Official Community Plan Review
About the 2025 Official Community Plan (OCP) Review
The District of North Saanich has been engaging with District residents on their vision for the future of North Saanich through our OCP. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to share your interests and ideas with the North Saanich planning team during the many engagement sessions held over the last few months and years.
Building from this work, a proposed OCP Draft 1 went before Council on March 24, 2025 and was referred to the Council Committees for input.
The Draft has since been updated and will be presented again to Council and Advisory Committees for input in April.
Questions?
Please review our FAQ section, found in the side bar to the right (on the bottom if you're on a mobile!), or click here.
Outlined below are our principles for engaging with District residents:
2025 Public Engagement Period
The OCP Draft is now available (See maps in the Documents sidebar to the right), and we are seeking community input. We would like to hear from you!
Opportunities for you to participate include: attending upcoming meetings at Municipal Hall, attending presentations online or in-person, and filling out our survey below!
The survey will be available until April 22, 2025.
Click "Subscribe" to the right for project updates.
Questions or comments? Get in touch with planning staff directly.
About the 2025 Official Community Plan (OCP) Review
The District of North Saanich has been engaging with District residents on their vision for the future of North Saanich through our OCP. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to share your interests and ideas with the North Saanich planning team during the many engagement sessions held over the last few months and years.
Building from this work, a proposed OCP Draft 1 went before Council on March 24, 2025 and was referred to the Council Committees for input.
The Draft has since been updated and will be presented again to Council and Advisory Committees for input in April.
Questions?
Please review our FAQ section, found in the side bar to the right (on the bottom if you're on a mobile!), or click here.
Outlined below are our principles for engaging with District residents:
2025 Public Engagement Period
The OCP Draft is now available (See maps in the Documents sidebar to the right), and we are seeking community input. We would like to hear from you!
Opportunities for you to participate include: attending upcoming meetings at Municipal Hall, attending presentations online or in-person, and filling out our survey below!
The survey will be available until April 22, 2025.
Click "Subscribe" to the right for project updates.
Questions or comments? Get in touch with planning staff directly.
-
This survey requires residents register before participating. Only your screen name is visible to others.
Review our Terms of Use & Privacy Policy.
Completing the survey takes approximately 20 minutes.
The Official Community Plan (OCP) is a substantial document that covers a broad range of topics concerning the residents of North Saanich. We want to hear your input on each of these sections of the OCP, and the OCP as a whole.
This survey will allow you to provide feedback on the following components:
- Introduction & Context
- this section includes acknowledgements, an overview of the purpose of the OCP, the legislative authority of an OCP, a section on reconciliation, a community context/snapshot section, the planning area and time frame
- this section includes acknowledgements, an overview of the purpose of the OCP, the legislative authority of an OCP, a section on reconciliation, a community context/snapshot section, the planning area and time frame
- Vision, Goals, and Objectives
- this section states the OCP vision for the District, discusses the sustainability framework that guides the OCP, and identifies the goals and objectives of the OCP.
- this section states the OCP vision for the District, discusses the sustainability framework that guides the OCP, and identifies the goals and objectives of the OCP.
- Land Use - Growth
- this section outlines the location and type of growth envisioned by the District, focusing growth in areas with existing infrastructure, away from hazards and with access to daily needs. Please see the map designations that accompany the policy.
- this section outlines the location and type of growth envisioned by the District, focusing growth in areas with existing infrastructure, away from hazards and with access to daily needs. Please see the map designations that accompany the policy.
- Environment & Climate Change
- this section outlines policies related to terrestrial and marine ecosystems, environmentally sensitive areas, and climate change mitigation and resilience.
- this section outlines policies related to terrestrial and marine ecosystems, environmentally sensitive areas, and climate change mitigation and resilience.
- Land Use - Development Policies (General, Residential, Commercial & Industrial, Parks, Recreation and Culture, Agriculture, Other Land use)
- these sections outline general policies that apply to all development as well as policies specific to each of the types of land use, including our housing targets and needs in the residential section.
- these sections outline general policies that apply to all development as well as policies specific to each of the types of land use, including our housing targets and needs in the residential section.
- Infrastructure
- this section outlines policies to ensure sustainable asset management of the District's transportation network, water, wastewater and stormwater, and solid waste
- this section outlines policies to ensure sustainable asset management of the District's transportation network, water, wastewater and stormwater, and solid waste
- Marine & Freshwater
- this section outlines policies relating to protecting and enhancing the ecological integrity of the District's marine and freshwater environments, and supporting public amenities, access and marine activities.
- this section outlines policies relating to protecting and enhancing the ecological integrity of the District's marine and freshwater environments, and supporting public amenities, access and marine activities.
- Land Use - Development Permit Areas & Development Approval Info Area
- this section outlines five development permit areas which are identified locations that need special treatment for certain purposes. The five development permit areas are:
DPA1: Marine Uplands and Foreshore
DPA2: Creeks, Wetlands, Riparian Areas, and Significant Water Resources
DPA3: Sensitive Ecosystems
DPA4: Steep Slopes
DPA5: Commercial, Industrial and Multi-Family
- this section outlines five development permit areas which are identified locations that need special treatment for certain purposes. The five development permit areas are:
- Implementation
- this section outlines the many implementation mechanisms that will be used to implement the OCP, including a table of actions and table of targets and indicators for the OCP.
- this section outlines the many implementation mechanisms that will be used to implement the OCP, including a table of actions and table of targets and indicators for the OCP.
At the end of the survey there will be an opportunity to provide more general comments about the OCP, and a short section where we gather demographic information.
Thank you.
Share OCP Engagement Survey April 2025 on Facebook Share OCP Engagement Survey April 2025 on Twitter Share OCP Engagement Survey April 2025 on Linkedin Email OCP Engagement Survey April 2025 link - Introduction & Context
Follow Project
Who's Listening
-
P
Phone 250-655-5473 Email planning@northsaanich.ca -
FM
Email fmazzoni@northsaanich.ca
Engagement Timeline
-
2025 April: Phase 4 Engagements
Official Community Plan Review is currently at this stage- One virtual presentation
- Two in-person presentations
-
2025 May
this is an upcoming stage for Official Community Plan Review- Present Summary of Engagement Results and Second Draft of the OCP to Council
- Present OCP Bylaw to Council
-
2025 June
this is an upcoming stage for Official Community Plan ReviewPublic Hearing and OCP Bylaw Adoption
Public Events
-
April 01 2025
-
April 02 2025
-
April 03 2025
-
April 10 2025
-
April 15 2025
-
April 17 2025
Documents
-
OCP Drafts
-
OCP Maps
-
OCP DPA - 1 - Marine Uplands and Foreshore - Version 7.pdf (974 KB) (pdf)
-
OCP DPA - 2 - Significant Water Resources - Version 3.pdf (17 MB) (pdf)
-
OCP DPA - 3 - Identified Sensitive Ecosystems - Version 7.pdf (16.2 MB) (pdf)
-
OCP DPA - 4 - Steep Slopes - Version 3.pdf (31.6 MB) (pdf)
-
OCP DPA - 5 - Commercial and Industrial - Version 8.pdf (16.2 MB) (pdf)
-
OCP Schedule A - Municipal Boundary - Version 3.pdf (16.1 MB) (pdf)
-
OCP Schedule B - Land Use Designations - Version 11_2.pdf (17.7 MB) (pdf)
-
OCP Schedule C - Community Amenities Greenspace and Public Facilities - Version 2.pdf (16.8 MB) (pdf)
-
OCP Schedule D - Transportation Network - Version 6.pdf (17.1 MB) (pdf)
-
OCP Schedule E - Municipal Services - Version 4.pdf (699 KB) (pdf)
-
OCP Schedule F - Agricultural Land Reserve - Version 2.pdf (16.1 MB) (pdf)
-
OCP Schedule G - Environmentally Sensitive Areas - Version 7.pdf (1.19 MB) (pdf)
-
-
2025 Staff Reports
-
Jan 27 2025_Report No. PCS-25-001 re_ OCP Outline_ Vision_ Goals and Objectives.pdf (311 KB) (pdf)
-
Staff Report No. PCS-25-006 Appendix A - OCP DRAFT Schedule A - Municipal Boundary.pdf (16.6 MB) (pdf)
-
Staff Report No. PCS-25-006 Appendix A - OCP DRAFT Schedule B - Land Use Designations - Version 11_2.pdf (17.7 MB) (pdf)
-
-
2024 Staff Reports
Public Engagement 2024
-
What We Heard (Engagement Summary)
-
Public Engagement - Ag & Food Security 1 - Apr 11, 2024
-
Public Engagement - Sustainability, Climate & Ecology 1 - Apr 24, 2024
-
Public Engagement - Housing & Sense of Place 1 - May 8, 2024
-
Public Engagement - Marine & Waterways 1 - May 14, 2024
-
Public Engagement - Ag & Food Security 2 - May 22, 2024
-
2024-05-22 Agriculture workshop - transcript - Tables #1-3.pdf (338 KB) (pdf)
-
2024-05-22 Write on the wall - filled in posters.pdf (23.3 MB) (pdf)
-
Agriculture and Food Security Survey Responses.xlsx (59.9 KB) (xlsx)
-
Agriculture workshop - transcript - Table #1.docx (23.6 KB) (docx)
-
Agriculture workshop - transcript - Table #2.docx (17.6 KB) (docx)
-
Agriculture workshop - transcript - Table #3.docx (1.86 MB) (docx)
-
-
Public Engagement - Housing & Sense of Place 2 - June 6, 2024
-
Airport, Multi-familly, sustainable building worksheet - comments.docx (21.5 KB) (docx)
-
Housing 2 Transcript - Table #1.docx (15.7 KB) (docx)
-
Housing 2 Transcript - Table #2.docx (25.5 KB) (docx)
-
Housing 2 Transcript - Table #3.docx (19.7 KB) (docx)
-
Housing 2 Transcript - Table #4.docx (10.5 KB) (docx)
-
Housing 2 Transcript - Table #5.docx (20.7 KB) (docx)
-
Housing 2 Transcript - Table #6.docx (15.8 KB) (docx)
-
Housing 2 Transcript - Table #7.docx (18.5 KB) (docx)
-
Problems & solutions worksheet responses.docx (82.7 KB) (docx)
-
SURVEY - Rural character, sense of place, housing and affordability survey - June 6th.xlsx (19.6 KB) (xlsx)
-
Sustainability + Multi family boards - filled in.pdf
-
-
Public Engagement - Marine & Waterways 2 - June 10, 2024
-
Environmentally sensitive areas poster - filled in.pdf (9.8 MB) (pdf)
-
Marine + Waterways - Meeting transcript.docx
-
Marine + Waterways - Work Station Comments.docx
-
Environmentally sensitive areas board (7.27 MB) (pdf)
-
Envisioning our Relationship to the Coastal Habitats (3.48 MB) (pdf)
-
Section of Coastal Jurisdictions (7.26 MB) (pdf)
-
Current Pauquachin FN Coles Bay Restorations (1.22 MB) (pdf)
-
Docks Timeline (28.1 KB) (pdf)
-
Eco Docks Options (391 KB) (pdf)
-
-
Public Engagement - Sustainability, Climate & Ecology 2 - June 18, 2024
-
Public Engagement - July & August pop ups
FAQs
- What is an Official Community Plan?
- Why will the OCP review take years to complete?
- How can I get involved?
- How does the OCP affect me?
- How will other initiatives contribute to the OCP?
- What is the OCP Advisory Working Group?
- Why is the District planning for new housing when we are a rural community?
- How does an OCP help us reach community goals?
- What if there was no OCP?
- Who uses an OCP?
- What is the difference between the Official Community Plan and the Zoning Bylaw?
- How do other regional and municipal plans relate to the District's OCP?
- When was the District's OCP last updated?
- Why is public input needed?
- Why does the OCP need to be updated?
- What areas are currently outside of the Regional Growth Strategy (RGS)? What are the District's options in relation to the RGS policy areas?
- Can you explain the difference between the Rural designation in the current OCP as outlined in Land Use Scenario 1 compared to the Rural Residential designation as outlined in Land Use Scenario 3?
- Where can I find definitions that are associated with the policy directions such as for neighbourhood nook, circular economy, blue-green networks, Green Shores, agricultural food hub and farm village?
- What are some of the regulatory and policy mechanisms the District can consider to limit (or attract the intended) the types of commercial activities occur in a "neighbourhood nook"?
- What are some of the regulatory and policy mechanisms that the District can consider to limit secondary dwellings to a “cottage” as envisioned?
- How was it determined to explore cottages on lots 1400m2 (0.3 acres) and greater?
- What are clam gardens and are there specific areas they would be considered?
- What is the current Area 1 (McTavish) and where is the boundary being considered to be expanded through Land Use Scenario 2? Why is a change proposed?
- What is the risk of having lands that are outside of the Regional Growth Strategy (Area 1 & Area 2)?
- What are all the options that could be considered for the areas that are currently outside of Regional Growth Strategy Area 1 (McTavish) & Area 2 (Tsehum)?
- What is the difference between the mixed uses (commercial and residential) at the McTavish Village as opposed to the Deep Cove Community Hub?
- Where can I find more information on Green Shores?
- How have First Nations been involved in the OCP review? Where is that feedback?