The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District is made up of the
following six electoral areas; "A" -
Bamfield, "B" -
Beaufort, "C" -
Long Beach, "D" -
Sproat Lake, "E" -
Beaver Creek, and "F" -
Cherry Creek. Each area has its own
Official Community Plan (OCP).
The OCP's were developed by the Planning Department
in conjunction with the area Director and Advisory
Planning Commission (APC) members. Consultation
through open houses and public hearings with
members of the general public, area residents and
property owners, and technical agencies (ie. Island
Health, Provincial Ministries, First Nations, etc.) provided
valuable direction and vision for future development
of each of the electoral areas.
As the OCP's were developed on a broad community
scale, it is sometimes necessary to make amendments
based on individual development proposals on specific
properties. These amendments may be required to
facilitate subdivision, business development, and/or
community services. This is where an application for
an Amendment to an Official Community Plan would
be required.
The following procedure outlines the basic steps of the OCP amendment process. Each application is
unique and has the potential for various requirements to be satisfied prior to completion and adoption. An
OCP amendment often accompanies a rezoning application. It is recommended that all property owners
who are considering development of property consult with the ACRD Planning Department prior to application
in order to identify any additional steps that may be required.
PROCEDURE:
1. Make an application. An Application for Development form can be obtained from the ACRD office
and/or by
clicking here. Payment of the applicable fee will be required.
For fee schedule click here.
2. Once the fee has been received, the proposal will be reviewed by the Planning Department. A report is
prepared and will include recommendations and requirements as well as compliance with all relevant
regulations. A specific OCP amendment bylaw is also prepared.
3. The documentation package (including report, application documents, and bylaw) will be submitted to
the electoral area Advisory Planning Commission (APC) and Director for their review. The APC meeting
is an informal public meeting of local volunteers who provide their recommendation(s) to the area Director.
It is recommended that the applicant attend this meeting.
4. The documentation package is then forwarded to the Regional Board of Directors' meeting for their
consideration. The bylaw is given first reading at this meeting.
5. Following first reading, the documentation package is forwarded to all relevant technical agencies (ie.
Island Health, Provincial Ministries, First Nations, etc.) along with a referral request for their consideration
of the proposal. A public hearing is scheduled at this time.
6. The public hearing provides an opportunity for anyone interested and/or affected by the proposal to
provide their comments and/or concerns. Notification of the hearing is sent to all owners and occupiers
of properties within 100m of the subject property. Notice of public hearing is posted on the subject
property as well as placed as an advertisement in the local newspaper. The hearing is typically chaired
by the electoral area Director and is attended by ACRD planning staff along with the applicant. Copies
of the technical agency referral responses and any other written correspondence received (related to
the proposal) are provided at this meeting.
7. Following public hearing, the Planning Department will prepare a report and minutes of the hearing.
These documents along with the bylaw are then forwarded to a second Board meeting where the bylaw
will receive second and third readings.
8. If applicable, any recommendations and/or requirements must be fulfilled by the applicant prior to the
adoption of the bylaw. When all items have been addressed, the bylaw will be forwarded to a third
Board meeting where it will be adopted.
IMPORTANT! Please Note: If at any stage, the proposal is not supported
(ie. By the Planning Department, the APC, or the Regional Board), the applicant
would be notified immediately and given the opportunity to amend
the proposal and/or provide justification for the proposal as submitted.
