The City of Prince George kicked-off the Official Community Plan (OCP) Review in fall 2023. The existing OCP was adopted in 2011 and a lot has changed since that time.

On July 8, 2024 Council received an update on community feedback so far, future engagement opportunities and next steps. Read the What We Heard Report: Phase 3 for more information. Measures of success to date include:

• 10 percent of the population has been informed of the OCP Review
• 6 percent of the population has participated in the OCP Review (1,000 touch points)
• Input has been collected through a wide variety of events and platforms
• Input gathered through the engagement process represents a wide range of perspectives that reflect Prince George’s socio-economic diversity
• Input gathered reflects the perspectives of all ages and abilities
• The City’s relationships with Lheidli T’enneh First Nation and Urban Indigenous groups have been strengthened through regular communication and meaningful engagement.

There were a number of themes that emerged across the engagement including protecting parks and green spaces, prioritizing pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, and prioritizing infill development and density over sprawl.

Phase 4 of the OCP review process will begin in August and continue to December 2024. Phase 4 includes the production of the draft OCP, consultation for the draft OCP, and finalization of the OCP (i.e., the document and bylaw approval process).

An OCP...

• Communicates a community's vision, goals, and objectives.
• Outlines long-term development plans for a community.
• Guides planning and land use management.

The Local Government Act enables municipalities to adopt OCPs.

OCPs are informed by regional plans where a regional government exists. In our case, the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George’s regional plans (e.g., Agricultural Strategy and Cultural Plan) provide input into the Prince George OCP.

OCPs set the overarching planning framework for a municipality and are implemented (in part) by Zoning Bylaws. You can think of an OCP like an umbrella that all other municipal plans and studies fall under and must be consistent with.

The goals, objectives and policies of an OCP are much broader than those found in area plans, like the Civic Core District Plan, because they apply to the whole city and not one area.

OCPs also acknowledge the traditional territories of Indigenous Peoples. The OCP Review will be an opportunity to advance truth and reconciliation with the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation and Urban Indigenous members of our community.

The infographic below shows how the different layers of planning policy work together.

Thank you for sharing your big dreams and bold ideas for Prince George. The online survey is now closed.

Later this year, we'll ask for your feedback on the draft plan to make sure you think we've accurately captured your wishes for the future of Prince George. Stay tuned for more information!

Two Community Open Houses were held on April 9 & 10 at the House of Ancestors. During these events we shared information about our community, the OCP, and the feedback we've received so far.