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University Village Local Area Plan

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Overview

On July 2011, Council adopted a new Official Community Plan (OCP) (link to the OCP). The OCP identifies the University Village area as one of three growth centres and identified the need for a Local Area Plan (LAP). The OCP sets out a vision and policies for sustainable growth, which will help guide the LAP process.

More recently, a Climate Energy and Action Plan (CEAP) (link to CEAP page) for the District has been adopted by Council. The CAEP identifies this area has having significant opportunities to deliver energy savings and greenhouse gas reductions through higher densities and exploring low carbon energy solutions, as part of a local area planning process.

The Municipality of North Cowichan, in collaboration with the City of Duncan, will be exploring creative options for future growth and change in this area to help flesh out the strategic policies identified in the OCP. The area for the University Village Plan can be found here: South End Study Area. As can be seen in the Study Area map, the boundaries between the Municipality of North Cowichan and the City of Duncan are virtually indistinguishable on the ground. The OCP contains policy statements to work cooperatively with neighbouring local governments on matters of shared concern, and there was an agreement signed in 2007 to undertake a joint master planning exercise with the City and other Cowichan Place Partners. Therefore, the Study Area includes areas within the City of Duncan that are closely related to the portion of the University Village area located in North Cowichan.

Your input will be a key part of the planning process. So please get involved and make a difference!

What is a Local Area Plan (LAP)?

A LAP is a policy plan which will be adopted by Council bylaw and prepared for smaller geographic areas of Municipalities where there is a need to provide more certainty and intent of what was envisaged in the OCP and ‘fleshing out’ in more detail how the OCP can be implemented in a smaller geographical or local area. The LAP will provide guidance for future decisions related to issues including land use, urban form, mobility and infrastructure issues.

The LAP will be subsequently approved and adopted by Council as Bylaw, following a public hearing (the same process will also take place for the City of Duncan). The LAP is intended to provide a framework and level of strategic planning between the OCP, over a 30 year time line.

LAPs are policy plans for local geographic areas that provide guidance for future decisions related to land use, urban form and mobility issues. A LAP is a statutory plan prepared for smaller geographic areas of Municipalities where there is a need to provide more certainty and intent of what was envisaged in the OCP. The LAP will be approved by resolution of Council, following a public hearing. The LAP is intended to provide a framework and level of strategic planning between the OCP, over a 30 year time line.

Project Update

On March 20, 2013 Council approved the Terms of Reference for the project and a Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued to seek a suitably qualified consultant to undertake the work.

What's Next?

It is envisaged that a consultant will be appointed in early June.

Public Engagement Process

A key component of the LAP will be public involvement. A Stakeholder Advisory Group will be established comprising representatives from a number of organisations in the area including the following possible groups; The City of Duncan, Vancouver Island University, James St Neighbourhood Association; School District 79; Cowichan Green Community; Somenos Marsh; Cowichan Tribes, Chamber of Commerce, Business Improvement Area Group. This advisory group once established will be the main platform for feedback at key stages in the plan and help refine the wider public consultation plan which will be undertaken at key stages in the plans development. All presentations and open house boards will be displayed on the website in the box below.