Official Community Plan

Updating the City of Trail's Official Community Plan (OCP)

One of Trail City Council’s priorities identified at the Strategic Priority workshop held in early 2019 was to update Trail's current Official Community Plan (OCP), which was originally adopted in 2001. 

• Proposals were sought from qualified consultants with proven experience in land use planning and community sustainability to undertake the comprehensive review and update of the OCP.  The City is excited to be working with WSP Group Canada Ltd. on the project. (See last paragraph for more info on OCPs)
• The primary objective of the project is to complete a comprehensive revision of the City’s OCP that reflects the community’s vision for future land use, is technically sound and is user friendly. The revised Official Community Plan will comply with all legislative requirements and will set out clear objectives and policies for land owners, developers, Council and staff.  The process will involve a public and stakeholder engagement strategy using innovative techniques to explore the community and to shape its future via meaningful public participation.  

Community input

• Because the OCP is meant to represent the community’s vision, public consultation and input through the process is important so that the plan captures “who we are” as a community and where we want to go. 
• Thank you to those who took the survey and to those who attended the Official Community Plan Update Public Open House on September 17, 2019 at the Trail Riverfront Centre.  For those of you who were not able to make it to the event, the display panels can be viewed here.

What is an Official Community Plan?

• An Official Community Plan (OCP) is used as a policy tool by local governments for land use planning. The OCP provides certainty regarding the location and nature of community change to residents and land owners, and serve to guide Municipal Councils when making decisions about development, zoning, and services to accommodate growth. The OCP can improve local commercial, industrial and residential areas, and provide the assurance neighbourhoods need to retain attractive and stable living environments.
• OCPs are prepared and adopted within the statutory provisions of the Local Government Act. The Local Government Act prescribes the general content of the OCP and sets out the process for adopting a Plan.  View the current City of Trail Official Community Plan here.