By Lexi McFarlane, Times Chronicle
Phase II of Oliver’s Official Community Plan (OCP) Update is generating plenty of substantive feedback, and offering specifics on where residents would like to see the focus turned towards.
The feedback was relayed to Council at the March 16 Committee of the Whole (CoW) meeting, by Director of Development Services Paul Sizemore. The engagement has been taking place since Phase II was given the go-ahead in February.
So far, the engagement has occurred in six different formats. A meeting with the Osoyoos Indian Band took place on February 24, with a Community Open House held the next day, February 25, attracting roughly 40 attendees. Around 20 attendees also came out for a Community Walking Tour which took place on March 6.
Engagement has continued in March with youth-focused engagement planning with the South Okanagan Secondary School, as well as targeted stakeholder meetings, and an online survey.
Feedback so far has produced several different themes of focus, which Sizemore detailed in his report. The first theme mentioned was Health and Safety, which noted a desire for “safer and more accessible trail systems”, along with advanced features, especially on Main Street, to keep pedestrians safer and calm traffic. Increased primary care access also was mentioned in this category.
Empty storefronts and lots in Downtown Oliver received focus under an exclusive “Downtown Visioning” category, with residents suggesting more support for “beautification elements” such as flora, murals, and increased support for Station Street activations and the Sunday Market.
Respondents also wanted to see easier access and better coordination of event space for arts and culture groups, as well as enhanced accessibility and upkeep. There was also an interest among respondents in seeing more visibility be given to Indigenous culture.
Collaboration with the OIB, similarly, was of significance among the feedback responses received. Beyond cultural events and open houses, reconciliation is being sought for parks, wildlife, and other habitat details, along with an overall improved communication between the Town and OIB.
Parks and Recreation, as a whole, produced responses pertaining to the ages of the facilities in Oliver, and limitations of the Oliver Pool. Some respondents wanted a look to be taken at indoor pool options. Additionally, better promotion of programs available and addressing overcrowding periods were referenced in the responses.
Climate Response and Transportation were the other two categories produced by OCP engagement. Respondents showed concern about the current state of the landscape in some areas, and wanted to see enhanced wildfire prevention measures put in place, along with cleanup where necessary.
As for transportation, improved access to options such as transit and taxis, along with improved cycling trails, sidewalks, and pedestrian crossings were mentioned.
The amount of effort that has been put into OCP engagement and the number of responses it has produced, impressed Councillor Petra Veintimilla.
“All of these different opportunities that are being provided to the community to provide input to us, are amazing and not like anything I’ve ever experienced at this table,” Veintimilla said. “I appreciate all the effort you and your team have gone to, to make this happen.”
Mayor Martin Johansen, meanwhile, voiced concern about the in-person gathering sessions and that the attendees for those events might not be as varied as the Town had been hoping.
“I’m noticing it’s the same people all the time,” Johansen said. “Not necessarily a criticism, but (also) not sure if there’s other strategies down the road to maybe… engage other people in the community that maybe don’t have the time to come out, or don’t want to come out.”
The online survey remains ongoing until the end of March for those wishing to submit additional feedback. Further engagement with the community will take place in May, which will include continued OIB collaboration and stakeholder meetings, along with a second Community Open House.
