What is the Oceanfront sub area plan process?

Submitted by gillian on Wed, 08/25/2010 - 10:40

Planning for the Oceanfront started with a strong foundation of previous community engagement, planning, and policy work, both focused on the Oceanfront and for Squamish as a whole, including:

  • The “Downtown Waterfront Concept Plan” for the peninsula produced in 2005;
  • The Regional Growth Strategy;
  • The Official Community Plan (OCP);
  • The Downtown Neighbourhood Plan;
  • Smart Growth on the Ground;
  • The 12 Step Climate Action Plan;
  • The Community Energy Plan; and
  • The Sustainability Block.

As the process unfolded, the Downtown Transportation Plan was being developed. It both informed and was informed by this process. The “Create the Oceanfront” planning process started in 2007 engaged extensively with the community to ensure it would reflect community goals and aspirations. Peninsula landowners funded the process and provided expertise and resources to further support it.

In Phase 1, technical studies and previous planning work were presented to the public to confirm starting points for planning. Input was received from some 300 people at an Open House in June 2008, and another 300 people visited the project website. It resulted in a broad community vision for the Oceanfront and Oceanfront Guiding Principles for planning and goals for a sustainable future.

Phase 2 took place in the Fall of 2008, and focused on the issues that remained. A series of four workshops were held with community stakeholders and experts to discuss key issues, including employment, parks and facilities, water’s edge treatment, and land use mix. The priorities and preferences they expressed were then presented to the general public to get a reaction from a wider range of people, through an Open House and “Kitchen Table Discussions.” Throughout, community members discussed the options in light of trade-offs and implications, resulting in a well-informed set of priorities and preferences for the Oceanfront.

A Policy Statement was produced, and used to guide development of two plan options. These were presented together to the community at an Open House and via the project website in March 2009. Participants rated the two plans, providing direction for revisions and refinements.

Finally, this Oceanfront Sub Area Plan was produced, reflecting all of the community input to date, as well as technical and financial considerations.