Powell River Regional District directors adopted the Electoral Area B OCP (official community plan) at the March board meeting.
Colin Palmer, board chair and Area C director, made the only comment. “That one’s put to bed,” he said.
The regional district started reviewing the existing OCP that encompasses both Area B and Area C in 2008. After the review stalled, staff recommended that there should be two separate OCPs for each area. The Area C OCP has received three readings and has been forwarded to the Inspector of Municipalities for approval.
The new Area B and Area C OCPs do not contain a contentious policy, referred to as D5, which states existing land uses will be recognized in any future land use regulations. That opened the door to inappropriate uses on parcels not designated for those uses. Mainly, the conflicts arose around businesses establishing operations in residential areas.
With that policy eliminated, anyone who wants to establish an operation on a parcel not designated for that use will have to apply for an OCP amendment.
Directors also adopted an updated development services procedures bylaw at the March meeting. It covers OCP amendment applications, as well as applications for development variance permits and temporary use permits.
