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OUR COMMUNITY PLAN T HE ROCK

TEXADAOFFICIALCOMMUNITYPLAN

PROJECT OVERVIEW

WHAT is happening?The Powell River Regional District is updating the Official Community Plan for Electoral Area D (Texada Island) and will be working with area residents, property owners, businesses, and provincial agencies to develop a community vision, goals and objectives to guide future land use and development on Texada.

This is the first community meeting and the first step in the larger planning process which will include more community engagement.

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2011

2006

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TEXADA 1,076Gillies Bay 367Van Anda 291




- 4-13

-13

- 49-5

-54

+16-28

+23

*All data from Statistics Canada

1Today’s open house hopes to:

Provide you with information about what an official community plan is and how it will be used;

Provide you with information about the proposed planning process; and

Hear your ideas about updating the official community plan for Electoral Area D.

We invite you to visit all the boards, and tell us what you think!

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This update will provide a renewed VISION for Texada and it’s residents, as well as the policy framework to GUIDE the island into the FUTURE.



PROJECT OVERVIEW

WHAT is an Official Community Plan?

2By sharing your IDEAS & VISION on the future of Texada with your neighbours and the Regional District in the Official Community Plan planning process, you can help SHAPE the future of your COMMUNITY.

An official community plan (OCP) is a community’s long term vision that helps guide future land use and development.

An OCP is a comprehensive plan adopted by local government as a bylaw which guides public policy on land use, housing, transportation, community services, economic development, and the environment.

The provincial Local Government Act [RSBC 2015] defines an OCP as: “a statement of objectives and policies to guide decisions on planning and land use management in the are covered by the plan, and respecting purposes of local government”.

The Local Government Act states that an OCP should be reviewed and updated every 5 - 10 years. The last update to Texada’s OCP was 2004.

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2016 Dwellings 723Occupied Permanent 581

2011 Dwellings 710Occupied Permanent 533

2006Occupied Permanent 553Dwellings not counted*

2001 Occupied Permanent 608Dwellings not counted*

*All data from Statistics Canada


TEXADAOFFICIALCOMMUNITYPLAN3

What are the Local Government Act requirements for an Official Community Plan?Division 4 — Official Community Plans: Content and process requirements473 (1) An official community plan must include statements and map designations for the area covered by the plan respecting the following:

(a) the approximate location, amount, type and density of residential development required to meet anticipated housing needs over a period of at least 5 years;(b) the approximate location, amount and type of present and proposed commercial, industrial, institutional, agricultural, recreational and public utility land uses;(c) the approximate location and area of sand and gravel deposits that are suitable for future sand and gravel extraction;(d) restrictions on the use of land that is subject to hazardous conditions or that is environmentally sensitive to development;(e) the approximate location and phasing of any major road, sewer and water systems;(f ) the approximate location and type of present and proposed public facilities, including schools, parks and waste treatment and disposal sites;(g) other matters that may, in respect of any plan, be required or authorized by the minister.

(2) An official community plan must include housing policies of the local government respecting affordable housing, rental housing and special needs housing.(3) An official community plan must include targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the area covered by the plan, and policies and actions of the local government proposed with respect to achieving those targets.(4) In developing an official community plan, the local government must consider any applicable guidelines under section 582 [provincial policy guidelines].

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Texada Island Official Community Plan, Bylaw No. 395, 2005

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Consolidated for Convenience Only September 12, 2012

A. LAND USE DESIGNATION POLICIES

A.1. COMMUNITY WATERSHED AREAS

This designation applies to the two existing community watersheds, as defined by the Ministry of

Environment, on Texada Island: the Cranby Lake watershed, which supplies Gillies Bay, and the

watershed of the Priest/Spectacle/Kirk Lake system, which serves Van Anda. With careful

management, these sources will meet the domestic needs of these settlement areas for more than the

coming five years.

Degradation of these sources would significantly affect Island residents. No other surface water

sources are capable of supplying the needs of a major group of water users and although available

information indicates that Texada Island may have substantial stores of water hidden underground,

these are of unknown quality and are presently difficult and costly to access. Preserving the quality of

water in these lakes, therefore, is imperative. Accordingly, the effective management and protection

of community watersheds is a major objective of the Texada Island Official Community Plan and the

watershed protection bylaw that has been adopted.

To achieve this objective, the Plan policies advocate strict controls over the type of uses permitted

and the manner in which those uses develop throughout the watershed areas. The level of control

prescribed by the Plan is justified by the potential for these sensitive areas to be harmed by

inappropriate development. Policies are intended to prevent the degradation of water quality. Where

possible, these policies will be implemented by land use regulations.

POLICIES

A.1.a. ENCOURAGE that farming operations be conducted in the community watershed areas in

accordance with the Farm Protection Act, Agricultural Waste Control Regulation, Waste

Management Act and the Code of Agricultural Practice for Waste Management.

A.1.b. ENCOURAGE local Improvement Districts to increase public awareness of the sensitivity

of community watersheds and the location of their boundaries.

A.1.c. REQUEST logging companies to consult with the Water Management Branch and with

relevant local Improvement District Boards when preparing cutting plans for logging of

private land within watersheds.

A.1.d ENCOURAGE the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands and the Ministry of Forests and

Range to retain, in perpetuity, public ownership and to manage, for watershed protection

purposes, all Crown land within the watersheds of existing major or minor domestic water

sources denoted on Map B.

TEXADA ISLAND OFFICIALCOMMUNITY PLANBYLAW NO. 395, 2005

Adopted September 28, 2006

Consolidated for Convenience Only September 12, 2012 PPowell River Regional District

PROJECT OVERVIEW



PROJECT OVERVIEW4HOW does an Official Community Plan work?

Establishes a vision for the community

Designates future land use patterns

Coordinates policy to protect features & infrastructure

Informs financial planning & servicing

Guides decisions by the Regional Board

Guides decisions by residents, investors & developers

Guides decisions by other levels of government that have jurisdiction within or adjacent to the planning area

Provides the legal vehicle for setting out development permit areas for protecting environmentally sensitive areas, protecting development from natural hazards & shaping residential, commercial & industrial development

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A. LAND USE DESIGNATION POLICIES

A.1. COMMUNITY WATERSHED AREAS

This designation applies to the two existing community watersheds, as defined by the Ministry of

Environment, on Texada Island: the Cranby Lake watershed, which supplies Gillies Bay, and the

watershed of the Priest/Spectacle/Kirk Lake system, which serves Van Anda. With careful

management, these sources will meet the domestic needs of these settlement areas for more than the

coming five years.

Degradation of these sources would significantly affect Island residents. No other surface water

sources are capable of supplying the needs of a major group of water users and although available

information indicates that Texada Island may have substantial stores of water hidden underground,

these are of unknown quality and are presently difficult and costly to access. Preserving the quality of

water in these lakes, therefore, is imperative. Accordingly, the effective management and protection

of community watersheds is a major objective of the Texada Island Official Community Plan and the

watershed protection bylaw that has been adopted.

To achieve this objective, the Plan policies advocate strict controls over the type of uses permitted

and the manner in which those uses develop throughout the watershed areas. The level of control

prescribed by the Plan is justified by the potential for these sensitive areas to be harmed by

inappropriate development. Policies are intended to prevent the degradation of water quality. Where

possible, these policies will be implemented by land use regulations.

POLICIES

A.1.a. ENCOURAGE that farming operations be conducted in the community watershed areas in

accordance with the Farm Protection Act, Agricultural Waste Control Regulation, Waste

Management Act and the Code of Agricultural Practice for Waste Management.

A.1.b. ENCOURAGE local Improvement Districts to increase public awareness of the sensitivity

of community watersheds and the location of their boundaries.

A.1.c. REQUEST logging companies to consult with the Water Management Branch and with

relevant local Improvement District Boards when preparing cutting plans for logging of

private land within watersheds.

A.1.d ENCOURAGE the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands and the Ministry of Forests and

Range to retain, in perpetuity, public ownership and to manage, for watershed protection

purposes, all Crown land within the watersheds of existing major or minor domestic water

sources denoted on Map B. _____________________________________________________________________________


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Agriculture is of growing importance on

Texada Island. Currently there are several

bona fide farms as recognized by the BC

Assessment Authority operating on the

Island. These farms produce beef, swine,

sheep, poultry, orchard products, forage

crops, forestry seedlings and market

gardens. Products are sold on Texada Island,

Vancouver Island and the mainland and

provide a substantial source of income for

the operator. The Agricultural Land Reserve

(ALR) covers portions of Texada Island.

These lands have been designated

“Agriculture” on Map A. Land within the

ALR on Texada Island can be categorized as

either prime, capable of producing a wide range of crops; or secondary, limited by topography or

other factors, suitable primarily for livestock production. Significant amounts of land within the ALR

on Texada have the potential for a wide diversity of agricultural pursuits. Transportation and land

clearing costs, notwithstanding, expansion of agricultural activity is considered both possible and

desirable as a means to diversify the local economy, providing at least a supplementary income to

some residents. Accordingly, the preservation of the agricultural potential on ALR land is desirable.

POLICIES A.3.a. Lands within the Agricultural Land Reserve are designated “Agriculture” on Map A,

which is attached hereto and forms part of the Texada Island Official Community Plan.

A.3.b. All lands within the ALR are subject to the provisions of the B.C. Agricultural Land

Commission Act and the regulations and orders of the Agricultural Land Commission. The

Act and regulations generally prohibit or restrict non-farm use and subdivision of ALR

lands, unless otherwise permitted or exempted.

A.3.c. PERMIT lands designated “Agriculture” to be used for agriculture and accessory

residential use and other compatible uses as provided for in the B.C. Agricultural Land

Commission Act, regulations pursuant thereto, and Orders of the Commission.

A.3.d. In order to reduce the risk of contamination of community water supplies, agricultural

land use on ALR lands located within the Cranby and Priest Lake Community Watersheds

shall be in accordance with all community watershed policies.

A.3.e. DISCOURAGE the subdivision of land in the ALR where topography, parcel size and soil

capability indicate a good potential for agricultural development;

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The following maps depict the study area as a bold red line.

Gillies Bay Van Anda

Unique and Sensitive Features

Unique and sensitive features which contribute to the Island’s identity warrant preservation for

enjoyment by both local residents and tourists. Examples of such features include remnants of

Texada’s thriving mining industry, occurrences of unique vegetation or landforms and areas of scenic

value. Locating development away from these areas is, in the long term, generally advantageous to

individual landowners, the natural environment and the community at large.

Vegetation

Texada Island has an abundance of natural vegetation which, although often taken for granted, must

be recognized as an important element in the area’s attractiveness to residents and visitors. In

addition, vegetation performs less visible but significant practical functions such as maintaining

water temperatures, filtering pollutants and stabilizing stream banks and steep slopes. Wooded areas

benefit the area’s residents by absorbing pollutants and noise which may be associated with traffic

and non-residential uses and by screening unattractive developments from public view. They also

provide wildlife habitats and public recreation areas. The Plan strongly advocates preserving the

natural vegetation for its aesthetic and practical value. Thus development can proceed economically

without jeopardizing the natural environment and the Island’s beauty.

Texada Island’s unique climate makes it especially susceptible to the intrusion of non-native plant

species which can have a negative impact on farms, silviculture operations and the Island’s natural

ecosystem. At this time, the spotted knapweed and meadow knapweed are the non-native species of

greatest concern due to their negative impact to the Island’s agricultural and forestry operations. In


TEXADAOFFICIALCOMMUNITYPLANPLANNING SCOPE5

HOW does an OCP fit into the framework of land use planning?

OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLANgeneral land use designationspolicies to guide future land usedevelopment permit areas to protect riparian areas and development from hazardous conditions

LAND USE/ ZONING BYLAWspecific land use zonesregulations to enforce land use

DEVELOPMENT PERMITSriparian area set backshazard area set backs

PROVINCIAL & FEDERAL REGULATIONSAgricultural Land CommissionVancouver Coastal Health AuthorityMinistry of Transportation & InfrastructureMinistry of Forests, Lands, & Natural Resource OperationsDepartment of Fisheries & OceansMinistry of Energy & Mines

BUILD OUT

Map example from Electoral Area “C” for illustrative purposes of digitized land use



1. LAY THE GROUND WORK

2. EXPLOR

E O

UR

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ITY3. EXPLORE O

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4. WALK THE TALK

refine the OCP

adopt OCP bylaw

implement OCPestablish community advisory committee

technical background

reporting

identify opportunities & challenges

develop a vision

develop & refine

prepare a draft OCP

goals & objectives

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EXPLORING THE PROCESS:

Throughout the planning process, we will be talking with you! To stay in touch, and find opportunities to have your voice heard, sign up at the front of the room, or find a staff member to find out more. We are also advertising every month in Express Lines!

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This is where we are now!

How will the OCP be updated?The OCP will be updated through a community-driven process that responds to the opportunities, challenges and ideas of area residents, property owners, and businesses. Members of the community play a central role in planning for the future of the area! Regional District has established a Planning Advisory Committee to help inform the planning process.

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