Residents of Electoral Area ‘D-2’ (East Skaha, Vaseux), in the Regional District Okanagan Similkameen, are invited to participate in an Official Community Plan (OCP) Citizen’s Committee. Area “D-2” is situated on the east side of Skaha and Vaseux Lakes and incudes the communities of Upper Carmi, Heritage Hills, Skaha Estates, and Okanagan Falls.
An OCP is a provincially mandated, legal document containing objectives and policies to guide local government decisions on planning and land use management. It establishes land use designations, environmental, social and economic policy directions to support the plan’s larger objectives. It describes the long term vision for the community and includes policies on such things as housing, commercial, industrial and institutional use, agriculture, recreation, transportation, infrastructure, and environmental protection.
The current OCP was originally adopted in 1996 and since then there have been a number of changes to both the plan, and to the community it serves. Significantly, the Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) was adopted in 2010 which designates Okanagan Falls as a Primary Growth Area, and the Skaha Estates - Eastside as a Rural Growth Area. The RDOS is also in process of constructing a new sewage treatment plant near Okanagan Falls with greater capacity than the approximate 1,200 connections currently served.
These factors present new opportunities for the regional board to review its policies and develop an OCP that sets a clear direction for building a strong and sustainable community.
“We are looking for a broad range of community members to provide insight, vision, enthusiasm and commitment to this process”, states Electoral Area “D” Director, Bill Schwarz. “It is a great opportunity for residents to help shape the future direction of their community”. It is expected that it will take about two years to complete this project with ample opportunities for public consultation.
Application forms for interested members are available on the RDOS website (www.rdos.bc.ca) as well, there is a Terms of Reference for the Citizen’s Committee on the site. Both documents are also available in hard copy at the RDOS office in Penticton and at the Economic Development Office in OK Falls.
For more information, please contact Evelyn Riechert, Planner, at 250-492-0237.
- RDOS press release