and Good Governance
  • Goal 1: Strong and active citizen participation in community engagement in Town of View Royal meetings, open houses, surveys, budget development.

Official Community Plan:

• 2011 OCP: Community Vision and OCP Framework, Goal: 9
  • Ensure that all citizens of View Royal have opportunities to be informed and meaningfully involved in planning and decision-making processes.

Other Policy Documents:

• N/A

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION GOAL:

The desired level of public participation for the recommended option is:

[x] Inform [ ] Consult [ ] Involve [ ] Collaborate [ ] Empower [ ] N/A

TIME CRITICAL:

The timing of this report is critical, because staff are preparing to launch the third round of engagement on May 16, 2025.

CONCURRENCE:

REVIEWED BY:

ATTACHMENTS:

N/A