Official Community Plan Refresh

The District of Barriere is refreshing its Official Community Plan (OCP), which was originally adopted in 2011 with only minor updates since. This refresh will bring the OCP in line with the community's evolving needs, ensuring it reflects changes from the past thirteen years. These changes include population growth, increased challenges in housing supply, diversity and affordability, rising costs of living, climate change impacts, and new provincial legislation.

The OCP shapes much of what you see in Barriere—from the placement of parks and trails to the types of housing and businesses that develop. Together with the Zoning Bylaw, it holds a central role in shaping our community’s present and envisioning its future. Key focus areas include foundational infrastructure, housing, environment, recreation, job creation, main street revitalization, and our shared vision for a vibrant future for Barriere.

Launched in the fall 2024, the OCP Refresh project is expected to be completed by fall 2025. There will be multiple opportunities over the next 9-11 months for you to participate and share your input, which is essential to shaping the future of our community! By updating the OCP, the District aims to create a comprehensive plan that addresses current challenges and positions Barriere for sustainable and resilient growth.

Project Background

The current Official Community Plan (OCP), adopted in 2011, is due for a refresh, as best practice suggests reviewing and updating OCPs every five years. This project will focus on modernizing the existing OCP rather than drafting an entirely new one. Key priorities for this update include:

Updating population figures and growth projections
Refining housing goals and objectives
Revising Development Permit Area guidelines

Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) is currently conducting research on housing, which includes:

A contextual analysis of Barriere's housing market
Identification of existing and projected housing supply gaps
5- and 20- year projections for housing needs
A review of federal, provincial, and external influences on housing affordability

Important Dates

Online Survey Begins
- Monday, November 18^th
Open House
- Wednesday, November 20^th
- Senior Drop-in Centre
- 6:00 - 8:00pm
Online Survey Ends
- Wednesday, December 18^th

How can I get involved?

Public engagement is a key component in creating a successful OCP which reflects the diverse needs of a community. To reach as many different community members as possible, the project team will use a variety of online and in-person engagement activities, including reaching out directly to community organizations who represent broader audiences within the District. We want to learn more about the challenges and opportunities that the citizens of Barriere see for their community so that what we heard from citizens forms the foundation for the OCP.

Project Timeline

Stay up to Date

Stay tuned to this online engagement hub which will be your source for information and events. As well, look for posters around the community, newspaper ads, social media, or join our email list at the bottom of this page.

Email the project team at ocp.refresh@barriere.ca or call Amy Clarke (public engagement lead) at (250) 814-7338.

Important OCP Links

What is an Official Community Plan?

An Official Community Plan (OCP) is a policy tool used by local government to guide land use and community planning. An Official Community Plan provides certainty to residents and landowners regarding the location and nature of future growth and redevelopment. It guides municipal councils in decisions about land use bylaws, servicing, and capital expenditures to accommodate change. Community desires are expressed in the Plan by means of broad objectives and policy statements.

The Local Government Act (LGA) regulates the requirements for an OCP.

What is the difference between an Official Community Plan and a Zoning Bylaw?

The Official Community Plan and the Zoning Bylaw serve distinct but complementary purposes in guiding community development:

Official Community Plan: The OCP outlines a high-level, strategic vision for future land use across the community. For example, it may designate a particular area as “future medium density residential,” setting general expectations for development without detailing specific site requirements.
Zoning Bylaw: In contrast, the Zoning Bylaw provides precise regulations for individual properties, including specific rules for land use, density, building heights, setbacks, site coverage, parking, and landscaping. For instance, for a designated property, the bylaw may specify that buildings can be used for mixed-use, allowing for commercial at ground level and residential on the upper floors, are limited to 3 storeys, can not exceed lot coverage greater than 60%, and must maintain a minimum 3m from the front property line facing a street.

This combination allows the OCP to guide overall growth, while the Zoning Bylaw addresses specific site-level requirements.

How will citizens be engaged during the project?

Public engagement is a key component in creating a successful Official Community Plan which reflects the diverse needs of a community. To reach as many different community members as possible, the project team will use a variety of online and in-person engagement activities, including reaching out directly to community organizations who represent broader audiences within the District. We want to learn more about the challenges and opportunities that the citizens of Barriere see for their community so that what we heard from citizens forms the foundation for the updated Official Community Plan.

How will my feedback be used during the project?

Citizens should expect to see a What We Heard Report after each round of engagement, which summarizes information gathered during engagement activities and how it has been reflected within the planning documents. This is an opportunity for citizens to express whether the project team heard the community correctly and directly relate their feedback to the policy created or other key planning areas. These reports will be available on the District’s website.