The second paragraph has been revised to correct an error in the original newsletter.
This post is to alert you that the Salt Spring Local Trust Committee has started a process to amend our Official Community Plan (OCP). So far, the public input process has been disturbingly one-sided. Positively Forward is currently advocating for broader community engagement. This is how we ended up with a narrowly targeted community representation and a growth-oriented lens for the OCP update.
In 2019, a Housing Working Group met privately with Laura Patrick, and in 2021. the LTC appointed the Housing Action Task Force, which included no members with experience building affordable housing. Their recommendations were similar to those made by the previous working group, including allowing full-time occupancy of secondary suites and cottages, i.e., Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in some or all residential zones. No analysis was made of the potential barriers (such as funding) to the constructing of purpose-built affordable housing.
This was followed by the introduction of Bylaw 530 (to allow suites or cottages on all SSI properties) which failed. One likely reason was the letter from Keep Salt Spring Sustainable’s lawyer pointing out that the bylaw was not consistent with the critical section of our OCP reproduced below. Now, the LTC is starting a process to amend the OCP, with the goal of “increase housing options and housing equity, etc.…” Why the current OCP is inadequate is not stated.
The first step for this project (called Complete Communities) has been to hire a consultant (Qatalyst Research Group) to gather data, make maps and provide various scenarios. Positively Forward & Keep Salt Spring Sustainable wrote to the LTC requesting inclusion among the groups to be consulted for this project, but, so far, have not been included.
The second step will the OCP Update, a process that includes the LTC appointing a special advisory committee. Positively Forward will apply. But we urge you to apply as well. You may have a better chance of being appointed. We will let you know when applications are open.
Trustee Harris has declared his goal to revise the most important policy in the OCP (see below), i.e., the growth limits, “in line with bylaw 530.”
“Current SSI OCP Section. B.2.1.2.1 Zoning changes should be avoided if they would likely result in a larger island population than is expected under the development potential zoned in 2008. Exceptions to this policy are to be few and minor and only to achieve affordable housing and other objectives of this Plan. (Underline added for emphasis.)”
If you care about the future direction of Salt Spring, we urge you to keep informed and let our trustees hear from you.