Official Community Plan Update 2025

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT EVENT  |  JULY 23, 2025

The City of Merritt’s Official Community Plan (OCP Bylaw 2336, 2022) 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.

The City’s OCP is a living document that is updated regularly as required. Updates are advertised to the public and the public has the opportunity to provide input at Council Meetings, Open Houses, and other public engagement avenues.

At present, the City is working on more revisions to the Official Community Plan. The timeline for proposed changes is as follows:

• Winter 2024/2025 – Background Research and Project Scoping
• Spring 2025 – Public Engagement
• Summer 2025 – Drafting of Amendments
• Fall 2025 – Council Consideration and Adoption

PROPOSED CHANGES (2025)

The proposed update to the Official Community Plan (OCP) will better address housing needs, align with provincial requirements, and streamline development approval processes. The proposed changes to the Official Community Plan include:

• Compliance with Small Scale Multi Unit Housing (SSMUH) legislation
• Incorporation of the City’s 20-year housing needs as identified in the 2024 Housing Needs Assessment  
• Alignment with TNRD’s Regional Growth Strategy