The Municipality of North Cowichan is asking its citizens to envision the ‘big picture’ with the launch of a community-wide survey.
The survey is part of the municipality’s Official Community Plan Update Project and it asks residents what they like about North Cowichan, what they would improve, and what aspects of the community are most important. Results from the survey will help shape a vision and the development of principles and priorities for the OCP, a plan that guides municipal decision-making regarding how the community changes over the next 20 years.
“Hearing from our citizens and the community is vital to getting this plan right,” says Mayor Al Siebring. “We want to ensure that the community’s voice and vision are reflected in the updated Official Community Plan, and this is a key moment. This survey is your chance to express your biggest hopes for the future of our municipality, and I strongly encourage you to participate.”
The survey is open now until September 15 and available by three means:
* Online: www.northcowichan.ca/OCP or connect on PlaceSpeak at www.placespeak.com/northcowichanOCP;
* Hard copy: surveys can be picked up at the Municipal Hall;
* Phone: call 250-746-3263 to complete the survey with a staff member.
For more information and to learn how to stay up-to-date on the OCP Update Project, visit www.northcowichan.ca/OCP or follow North Cowichan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NorthCowichan.
An OCP is a document that articulates a 20-year vision for a community. It is a bylaw that focuses on objectives and policies for planning and land-use. Official Community Plans are used by council and staff in budgeting, servicing, planning capital projects and reviewing development applications. They are used by residents and businesses as a reference for investment decisions and by school districts and community organizations to guide facility planning and service delivery.