The public is being asked to comment on Parksville’s draft Official Community Plan (OCP) as part of the review process.
After attending the open house and reading the draft OCP, I wondered why our original small town ideas had morphed into a detailed big city plan of complete compact neighbourhoods with the creation of extremely small lot sizes.
At the open house, I asked if the OCP had to be compliant with RDN growth strategies or Agenda 21 policies. I was assured the draft was a result of community based decision making. The presenter had not heard of Agenda 21.
Residents believe we are involved in a process to actuate a community driven OCP. The OCP collaborative consensus process actually leads to pre-determined policy outcomes developed to meet the requirements of UN Agenda 21 as outlined in the Local Government Act (Bill 27) and the International Council for Local Environment Initiatives (ICLEI).
With World Bank assistance, urban planners work with ICLEI guidelines to implement policies at the local level through the Local Agenda 21 Planning Guide.
In 2011, the City of Parksville endorsed the RDN’s updated Regional Growth Strategy in accordance with the Local Government Act. Parksville’s OCP must be consistent with this plan (OCP page 22).
Regional districts and municipalities across Canada are conforming to Agenda 21 sustainable development principles through smart growth Strategies which inventory every aspect of our lives. They control where we live, work and play and restrict community autonomy with respect to land, water, agriculture, parklands, public works, housing, natural resources, transportation and human settlements, etc.
Jean Allan
Parksville