After years of volunteer effort, a draft version of Highlands integrated community sustainability plan is out for public perusal and comment.

The integrated community sustainability plan (ICSP) gives guidance to all future community planning, and will eventually be integrated with Highlands official community plan.

B次元官网网址淭he ICSP is a process and a way of thinking about sustainability and resiliency,B次元官网网址� said planner Laura Beckett. B次元官网网址淚t is a figurative reference and a way of changing how people think.B次元官网网址�

Throughout the document sustainability is discussed in an assortment of areas including buildings, energy, transportation and the economy. Some of the concepts included are to incorporate more use of renewable low-impact resources, such as solar energy.

It also suggests future construction projects are built with water and energy conservation in mind, using a low-impact design and including sustainable materials in construction.

Coun. Allen Dobb, council liaison to the sustainability strategy advisory committee, has been working on the document for the past four years.

B次元官网网址淭his can act as a bit of a platform to educate ourselves and the community and to help us make better decisions,B次元官网网址� Dobb said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a planning concept.B次元官网网址�

Mayor Jane Mendum explained the OCP is a document that helps define what the issue is. B次元官网网址淭he ICSP is the how.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淭he OCP has legal standing and the ICSP does not,B次元官网网址� explained administrator Chris Coates.

The draft has been made public and the committee and council welcome residentsB次元官网网址� ideas and suggestion on it. The plan has been created using the sustainability task force final report and recommendations.

B次元官网网址淚 think the public deserves to see this and I welcome their input,B次元官网网址� remarked Coun. Sigurd Johannesen.

For more on the ICSP call Highlands district office at 250-474-1773.

reporter@goldstreamgazette.com