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 several 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.

With a draft OCP now complete, we are now in Phase 4 of the OCP review process. Phase 4 will continue to December 2024. Throughout Phase 4, the draft OCP will be reviewed, refined, and progressed through the 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.


Draft OCP

The OCP is meant to be read in its entirety and no individual policy is intended to stand on its own. The OCP policies provide a comprehensive framework for moving Prince George towards its long-term vision.

The Land Use Plan (Schedule 12 in the draft OCP) is a powerful tool, as it shows where different land uses should be directed across the city. The Land Use Plan is meant to be read alongside the OCP policies in their entirety. Land use designations are generalized in OCPs, with more specific direction provided in Zoning Bylaws.

Draft OCP updates

  • November 19, 2024: Updated maps for Water System (page 72), Sanitary Sewer System (page 73), and Storm Sewer System (page 74).

Read the draft OCP

A final version will be presented for Council consideration in early 2025.

How do I get involved in the OCP Review?

Fill out a survey

UPDATE: The survey is now closed. Thank you to all who participated.

Does the draft plan accurately capture your wishes for the future? Help us refine and finalize the plan by sharing your thoughts.