Public officials, builders, and community stakeholders are bracing for a pivotal and potentially contentious meeting to revise the District of Sooke's Official Community Plan (OCP).
 
Council's committee of the whole meeting on 19 Jun 2023 follows a public hearing held in September, where it was expressed that there is a need for further public engagement.
 
The feedback received from the public hearing was a combination of support and concerns of development and zoning.
 
There was also interest in increasing public participation due to the delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
An OCP sets guidelines, policies, and expectations for community development.
 
Typically, an OCP is updated every 10 years.
 
Sooke's current OCP was adopted in 2010.
 
Council members and district staff are committed to community well-being, sustainability, economic development, the environment, and key issues like affordable housing and transportation, Mayor Maja Tait said.
 
Builders and developers have voiced concerns regarding the complexity and ambiguity of certain regulations within the OCP, asserting that these factors will contribute to project approval delays and confusion.
 
"We require a flexible, transparent, and supportive document that promotes responsible development," said Herb Haldane, a prominent builder in Sooke, and a former councillor.
 
Coun. Al Beddows said council aims to comprehend the problems individuals are facing with the OCP.
 
In some instances, the issue might be resolved by providing clearer explanations.
 
If any deficiencies are identified, council will take the necessary measures to address and resolve them, he said.
 
"If people have specifics that they see as wrong, and a problem in the OCP, they should let us know," said Beddows, who represented council on the OCP advisory committee.
 
The last council wanted to sign off on the OCP before last fall's election but decided to push the document forward to the next council to consider more public input.
 
Tait said the completion of the OCP will be influenced by the ideas shared during the 19 Jun 2023 meeting.
 
She said the finalization of the OCP will heavily depend on provincial housing policy changes and the appointment of a new chief administrative officer.
 
Following the meeting, district staff is expected to provide a summary of public feedback to council on 10 Jul 2023.
 
The summary will provide information on how the feedback has been incorporated into the plan, and any limitations in its implementation will be explained.
 
After receiving guidance from the council, municipal staff will present a revised draft and schedule a new public hearing.
 
Kevin Laird.