Currently, Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality (SPMRM) is operating on its original Official Community Plan (OCP) from 2014, an outdated guiding document.
As identified in this document, “an OCP is a policy document used by municipal governments to guide land use decisions and community planning.”
To keep up with the changing community landscape, SPMRM underwent a review and refresh of the current OCP in 2022, which remains in draft form.
A revisitation of this draft is now underway according to chief administrative officer Deanna Campbell, as municipal planners review and update it to reflect the current needs of Sun Peaks.
An overdue refresh of the Official Community Plan
The 2022 OCP got as far as a draft form, given second reading by council.
Between staff turnover and other priorities, Campbell said the progression of adopting a new OCP fell to the side.
“Certainly, it’s one of our most important guiding documents,” she added. “So it does need to be updated.”
Since 2022, there are many new points to be taken into consideration while updating the draft for a new OCP, including a growing community and new legislative changes.
The specific changes required haven’t been identified yet.
“Essentially, what we’re doing is our municipal planners are reviewing the 2022 version and then looking at changes in legislation, changes in the community, ” she said. “Then we’ll be seeking feedback from Council, from the community, from stakeholders and from Sun Peaks Resort [LLP] (SPR) as well.”
Community consultation will likely take place in early Spring.
First Nations consultation
Part of the process of development in 2022 involved community and stakeholder consultation, including consultation with neighbouring First Nations, the Adams Lake Band, Neskonlith Band and Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw.
“The 2022 draft was circulated to first nations in the region,” Campbell said. “And the Neskonlith Band did express some opposition towards the Official Community Plan.”
Adopting the plan despite this opposition would have gone against reconciliation and the building of positive relationships the municipality is working toward.
“Our approach will be different this time around,” she said about the consultation process. “We want to engage [First Nations] before we make any of these changes.”
Part of this may include giving neighbouring bands the opportunity to comment on what’s important to them in the OCP.
The municipal planners in charge of the OCP update are undertaking the engagement and communication piece with the three bands on behalf of council, Campbell said, though council will need to be involved and in the room for these discussions.
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