Official Community Plan and Vision Update 2018-19

The RMOW is leading a process to update the Official Community Plan (OCP), which includes the Community Vision as Chapter 2, to address changing factors and conditions affecting the resort community, recent RMOW studies, strategies and initiatives over the past five years, and closer engagement with the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation.

Project Overview

This project builds on an intensive 20-month period of community engagement, policy development, document preparation and referrals between 2010 and 2013. A total of 1105 responses were received about vision-related content from Whistler2020 and from the 2011 draft OCP. The recent community engagement process builds on over 2,500 hours of community time in 2010-2011 to develop the OCP and on the detailed community planning that has occurred to date.

Community and agency input gathered over the past few months was considered by staff and incorporated into Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2199, 2018. The bylaw received first reading from Council on October 2, 2018, second reading on March 12, 2019, and the public hearing took place on April 16, 2019.

The next steps in the process include third reading, which will be accompanied by a third reading report addressing any recommended refinements, and ultimately adoption expected later in the year. All of these steps take place during public Council meetings. Other required steps during the process include referrals to School Districts No. 48 and No. 93, the Squamish Lillooet Regional District, the Lil’wat Nation and the Squamish Nation, and ultimate approval by the provincial Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

OCP document – public hearing version

Timeline

Phase One
Whistler's guiding vision was revisited beginning in January 2018 during Phase One of the project to replace Whistler2020, which has served as Whistler’s integrated community sustainability plan and highest-level policy document. A variety of community engagement activities were available in March 2018 as part of Phase One to update Whistler’s Community Vision and OCP.

Phase One Video

Many people were involved in creating the Whistler2020 vision and the new Vision builds on its foundation. Whistler2020 was developed in 2004 and 2005, and the detailed vision has served Whistler over the years that followed, helping to inform decisions and dialogue. Progress toward the vision has been tracked and reported annually. Learn more about Community Monitoring.

Phase Two
Phase Two focused on community opportunities to review and provide feedback on the updated draft OCP and on gathering input to finalize the Community Vision. Municipal staff drafted Whistler's Community Vision and OCP based on input received during Phase One of the project. The draft documents were available at the June 25, 2018 Community Forum for additional public review and comments. Community and agency input gathered over the past few months was considered by staff and incorporated into the version that received first reading from Council on October 2, 2018.

Engagement summary and compilation of input