The South Cariboo Area and Lac la Hache Area Official Community Plan (OCP) updates are happening soon, and the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) wants to hear what you have to say.
Residents across the South Cariboo (including Lac la Hache) have the chance to voice their preferences and concerns at one of the four open houses the CRD is hosting March 6-9.
CRD chair Al Richmond says the G, H, L and 100 Mile House area directors are seeking final input on OCPs before finalizing them, as they are a community-driven process.
The open houses offer a final chance for community members to provide their feedback and comments on the draft OCPs, he notes.
“OCPs are one of the most important planning documents for a community. These plans help the CRD Board make decisions on a number of important community matters including land use decisions, environmental protection, and the look and feel of an area.”
The CRD has been engaging with residents, business owners and other stakeholders since early 2016 for their input into drafting these OCPs, he notes.
Richmond explains the CRD planning staff and consultants reviewed the preliminary draft OCPs with volunteer advisory groups last fall, and will now present the revised drafts to community members for final review before their release.
Residents who attend can learn more about the OCP process, explore issues that they address and get an overview of all that is included within the draft OCPs, he adds.
The chair says most importantly, you can provide your feedback and communicate to the CRD board if the draft documents accurately reflect your values and concerns.
“We really hope community members will attend an open house near them and let us know if we have got it right on their Official Community Plan.”
South Cariboo Area OCP Open Houses are happening at the 108 Mile Community Hall on March 6, the Lone Butte Community Hall on March 7, and the Forest Grove Community Hall on March 8, and all of them run from 6 to 8 p.m.
The Lac la Hache Area OCP Open House happens as the Lac la Hache Community Hall on March 9, 6-8 p.m.
The CRD will then incorporate further feedback received at the open houses into the draft OCPs, and after a formal referral process, public hearings will take place before these documents go to the board for adoption.
For more information about the South Cariboo Area or Lac la Hache Area Official Community Plans, or addresses of the community hall nearest you, visit online at www.cariboord.ca.
