Official Community Plan

Plan The Work, Work The Plan

The 2021 Tofino Official Community Plan (OCP) sets out a land use framework that is accessible, inclusive, and aligned with the community’s vision for the future. It considers the specific context of Tofino with respect to its neighbours, its unique geography, and its infrastructure limitations. This OCP presents a thoughtful approach to planning to address the immediate concerns of the community, while anticipating the needs of the future.

The 2021 OCP is framed by the Call to Action 47 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. The District of Tofino recognizes the essential work of supporting a journey of reconciliation with its neighbours, the Tla-o-qui-aht, Ahousaht, and Hesquiaht First Nations, to repair, foster, and strengthen the relationships between First Nations and non-First Nation peoples.

OCP Vision & Purpose

Vision

Situated in the traditional territory of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation where an enriching relationship exists between our community members and the natural environment, Tofino promotes healthy civic engagement supporting a creative and resilient community of varied ages that is socially, environmentally and economically diverse.

Purpose

The Official Community Plan will help the community achieve its vision through specific policies that will guide decisions on planning and land use within Tofino’s boundaries. It is contextualized by key technical inputs on housing, transportation, the environment, infrastructure, community character, and the economy, as well as extensive community consultation. These inputs are the basis for developing objectives and policies that are meaningfully rooted in Tofino’s local community context and will determine how Tofino develops for years to come.

This OCP will seek to accomplish the following:

Describe the local community context and provide a rationale for setting the future direction of the community.
State how the community can accomplish its goals through specific land use objectives and policies that will guide decision-making.
Provide guidance for the implementation of development regulations and the types of development that are supported by the community

Guiding Principles

Guiding principles represent core values that guide decision-making throughout the planning and implementation of the Official Community Plan. The Guiding Principles reflect the collective aspirations of the community and guide all goals and subsequent policies of the OCP. The 7 Guiding Principles of the 2021 OCP are listed below.

Reconciliation

Affordable, Attainable and Available Housing For All

Conservation of the Natural Environment

Authenticity

Community Well Being

Sustainable Local Economy

Resilience

FAQs

What is an Official Community Plan?

An Official Community Plan (OCP) is a document that sets out our community's high-level vision and policies. The OCP is the primary tool that guides the community's future development and serves as the foundation for all policies, regulations, and decisions about land use and development. It is a bylaw, and there are several legal and procedural requirements for how the OCP is written and updated.

In conjunction with other plans and bylaws, the OCP is used as a guiding policy document for development in Tofino.

How is an OCP created?

Municipalities in British Columbia have the authority to adopt an Official Community Plan through the Local Government Act. Legislation identifies the necessary components of these Plans, and establishes adoption procedures.

The previous OCP was updated in May 2013 after an extensive public engagement process. The OCP Implementation and Monitoring Committee directed the update process.

Beginning in 2018, the District of Tofino began a review of the OCP, with particular focus on the areas of Cox Bay and Industrial Way, and the new OCP was adopted on March 9, 2021.

Once complete, can an OCP be changed?

Why do we have an OCP and what's in it?

All municipalities are expected to create and regularly update an OCP that reflects the community's values and provides direction for meeting anticipated needs. The authority and requirements for an OCP can be found in Part 14, Division 4 of the Local Government Act which states that an OCP must include statements and map designations for the following:

The approximate location, amount, type and density of residential development required to meet anticipated housing needs over a period of at least 5 years;
The approximate location, amount and type of present and proposed commercial, industrial, institutional, agricultural, recreational and public utility land uses;
The approximate location and area of sand and gravel deposits that are suitable for future sand and gravel extraction;
Restrictions on the use of land that is subject to hazardous conditions or that is environmentally sensitive to development;
The approximate location and phasing of any major road, sewer and water systems;
The approximate location and type of present and proposed public facilities, including schools, parks and waste treatment and disposal sites;
Other matters that may, in respect of any plan, be required or authorized by the minister.

OCP's must also include housing policies of the local government respecting affordable housing, rental housing, and special needs housing and consider the municipality's most recent housing needs report. Other musts include targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and policies and actions to achieve those targets.

An OCP may also include policies related to a community's social needs and natural environment protection.