NANAIMO – Over the past few months, the Regional District of Nanaimo has done a lot of work on a draft official community plan for Deep Bay, Bowser and Qualicum Bay.
That draft is now ready for the public to see and to make comments. Area ‘H’ Director and RDN chair Bill Veenhof says two issues have generated a lot of discussion.
“There’s a very strong sentiment to protect the environment,” he said. “That is reflected in the new plan, it was also in the old plan, but we put finer points on it if you will. There is an interest in developing property in deep bay and that has had a great deal of community discussion.”
The OCP is in need of an update. According to Veenhof, the current one is 12 years old.
“About a year ago we started the process to review it and make changes as appropriate,” said Veenhof. “So if the time line holds, by spring of 2018 perhaps even earlier, we’ll have a new community plan that’s more relevant to the area as it is today.”
Residents can take a look at the draft OCP and offer feedback at an open house June 28 from 2-7:30 at the Lighthouse Community Hall in Qualicum Bay.