Williams Lake OCP and Zoning Bylaw

Project Context

Municipalities in British Columbia are required under the Local Government Act to adopt an official community plan. The Act stipulates the mandatory and discretionary elements of an official community plan, as well as the procedural requirements that must be fulfilled prior to its adoption.

In broad terms, an official community plan serves as a long-term vision and physical framework for guiding the future development of a community. The Williams Lake Official Community Plan outlines a planning horizon of 25-years and will be reviewed and updated every five years in accordance with the Local Government Act.

CitySpaces' Role

Citypaces led the Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw update to guide the evolution of Williams Lake over the next 25-years. This high-profile project included two phases of community engagement, presentations to Council, engagement with local First Nations, and close communication and ongoing collaboration with staff. CitySpaces, along with sub-consultants McEhanney Ltd, created the content for 14-chapters, including background on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), the integration of technical studies on geo-technical hazards, the update to five development permit areas, and the creation of the land use, zoning, landslide, wildfire hazard, form and character, and transportation network maps. CitySpaces supported City staff to update the Zoning Bylaw to ensure alignment with the Official Community Plan’s land use framework.

Impact

While land use plans and policies are central to an official community plan, the document also outlines the community’s broader objectives across a range of policy areas. An official community plan integrates land use planning with objectives related to social, cultural, economic, and environmental sustainability. It establishes a strategic framework to guide growth and development while protecting and enhancing community livability.

The City of Williams Lake Official Community Plan reflects the ideas and input gathered throughout the planning process. Contributions were received from residents, businesses, community organizations, First Nations, senior levels of government, and City of Williams Lake staff and Council.