Official Community Plan (OCP) Permit Areas

Updates

At their meeting on July 9, 2024, Council:

At their meeting on June 25, 2024, Council:

At their meeting on June 11, 2024, Council:

At their meeting on May 28, 2024, Council:

At their meeting on May 14, 2024, Council:

  • Received an information report providing an update on the strategy for the Official Community Plan permit areas project.
  • Directed staff to engage a Qualified Environmental Professional to complete a technical study to refine the information available and mapping of sensitive riparian environments.

Phase One of the project is now complete. This included:

  1. Reviewing and compiling GIS database from known mapping sources
  2. Reviewing existing OCP DP Guidelines for direction about re-establishing DP Areas
  3. Reviewing Form and Character Areas to re-establish draft boundaries
  4. Reviewing Environmental and Hazardous Areas to re-establish draft boundaries
  5. Analyzing existing DP Guidelines to align with proposed DP Areas and consider best practices

Background

In April 2023, Lytton’s Council suspended Official Community Plan Permit requirements, as the Village focussed on other recovery and rebuilding tasks. This was intended to be a temporary measure. 

Development Permit Areas

As the Village rebuilds, replacing missing maps and reactivating Development Permit Areas is important to fairly protect community interests. Development Permit and Temporary Use Permit guidelines, policies, and procedures are valuable tools to proactively address potential hazards or negative impacts of development.

Existing Permit Areas and Proposed Replacement Permit Areas

Lytton’s current OCP designates two DP areas and three TUP areas.

Staff have proposed the following updated permit areas to reflect current provincial regulations and best practices:

Abbreviations

  • Official Community Plan (OCP)
  • Development Permit Area (DPA)
  • Development Permits (DP)
  • Temporary Use Permit (TUP)

Official Community Plan Bylaw

Administering the Official Community Plan (OCP) Bylaw is a key function of local governments, including the Village of Lytton. An OCP is the community’s highest level policy document, which is intended to:

  • balance the interests of property owners, neighbours, and applicants requesting development approval, and
  • uphold the Village’s responsibilities for managing risk, liability, and legislative compliance.

Updating DP Areas and TUP Areas can provide guidance for planning and development, until the Village conducts a full Official Community Plan review.

How will the DP Areas and TUP Area impact property owners?

The DP Areas and TUP Area will not impact property owners who have already had a building permit issued for rebuilding.

For people planning future development, these guidelines, policies, and procedures will:

  • Provide clarity and consistency about what’s allowed
  • Identify potential hazards and manage risk
  • Protect ecologically sensitive areas and neighbours
  • Ensure compliance with provincial standards
  • Fairly balance development with community interests

How will the DP Areas and TUP Area impact the Village?

Once adopted, the guidelines, policies, and procedures, will:

  • Provide guidance for development
  • Protect sensitive areas
  • Help manage risks and liability for the municipality
  • Align the Village’s planning framework with best practices and provincial regulations

Project Schedule

This project will be presented in phases to Council and the community. The following project schedule is subject to updates:

  • May 14, 2024: Phase 1 Summary – strategic priorities, existing and proposed permit areas, and strategy for updating development permit and temporary use permit areas
  • May 28, 2024: Draft OCP text and future land use zoning maps, development permit areas and temporary use permit areas summary tables
  • June 11, 2024: OCP text for natural hazards and floodplain
  • June 25, 2024: OCP text for hillsides and wildfire
  • July 9, 2024: OCP text for comprehensive development permit and temporary use permit areas
  • July 23, 2024: Environmentally sensitive area (riparian) development permit area
  • Fall 2024: OCP amendment (permit areas) bylaw for Council consideration after all input has been considered

Once Council has received and provided input on all of the information, staff will bring forward OCP and Zoning Amendment Bylaws for Council’s consideration. This is anticipated to take place in fall 2024.

Formal consultation with outside agencies will also be required at this point.

Budget

This project is being funded by the $6.26 million provincial government grant.

Ongoing implementation of the OCP guidelines, including processing applications and maintaining GIS data, will be part of the Village’s regular operating budget.