Editor:
Sechelt's new official community plan (OCP), a daunting document of 200-plus pages, passed first reading at the June 16 council meeting. There will likely be a public hearing on it in July or September. Residents of Sechelt who are interested in the future of our town will want to review it prior to the public hearing.
The new OCP has been in the works for two years. Parts of it are superb; others may come as a surprise to many residents.
This OCP has gone beyond policy guidelines to set out specific requirements and prohibitions. These are found scattered throughout under headings "objectives," "principles" and "policies." Many of the policies are mandatory. See maps illustrating the results of the policies.
Some positive changes have been made since the last draft in response to input from the community: Whitaker Road is no longer designated as commercial; the Tillicum Bay fish hatchery is no longer designated for a fish processing plant.
Other provisions inspire questions: is it wise to impose urban containment boundaries that limit development and at the same time effectively expropriate the value of private land?
Shouldn't the OCP recognize the role of the market and promote responding to market demand, for example by embracing the baby boomers as they begin their retirement boom?
Is it a good idea to allow two six-storey buildings on waterfront property, and would this set a precedent for others?
Other questions arise: why is adequate land for light industry in a suitable area not identified? Why does the OCP not prohibit spot designations for industrial uses in residential areas?
These are just a few of the questions that come to mind. Others will no doubt identify further questions.
Alice Janisch
District of Sechelt councillor
