Regional District of Nanaimo electoral Area F (Errington, Coombs and Hillers) director Leanne Salter wants the public engagement of the region’s Official Community Plan review to be expanded and not limited to just a year.
Salter made a notice of motion at the latest RDN board regular meeting “that the public engagement plan for the Electoral Area F Official Community Plan review be amended to add town hall meetings when required to enhance public engagement and further, amended to leave the ended of the Area F OCP open to inorder to allow flexibility for the input and adoption of OCP in Area F.
Electoral Area A (Cedar, South Wellington, Yellowpoint, Cassidy) director asked the reason for the open-ended request.
Salter said that one year might not be enough to gather the community’s concerns, input and ideas on what they want to see happen for Electoral Area F (Erringont, Coombs, Hilliers.
The board approved Salter’s motion.
READ MORE: Public engagement set for Electoral Area F OCP review
Meanwhile, RDN staff continues to conduct community engagements in the area.
Two community engagements will be taking place on Feb 16. It will take place at the Bradley Centre, on 975 Shearme Rd., from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
The second session will be held in the afternoon of Feb. 16 at the Meadowood Store, 1221 Meadowood Way, Qualicum Beach, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
On Feb. 17, RDN staff will be at the Coombs Fairgrounds from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. during Family Day celebration. On Feb. 18, a booth will be set up at Trees Diner, 1385 Alberni Highway, from 2 p.m. to 4:40 p.m.
Those wishing to share their ideas or give their feedback can visit the booths to learn more about the OCP, which is basically a long-term plan for a community.
The first Electoral Area F OCP was adopted in 1999.
Since then the region has experienced 39 per cent population growth.
The OCP update for the area will focu on growth management; employment economy; climate change preparedness; environment, housing; mobility, health and well being.