Lake Windermere OCP

The RDEK Board has adopted the Lake Windermere Official Community Plan (OCP).

“This has been an extensive process that spans over two years,” says RDEK Electoral Area F Director Susan Clovechok. “One of our goals was to create a document that will guide development for the next five to ten years while balancing diverse community interests and I believe we have done that with this Plan.”

There were numerous community meetings and open houses throughout the process and Clovechok says they’ve worked closely with a community based advisory committee from early on. “I want to thank the members of the advisory committee who have been dedicated and engaged since our first meeting. They, and all the members of the public who participated in some way, have played a key role in the development of this Plan, which I believe is a significant improvement over the previous OCP.”

Following an Open House in June where the draft plan was presented, several updates were made in response to the feedback received. Some examples of the policies that have been included include:

• In response to concerns about the visual impact of storage-based businesses, the OCP contains policies that support storage based businesses to be located outside of the highway 93/95 corridor, away from Athalmer Road and the Windermere townsite. In addition to this, landscaping and screening development permit area guidelines have been strengthened.
• 11 parcels north of Windermere Creek that were supported for exclusion from the Agricultural Land Reserve in the 2008 plan are now identified as properties that should stay within the ALR due to their high agricultural potential.
• Policy supporting a trail system that connects the Markin-MacPhail Westside Legacy Trail, Old Coach Greenway, Windermere Beach Park, Cross Roads Regional Ball Park and communities on the east side of Lake Windermere with other amenities and services.
• Although highways are outside of the RDEKs jurisdiction, the public raised concerns regarding traffic safety at several entrances to Windermere, the need for traffic calming and improved pedestrian safety near school bus stops. In response to these concerns, the OCP includes policy that advocates for highway improvements.
• After receiving significant feedback regarding the lands on the west side of the lake, changes were made to provide more clarity in the policies to protect the ecological and recreation values of the properties in that area.

"I would also like to acknowledge former Electoral Area F Director Wendy Booth who was integral in the early part of the process and the work of RDEK staff, particularly Kris Belanger who was the project lead and worked directly with the community throughout,” adds Clovechok.

Over 60 people attended an Open House Sunday June 9 as the draft Lake Windermere Official Community Plan (OCP) was presented.

“The main purpose of the Open House was to introduce the draft OCP, provide copies of the plan and associated maps, and be available to provide clarification, answer questions and receive feedback,” says RDEK Area F Director Susan Clovechok. “Community involvement is key in this process, so I was pleased to see so many people in attendance.”

The RDEK’s lead planner on the project, Kris Belanger, provided an overview of the draft and says all of the information shared on Sunday has also been posted on a new project page. “It is important to us to make sure all of the information from the Open House is also available online so that those who were not able to attend have the same opportunity to access the information and provide feedback,” explains Belanger. “The project page has a copy of the draft plan, all the map schedules, and a comment form.”

In addition to gathering public comment over the next month, the RDEK will continue to reach out to the Akisqnuk and Shuswap First Nations.

Anyone who would like more information or who has questions about the draft plan or planning process is encouraged to contact Belanger or Director Clovechok. “We are here and really encourage those conversations prior to the close of the comment period,” adds Belanger.

The comment period closes on July 10, 2019 and is available on the Lake Windermere OCP project page at engage.rdek.bc.ca. Following the close of the comment period, the RDEK will compile and review the feedback received as it works on amendments to the draft.

For more information on the Lake Windermere OCP, contact the RDEK or visit engage.rdek.bc.ca.