Official Community Plan

Sections

• Section 1 – Introduction & Community Vision
• Section 2 – Land Use Designations
• Section 3 – Policies
• Section 4 – Development Permit Areas & Guidelines
• Section 5 – Implementation

Schedules

• Schedule 1 – Land Use Plan
• Schedule 2 – Community Greenbelt and Greenway Concept
• Schedule 3 – Hillside and Wildfire Interface Development Permit Areas
• Schedule 4 – Aquatic and Sensitive Terrestrial Ecosystem Development Permit Areas
• Schedule 5 – Future Road Network
• Schedule 6 – Future Transit Network
• Schedule 7 – Future Bicycle Network
• Schedule 8 – Future Pedestrian Network

Comprehensive Development Plans (CDPs) guide the future development of large areas that require further assessment or are subject to significant constraints, such as infrastructure, servicing, access, topography or environmentally sensitive areas. These Comprehensive Development Areas are designated in the OCP’s Land Use Plan (Schedule 1).

The purpose of a CDP is to address these constraints and create a comprehensive plan for future development. CDPs are prepared by an applicant (a landowner or a group of landowners) and must be authorized by Council before any applications to develop the area may be considered.

Active area plans

The Official Community Plan contains two active area plans, which means that they are currently in effect and help guide development in specific areas. These plans ensure that staged bylaw amendments are consistent with the plan’s vision for each as it develops:

• Goats Peak Comprehensive Development Plan, 2017
• Smith Creek Comprehensive Development Plan, 2020

A third CDP is currently in the application stage:

• Draft Raymer Comprehensive Development Plan, not yet active

Repealed and Inactive Plans 

Previous Official Community Plans included Comprehensive Development, Area and Neighbourhood Plans as appendices or references. These plans were intended to guide development in areas that have largely been built out, or the remaining land use and policy have since been incorporated in the current OCP. The following plans have since been repealed, are under active application/construction, or are obsolete due to required updates:

• Broadview Neighborhood Plan, 2004, repealed April 4, 2017
• Shannon Lake West Concept Development Plan, 2006, repealed April 4, 2017
• South Mount Boucherie Concept Development Plan, 2003, repealed Aug. 22, 2023
• Upper Glenrosa Comprehensive Development Plan, 2013
• Upper Glenrosa Area Plan, 2014
• Westlake Concept Development Plan, 1998, repealed April 4, 2017
• Westbank Town Centre Strategic Plan, 2005, repealed April 4, 2017

What's an Official Community Plan (OCP)? 

The OCP is a City bylaw document that defines policies for land use and development, while also providing a long-term vision for the community. All municipalities, regional districts, and the Islands Trust in British Columbia have the authority to create an official community plan. 

Why is the OCP important? 

Growth - Today, West Kelowna is home to 37,046 residents, and by 2040, our population is expected to be more than 49,400. To accommodate our growth over the next 20 years, we need to create and implement plans and policies that clearly identify where development will be prioritized and supported with infrastructure and amenities. The City's Official Community Plan (OCP) update is one way that we can help direct growth to positively impact our community. 

Coordination - The OCP ensures that the many interests, such as sustainability, land use, and investment in a community, are directed towards a common vision and that change is managed and coordinated. Without an OCP, individuals pursuing their own interests could make separate and uncoordinated decisions which may generate undesirable consequences.

Certainty - The OCP provides certainty for residents, landowners, developers and the City about the future. Strategic planning is essential to ensure West Kelowna continues to grow in ways that reflect the vision for the community. 

Who uses an OCP?

Residents, property owners, community groups, developers and investors use the OCP to learn about where and how future growth may occur and then make decisions and prepare development proposals that conform to it. Council and staff are also guided by the OCP when making decisions about zoning, development and servicing.

How does the OCP function?

Preparation and Adoption

• Council authorizes the preparation of an OCP.  It is adopted after study, analysis, public consultation and a Public Hearing. Implementation
• The OCP is implemented as lands within the City develop and redevelop.
• Residents, property owners, community groups, developers and investors prepare proposals that are to conform to the OCP, if they are to be approved.
• Council’s actions, future bylaws and works are to be consistent with the OCP; however, the OCP bylaw does not commit Council to proceed with specific projects identified in the OCP.

What is the difference between the OCP and the Zoning Bylaw?

The implementation of the OCP occurs partially through the City’s Zoning Bylaw. The Zoning Bylaw includes specific requirements that development must comply with (e.g. permitted density, site coverage and setbacks, land use and parking). The OCP establishes policies, guidelines and designates lands for specific uses that are supported by Council and the community. This includes Development Permit Areas and related design guidelines which provide additional direction and guidance for development.

In addition to the City’s Zoning Bylaw, the OCP is supported by other City plans, policies and bylaws such as the City’s Annual Budget, 10 Year Capital Plan, Works and Services Bylaw, Development Cost Charges Bylaw, Building Bylaw, and more.