This page includes answers to frequently asked questions about the Gabriola Island Official Community Plan Review and its process. If you have a question that has not been answered here, please Email us.
What is an Official Community Plan?
The Official Community Plan (OCP) is a legal document that provides policy direction for planning and land use management including: heritage and cultural preservation and protection, ecosystem preservation and protection, community heath and wellness, community resilience, and stewardship of lands and waters.
Why is the Gabriola Island OCP being reviewed?
The Gabriola Island Official Community Plan (OCP) has not been substantially updated since 1997, and a lot has changed in the last 25 years. The OCP will help guide changes, address growth issues and strengthen the community’s resilience.
What are bylaw readings?
The Gabriola Island OCP review bylaw must receive three readings before it can proceed to final adoption. This process allows the Local Trust Committee opportunities to provide input and make necessary changes before it is adopted.
All bylaws must be read and adopted in a meeting that is open to the public. The Local Trust Committee can make changes to the OCP bylaw at any point during first, second or third reading.
The various bylaw readings are generally taken to mean:
- First reading = tabling or introduction
- Second = discussion in principle and on the content of the bylaw
- Third reading = final discussion, including any changes made along the way
Between first and second readings of any proposed OCP bylaw, the Local Trust Committee must refer the proposed the OCP bylaw to the board of each regional district, all or part of which is in the Islands Trust Area, for review and comment by the board, and to Indigenous Governing Bodies. The bylaw must be approved by provincial Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs before it is adopted.
Does the project to update the Islands Trust Policy Statement impact the OCP review?
An updated Policy Statement will only be in effect after it has received approval from the Minister of Municipal Affairs and has been adopted by Islands Trust Council. The new Policy Statement will only apply to local trust committee and Bowen Island Municipality bylaws created after its adoption.
