Salt Spring committee orders new engagement plans for OCP project

Trustees approved an updated workplan and directed staff to prepare revised communications and First Nations engagement strategies for the Official Community Plan and Land Use Bylaw project.

The Denman Firestarter · Governance · 2026-05-14 · updated 2026-10-02 · Salt Spring Island

Staff must prepare revised communications and engagement strategies, including a First Nations engagement plan, for Salt Spring’s Official Community Plan and Land Use Bylaw project after trustees discussed gaps in the project’s materials and process. The committee approved an updated workplan and directed staff to revise the draft vision and guiding principles before referring them to the Project Advisory Planning Commission.^[1]

The minutes record trustees’ concerns that the consultant’s deliverables did not match the workplan, that the draft Official Community Plan was not close to final expectations, and that the First Nations engagement plan had not been received. The committee also requested a project update for the Islands Trust subscriber list, website blog and Salt Spring Exchange.^[1]

The committee also asked the chief administrative officer to assess the planning project delivery framework, including resourcing, staffing continuity and project management processes, with the aim of identifying practical improvements.^[1]

Separately, trustees approved a motion asking staff to work with the Capital Regional District to explore options for a septic-system maintenance regulatory program for Salt Spring Island. They also approved a variance allowing a septic field setback of 15 metres from the natural boundary of the sea, rather than the 30 metres required by the land-use bylaw.^[1]

The Salt Spring Firestarter · Our standards