The RDEK Board of Directors has initiated a review and update of the Elk Valley Official Community Plan (OCP). OCPs are long-range planning policy documents that set community direction to guide future development. The Elk Valley OCP will guide growth and change over the next 15 to 20 years to approximately 2045.
The process is focused on developing policies that are reflective of current community ambitions.
There will be a number of engagement opportunities throughout the planning process over the next 18-24 months. Two upcoming opportunities include:
Volunteers are also being sought to participate in an Elk Valley Official Community Plan Review Advisory Group. In addition to consulting directly with the public and other government agencies, the Advisory Group will assist in the review and policy development of the OCP and zoning bylaw. The group will play a key role in the development of the OCP and zoning bylaw by providing feedback on the policies and regulations at various stages as well as soliciting additional information from the public and providing an additional means of bringing information to the community. A series of Advisory Group meetings will be held independent of the participatory workshops and open houses.
Advisory Group application forms must be submitted by January 11, 2025.
As part of the Elk Valley Official Community Plan process, the RDEK will be hosting a collaborative workshop on January 31, 2025 focused specifically on Short-Term Rentals (STRs) in the Fernie Alpine Resort area.
The session will be moderated and is targeted to a cross-section of STR operators, residents from various neighbourhoods, and ski hill representatives with the goal of bringing a range of perspectives and experiences together to explore options for the location and scare of STRs at the Resort. There will be several tables and representation from each sector at each table with focused and moderated discussion.
This collaborative workshop will have a maximum capacity of approximately 30 people.
Anyone interested in being part of the workshop is invited to apply no later than 4pm on January 16, 2025 by filling out the application form on this page.
To ensure that we have representation from all sectors and given the maximum capacity for this workshop, not all who apply will necessarily be able to attend. Staff will confirm with all applicants by January 20th and provide more details about the January 31st workshop for confirmed attendees.
There will also be other engagement opportunities across the OCP area in the coming months as the Elk Valley OCP process continues. More information will be available in late January.
There will be additional public engagement opportunities announced soon.
Initial Survey
One of the first steps in the process was an initial survey, which was conducted in mid-2023. The OCP Initial Survey results have been compiled and are available for public review.
The responses focused on a few key priorities, including housing, outdoor recreation access, and environmental considerations. Employee and rental housing, recreation trail development and protection, and wildlife corridor protection were the topics that received the most attention from respondents.
The survey results will help to guild the engagement process during the remainder of the Official Community Plan Review. There will be multiple opportunities for residents, stakeholders, and first nations to provide input into the process through follow-up surveys, in-person engagement events, and issue-specific discussions.
