The Capital Regional District is looking for public input on its 25-year plan for the region.
Board chair Nils Jensen and the executive staff are currently going around to all the newly-elected municipal councils in the region to orient them on the business of the CRD, and ask them to spread the word that they are looking for input on their Regional Sustainability Strategy.
B次元官网网址淭he Sustainability Strategy is a road map to the future,B次元官网网址� said Jensen, who is also mayor of Oak Bay. B次元官网网址淚t will help local governments make decisions that support and enhance the quality of life we currently enjoy, while taking care of the planet and our resources.B次元官网网址�
A re-imagining of the 2003 Regional Growth Strategy, the RSS aims to incorporate and integrate aspects of transportation and land-use planning and address climate change, food security and social equity, said a letter presented in person by Jensen recently to Highlands council.
B次元官网网址淭hroughout the province, regional growth strategies vary in scope and level of detail in response to local circumstances and community expectations,B次元官网网址� he wrote.
The engagement process is designed to find out how far municipalities would like the plan to go in terms of its ambition and stated goals.
According to CRD senior planner Signe Bagh, itB次元官网网址檚 still too early in the consultation process to discern any prevalent themes or concerns. She said B次元官网网址渙verall, the review of the RSS is, as per board direction, being considered in the context of climate change,B次元官网网址� since the effects of climate change in the region seem to be a pervasive concern.
B次元官网网址淭here also seems to be broad agreement that economic development, transportation, affordability and natural hazards are important issues facing this region, although there has not always been complete agreement on the role of the region versus (that of municipalities) and other players in addressing those issues.B次元官网网址�
Bagh added that access to water infrastructure is another key concern with differing perspectives for different jurisdictions and stakeholders.
B次元官网网址淪ome feel that access to piped water B次元官网网址� as opposed to well access or having water hauled in B次元官网网址� should be universally available, while others are concerned that widespread access will encourage B次元官网网址榰rban sprawl.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�
Whatever the end result, Bagh said, the process is coming along and theyB次元官网网址檙e happy with the amount of attention the draft is getting.
B次元官网网址淭here is clearly interest in discussing the RSS and thatB次元官网网址檚 very encouraging,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲e hope that many more (people) will take the opportunity to provide feedback.B次元官网网址�
Those interested in providing input are encouraged to visit to view the draft document and complete an online feedback form by Feb. 15.
Regional district staff will convey a summary of that feedback to the CRD board in April, prior to seeking direction on finalizing the document.
