Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw Updates

What is an OCP?

An Official Community Plan (OCP) is a policy document designed to guide the physical, environmental, economic, social and cultural development of the Village. It sets the long-term vision and goals of a community. The Village’s current OCP Bylaw No. 1184, 2022 was adopted in 2024.

What is a Zoning Bylaw?

A Zoning Bylaw is a key regulatory document that translates the vision and policies of the OCP into enforceable land use regulations. It governs how land may be used and developed by specifying permitted uses, densities, building heights, setbacks, lot coverage and other development standards. The Village’s current Zoning Bylaw No. 1115, 2017 was adopted in 2017.

Why is the Village updating these documents?

The provincial government has implemented a new legislative framework, requiring local governments to align their OCP and Zoning Bylaws with their Interim Housing Needs Reports. The Village needs to create new housing policies surrounding affordable, rental and special needs housing. Additionally, the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) recently adopted its Regional Growth Strategy, Fraser Valley Future 2050. The Village must update the OCP to incorporate a Regional Context Statement that demonstrates how the OCP aligns with and supports the goals and strategies of the FVRD’s Regional Growth Strategy.

Community Involvement

Once the draft bylaws have been prepared, the Village will schedule an Open House in September 2025 for the community to attend and ask questions or provide comments on the proposed updates. Notice of the Open House will be posted here, on the Village’s website, notice boards and Electronic Message Board. After the Open House, a Public Hearing will also be conducted in November 2025. Stay tuned for more details regarding the dates, times and locations.

Questions

If you have any questions regarding this project, please contact our Planning Consultant Ken Cossey at planning@harrisonhotsprings.ca or 604-796-2171.