Responding to and planning for a changing Sidney - Official Community Plan Review.
THE CHALLENGE
The Town of Sidney required an Official Community Plan (OCP) update to respond to and reflect the Town’s changes in context – large amounts of growth in the Capital Regional District, unprecedented development pressures, a declared Climate Emergency, and increasingly severe affordable housing challenges. The Town wanted robust public and stakeholder engagement during the period of Covid-19 pandemic.
THE RESPONSE
MODUS led the OCP review, in collaboration with Town staff. Through the COVID-19 pandemic, MODUS and Sidney staff hosted community and stakeholder engagement on emerging issues and policy directions, draft policies , and ultimately draft plan.
Engagement included stakeholder interviews and workshops, as well as a community design charrette, online ideas forum, survey, and a self-directed community conversation workbook. Throughout the process MODUS engaged with Sidney staff, Town Council, WSANEC Leadership Council Technical Committee and various stakeholder organizations representing a range of topics and interests. . As part of the planning work, MODUS conducted background and best practice research, drafted policy directions and policies, developed maps, and prepared plan documents. The final OCP was adopted by Sidney Council in June 2022.
Client
Town of Sidney
Collaborators