There is context to consider when looking at the Official Community Plan (OCP) Update materials.
Most important to residents is the need for more homes. We have a significant shortage of homes needed to meet current residents’ needs; latent demand was estimated in 2021 at 8,879 homes (Victoria 2050 draft OCP, p.24). And we will need about a thousand more every year as the population grows.
Another bit of context is that the Local Government Act requires cities’ official community plans and zoning bylaws to be updated this year, and to allow the building of the needed homes.
We don’t have a choice of not allowing the homes to be built. We have to allow them.
Another bit of context is that the current set of documents is old and needs updating, as discussed in an earlier post.
Yet another bit of context of the OCP is that the City of Victoria exists within the larger Capital Region. It’s hemmed in by the water and other municipalities. So Victoria’s development of single detached houses in suburban-style sprawl came to an end in the 20th century. The reality is that our growth has been up, not out, for decades.
And we’re not going back. We will continue to grow up, not out. The Capital Regional District (CRD) Regional Growth Strategy (RGS), adopted unanimously by the 13 local governments in Greater Victoria, has as its first objective: Keep Urban Settlement Compact. The draft Regional Context Statement, (Schedule B (page 152) of Victoria 2050, notes that this means, among other things, allowing more homes and jobs in Victoria.
Finally, Victoria’s Strategic Plan, adopted unanimously by Council, provides a number of objectives under climate action, housing, transportation and other headings that you will see reflected in the OCP Update materials.
The big picture is that we must proceed with a new OCP and Zoning Bylaw, and we will. The new Plan and Bylaw and associated policies will allow thousands of new homes, and address many more community needs. And Victoria will continue to change, as it always has.