OCP finally gets input

Osoyoos' Official Community Plan (OCP) Committee is at work on the town's new OCP. When completed, this document will provide a blueprint for the town's direction over the next few years.
Osoyoos residents recently had the opportunity to review a partial draft of the town's new OCP, and a summary of the comments gathered at the open house held on July 19 has now been compiled by Town Planner Alain Cunningham.
An estimated 50 visitors attended the open house and approximately half completed an exit survey.
Comments were mixed, ranging from those who were in favour of what they saw to those who expressed concerns.
Here's how the public responded to the following questions:rn1) What do you like about the draft plan completed to date?rnComments here included those from people who believed the document to be well written, with good policies for town development, and satisfying the needs of both town and rural areas.
Other positive comments addressed the benefits of a new conservation zone, accessible waterfront and secure vistas, and sewers around the lake.
2) Are there any things you do not like about the draft plan completed to date?rnHere comments included those by people who felt there was insufficient public consultation and who did not like the assumption that densification and redevelopment is needed.
Others said they were concerned about the effect new growth and rezoning plans would have on the ALR, and the belief that a single-family housing zone without duplexes should be retained.
3) What important issues would you like to see addressed under future plan chapters, including residential and commercial development, parks, and the environment?rnResponses to this question included some of the following:
– limiting multiple-family housing along the waterfront;
– infrastructure planning to accommodate growth;rn- ensuring sustainable water supply and preserving the lake quality;
– more public waterfront access and parks and recreation areas;
– sewers for all residents;
– affordable housing and promotion of sustainable rather than profit-oriented development; andrn- designing resort residences without many stairs for eventual retirement use.
The need for continuing public consultation and for a moratorium on development until the plan is completed were among the final comments summarized in Cunningham's report.
Alain Cunningham said that more open houses will follow as further drafts of the OCP are completed, and the public is encouraged to provide input to the OCP committee.
OCP Committee Chair Jean Gubby said although she was disappointed there wasn't a greater turnout, she was pleased with the quality of the comments the committee received.
It was clear that people had thought about it and they were interested in the process, Gubby said.
The comments were generally along the lines of what we expected and the reaction we had hoped for. Generally, people think we're on the right track.rnGubby also said the committee will try to contact various groups and is willing to make presentations to them. They also hope to meet with the ALR to get a feel for proposed expansion plans.
The committee requested to sit in on a transportation meeting but we were turned down. We're disappointed because we thought it might help us in addressing traffic concerns in the OCP, Gubby added.
She noted that the committee hopes to have the next section available to the public in about a month.