The City of Merritt has adopted a new Official Community Plan (OCP Bylaw 2336, 2022) following an extensive development and public consultation process. — July 19, 2022
The City of Merritt’s Official Community Plan (OCP) is a vital guiding document for the City. With the input of residents, local business, regional partnerships, stakeholders, and experts in various disciplines, this document provides a vision for growth and high level policy development over the next two decades. This guiding document outlines goals, vision, and policies for numerous topics, including: Land Use and Housing; Economic Development; Transportation and Active Transportation; Infrastructure; Emergency Services; Parks and Recreation; Arts and Culture; Climate Change; Food Security; and Poverty Reduction. This new OCP (updated from a 2012 version) ensures regulatory conformity with the Local Government Act and ensures that alignment is achieved with all plans that fall under its umbrella.
Many thanks to the multiple partners and community members who have collectively contributed to this plan to ensure that it speaks to the unique qualities of the City and needs of its residents.
Past OCP Consultation Process
From Spring 2020 to Summer 2022, the City of Merritt conducted a comprehensive development and public consultation process, from surveys to open houses, to the final approval of the new Official Community Plan (OCP).
| Phase 1 |
Project Kick-off Engagement Plan Development
May – July 2020
| Phase 2 |
Background Analysis
July – August 2020
| Phase 3 |
Public Engagement Events
September 2020 – June 2021
| Phase 4 |
Draft OCP Development
July – September 2021
–
Draft OCP Document
Community Review
September 2021 – October 2021
| Phase 5 |
OCP Finalization
November 2021
–
OCP Final Adoption
Public Hearing
December 2021
PAST EVENTS & PROCESSES
The OCP was created with the support of multiple partnerships and community input. This included the following:
Housing Needs Report
In partnership with the TNRD and M’akola Development Services, and with input from Council, community stakeholders and residents, a Housing Needs Report has been developed. Thank you to residents and community stakeholders for your input and feedback into the development of the report.
A Housing Needs Report is a provincially mandated document that identifies key housing needs within the community and proposes recommendations on how to address those needs. The report will also be used to inform housing policies in the Official Community Plan.
Poverty Reduction Assessment
As part of the Official Community Plan Update project, a Poverty Reduction Assessment Report has been created. Recommendations from the report will help inform OCP policy development. To view the final report, click the link below.
Food Security Assessment
As part of the Official Community Plan Update project, a Food Security Assessment Report is being created. Recommendations from the report will help inform OCP policy development. Feedback on the draft report can be provided to planning@merritt.ca until April 22, 2021. To view the draft report, click the link below.
Official Community Plan Survey
Several OCP surveys were conducted. A summary of the survey results is available. Thank you to all who participated.
Public Hearing – May 24th
A Public Hearing on the first two readings of the Proposed OCP was advertised according to legislative requirements and held May 24th, 2022.
Open House – April 22
An Open House was held Friday April 22nd, 4:00pm – 6:00pm at the Civic Centre. Engineering professionals from the Flood Recovery and Coldwater River Analysis/Design teams were present at the Open House to present preliminary findings of the City’s flood mitigation and planning efforts.
Committee of the Whole
Thursday April 21st, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
in-person (Council Chamber), or watch at your convenience
Online Workshop
Wednesday April 20th, 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Committee of the Whole Meeting – OCP Neighbourhoods & Development Permit Areas
The event was held on Tuesday, March 16th, 2021.
Committee of the Whole Meeting – OCP Policies
The event was held on Tuesday, February 16th, 2021.
Committee of the Whole Meeting – OCP Visioning
The event was held on Tuesday, January 19th, 2021.
Neighbourhood Specific Workshops
The neighbourhood-specific workshops were held in November 2020. Please check back for an engagement summary that will be published in the spring of 2021.
Business and Economic Development Webinar
This event was held on Wednesday, October 7th, 2020.
Land Use and Housing Webinar
This event was held on Wednesday, October 7th, 2020.
Infrastructure and Climate Change Workshop
This event was held on Wednesday, October 7th, 2020.
Poverty Reduction and Food Security Workshop
This event was held on Friday, October 9th, 2020
City Pop-Up Booth at the Farmer’s Market on Quilchena Ave.
This event was held on October 10th, 2020.
CONTACT
Planning & Development Services
planning@merritt.ca
