Official Community Plan (OCP) Bylaw No. 3206, 2026
Courtenay, British Columbia
· adopted 2026-05-27
This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document.
Snapshot 2cdd4e801390 · verified 2026-08-23 ·
original document ·
archived snapshot ·
unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.
THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF COURTENAY
BYLAW NO. 3206
A bylaw to adopt an Official Community Plan for the City of Courtenay
A bylaw to replace the "Charting Change - Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 3070"
WHEREAS the Council of the City of Courtenay wishes to adopt an Official Community Plan
pursuant to Part 14 of the Local Government Act;
AND WHEREAS during development of the draft Official Community Plan, multiple
opportunities for comment and input by affected persons, organizations, and authorities have
been provided;
AND WHEREAS early and ongoing opportunities for consultation have been provided to the
organizations and authorities specified in section 475(2)(b) of the Local Government Act;
AND WHEREAS Council may adopt an Official Community Plan by bylaw and each reading of
the bylaw must receive an affirmative vote of a majority of all members of Council;
AND WHEREAS after first reading of the bylaw Council shall, in sequence, examine the official
community plan in conjunction with its most recent financial plan and any waste management
plan pursuant to Section 477 of the Local Government Act;
AND WHEREAS Council must submit a proposed regional context statement for acceptance by
the regional district board of which it is a member pursuant to Section 448 of the Local
Government Act;
AND WHEREAS Council shall, in the course of preparing its Official Community Plan, consult
with the school boards for those school districts included within the Official Community Plan;
AND WHEREAS before Council gives third reading to the bylaw, Council shall hold a public
hearing on the proposed Official Community Plan in accordance with Sections 464 through 470
of the Local Government Act;
AND WHEREAS Council of the City of Courtenay has complied with all requirements of the
Local Government Act prior to considering adoption of this bylaw and Official Community Plan
including all of the foregoing;
AND WHEREAS after the bylaw adopting the Official Community Plan has received final
reading, the plan is an Official Community Plan of the municipality;
NOW THEREFORE the Council of the Corporation of the City of Courtenay, in open meeting
assembled, enacts as follows:
1. This bylaw may be cited for all purposes as "Official Community Plan Bylaw No.
3206, 2026".
2. Schedule "A" attached hereto and made part of this bylaw is hereby adopted as the City
of Courtenay Official Community Plan.
3. If any statement, section, sub-section, clause, sub-clause or phrase of this bylaw or the
Official Community Plan adopted by this bylaw is for any reason held to be invalid by a
decision of a court of competent jurisdiction, the decision shall not affect the validity of
the remaining portions of the bylaw and Official Community Plan.
4. Chartering Change - "Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 3070", and all amendments
thereto, are hereby repealed.
______________________________
Read a first time this 25th day of February, 2026
Read a second time this 25th day of February, 2026
Public Hearing held this 6th day of May, 2026
Read a third time this 27th day of May, 2026
Finally passed and adopted this 27th day of May, 2026
_______________________________
Mayor
Corporate Officer
SCHEDULE A
OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN
BYLAW NO. 3206, 2026
-II-
The City of Courtenay respectfully
acknowledges that the lands to which
this OCP apply are on the Unceded
territory of the K'ómoks First Nation,
the traditional keepers of this land.
WHY DO WE MAKE LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS?
Acknowledging human relationships to place is an ancient Indigenous
practice that continues today.
In the spirit of reconciliation, the City of Courtenay makes this land
acknowledgment to raise awareness of ongoing Indigenous presence
and land rights in the territory that includes and encompasses Courtenay.
It invites us - a settler government - to reflect on how we might be
perpetuating colonial processes that are ongoing and from which we have
benefited, as well as the changes we will make to honour the Indigenous
peoples and their lands that we inhabit.
-IV-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART A: FOUNDATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ����8
1. Our City Plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . �����9
2. Creating This Plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ���11
3. Courtenay at a Glance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ���14
4. What's Important to Us�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������18
5. How We Work Together . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ���27
PART B: MANAGING GROWTH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ��38
1. Time Immemorial. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
2. Regional Context Statement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
3. Three Key Land Use Concepts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
4. How Courtenay Will Grow�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������49
5. Land Use Objectives and Policies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ���55
6. Land Use Designations and Policies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
PART C: THEMATIC POLICIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ��93
1. Policy Foundations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
2. Streets and Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
3. Buildings and Landscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
4. Housing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
5. Natural Environment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
6. Parks and Recreation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
7. Municipal Infrastructure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
8. Social Infrastructure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
9. Arts, Culture, and Heritage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
10. Food Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
11. Local Economy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
PART D: IMPLEMENTATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
1. Corporate Alignment, Plan Administration, and Performance Monitoring. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
2. Community Education, Engagement, and Partnerships. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
3. Development Application Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
a. Development Approval Information Areas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
b. Growth Contribution Policies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
c. Development Permit Area Designations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
d. Local Area Plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
PART E: LOCAL AREA PLANS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
1. Arden Corridor Local Area Plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
-V-
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
LIST OF TABLES
Table A-1 Commercial, Institutional, and Industrial Land Projected Space Requirements. . . . . . 17
Table B-1
Land Use Designation.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Table C-1 Green Roof Area Coverage by Building Floor Area.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Table C-2 Anticipated Housing Demand by Units. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Table D-1 GHG Modelling and Target Setting Conducted by Sustainable Solutions Group.. . . . . 193
Table D-2 Development Permit Area Categories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
LIST OF MAPS
Map B-1
Land Use Designations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Map B-2
Existing and Proposed Local Area Plan (LAP) Boundaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Map B-3
Downtown Town Centre. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Map B-4
West Courtenay Neighbourhood Centres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Map B-5
Ryan Road and Anderton Road Local Planning Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Map B-6
Heritage Neighbourhoods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Map B-7
Courtenay Air Park Precinct. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Map B-8
Floodplain Areas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Map D-1
Downtown Development Permit Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Map D-2
Old Orchard Residential Neighbourhood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Map D-3
40 Houses Heritage Neighbourhood Development Permit Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Map D-4
Agricultural Lands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Map D-5
Terrestrial Environmentally Sensitive Areas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Map D-6
Aquatic Environmentally Sensitive Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Map D-7
Steep Slope Development Permit Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Map APX-1a Land Use Designations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Map APX-1b Existing and Proposed Local Area Plan (LAP) Boundaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Map APX-2
Floodplain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Map APX-3
Road Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Map APX-4
Long Term Cycling Network Connectivity Opportunities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Map APX-5
Sidewalk Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Map APX-6
Terrestrial Environmentally Sensitive Areas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Map APX-7
Aquatic Environmentally Sensitive Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Map APX-8
Steep Slopes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Map APX-9
Parks and Greenways. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Map APX-10 Community Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Map APX-11 Water Distribution System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Map APX-12 Sanitary Sewer Collection System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .262
Map APX-13 Stormwater Distribution System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
-VI-
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure A-1 OCP Planning Framework Context Diagram. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Figure A-2 Courtenay Historical and Anticipated Population Projections (2016 - 2041). . . . . . . . . 14
Figure A-3 Demographic Information Snapshot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Figure B-1 Urban Framework Growth Concept. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Figure B-2 Artist Rendering Showing Downtown Including Climate Friendly Design Features.. . . 66
Figure B-3 Artist rendering Showing an Urban Corridor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Figure B-4 Artist Rendering Showing a Neighbourhood Centre. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Figure B-5 Artist Rendering Showing Infill and Redevelopment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Figure B-6 Artist Rendering Showing Infill and Redevelopment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Figure B-7 Artist Rendering Showing Cluster Housing Forms in More Detail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Figure B-8 Artist Rendering Showing Cluster Housing Forms.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Figure C-1 Social Determinants Of Health. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Figure C-2 Global Protocol for Community-Scale GHG Inventories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Figure C-3 Housing Wheelhouse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Figure D-1 Elements of the 5-year City of Courtenay Proactive Planning Cycle.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
APPENDIX
1. Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
2. Regional Context Statement Policy Analysis Tables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
3. Glossary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Words contained in the Glossary are italicized throughout the OCP.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
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PART A
FOUNDATIONS
1. Our City Plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2. Creating This Plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3. Courtenay at a Glance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Population, Employment, Housing & Land
4. What's Important to Us. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Directions, Vision, Goals
5. How We Work Together. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
a. City of Courtenay & K'ómoks First Nation Relationship
b. Intergovernmental Relations: Local, Provincial, and Federal
c. Reconciliation
d. Community Participation
e. Our Collective Responsibility
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-9-
This Official Community Plan (OCP) is
the culmination of creative and inspiring
visioning with community members
across Courtenay of diverse ages and
backgrounds. It paints a powerful picture
of what Courtenay will be like within the
next 20 years - and beyond - and the
steps that will be taken to get there. It also
sets the stage for the continued evolution
of Courtenay beyond that timeframe,
recognizing that significant challenges
and opportunities of our time require a
commitment to long-term action.
It influences how people live, work,
shop, play, access services, and move
around the community. This OCP is also a
local response to significant challenges and
opportunities of our time, including climate
change, inequity, community well-being,
and relations between Indigenous and
non-Indigenous Peoples.
The OCP is a bylaw, prepared and adopted
by City Council in compliance with the
Provincial Local Government Act. It is a long-
range policy plan that guides the City's decision-
making related to growth and development
approvals as well as other community interests
such as housing and infrastructure until 2041,
when the city is expected to be home to
approximately 13,345 more residents.
It is the umbrella policy document for the
City of Courtenay, owned and implemented
by all departments. It provides the overarching
strategic direction for City Council and staff,
who consider and apply OCP vision and policies
to a wide range of municipal decisions such as
budgeting, servicing, capital projects, and in the
review of land use and development proposals.
The OCP is not intended to provide highly
detailed policies on topics that are already
covered in the City's other Strategic Plans and
regulations. Rather, this OCP supersedes and
grounds those plans and tools.
WHAT IS AN OCP, WHO IS IT FOR,
AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
OUR CITY PLAN
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
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The OCP applies to all lands within the City of Courtenay boundaries.
While many voices contributed to the vision and directions contained in this document, the
OCP cannot and does not represent any commitments from First Nations, other governments,
or organizations to act according to community objectives.
As a living plan, and in accordance with legislation enacted in 2023, the OCP is to be reviewed
every 5 years, and if required, amended to ensure it accommodates current and anticipated
housing needs over 20 years. Council may also authorize periodic OCP updates to proactively
address or respond to changes in the community or local, regional, and global trends and
opportunities. Plan amendments are subject to a formal Council review and approvals process
which includes public consultation, public hearing, and required notifications.
Further, the OCP does not commit or authorize the City to proceed with any project that is
specified in the OCP.
WHAT IS ITS REACH?
Figure A-1 OCP Planning Framework Context Diagram. List of Master Plans and Regulatory Tools is not exhaustive.
REGIONAL
GROWTH
STRATEGY
OFFICIAL
COMMUNITY
PLAN
Higher Level
Comprehensive Plans
Example
Regulatory Tools
Strategic Plans
Transportation
Master
Plan
Urban
Forestry
Strategy
Parks and
Recreation
Master Plan
Water and
Sanitary Sewer
Plans
Local
Area Plans
Subdivision and
Development
Servicing Bylaw
Building
Permits
Flood
Construction
Requirements
Business
Licensing
Zoning Bylaw
Comox Valley
Transit
Future Plan
Integrated
Rainwater
Management
Plan
City of
Courtenay
Housing Needs
Report
Strategic
Cultural Plan and
Implementation
Strategy
Comox Valley
Regional
Housing Needs
Assessment
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City of Courtenay OCP Background Report
PART A Foundations
-11-
A
The creation of this Plan in 2022 and update in 2026 was informed by
hundreds of voices in the community, integrating aspirational visioning
with robust analysis and modelling.
CREATING THIS PLAN
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
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HOW THE 2022
OCP CAME
TOGETHER
Fall 2019 -
Winter 2020
Summer 2020 -
Fall 2020
The City of Courtenay thanks all participants who contributed their voices,
values and ideas to the OCP process in 2022. Creating the OCP was truly
a community effort. Regular advertising for the OCP process occurred
through a dedicated e-newsletter, social media posts, advertisements in
the paper for consultation opportunities, posters, through interest-holder
networks, and was featured prominently on the City's website.
Throughout the
project timeline
the City of Courtenay
engaged specifically and
separately with the K'ómoks
First Nation in government-
to-government ideas
exchanges.
Background Research
& Advisory Committee
Baseline information on
existing conditions was
collected on OCP topics,
ranging from urban form
and transportation to
parks and environment.
Population projections,
land use supply, future
demand, and projected
greenhouse gas
emissions were assessed.
Throughout the process,
input and insights were
provided by an Advisory
Committee comprised of
members of the public
representing a variety
of topic areas including
arts and culture,
business, development,
economic development,
environmental
stewardship, health and
social services, housing,
and matters pertaining
specifically to seniors and
youth.
Community Visioning
A vision and a set of
goals were co-created
with the community
through an Ideas Fair,
which set the foundation
for the 2022 OCP.
One of the OCP goals
was to respond to the
climate emergency,
by supporting the City
Council approved target
of net-zero emissions
by 2050. At this time,
the COVID-19 global
pandemic was declared.
Draft OCP
Extending from past
engagement and
research, policies
and guidelines were
developed for all
facets of the OCP.
An updated growth
scenario was created
to open up more land
along corridors, further
increasing options
for land development
within the city's existing
footprint and shaping
draft land use policies.
Spring 2020
Growth Scenarios
The growth scenarios
prepared included a
"business as usual"
approach and two
(2) compact growth
approaches with high
intensity along corridors.
The scenarios were tested
based on community-
based performance
measures and were also
modelled using GHG
modelling to address net-
zero target alignment. The
scenario was refined which
resulted in a hybrid growth
model.
Final OCP
Preparation and
Adoption
Community and
stakeholder input was
solicited on the full
draft OCP, through
an online survey,
virtual town hall,
or private meeting
with City staff. First
Nations and statutory
agencies were formally
referred the OCP for
further input. The OCP
Advisory Community
prepared their final
report to Council in
this final phase of
consultation. The
OCP Bylaw was then
adopted in Summer
2022.
Fall 2021-
Summer 2022
Community
Engagement
An online survey
(782 participants)
and eight (8) virtual
stakeholder workshops
were offered to allow
community members
the opportunity to
provide input. Eleven
(11) neighbourhood
"walkshops" were held
across the city and
supplemented by nine
(9) virtual workshops, to
gather input on how the
OCP's draft vision, goals,
and growth concepts
could come to life in
each neighbourhood.
During this process,
age-friendly research
and engagement
was incorporated to
encourage participation
of community
members across the
age spectrum, with
specific emphasis on
opportunities for older
adults to youth.
Winter 2020 -
Summer 2021
Interest-Holder
Engagement
Between winter 2020
and summer 2021 a
series of focused virtual
stakeholder sessions
were held on a variety
of topics to refine
policy concepts. 130
individuals participated
across all 10 sessions.
Affordable Housing
Strategy Options Study
Building on the 2020
regional Housing Needs
Assessment, this study
created strategies
for housing needs in
Courtenay, which were
included in the OCP.
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City of Courtenay OCP Background Report
PART A Foundations
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A
Spring 2025
Spring - Summer
2025
Winter 2025 -
early 2026
ABOUT THE
2026 OCP
UPDATE
The 2026 OCP update responds to the community's housing needs over the next 20 years, as
required by the Province of British Columbia. This was achieved through collaboration with City
staff, the community, key interest-holders and technical review. Opportunities for community
dialogue were hosted through virtual meetings, community pop-ups, information sessions and
meetings with interest-holders. A project website was used to communicate with participants
and host information pertaining to the update.
Summer - Fall 2025
Background Review
In response to the Local
Government Act (LGA)
requiring all municipalities to
update their OCP's following
the passage of Bill 44, a
fulsome review of relevant
strategic plans and provincial
legislation was conducted.
This included the City of
Courtenay Housing Needs
Report (2024), Complete
Communities Growth
Assessment (2024), and Bill
16, 44, and 46. All available
data and base mapping was
assessed for completeness,
and any potential gaps
were noted. To support
this review, discussions
with the City of Courtenay's
internal Technical Advisory
Committee (TAC) were
conducted to highlight key
changes and areas of the
existing OCP for update to
accommodate future growth
targets.
Technical Analysis
A multi-faceted technical review was
conducted to reflect the areas of
the OCP that required updating to
align with the policy and legislative
updates. This included a land use
and development capacity analysis, a
high-level infrastructure review (i.e.,
servicing and transportation), an existing
community amenities assessment, local
area planning best practice research,
a targeted housing review, and a
development finance tool review in order
to understand the local development
financial context of Amenity Cost Charges
(ACCs), Density Benefit and Inclusionary
Zoning policies.
Sharing Outcomes
Outcomes from the
OCP review and update
were shared with the
community and interest--
holders in the "Big Moves"
report shared with Council
on October 1.
This included reporting
back to the Technical
Advisory Committee,
engagement with
developers, and focused
meetings with Island
Health, Ministry of
Transportation and Transit,
Town of Comox, the CVRD,
School District 71 and
Department of National
Defence. The public open
houses on the draft OCP
served as a key touchpoint
prior to finalizing the
updated OCP.
OCP Update Preparation
and Adoption
The "Big Moves"
established through
analysis and refined by
community feedback and
City staff insight informed
revisions to the OCP.
Presented to Council
in February 2026 and
adopted later that year.
Informing on Change
Public and interest-holder
engagement kicked off with
introductions to the project,
explaining what would
change and what would not.
Through virtual webinars
and community pop-ups,
information about the project
was shared community-wide
and provided opportunities to
inform interest-holders about
the project and collect their
feedback. An estimated 500+
interactions helped explain
the reason for the update, the
technical information driving
the update and important
legislation changes for the OCP.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-14-
Population and Demographics
The OCP time horizon will depend on how
quickly Courtenay's population grows by
the additional 13,345 residents (over 2021
population estimates).
In alignment with future Housing Needs Reports,
additional population forecasting and growth
planning will be conducted every 5 years in
order to determine how best to accommodate
Courtenay's changing population.
Explanation of Population Difference (2021):
BC Stats population projections (29,530) are
slightly higher than the 2021 Census count
(28,420) because projections incorporate
an estimate of Census undercoverage.
Undercoverage refers to residents who
were not captured in the official Census
enumeration. By adjusting for this known
gap, BC Stats aims to reflect a more complete
estimate of the true population.
COURTENAY AT A GLANCE:
PEOPLE, EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, AND LAND
Since Courtenay's 2022 OCP adoption, the
annual population growth rates have exceeded
the OCP projected growth rates. The Province of
BC now requires municipalities to adopt Housing
Needs Reports (HNR) every 5 years, alongside
OCP reviews and updates. Local governments
are also required to ensure that the projected
5-year and 20-year housing need can be
accommodated through zoning and OCP land
use.
The population projections considered in this
OCP are in alignment with the 2024 Housing
Needs Report which cites BC Stats projections
for a population of 42,415 by the year 2041,
up from 29,530 in 2021. This indicates that
Courtenay is expected to grow by 13,345 more
residents, and 8,351 units by 2041. Subsequent
land use research and infrastructure analysis
is used to inform the OCP's growth strategy to
accommodate those stated 20-year population
and dwelling count estimates.
Figure A-2 Courtenay Historical and Anticipated Population Projections (2016 - 2041).
(Sources: City of Courtenay Housing Needs Report, 2024; Turner Drake & Partners Ltd.)
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City of Courtenay OCP Background Report
PART A Foundations
-15-
A
Income
-
The average household income in
Courtenay is currently $74,800 ($41,360 -
average income of one-person households,
$91,000 - average income of two-or-more-
persons households).
-
These figures are lower than respective
provincial averages.
-
Approximately 4% of households have
incomes less than $20,000.
-
Approximately 17% have incomes between
$20,000 and $40,000.
-
Low-income residents comprise 11% of the
overall population.
(Sources: City of Courtenay 2024 Housing Needs
Report, City of Courtenay 2024 Complete Communities
Growth Assessment, 2021 Census)
Housing
-
The Census 2021 data reported 13,414
dwellings within the city.
-
The majority of dwellings (70%) were
constructed after 1981.
-
Approximately 71% of the total dwellings
are owner-occupied, while 29% of the
total dwellings are rented.
-
Single-detached dwellings are a main
form of housing type currently provided
in Courtenay. Of the total housing
approximately:
-
50% are single-detached dwellings,
-
7% are row houses,
-
19% are semi-detached and
duplex dwellings, and
-
21% are multi-residential dwellings.
The following projections are provided to 2041,
in order to forecast and align with the 20-year
HNR projections.
-
Courtenay population is projected to grow by
44% to reach a total of 42,415 by 2041 from
29,530 (2021).
-
An approximate 11% growth rate is
estimated between 2021 and 2026 and an
approximate 44% growth rate estimated
over the 20 years to 2041.
-
The city has a current average age of 46.8,
which is slightly higher than the provincial
average of 43.1.
-
Historically, the highest rates of growth have
largely been among senior (65+) populations.
This growth is anticipated to continue over
the next two decades, but is likely to be
outpaced by growth among 25- to 44- year
olds.
-
The proportion of Courtenay's population
that is comprised of certain equity-priority
groups, includes: women (53%), Indigenous
(7%), and visible minorities (8%).
-
Immigrants comprise 13.6% of the total
population. 7.3% are from Europe, 3.7% are
from Asia, 1.8% are from the Americas, and
0.5% are from Africa.
-
Single-parent households comprise 8.7%
of the total number of households, which is
proportionally higher than BC overall (7.6%).
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-16-
-
Courtenay's population growth has
coincided with notable price and rent
increases over recent years, with the
median home price appreciating 61%
between 2019 and 2022 and the median
apartment rent rising 54% between 2019
and 2023.
-
In 2021, approximately 11% of local
households experienced Core Housing
Need. Meeting the demand for affordable
housing options is crucial, based on the
forecasted need to supply below-market
across both owner- and renter-occupied
housing, and deeply affordable rental
alternatives.
Employment
-
While Courtenay is expected to continue
to be the primary employment centre
within the Comox Valley, Courtenay
faces increasing pressure to provide
sufficient land and space for employment
and economic activities in addition to
population growth and rising housing
demand.
-
The employment land analysis of this OCP
relies on a simplified methodology, using
per capita estimates of employment space
demand over the next 20 years, based on
updated projections from the City's recent
Development Cost Charges background
study.
-
8,350 more housing units have been
estimated to be required to accommodate
the projected increase in population of
12,885 more residents over 2021 population
estimates.
Housing Needs
Housing Needs Reports (HNR) legislative
requirements were first established in 2019,
requiring local governments to present such
reports that describe current and anticipated
housing needs in their communities. As part
of recent legislative amendments in BC, local
governments are now required to prepare
Housing Needs Reports using the HNR Method
to identify the 5- and 20-year housing needs in
their communities. Municipalities must update
their OCPs and zoning bylaws to accommodate
the number of units identified. Housing Needs
Reports must be updated every five years, as
with OCPs, to ensure alignment with the 20-
year housing needs identified in the Housing
Needs Report. Therefore, this OCP presents
Courtenay's housing needs identified in the
2024 HNR and are as follows:
-
Projected 20-year housing need by tenure:
-
4,077 market ownership,
-
1,993 market rental,
-
747 affordable ownership,
-
1,219 affordable rental,
-
315 supportive rental.
-
Based on the findings of the HNR, market
housing demand will likely focus more on 2-
and 3- bedroom units; whereas, non-market
solutions may distribute more to 0- and
1-bedroom dwellings. The overall anticipated
20-year housing need by dwelling unit size is
as follows:
-
2,831 0-1 bedroom
-
2,348 2 bedroom
-
1,798 3 bedroom
-
1,374 4+ bedroom.
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City of Courtenay OCP Background Report
PART A Foundations
-17-
A
Figure A-3
Demographic
Information Snapshot
Source: 2024 Housing
Needs Report, based on
2021Statistics Canada
Census data.
Table A-1 Commercial, Institutional, and Industrial Land Projected space requirements
Employment Lands Supply and Demand Projections
-
Additional demands for employment
lands, particularly commercial and office
space, are expected to increase as the
community grows.
Information Sources
Statistics Canada 2021 Census; City of Courtenay
Development Cost Charges (DCC) Background Report, 2025;
City of Courtenay Housing Needs Report, 2024; City of
Courtenay Complete Communities Growth Assessment, 2024)
COURTENAY HOUSEHOLDS
Land Use Type
Projected space requirements by
2041 (sqm)
Commercial
144,300
Institutional
27,100
Industrial
76,300
WHAT'S
IMPORTANT
TO US:
DIRECTIONS,
VISION, GOALS
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City of Courtenay OCP Background Report
PART A Foundations
-19-
A
The world is changing, and the OCP has been
created to respond to great challenges and
opportunities of our time. A compass has
been used as the visual identity for the OCP
development and update process, with the
understanding that this Plan serves as a tool to
navigate through change. It helps to orient us to
where we stand today, and provides direction to
where we want to be moving.
The four cardinal directions for this OCP are
climate action, reconciliation, equity, and
community well-being. They have been applied
as filters through the OCP creation process -
helping give shape to the vision and goals - and
they permeate all facets of this Plan. They are
a navigational tool to guide decision-making as
Courtenay moves toward its vision and remain
integral to the 2026 OCP Update.
As part of the 2026 OCP Update process, public
and interest-holder engagement confirmed that
the Four Cardinal Directions, Vision, and Goals of
the OCP remain to be the same in the 2026 OCP.
NAVIGATING THE GREAT CHALLENGES
AND OPPORTUNITIES OF OUR TIME
FOUR CARDINAL
DIRECTIONS
OCP
2041
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-20-
CLIMATE ACTION
Our city - along with the rest of the world - is in the midst of a climate crisis. The City of Courtenay
acknowledges the global scientific consensus that human activity that uses fossil fuels is causing climate
change and global heating, which poses significant risks to humanity and biodiversity on Earth.
Global climate functions are changing, creating local effects like increases in storm frequency and severity,
increased summer drought risk, heat domes, less snow, wetter winters, and increased spring flood risk.
Courtenay will continue to see higher tides, increased shoreline erosion, and saltwater ingress onto
private and agricultural properties as sea levels rise. These changes are having negative impacts on our
infrastructure, buildings, crops, and ecosystems. They are increasingly affecting our community's stability.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that human activities have caused
approximately 1.0°C of global heating above pre-industrial levels, which is likely to reach 1.5°C sometime
between 2030 and 2052. Limiting warming to 1.5°C requires reaching net-zero global carbon dioxide
(CO2) emissions by 2050 at the latest, with deep reductions in other emissions as well, particularly
methane (CH4).
Courtenay is responding to this call to action. The City has committed to achieving a 45% reduction
in community-wide GHG emissions (from 2016 level) by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050. This
OCP includes strategies, actions, and measures to reduce emissions to target levels while saving on
energy costs and improving quality of life for Courtenay residents.
RECONCILIATION
"Indigenous people need to experience truth and reconciliation,
not have to constantly fight for it."
- Ginger Gosnell-Myers, Nisga'a-Kwakwaka'wakw Indigenous Fellow with SFU Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue
The City of Courtenay's commitment to reconciliation begins with a recognition of the City's
responsibility to examine the ways in which its policies, processes, and structures uphold and
perpetuate colonialism and its associated harms. From there, the City recognizes that it must move
beyond positive intent and take action in a way that enables positive impact.
The City adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as the
framework for reconciliation. It will seek to build and sustain a relationship of respect and
understanding with the K'ómoks First Nation whose territories encompass Courtenay, as well as other
Métis, Inuit, and Urban Indigenous people who live on these unceded territories.
The City commits to incorporating Indigenous perspectives into its work and decision-making
process, and to providing equitable and inclusive services that benefit Indigenous peoples. The
City will seek guidance from Indigenous partners in how to make this commitment a reality.
1
2
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City of Courtenay OCP Background Report
PART A Foundations
-21-
A
EQUITY
Cities are home to people from all walks of life. Yet the ways that cities have been traditionally planned
have not considered the needs and experiences of all people.
Equitable cities are those in which all people can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential
(PolicyLink, 2018). There is growing awareness about how cities can disproportionately benefit or harm
entire groups of people due to their income, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, immigration
status, religion, and/or (dis)abilities (American Planning Association, retrieved from planning.org in
2021). Issues such as gentrification and lack of inclusivity in community engagement are the outcomes
of inequitable city building, sometimes due to systemic practices and processes that are unknowingly
upheld by decision makers.
Considering the needs of future generations is another equity consideration
with important ecological, social, and economic implications. Considering
the needs of people not yet born is referred to as intergenerational equity.
This OCP challenges some traditional planning practices that can
result in policies, programs, and regulations that disproportionately
impact and stymie the progress of some equity-priority groups.
Through policies on topics ranging from affordable housing to public
participation, this OCP applies an equity lens and seeks to honour the
lived experiences of all of Courtenay's peoples.
"Equity-
priority groups" are
people who often face
discrimination or other forms
of systemic disadvantage. They
include but are not necessarily
limited to persons of colour,
persons with disabilities,
Indigenous peoples,
2SLGBTQIAP individuals
& women.
COMMUNITY WELL-BEING
Cities have always had a large influence on the health of the people who live there. Research shows that
our built environment has as much influence on our health, quality of life, and well-being as our genetic
code. Indeed, where we live, work, play, learn, and access our services significantly affects how long and
well we live. For example, in walkable neighbourhoods, residents are less likely to be obese and suffer
from illnesses that can be related to lifestyle, such as Type 2 diabetes. Likewise, in neighbourhoods
that have a mix of shops and services, residents are more likely to trust their neighbours and feel they
belong. A growing body of research has shown that our sense of belonging and connectedness to others
- as well as our access to green space - has a tremendous impact on our physical and mental health.
This OCP accounts for the diverse and complex ways in which the urban environment impacts
well-being. It takes a systems-based approach to well-being, considering the physical, mental,
and emotional well-being of individuals and communities, and the natural ecosystems of which
we are all a part.
4
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A-A
-22-
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-22-
VISION
WE PROTECT THE NATURAL SPACES we love and upon which our lives depend.
WE ARE A CITY FOR ALL PEOPLE, created for and by residents with diverse
identities, experiences, and aspirations. We are a city for being together in community.
WE ARE ALSO A CITY OF CHOICE, in which residents have options across the city
for homes, amenities, destinations, jobs and business, transportation, and spaces for
gathering with friends, families, neighbours, and people not yet known to us.
WE WILL REACH NET-ZERO EMISSIONS BY 2050, doing our part to address the
climate crisis head-on, while also preparing for its impacts. Our commitment to a safe
climate is not just an environmental one; by taking action on and preparing for climate
change we achieve many co-benefits that make Courtenay a great community to call
home.
COURTENAY WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FUTURE by being more
thoughtful, strategic, and efficient in all resources that we use whether it be land,
energy, or public infrastructure, to ensure that actions deliver on multiple goals of
fiscal responsibility, economic resilience, social equity, and ecological health.
Being responsible means recognizing that uncertainties are part of our future, and
that our best strategy is to invest in individual, neighbourhood, and community-wide
resilience. For Courtenay, this means we safeguard the unique qualities of our city that
we cherish, we work in partnership, and we remain open to new ways of being and
doing in order to respond creatively to our changing world.
The following vision describes what we want Courtenay to be in the future.
It embodies the values, priorities, and aspirations of the community.
It charts the course for development of policies, guidelines, and actions in
this OCP, and is strengthened by the "cardinal directions" and goals described
elsewhere in Part A of this Plan.
COURTENAY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FUTURE, SUPPORTING HIGH
QUALITY OF LIFE, WITH A LOW-CARBON FOOTPRINT FOR ALL.
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City of Courtenay OCP Background Report
PART A Foundations
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A
GOALS
Guided by the four cardinal directions, Courtenay's OCP goals provide markers as the community
moves towards its vision. Most of these goals have been established for Courtenay for many years.
For instance, 2005 and 2022 OCP's identified the importance of focusing growth, creating more
housing and transportation options throughout the City, and creating walkable neighbourhood
centres of high-quality urban design. Increased access to nature, parks and recreational
opportunities throughout the city, environmental protection, support for local economy, arts and
culture, and working with the community have also been long-standing goals for Courtenay. The
following goals continue the legacy of a number of goals Courtenay has been working towards for
some time, add more specific areas of focus on some topics, and add new prominence to other
goals.
The nine goals are:
1. Land Is Valued as a Precious Resource
2. Housing Choices for All
3. Strong Neighbourhoods
4. Functional Transportation Choices
5. More Space for and Time in Nature
6. Love for Local Culture and Places
7. A City for Everyone
8. Economic Success Emerges from Community Values and Place
9. Investing in Relationships
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-24-
GOALS
1. Land is Valued as a
Precious Resource
Land in Courtenay will be treated as
the precious resource that it is, with
future growth being focused within the
city, and where residents can go about
much of their daily lives with a reduced
carbon footprint.
"Protect outlying
areas and green
areas for generations
to come!"
- Courtenay Resident
2. Housing Choices for All
The City of Courtenay will enable housing
choices in all neighbourhoods of the
city in which all residents have access
to homes that are affordable, healthy,
green, and appropriate for diverse needs,
life stages, and aspirations.
"Please more low
income housing and
support for our homeless
population. These people
have a right to safe and stable
housing. We need to support
our vulnerable community
members."
- Courtenay Resident
3. Strong Neighbourhoods
The City of Courtenay will work with
residents to identify and invest in the
desired qualities and amenities to protect
and strengthen so that community life
at the neighbourhood scale is functional,
delightful, and meaningful.
4. Functional Transportation Choices
The City of Courtenay will rebalance
Courtenay's transportation system to
provide a more functional spectrum of
options that prioritizes walking, cycling,
and transit. This in turn will support
street life, active living, neighbourliness,
economic vitality, affordable household
transportation, and low carbon footprints.
"Strong
neighbourhoods are
important [and] require
some serious investment
in the development of
neighbourhood identities,
hubs, and shared spaces."
- Courtenay Resident
"Today's cities
are defined by the
transportation networks
that run through them.
A busy street can destroy a
neighbourhood. A gentle bike lane
can enhance a neighbourhood.
I believe that safe, secure,
affordable transportation... is
the best way to have strong,
diverse communities."
- Courtenay Resident
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City of Courtenay OCP Background Report
PART A Foundations
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A
5. More Space for and Time in Nature
Natural assets will be recognized as
powerful allies in climate action and
essential to resident quality of life and
will therefore be protected, reclaimed,
and expanded throughout Courtenay.
Nature will be invited into our
neighbourhoods by making space for it,
increasing opportunity for residents to
recharge and connect.
"If we want to stay
a vibrant community
with nature at our back
door, [protection of
nature] is imperative."
- Courtenay Resident
6. Love for Local Culture and Places
Spaces that spark public life in the
downtown, in town and neighbourhood
centres, and throughout the city
will be strengthened and expanded.
Courtenay's renowned natural backdrop
will form the basis of place making, ripe
with opportunity to layer in cultural
expressions of art, heritage, and distinct
Courtenay identity including of and with
Indigenous peoples.
"They say a small
corner lot with a tree
will create a lot of buzz
in a densely built-up area.
Diversity is key in nature, so
why not follow that same
powerful rule?"
- Courtenay Resident
7. A City for Everyone
Courtenay will ensure equity
is integrated into planning
and design considerations,
so that everyone - including
racialized people, newcomers,
2SLGBTQIAP, women, persons
with disabilities, children,
youth, and elders - are equal
participants in the city and in
city building.
8. Economic Success Emerges from
Community Values and Place
Economic success will be viewed holistically
through the intersecting dimensions of
environmental, social and economic systems.
Courtenay will invest in the foundational
conditions for high quality of life including unique
and delightful public places, streets,
housing choices for all, parks
and recreational opportunities,
a clean and protected
environment, and inclusive
municipal government services.
"Everyone should be
welcome to thrive in
our community."
- Courtenay Resident
"Affordable living
means people
have money to live
& spend in their local
communities."
- Courtenay Resident
9. Investing in Relationships
The City of Courtenay will value the
contributions of all its citizens, nurturing and
practicing a culture of proactive involvement
in local government reconciliation and all
community decisions by creating new avenues
for community participation and action.
"I would
like to see
partnerships with
First Nations, BIPOC
[black, Indigenous, people
of colour] communities,
the homeless, rural
constituents, [and]
our food providers/
farmers." Courtenay
Resident
VISION
Courtenay is responsible for the future,
supporting high quality of life with a
low-carbon footprint for all.
Full OCP Vision stated on page 22
GOALS
Land is valued as a precious resource
Housing choices for all
Strong neighbourhoods
Functional transportation choices
More space for and time in nature
Love for local culture & places
A City for everyone
Economic success emerges from
community values & place
Investing in relationships
OCP
2041
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HOW WE WORK
TOGETHER
The OCP is a collective vision and it is a collective action. Its
implementation is a collective journey. The success of the OCP will
depend on collective commitment to upholding the vision, directions,
goals, and specific policies and actions identified in this Plan. When
seen in this light, the process of inclusive city building is as important as
the OCP itself. The following section identifies key relationships that will
require investment and nurturing to turn Courtenay's vision into reality.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
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The City of Courtenay acknowledges the
KFN community vision as articulated in
the KFN Comprehensive Community Plan
2014-2024, and as a neighbour supports
the vision of moving forward together:
"K'ómoks First Nation is a prosperous
and healthy community where each
member has the right to self-sufficiency.
K'ómoks members move forward with
our neighbors, exercising our rights
and title while respecting our historical
connections to our lands and resources,
and to one another." - KFN Comprehensive
Community Plan 2014-2024.
The City of Courtenay and K'ómoks First
Nation have experience working together
and are committed to building on successes
of the past while supporting the conditions
to continue a strong and productive
respectful relationship.
Recent examples include a servicing
agreement between the City and KFN
on the Puntledge Lands (IR#2), Regional
Community to Community Forums to share
perspectives, and the Kus-kus-sum habitat
restoration project. These accomplishments
have positively affected our collective
communities and made the relationship
stronger.
CITY OF COURTENAY AND
K'ÓMOKS FIRST NATION RELATIONSHIP
To create the OCP, KFN Chief, Council, and staff
provided perspective, priorities, and guidance on
numerous policy topics. Together with Courtenay
City Mayor and Council, a list of important topics
to acknowledge, work towards, and prioritize
was identified:
-
Action on Reconciliation and implementing
UNDRIP as the framework for reconciliation
-
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
and Girls
-
Land use plan and subdivision law
-
Stormwater, flooding, water diversion
-
Development around archeological sites
-
Land disposition consultation
-
Housing affordability
-
Community safety, homelessness,
and the toxic drug supply
-
Infrastructure and shared services
-
Emergency planning
The policies to support these mutual priorities
are included in the OCP wherever possible. Some
topics will require more detailed attention in
order to be implemented. Cooperation on these
topics and others as both our communities'
needs evolve will be vital to fostering a resilient
and inclusive community as well as building
and maintaining a strong relationship.
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City of Courtenay OCP Background Report
PART A Foundations
-29-
A
INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS:
LOCAL, PROVINCIAL, AND FEDERAL
The City of Courtenay as a local government
exists within a larger democratically determined
federal and provincial governance system. The
ability of the City to achieve the OCP vision
and follow the four directions of reconciliation,
climate action, equity, and community well-being
will be influenced by then federal and provincial
policies and programs of the day as well as the
authority to undertake actions as granted by
provincial legislation. Therefore, it is important
to understand what the City of Courtenay's
roles and responsibilities are and consider
how the City of Courtenay fits within this multi-
jurisdictional context in delivering on the OCP
vision and goals.
Within Canada, a federal state, legislative
constitutional powers are assigned to both
federal and provincial governments. Federal
powers include matters of national interest such
as banking, citizenship, and defense. Provincial
powers include matters of more regional
interest such as education, health care, and
the management of natural resources. In BC,
the Local Government Act and the Community
Charter are the principal pieces of legislation that
define the core authority of local governments
and guide the decision-making process. The
provincial legislatures delegate some of their
powers to local governments. Examples of the
delegated authorities are the ability to hold
municipal elections, collect property taxes,
make bylaws, and establish regulations, all of
which must comply with the legislative authority
provided by their province. Accordingly, the City
of Courtenay exercises these delegated powers
in regulating land uses and businesses and
providing and maintaining community assets
and services such as parks and recreation
facilities, sidewalks, roads and cycling facilities,
and underground sewer and water infrastructure
within municipal boundaries.
At the time of the writing of the 2022 OCP,
the provincial government provided two
focused directions directly connected with the
OCP's cardinal directions: Climate Action and
Reconciliation.
In 2007 the provincial government established the
Climate Action Charter, a voluntary agreement in
which local governments commit to taking climate
actions including becoming carbon neutral in their
corporate operations, measuring community-
wide emissions, and creating complete, compact,
energy-efficient communities. The City of
Courtenay became a signatory to the Climate
Action Charter in 2007.
In 2019 the provincial government passed the
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Act (DRIPA) which forms the foundation for
the Province's work to advance reconciliation.
The Province's work is expected to include the
provision of directions and powers to local
governments to fulfill this important mandate.
The Provincial Government set forth amendments
to the Local Government Act in 2023, with changes
made to the timing and requirements for Housing
Needs Reports as well as changes to the Zoning
Bylaw through the passage of Bill 44. The 2026
OCP was undertaken with the intent of meeting
the requirement for municipalities to ensure their
Official Community Plan reflects the five- and
twenty year need for local housing identified in
their most recent Housing Needs Report.
The City of Courtenay continues to work with all
levels of government including First Nations in the
fulfillment of these three important mandates, as
well as many others.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
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RECONCILIATION
"Reconciliation is about establishing and maintaining a
mutually respectful relationship between Aboriginal and
non-Aboriginal peoples in this country. For that to happen,
there has to be awareness of the past, acknowledgment
of the harm that has been inflicted, atonement for causes,
and action to change behaviour."
- Canada's residential schools: Reconciliation. The final report of the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission of Canada, Volume 6. 2015.
Following the federal government's first
announcement on its commitment to
adopt and implement the United Nations
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples (UNDRIP) in 2016, and the
provincial government's adoption of the
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples Act in 2019, the City of Courtenay
Council passed a resolution in 2020
that the UNDRIP be its framework for
Indigenous reconciliation. Subsequently,
the Federal UNDRIP Act received royal
assent on June 21, 2021.
The UNDRIP (2007) is a comprehensive
international instrument on the basic
human rights of Indigenous peoples
around the world. It sets out a broad
range of collective and individual rights
that constitute the minimum standards
to protect the rights of Indigenous
peoples and to contribute to their survival,
dignity, and well-being. It also affirms
that Indigenous peoples are free from
discrimination of any kind and recognizes
the urgent need to respect and promote
the inherent rights of Indigenous peoples.
-31-
City of Courtenay OCP Background Report
PART A Foundations
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A
Adoption of UNDRIP as the framework for
reconciliation across all levels and sectors
of Canadian society is the first principle
of reconciliation as identified in the Truth
and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
(2015). Other principles are included here
to provide a foundation of understanding
to all further actions that the City will
undertake in support of reconciliation:
-
First Nation, Inuit, Métis peoples, as the
original peoples of this country and as
self-determining peoples, have Treaty,
constitutional, and human rights that
must be recognized and respected.
-
Reconciliation is a process of healing of
relationships that requires public truth
sharing, apology, and commemoration
that acknowledge and redress past harms.
-
Reconciliation requires constructive
action on addressing the ongoing
legacies of colonialism that have had
destructive impacts on Aboriginal
peoples' education, cultures and
languages, health, child welfare, the
administration of justice, and economic
opportunities and prosperity.
-
Reconciliation must create a more
equitable and inclusive society by closing
the gaps in social, health, and economic
outcomes that exist between Aboriginal
and non-Aboriginal Canadians.
-
All Canadians, as Treaty peoples,
share responsibility for establishing
and maintaining mutually respectful
relationships.
-
The perspectives and understandings of
Aboriginal Elders and Traditional Knowledge
Keepers of the ethics, concepts, and practices
of reconciliation are vital to long-term
reconciliation.
-
Supporting Aboriginal people's cultural
revitalization and integrating Indigenous
knowledge systems, oral histories, laws,
protocols, and connections to the land into the
reconciliation process are essential.
-
Reconciliation requires political will, joint
leadership, trust building, accountability, and
transparency, as well as substantial investment
in resources.
-
Reconciliation requires sustained public education
and dialogue, including youth engagement, about
the history and legacy of residential schools,
Treaties, and Aboriginal rights, as well as the
historical and contemporary contributions of
Aboriginal Peoples to Canadian society.
The City's Reconciliation
Guiding Principles
-
Local Indigenous traditions, knowledge, and
wisdom and self-governance are recognized
and honoured within First Nations' territories.
-
A locally developed Reconciliation Framework
is used to identify specific local reconciliation
actions and to guide decision-making.
-
The City's Reconciliation Framework is
implemented in all policy areas.
-
Reconciliation takes time and commitment
and hinges on the ability to deepen trust
between all involved.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
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Policies
R 1
The City of Courtenay will create,
promote, and implement a
Reconciliation Framework in which
concrete actions are identified
in partnership and consultation
with the wider community with
guidance from K'ómoks First Nation
and First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and
Urban Indigenous People. The
Reconciliation Framework will be
guided by UNDRIP and the Truth
and Reconciliation Commission
Calls to Action.
R 2
The City of Courtenay supports the
federal and provincial governments'
intergovernmental initiatives and
Canada's reconciliation process.
R 3
The City of Courtenay will seek
opportunities to establish
engagement processes and
implementation of the Truth
and Reconciliation Commission of
Canada's Calls to Action.
R 4
The City of Courtenay will
incorporate Indigenous
perspectives into its work and
decision-making process.
R 5
The City of Courtenay commits to
ongoing respectful government-
to-government relationships with
K'ómoks First Nation that nurtures
trust and resiliency.
R 6
The City of Courtenay commits
to deepening relationships and
partnerships with organizations
that represent Métis and off-Nation
Indigenous residents.
R 7
The City of Courtenay will
collaborate with all regional
partners and sectors of society
wherever opportunities exist
and will strive for regionally
consistent approaches to
reconciliation.
R 8
The City of Courtenay will
invest in ongoing learning
opportunities between the City
and all Indigenous partners.
R 9
The City of Courtenay will
provide learning and capacity
building opportunities for City
employees to build better
awareness, understanding,
and accountability by following
the principles of the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission
of Canada's Official Mandate
as well as the United Nations
Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples.
R 10
The City of Courtenay will
collaborate with and support
Indigenous partners and service
providers in the community
in providing educational
opportunities for the general
public.
R 11
The City of Courtenay will
seek to support K'ómoks First
Nation economic development
aspirations in accordance with
the policies in this OCP.
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City of Courtenay OCP Background Report
PART A Foundations
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A
An Equity Lens for
Community Participation
Placing an equity lens on community
participation ensures that the needs and
experiences of all people are included in
public engagement, public consultation, and
democratic decision-making processes.
The City is committed to removing barriers to
participation, designing engagement activities
that are accessible and culturally safe, and
regularly reviewing practices to ensure
continuous improvement and accountability.
The City routinely engages with community
members on diverse topics. In addition
to the formal and routine public hearing
process, the City invites community
participation through more creative means
such as open houses, online surveys, virtual
dialogue sessions and unique events like
neighbourhood 'walkshops'. At the same
time, it is common for many voices to be
under-represented in municipal engagement
processes, and Courtenay is no different. As
evidenced by the demographic data collected
in online surveys for the 2022 OCP process,
some groups are underrepresented during
certain types of engagement activities. These
groups include youth, single parents, people
of colour, Indigenous peoples, low-income
residents, 2SLGBTQIAP people, persons
with disabilities, children, youth, elders,
and renters.
A foundational part of Courtenay's vision is
to be a city for all people, created for and by
residents with diverse identities, experiences
and aspirations. In order to ensure that
all perspectives are reflected in decision-
making, additional efforts must be made
to engage everyone. This involves engaging
organizations and residents in all stages
of the decision-making process. This also
requires meaningfully reaching, including,
and honouring voices of equity-priority
groups.
The City adopted a Communication Strategy
in 2024 and an Engagement Framework
in 2025 to guide City communication
and engagement approaches across City
departments, services and activities. These
documents identify practices that will be
followed to reach diverse audiences through
a range of communication channels and
enhance resident participation in City
decision-making.
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
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The City's Engagement
Framework 1
The City's Engagement Framework
includes five Guiding Principles.
-
We listen to learn: Every
engagement starts with the
commitment to listen deeply,
meaningfully, and equitably to
ensure everyone who lives, works,
plays and learns in Courtenay has an
opportunity to share.
-
We are guided by equity: The
City recognizes systemic barriers
and commits to removing them by
creating safe, inclusive spaces and
addressing the unique needs of each
group.
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We commit to transparency:
Earning trust is foundational to our
engagement efforts. The City aims to
ensure that participants understand
how their feedback is used and how
their voices influence outcomes.
-
We are flexible and adaptive: The
City commits to remaining flexible,
tailoring engagement methods to
meet community needs and adapting
our practices as we learn.
-
We value relationships and
reconciliation: The City is dedicated
to building and maintaining strong,
respectful connections with
Indigenous communities, equity-
deserving groups and all residents.
Policies
CP 1
The City will seek
opportunities to take a
proactive community
participatory approach for
the purpose of encouraging
open dialogue and inclusive
decision-making processes
to be applied, but not
limited, to the proactive
planning OCP review cycle.
CP 2
The City will follow the
International Association
of Public Participation's
(IAP2) best management
practices to inform the
City's Communication and
Engagement Frameworks.
CP 3
The City will implement
the City's Engagement
Framework for public and
interest holder engagement.
CP 4
The City will apply
appropriate engagement
tools and techniques
to provide a consistent
approach to public
engagement efforts across
a range of community
decisions based on the
impact of the decision or
change.
CP 5
The City will seek input from
equity-priority and under-
represented groups on how
they would like to safely and
comfortably participate in
engagement processes, and
then create an engagement
strategy accordingly.
1 Based on the City of Courtenay's Communication Strategy & Engagement Framework
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City of Courtenay OCP Background Report
PART A Foundations
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A
CP 6
The City will consider the
use of a range of formal
and informal resident and
interest-holder advisory
bodies such as, but
not limited to, standing
and select committees
of Council, task forces,
citizen assemblies, review
panels, and advisory
councils.
CP 7
The City will strive to ensure
that advisory committees
be representative of the
community, including equity-
priority groups.
CP 8
The City will explore
opportunities for
supporting community
development approaches
to strengthen the
participation and resilience
of neighbourhoods.
CP 9
The City will explore
partnerships as strategies
to achieve OCP vision, goals
and policies. Partnerships
will employ innovative and
structured approaches
to ensure all parties are
involved and mutually
supported to maximize
individual and collective
efforts.2
CP 10
The City will work to remove
barriers to participation
by providing flexible
engagement options
and prioritizing central,
accessible and culturally-
appropriate venues for
events, aligned with the
Accessible British Columbia
Act.
CP 11
The City will track and
communicate trends in
community growth and
change at regular intervals
to ensure residents have
access to information
to participate in City
engagement practices in a
meaningful way.
CP 12
The City will regularly review
and adapt communication
and engagement activities
to reflect community
feedback, remove barriers
and respond to emerging
communication and
engagement tools.
2 An example of an innovative and structured
partnership approach is the Collective Impact model.
www.collectiveimpactforum.org
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
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Creating the plan for Courtenay's
future will be the easiest part
in the achievement of our
collective vision.
Creating the plan is just the beginning.
To implement the plan is quite a
different matter.
An OCP is a tool to navigate great
challenges, opportunities, and changes
before us: climate action, reconciliation,
equity, and community well-being. The
community process to create the OCP has
identified where we want and need to go -
our vision. As Courtenay's compass, the
OCP tells us what we need to do get there -
our policies and actions. But a compass is
only as good as how well it's used. How far
we get in achieving Courtenay's vision will
depend on how fully we use this Plan as a
tool to navigate and manage change.
Collective commitment will fuel the
implementation of the OCP. Commitment will
be needed as time passes, as people move to
and from Courtenay, as our elected leaders
pass the torch, as one generation welcomes
the next. Commitment will be needed when
decisions are hard, especially when decisions
are hard. In those moments, the OCP can be
used to refocus our efforts and bring clarity to
what at the core of Courtenay really matters:
climate action, reconciliation, equity and
community well-being.
The OCP is a facilitative policy instrument.
It provides both direction for the City of
Courtenay as well as identifies where
collaboration and support by other sectors are
needed to achieve stated objectives. Mayor,
Council and City staff, developers, community
organizations, businesses, and already-
engaged residents are expected to use the
OCP the most. However, there is a role and
a need for everyone to engage with this
Plan. The success of this Plan will hinge on
residents and friends of Courtenay everywhere
lending their hearts, minds, and efforts to
climate action, reconciliation, equity, and our
community's well-being, even if it is for their
first time. Especially if it is their first time.
OUR COLLECTIVE
RESPONSIBILITY
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City of Courtenay OCP Background Report
PART A Foundations
-37-
A
The OCP is a living document. Through the
5-year update cycles, the OCP will identify
changes and steps that need to be taken to
serve the community.
This OCP identifies significant change
is needed within a variety of services,
developments, and partnerships to ensure
they work towards our established vision.
Fortunately, changes to support climate
action, reconciliation, equity and community
well-being are taking place in wider society
and the work undertaken to achieve
Courtenay's vision will be in good company.
This OCP is expected to be met with many
partnership opportunities with others who
share Courtenay's vision. However, how
quickly identified actions are implemented,
in what order, and how significantly will
depend on the ability of all of us who
actively share and work towards Courtenay's
vision to steward this OCP to its fullest
potential.
The Implementation section (Part D) of
the OCP identifies the most commonly
applied tools available to the City of
Courtenay to play its leadership role in
stewarding and implementing this Plan.
When applied together, and with the
support of engaged citizens, interest
holders, rights-holders, and partners, these
tools can be powerful in implementing the
Plan. Like all tools, their ability to deliver on
Courtenay's vision will depend on how fully
they are used.
With or without implementation of
this OCP, Courtenay will change. A
combination of demographic, technological,
political, ecological, cultural, and economic
changes are the constant - but shifting
- backdrop of this OCP; unforeseen
challenges and opportunities will present
themselves in Courtenay's future. The OCP
clarifies Courtenay's choices in how we as
a community intend to manage change
for those topics that could be explored
though the creation of this Plan. The four
cardinal directions provide focus for when
encountering new challenges to ensure
Courtenay's values guide actions whatever
the opportunity may be. Therefore,
paramount to all these implementation tools
is the ability to evaluate our implementation
efforts and adapt and recalibrate policies
and actions as new information and
opportunities come available. The core
directions of the OCP are dynamic and
complex and therefore this OCP must
respond to the community's needs with
flexibility, always in pursuit of the vision.
The City of Courtenay welcomes you, the
reader, to pick up Courtenay's compass
and walk and work with us on our collective
journey towards being a City responsible for
the future.
OCP
2041
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PART B
MANAGING GROWTH
Part B begins with recognition of K'ómoks First Nation's time immemorial
stewardship of Courtenay's lands and waters, situates Courtenay within
the region's growth strategy, and provides direction on land uses
across Courtenay, as well as some further detailed policies for specific
neighbourhoods and areas.
1. Time Immemorial. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
2. Regional Context Statement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
3. Three Key Land Use Concepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
4. How Courtenay Will Grow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
5. Land Use Objectives and Policies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
6. Land Use Designations and Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-39-
Since Time Immemorial the
K'ómoks First Nation have
stewarded and cared for the
lands and waters that make
up Courtenay today.
K'ómoks Unceded territory stretches across
the Salish Sea from the lands currently
known as Vancouver Island, extending north
of Salmon River to south of the Englishman
River watershed. K'ómoks First Nation
members are Kwakwaka'wakw and North
Coast Salish people who assert their shared
heritage, history, and culture. Their language
and spiritual practices are tied to the lands,
waters, and resources that are found in the
K'ómoks area.
"Comox" is an anglicization of K'ómoks,
which is derived from the Kwakw'ala term,
kw'umalha, meaning "plentiful, rich or
wealthy." Oral history and archaeology
describes a rich and bountiful relationship
between the K'ómoks people and the
land of plenty. The families which make
up the present day First Nation share a
rich history and traditions traced back to
Pentlatch, Kwakwaka'wakw, Coast Salish,
and Nuu-cha-Nulth groups. Current
archaeological research confirms the
occupation of the K'ómoks First Nation
territory by First Peoples thousands of years
before first contact with Europeans.
The technologies that were applied in
harvest, preparation, and cultivation of
local resources were appropriate to the
environment, resource, and spiritual
beliefs. Fish weirs, duck nets, berry picking
techniques, and clothing design met the
needs of the K'ómoks people and for
generations provided variety, utility, and
sense of cultural uniqueness. Mask dances
and songs filled the winter nights and
season. Property was distributed to guests
in potlatches, and naming ceremonies
honoured the youth, leaders, and elders
of the communities.
TIME IMMEMORIAL
Text adapted from the K'ómoks Comprehensive Community Plan (page 26), with permissions.
-40-
B
Working together to accomplish large tasks
which also provides a benefit of teaching and
passing on ancient knowledge. During marine
harvesting cycles, the elders say, "We gather
together to gather" in order to learn by doing.
Sharing the bounty of resources from
KFN territory through customs such as the
potlatch which is not about how much can be
accumulated but how much can be given away.
Today, resources from KFN territory are not
being shared with the Nation which is not how
it is supposed to be.
Stewardship incorporates all these values and
teachings into the practical management of the
resources in KFN territory. An image of proper
stewardship is the fish weirs that KFN ancestors
utilized in the Estuary to catch salmon.
The K'ómoks Marine Use Plan identifies fundamental values and teachings that are continuously
passed on and practiced in order to maintain a strong connection to KFN homelands and culture.
A number of these values and teachings are included here and are relevant context to the OCP,
a land use and stewardship document.
Honouring the Creator as the source of all
gifts within the KFN homelands. Celebrating
the return of species such as salmon, and
allowing the first migration returning to pass
without harvest.
Protocol as a foundational cultural tool to
manage resources throughout KFN territories.
Protocol includes acknowledging which
Nation's territory one is in, asking permission to
utilize resources, and sharing in benefits.
Respect for homeland by refraining from
violating the abundance and diversity of life
within KFN territory. Providing an offering to the
Creator and a strong connection to homeland
are the basis of respect.
Balance is the healthy functioning of the
natural cycles, seasonal changes, and natural
flow of life. Too much harvesting or protection
of a species or habitat can disrupt the balance.
KFN elders are concerned this balance has
been broken and needs to be re-established.
Values and Teachings text adapted from K'ómoks Marine Use Plan (page 10), with permissions.
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
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Justification
As required by the Local Government Act, if
a regional growth strategy applies to all or
part of the same area of a municipality, the
Official Community Plan of that municipality
must include a regional context statement.
This statement shall identify specifically
the relationship between the OCP and the
Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) with respect
to the future growth management of the
region, including population projections, land
use, social, economic and environmental
objectives, local economy, parks and natural
areas, affordable housing, transportation,
regional services, agricultural lands, and
the target to achieve the reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions in the region.
Courtenay in the Comox Valley
The City of Courtenay resides entirely within
the territory of the K'ómoks First Nation, and
in what is today the Comox Valley. Located
in the northern half of Vancouver Island,
overlooking the Strait of Georgia subregion
of the Salish Sea, the Comox Valley is home
to one of the most significant estuaries in
British Columbia, including tidal mud flats,
lagoons, salt marshes, low-lying forest habitats,
and the numerous watersheds that flow into
them. According to the Comox Valley Regional
District (CVRD) Regional Growth Strategy
(RGS), the K'ómoks First Nation's core territory
extends from the south side of the Englishman
River drainage, north along the height of land
on the Vancouver Island Range, east along the
height of land on the north side of the Salmon
River Valley, across the Johnstone Strait to
Call Inlet, and southeast down the centre of
the Strait of Georgia back to the south side of
the Englishman River, including islands and
portions of the mainland. There is regional
overlap of shared territory with Sliammon,
Homalco, Snaw-Naw-As, Cape Mudge,
Campbell River, Qualicum, and Kwiakah First
Nations. The City of Courtenay is located within
the core territory of K'ómoks First Nation, and
also within the overlapping territories of Wei
Wai Kum First Nation, Wei Wai Kai First Nation,
Kwiakah First Nation, and Homalco First Nation.
REGIONAL CONTEXT STATEMENT
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B
The 2021 census indicates that the Comox
Valley is home to more than 72,000 residents
and encompasses the Village of Cumberland,
the Town of Comox, and the CVRD's electoral
areas of Baynes Sound (Electoral Area A), Lazo
North (Electoral Area B), and Puntledge-Black
Creek (Electoral Area C) - as well as the City of
Courtenay (population approximately 28,400).
Its neighbours include the K'ómoks First
Nation. A number of significant provincial parks
and lands within the Agricultural Land Reserve
are located within the region. The Comox Valley
is connected to the broader Vancouver Island
and Mainland through a network of highways,
ferry lines, and flights from the Comox Valley
Airport.
Alignment with the
Regional Growth Strategy
The CVRD adopted the current RGS in 2011.
It provides a framework for future land
use, and sets broad, regional direction for
planning, policies, and action for all member
municipalities, including Courtenay. The
vision for the region is as follows:
The Comox Valley will continue to evolve
as a region of distinct, well-connected and
well-designed urban and rural communities.
As stewards of the environment, local
governments, the K'ómoks First Nation, public
agencies, residents, business, and community
and non-governmental organizations will work
collaboratively to conserve and enhance land,
water, and energy resources, and ensure a vibrant
local economy and productive working landscape.
Within the RGS, Courtenay is identified as the
major urban centre that should provide for
a wide diversity of housing and employment
opportunities, and the highest regional
densities, now and in the future. A number
of the region's growth management
principles are directly relevant to
Courtenay's OCP and are stated here as
OCP principles of growth management as
well:
-
Protect key natural and ecological features
throughout the Comox Valley.
-
Take actions to address public health and
environmental issues as they are identified
and, where possible, before they arise.
-
Recognize the distinctiveness of existing
communities and ensure the needs of both
urban and rural areas are met.
-
Recognize that the K'ómoks First Nation
is in the process of land settlement
negotiations and that there should be
ongoing collaboration and cooperation
between the local governments and the
K'ómoks First Nation.
-
Promote the efficient use of land, provide
greater transportation choices, reduce
public servicing costs, and achieve
environmental benefits through compact
growth.
-
Ensure the efficient use and financial
viability of existing and planned investment
in public infrastructure.
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
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-
Promote intensification, compact growth
and supportive public transit services
throughout designated Municipal Areas
as the primary means of accommodating
population and employment growth.
-
Promote and support the overall
economic viability of the designated
Municipal Areas so that they can continue
to provide a primary base for residential,
commercial, and institutional activities.
The regional principles complement the
interrelated OCP growth management related
goals of valuing land as precious, functional
transportation choices, housing choices for
all, strong neighbourhoods, and a city for
everyone.
This OCP aligns with the RGS vision and
growth management policies. Courtenay's
strategy for managing future growth is to
strengthen several existing neighbourhood
nodes and corridors across the city through
intensification of a variety of land uses,
increasing investment in active and transit
modes of transportation and creation
of vibrant urban spaces. This in turn will
reduce development pressure outside of
Courtenay's boundary or the need to annex
lands from the electoral areas into Courtenay
jurisdiction. At the same time, OCP Map B-2
identifies potential Boundary Extensions
that may be considered and supported
for boundary extension(s) as part of
or outside of the regular five-year OCP
review cycle to respond either to matters
of public health concern or where there
is a demonstratable need for additional
municipal land availability. The Boundary
Extensions are areas that border the
City and that are identified in the RGS as
Settlement Expansions Areas (Map No. 5,
Growth Management Map) intended for
municipal incorporation.
Appendix 3 of the OCP - Regional Context
Statement, contains more detailed
comparison of the relevant policies in
these documents. More detailed thematic
policies to achieve all OCP goals are
provided in Part C of this Plan.
Part 5 of the RGS addresses
implementation measures, monitoring,
and amendment procedures. The OCP
establishes principles and policies to be
followed by Courtenay City Council in
the implementation of both the OCP and
the RGS to ensure all subsequent local
government bylaws, works, and services
undertaken by both the CVRD and the City
are consistent with both the OCP and RGS.
Review and amendment of the OCP will
occur on an as-required basis according
to the relevant sections of the Local
Government Act.
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B
Land use policy is about more than the
land use itself, because land use decisions
influence numerous other aspects of our
daily lives as well as other components of
cities. These include, but are not limited to:
the transportation network, open spaces,
buildings, municipal services, the economy,
and the natural environment. Land use
policies also influence the ability to achieve
the OCP's core directions of reconciliation,
climate action, equity, and community well-
being. This is because how a community
is structured informs future opportunities,
and constraints, in the pursuit of community
goals and ultimate vision.
Key interdependent land use and urban
form strategies lay the physical foundation
for a city that is responsible for the future,
each of which are described in turn:
1. Mixing land uses
2. Increasing densities
3. Supporting high-quality
urban form & design
1. Mixing land uses
Land use mix refers to the diversity of
land uses (e.g., residential, commercial,
institutional, etc.) within a given area. Higher
degrees of land use mixes are associated with
"complete communities," wherein residents
have easy access to a variety of amenities
and services within their neighbourhood.
These include shops and restaurants, cultural
and civic facilities (e.g., museums, libraries,
galleries), employment opportunities,
recreational destinations (e.g., parks,
community centres), and more. This mix
allows residents to live, work, shop, play, and
learn close to home ideally within a 10-minute
walk, resulting in the concept of "10-minute
neighbourhoods" as a policy objective
described further in this plan. Some mixes of
uses, such as heavy industrial and residential,
on the other hand, are not suitable.
Land use mix is important for creating
distinct, vibrant neighbourhoods that
support businesses and offer housing and
transportation choice. For example, with
other variables such as residential density
held as constants, the odds of a person
walking are twice as high in areas with a
THREE KEY LAND USE CONCEPTS
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-45-
high degree of suitable mixed uses than
in areas with a low degree of mixed uses.
Residents living near multiple and diverse
retail destinations also generally make
more frequent and shorter shopping
trips, and more by walking and cycling.
A higher degree of land use mix can
also translate into a stronger sense of
community, allowing residents to interact
with their neighbours more often, trust
others, form community networks, and be
socially engaged.
Within Courtenay there are a number of
areas that already display the land use
mix qualities of 10-minute neighbourhoods,
such as the downtown, lower Ryan Road
commercial area and upper Ryan Road
commercial and institutional area, each
surrounded by residences.
2. Increasing densities
Density refers to the number of people,
homes, or jobs within a certain area.
Higher residential density, often in the
form of multi-unit housing, can result in:
energy savings; lower per capita municipal
infrastructure and service costs (e.g.,
roadways, water and sewer infrastructure,
transit, fire stations, recreation centres, etc.);
greater housing choices and contributes
to affordability; more vibrant street life and
public realm; a larger proportion of trips
by foot, bike, and transit; and, as a result,
reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Many areas in Courtenay do not have the
residential densities to be considered
walkable or supportive of frequent transit
service1, which partly explains why 85%
off all trips within Courtenay are by
private vehicle. Many of the residential
densities are also insufficient to create the
amount of customers needed to support
neighbourhood-serving businesses like
grocers and local coffee shops, which in
turn influences access to services, street life,
and overall neighbourhood vitality. At the
same time, pockets of existing residential
density offer promising local precedents
for 10-minute neighbourhoods such as the
downtown, near Lake Trail Community School,
lower Ryan Road, and near the Air Park.
Employment density is also important to
reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as the
concentration of jobs in a particular area can
affect transit ridership even more strongly
than the concentration of residents. For
growth centres and corridors, employment
densities should be considered in tandem
with residential densities, as they both
contribute to transit viability and improve
residents' access to jobs by foot, bicycle, or
transit. In Courtenay, there are pockets of
high job density at important employment
anchors, including the downtown area, lower
Ryan Road, North Island College, and North
Island Hospital Comox Valley, and retail areas
along the Cliffe Avenue corridor.
In Courtenay, areas with higher employment
densities tend not to directly overlap or
integrate with areas of higher population
density; however, a number of these areas
are near one another - thus providing
a foundation for the reality of 10-minute
neighbourhoods throughout Courtenay.
1 Minimum densities to support frequent transit are approximately 30 residential units per hectare, or 50 jobs per hectare,
or a combination of residential units and jobs reflecting these respective land use densities.
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B
3. Supporting high-quality
urban form & design
Urban form refers to the physical structure
and appearance of a community. It
determines how open spaces, transportation
networks, ecological systems, buildings, and
humans relate to each other in physical
space. Urban form and design should also
communicate a community's values, reflect
its heritage and character, and make a
space a place people want to be. Urban
form considerations are key to ensuring
that mixed use, higher density centres
throughout Courtenay are thoughtfully
designed to complement and enhance the
neighbourhoods in which new development
will occur.
Connectivity, as an outcome of urban form,
is one of the most significant factors in the
frequency and quantity of walking trips, which
in turn also supports transit. Connected
streets provide multiple route options
throughout the community while 'dead-end
and loop streets' serve adjacent properties
only. The downtown area reflects a traditional
small block grid pattern that was common to
this era: well-connected with many options for
travel by foot, bicycle, and vehicle.
Streetscape quality and composition
also have significant influence on the
transportation experience and therefore
desirability of walking and cycling in a
city. Streetscapes that accommodate
more public activities such as socializing,
shopping, playing, sitting, and lingering are
important conduits of the social fabric of
the community and help establish a sense
of place and identity. Features within the
streetscape to accommodate these activities
include attention to the human scale of
developments to ensure architecture and
landscapes feel comfortable, sufficiently wide
sidewalks, cycling infrastructure, frequent
seating, street trees, and landscaping.
Access to parks, natural areas, and other
open spaces is another important measure
of how well urban form is meeting the needs
of residents. Fortunately, within Courtenay
98% of residents are within a 10-minute walk
of a public park.
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
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Mixing uses, strategically focusing increased
densities and attention to high-quality urban
form are important land use ingredients that
together deliver on a number of benefits to a
community's success:
-
Community Character - This refers
to the "look and feel" and overall
attractiveness of a city. The height and type
of buildings, and the uses within them,
influence street life and help shape a
distinguishable visual identity that creates
a unique sense of place.
-
Housing Choices - Different building
types offer different housing choices
(e.g., single residential house, townhouse,
apartment) available for individuals and
families. Land use policies that enable
housing diversity are able to better
contribute to meeting a community's
diverse housing needs.
-
Transportation Choices - The intensity
and distribution of buildings, along with
land use and transportation infrastructure,
greatly impacts how people choose to
move around. Some forms of development
make it convenient, safe, and desirable
to move around on foot, by bike, or by
transit, while other forms of development
effectively limit transportation choices to
travel by car. Transportation choice in turn
influences an individual's level of physical
activity, and thus their health and safety.
Owning a car is also the second-greatest
expense in many households after
housing, therefore more transportation
choices contribute to a household's
affordability.
CO-BENEFITS OF THOUGHTFUL
LAND USE PLANNING
-
Protection of Agricultural Land and
Natural Environment - The physical
footprint of a city and the degree to which
growth is managed within existing built-
up areas greatly influence a community's
ability to protect its surrounding natural
areas and agricultural lands from
encroaching development.
-
Sustainable Servicing - This includes
municipal infrastructure, ranging from
roads to sewers to parks. The efficiency
and sustainability of providing these
services to citizens across the city is
influenced by the distribution and
intensity of development.
-
Municipal Finances and Taxes -
Municipal servicing efficiency in turn
impacts the cost of providing services,
which affects the City's financial bottom
line and ultimately the taxes paid by
residents and businesses.
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B
View from K'ómoks Estuary looking up the Courtenay River in the 1920s. Photo from Courtenay Heritage Commission.
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-49-
Defining the Urban
Physical Framework
Figure B-1 illustrates the urban framework
concept for Courtenay. This urban
framework concept will direct growth over
approximately the next 20 years, after
which new growth centres will have to be
identified to plan for and manage growth.
Map B-1 illustrates the corresponding land
use plan which provides parcel level detail of
the land use designations within the urban
framework concept. Land use designations
and area specific policies are described
further in Part B.
The strategy for managing Courtenay's
growth is to build upon and strengthen
existing successful nodes and corridors
within existing neighbourhoods across the
city by guiding the majority of future growth
toward a series of identified distinct and
connected mixed use areas. Focusing growth
within existing urban areas is established
best community planning and municipal
Asset Management practice and is assessed
to be the optimum growth pattern to meet
the ambitious vision and interrelated goals
that direct this Plan.
Identifying Growth Locations
Seven growth centres and connecting corridors were
identified as most suitable for community growth. A
series of geospatial variables were modelled together
to identify the best locations for growth to achieve a
number of community goals. For example:
-
Floodplain hazard lands. Growth is located away
from the floodplain because new residences are
not appropriate in these areas.
-
Environmentally Sensitive Areas. Growth is
focused away from these areas in order to not
place development and ecological protection
in conflict. Wherever growth is planned or
proposed near Environmentally Sensitive Areas,
biologist studies and site specific mitigation
proposals will be required to prioritize protection
and restoration of sensitive ecosystems to the
fullest extent possible.
-
Distance to common destinations such as stores,
schools, commercial and employment centres,
parks, and community service facility locations.
Growth is targeted around a number of existing
community destinations in order to form the
basis of successful 10-minute neighbourhoods.
-
Proximity to the frequent transit corridor.
Growth is targeted near and along the Frequent
Transit Network to improve transit service
frequency, and provide convenient transit for
more people.
HOW COURTENAY WILL GROW
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B
Outside of Growth Locations: Infill Areas
These areas include all lower-density residential
zones throughout the city, historically referred
to as single residential. In support of the
growth strategy, infill development will be
permitted throughout Courtenay in the form
of Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH),
including secondary suites, duplexes, triplexes,
fourplexes, and detached secondary residences,
on lands designated for residential use. Urban
Residential areas located along the Frequent
Transit Network will also support Low-Rise Multi-
Residential forms to support transit-oriented
development and provide additional housing
options.
Growth capacity modeling indicates that most
new growth over the next 20 years can and
should be accommodated within the primary
and secondary growth centres in the form
of a variety of multi-residential buildings of
varying size and character. This will encourage
public transit and active transportation
supportive densities, lowering locally generated
transportation-related GHGs, while also allowing
the city to maximize the efficiency of existing
and planned infrastructure investments. The
remaining growth will be accommodated within
Courtenay's existing municipal boundary by
continuing to develop the remaining designated
urban infill areas in the forms and land uses
described for the infill areas.
Determining Land Use Designations
Land use objectives, policies, and designations
are described further in this section and provide
more detail on how future growth will be guided
for specific areas. They were developed based
on the urban framework concept presented in
Figure B-1.
-
Redevelopment opportunities, recent
development trends, and viability of development.
Growth is located in areas where undeveloped or
older properties are located to accommodate new
development or redevelopment into something
modified or new.
-
Future GHG emission reduction scenario
modelling. Growth is located to maximize the
ability for people to walk, wheel, cycle, and
take transit, as well as increase the number of
multi-residential buildings to maximize building
energy efficiency and housing affordability.
Primary Growth Locations:
Town Centres and Urban Corridor
These areas are activity centres in the city and will
continue to attract the highest densities in Courtenay
in the form of new multi-residential buildings and
a wide variety of commercial uses such as offices,
retail stores, and large-format shopping (in centres
outside the downtown). The primary growth
locations are reflected in the Downtown, Town
Centre, and Urban Corridor land use designations
described in the following section. Primary growth
centres are designated based on their central and
connected locations throughout Courtenay, their
existing densities and mix of uses, potential to
accommodate more frequent transit, and focus public
infrastructure investments.
Secondary Growth Locations:
Neighbourhood Centres and Multi-Residential
These areas include or are in close proximity to
existing community and commercial services within
established neighbourhoods. The development
opportunity within these areas will largely be
redevelopment opportunities from lower density to
higher density or from a single use today to a mixed
use in the future. These areas will accommodate
medium-density residential development and multi-
residential up to six storeys conditionally, with small-
scale neighbourhood commercial uses and community
services within the Neighbourhood Centres.
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
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Figure B-1 Urban Framework Growth Concept
-52-
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Map B-1 Land Use Designations.
Future Growth
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
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A Local Area Plan (LAP) is a detailed, place-
based land use plan that is consistent with,
and nested within, the broader Official
Community Plan. LAPs provide more detailed
direction for future growth and change and
guide the evaluation of development and land
use applications within defined areas of the
city that goes beyond the general land use
designation policies. These plans complement
the broader vision established in the OCP by
offering residents, landowners, applicants,
and City staff greater certainty about the type,
location, and scale of development that is
appropriate and supportable.
Three types of LAPs are recognized to reflect
different growth contexts in Courtenay:
-
Greenfield Plans - Mid-level plans for
largely undeveloped areas that set the
sequence of development, the general
land use pattern, and the general location
of major transportation routes and public
utilities. Adopted by Council, they may be
initiated by the City or landowners and are
required before development in Future
Growth Areas and part of any municipal
boundary extensions.
-
Infill Plans - City initiated plans
for OCP identified growth centres
and corridors that manage change
through strategic intensification and
redevelopment, address density ranges
and transitions, updated infrastructure
and servicing needs, public realm and
amenity improvements, heritage and
environmental considerations, and
implementation tools.
PROVIDING FURTHER GUIDANCE:
LOCAL AREA PLANNING
-
Neighbourhood Plans - Plans for
smaller geographies that focus on
character, design quality, and day-to-
day livability. They may be standalone
or nested within Greenfield or Infill
Plans and provide guidance on built
form and streetscape design, site and
frontage treatments, heritage protection,
specific locations and types of parks and
amenities, pathways and local connectors,
and other fine grain elements that shape
neighbourhood identity.
The boundaries of existing and proposed
LAP's are shown in Map B-2 on the following
page, along with Future Growth Areas and
potential Settlement Expansion Areas, which
would also be subject to the LAP process.
Please note that the boundaries of proposed
LAP's are to be determined through Council
approval prior to commencing the LAP
process.
Further details about the requirements
for LAPs are established under Section D.
Policies associated with Settlement Expansion
Areas are detailed in Land Use Objective 7.
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B
Map B-2 Existing and Proposed Local Area Plan (LAP) Boundaries and Potential Settlement Expansion Areas.
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
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LAND USE
OBJECTIVES
1.
Community growth is located away from hazardous lands,
agricultural lands, and Environmentally Sensitive Areas
2.
The majority of community growth is strategically guided into
growth centres to create more 10-minute neighbourhoods
3.
Moderate residential infill development occurs across all
residential areas outside of growth centres
4.
Local area planning provides more direction on growth
5.
Municipal infrastructure planning and investments align with
the urban framework concept
6.
New growth takes place within the existing city boundary
7.
Growth is regionally coordinated through consultation
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B
Objective 1 Community growth is located away from hazardous lands,
agricultural lands, and Environmentally Sensitive Areas
Objective 2 The majority of community growth is strategically
guided into growth centres to create more 10-minute
neighbourhoods
Objective 3 Moderate residential infill development occurs across all
residential areas outside of growth centres
Policies
LU 1
Allocate all growth in a manner generally consistent with Map B-1: Land Use Designation
Map, to meet Courtenay's 2050 net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target, housing
needs, and support a compact urban form that:
-
Encourages higher density and mixed uses in growth centres;
-
Meets or exceeds the Comox Valley Regional Growth Strategy minimum density
targets of 100-150 residents and jobs per hectare in the Town Centres and
Urban Corridors;
-
Integrates land use and transportation planning;
-
Supports greater transportation choices and prioritizes active modes of
travel and transit use;
-
Supports housing supply and diversity;
-
Reduces pressure on agricultural and natural areas;
-
Avoids risks and impacts of natural hazards such as flooding;
-
Optimizes efficient use of existing infrastructure and municipal assets;
-
Includes adequate public open and green spaces and access to nature; and
-
Supports distinct neighbourhoods.
LU 2
Direct the majority of residential intensification to the primary and secondary growth
centres as shown as Downtown, Town Centre, Urban Corridor, and Neighbourhood
Centre on Map B-1: Land Use Designation Map and in accordance with the land use
designations contained within this Plan.
LU 3
Support and encourage infill housing choices across the city through distribution of new
residential growth in existing neighbourhoods outside of - and in support of - primary
and secondary growth centres and in accordance with the land use designations
contained within this Plan.
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
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LU 4
Outside of primary and secondary growth centres, prioritize higher density proposals in
the vicinity of transit corridors and within the Multi-Residential land use designation.
LU 5
Strongly discourage new growth outside of the primary and secondary growth centres
and infill areas, except where permitted under existing zoning.
LU 6
Co-locate residential, commercial, institutional, and suitable employment-generating land
uses in the Downtown, Town Centres & Urban Corridor, and Neighbourhood Centres.
LU 7
Support small-scale neighbourhood-serving commercial uses such as local cafés,
corner stores, and grocers in every neighbourhood outside of growth centres subject to
rezoning application.
LU 8
Wherever growth is planned or proposed near Environmentally Sensitive Areas, biologist
studies and site specific mitigation proposals will be required to prioritize protection and
restoration of sensitive ecosystems to the fullest extent possible.
Objective 4 Local area planning provides more direction on growth
Policies
LU 9
Conduct Local Area Plans in accordance with Local Area Plan policies contained in Part D
of this Plan.
LU 10 Complete Infill Plans and/or Neighbourhood Plans in the following neighbourhoods
through the annual budget process and by a resolution of Council:
a.
Downtown Vitalization Local Area Plan
b.
Courtenay Air Park Civic Precinct / Cliffe Avenue Urban Corridor
c.
Lower Ryan Road Town Centre
d.
Lake Trail Neighbourhood Centre
e.
McPhee Neighbourhood Centre
LU 11 Rezonings for additional density, new uses or other development are strongly
discouraged before Council adopts a Greenfield Local Area Plan, in accordance with
Local Area Plan policies in Part D, for the Ryan Road and Anderton Road Neighbourhood
Centre or in any Future Growth Area or municipal boundary extension.
LU 12 Consider watershed health objectives in accordance with the City's Integrated Rainwater
Management Plan at the outset of all local area planning processes to ensure land use
and infrastructure policies support improved watershed health.
LU 13 Protect significant views of historical landscapes and/or buildings, or significant features,
including Comox Glacier, Courtenay, Puntledge, and Tsolum Rivers, K'ómoks Estuary, and
Salish Sea.
LU 14 Update the Zoning Bylaw to include Density Benefit Zoning that identifies additional
density permitted over base as-of-right density for specific zones within designated
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B
growth centres, corridors, and local area plans, in exchange for contributions toward
public amenities with a strong emphasis on affordable housing.
Objective 5 Municipal Infrastructure planning and investments align
with the urban framework concept
Policies
LU 15 Coordinate all infrastructure upgrades and system extensions with the growth
management principles and policies established in the OCP using a multiple bottom
line approach that considers lifecycle cost, risk, and climate resilience.
LU 16 Prioritize all infrastructure investment using a multiple bottom line decision-making
approach based generally on the following parameters and priorities:
-
High-growth areas;
-
Public health and safety;
-
Environmental responsibility;
-
Regulatory need;
-
Asset management principles;
-
Economic efficiencies and impact, such as partnerships, project
coordination, and economic spinoffs;
-
Contributing to the community's well-being.
LU 17 The phasing and development of municipal water and sanitary sewer trunk lines and
infrastructure shall generally follow the extent and locations as shown in Map APX-11
Water and Map APX-12 Sanitary Sewer and in accordance with the latest servicing
master plans.
LU 18 Limit community sewer service expansion into Future Growth and Agricultural
designated lands, except where infrastructure is already planned or needed to
address public or environmental health issues and protection of natural assets as
identified by the City or other levels of government.
LU 19 Review servicing master plans and asset management plans periodically (at least
every five years) to align with growth patterns, updated hazard mapping, and climate
adaptation needs.
LU 20 Carefully consider infrastructure capacity constraints and impacts when evaluating
all rezoning applications. Discourage additional uses or densities unless sufficient
capacity exists or necessary capacity can reasonably be provided without imposing
additional burdens on City taxpayers.
LU 21 Municipal servicing is not supported outside of City boundaries. Notwithstanding this
and the above policies, the City will work with K'ómoks First Nation where needed
to extend municipal services to K'ómoks First Nation Indian Reserve lands through
servicing agreements consistent with the OCP and Regional Growth Strategy.
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
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Objective 6 New growth takes place within the existing city boundary
Policies
LU 22 With a priority focus on compact growth, Courtenay will consider strategic boundary
extensions only when they address demonstrable community needs for additional
municipal land, ensuring that the integrity of compact development remains intact.
LU 23 Evaluate the need for strategic boundary extensions that align with or support
City policy objectives and priorities as part of regular five-year OCP review cycles in
alignment with: the Comox Valley Regional District Regional Growth Strategy and City
of Courtenay Official Community Plan growth management policies, the latest Housing
Needs Report, analysis of land uses to support complete community development and
other City of Courtenay priorities.
LU 24 Strategic boundary extension may be considered and supported outside of the regular
five-year OCP review cycle to respond to matters of public health concern related to a
lack of property services, or as a response to adjacent jurisdiction boundary extension
actions or changes in zoning and/or development servicing that is of the intensity as
intended in a municipality.
LU 25 In examining strategic boundary extensions ensure alignment with the following
criteria:
-
Land use needs with a focus on availability of land:
1.
Housing needs as identified in the latest Housing Needs Report;
2.
Employment land;
3.
Institutional land;
4.
Parks and recreation;
-
Logical and orderly land use planning:
6.
Continuity with existing boundary, topography, geotechnical information,
location of existing streams and other environmentally sensitive areas,
watershed boundaries, parks, roads and active transportation corridors;
7.
Availability of land and subdivision potential to support development to meet
Courtenay's OCP vision and complete community land use needs of a
municipality;
-
Existing and future infrastructure:
8.
Identification of any known issues within the existing area, i.e. failing septic
system issues, condition of wells, stormwater;
9.
Condition of existing infrastructure in the area under consideration;
10.
Proximity of existing municipal infrastructure and its capacity and elevation;
11.
Infrastructure needs and timing of installation of municipal services;
12.
Assessment/determination of potential capital works to be undertaken and to
be considered in the future City budgets;
-60-
B
-
Financial, capital and service level planning:
13.
Effect of the change on any existing service areas;
14.
Cost of servicing including any latecomer agreements, DCC's (City and CVRD),
developer contributions to planned infrastructure, servicing costs and
connection fees;
15.
Frontage tax charges, when services are available to the property;
16.
Utility user charges on tax notices only when services are connected;
17.
Detailed servicing costs for potable water, sanitary sewer or storm drainage
referencing to any grants, assist factors;
18.
Method of payment for proposed municipal services:
-
payment in full prior to service connection being provided to property
line; or
-
commuted payment by way of an annual parcel tax type arrangement.
LU 26 Where the criteria in LU 25 have been considered by Council, require a new Local Area
Plan and Engineering Services Plan that outlines a cohesive and financially sustainable
growth framework that aligns with complete community planning principles.
These plans must be adopted within 12 months of boundary extension, but are
recommended to be drafted prior to boundary extension and as part of the materials
produced to inform the boundary extension application to the Provincial Government.
Objective 7 Growth is regionally coordinated through consultation
Policies
LU 27 Support the RGS policies of focusing growth within core settlement areas.
LU 28 Consult cooperatively with Comox Valley Local Governments, K'ómoks First Nation,
Ministry of Transportation and Transit and other provincial agencies, regarding
strategies to regionally manage and service community growth.
LU 29 Work to harmonize the delivery of services and streamline uniform application
procedures with the jurisdictions within the Comox Valley and provincial agencies with
emphasis on the core settlement areas and settlement expansion areas.
LU 30 Seek ways to ensure areas on the urban fringe pay equitably for municipal services
received, including police, recreation, transportation, cultural services, and the
mitigation of environmental challenges, in accordance with the Implementation
policies in the Comox Valley Regional Growth Strategy.
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-61-
GENERAL LAND USE POLICIES
1. Parks, pathways, community gardens, and other recreation uses are permitted in all
land use designations.
2. Community services including childcare facilities are supported in all land use designations
except Agricultural, Light Industrial, and Future Growth.
3. Home occupations of a limited scale are supported in conjunction with all residential uses.
4. Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) exclusion applications will not be supported.
5. Development of lands adjacent to the Agricultural Land Reserve must take best land use
practice into account to promote compatibility along agricultural-urban edges.
6. Industrial uses adjacent to residential lands must take best land use practice into
account to promote compatibility between residential and industrial uses and minimize
negative impacts.
7. Community centres are encouraged within each Neighbourhood and Town Centre in order
to provide better access to community services and amenities at the neighbourhood scale.
8. Panhandle lots are permitted to support intensification subject to zoning regulations and
other technical requirements such as fire prevention and access agreements.
9. Drive-through facilities are not permitted in new commercial land uses.
10. No sand or gravel extraction areas are identified in this Plan.
-62-
B
SPECIFIC LAND USE DESIGNATION POLICIES
The following section provides specific land use descriptions, land use policies, desired built
form, and permitted land uses of each land use designation shown on Map B-1. The Land Use
Designation Map and descriptions of each designation should be read together to identify the
locations of permitted land uses, built form, and specific land use policies.
The following Land Use Designation table provides a summary of the range of land uses that
are included within the Land use Designations, depicted in Map B-1. The Land Use Designations
table is intended to be read and interpreted in conjunction with all goals and policies of this
Plan.
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-63-
Land Use
Designation
Description & Intent
Built Form
Supported Uses **
Target
Density
(UPH) ***
Downtown
The downtown is
intended to function
as the local, city-wide
and regional centre of
cultural, civic, culinary,
economic, and public life
with the widest range of
activities and attraction
for residents and visitors.
-
Ground-
oriented
buildings
-
Low-rise
-
Mid-rise
-
High-rise*
-
Multi-unit residential and mixed use
-
Commercial
-
Institutional & community services
-
Supportive housing
-
Care facility
200+
Town Centre
The two Town Centres
(lower and upper Ryan
Road area) and Urban
Corridor along Cliffe
Avenue are intended
to be primary focus
areas of commercial
and residential densities
outside the downtown.
-
Ground-
oriented
buildings
-
Low-rise
-
Mid-rise
-
High-rise*
-
Multi-unit residential
-
Mixed-use
-
Commercial
-
Institutional & community services
-
Supportive housing
-
Care facility
120-140
Urban Corridor
Neighbourhood
Centre
Smaller-scale mixed-
use areas that include a
diversity of destinations
and housing choices.
-
Ground-
oriented
buildings
-
Low-rise
-
Mid-rise
-
Multi-unit residential
-
Mixed-use
-
Light industrial use in McPhee and
Tin Town Neighbourhood Centres
-
Commercial
-
Community services and amenities
-
Institutional use
-
Supportive housing
-
Small art studios, offices and live-
work studios
-
Care facility
90-100
Multi-Residential
Provision of additional
residential density
in proximity to a mix
of uses and act as
transitional areas
between higher-
activity mixed-use
and commercial areas
and Urban Residential
Neighbourhoods.
-
Ground-
oriented
buildings
-
Low-rise
-
Mid-rise
-
Multi-unit residential
-
Community services
-
Supportive housing
-
Care facility
-
Small-scale neighbourhood-serving
commercial with or without mixed
residential.
90-100
Urban Residential Largely residential
neighbourhoods
comprising ground-
oriented residential
buildings and additional
dwellings on lots with
existing homes and
through the small-
scale redevelopment of
existing properties.
-
Ground-
oriented
buildings
-
Mid-rise
within vicinity
of Frequent
Transit Network
-
Low-rise
-
Single-detached residential
-
Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing
(SSMUH)
-
Mobile homes & mobile home parks
-
Small-scale neighbourhood-serving
commercial uses, including with
residential above the first floor
-
Community services
-
Supportive housing
-
Urban agriculture
50
Table B-1 Land Use Designation
-64-
B
Land Use
Designation
Description & Intent
Built Form
Supported Uses **
Target
Density
(UPH) ***
Service
Commercial
Larger format
commercial uses that fall
outside of Town Centres
and Urban Corridors, as
well as agricultural uses
within the floodplain.
Mixed residential is
supported outside of the
floodplain.
-
Ground-
oriented
buildings
-
Commercial
-
Agricultural
-
Mixed-use
Light Industrial
Mix of light
manufacturing,
processing, warehousing,
and distribution.
-
Ground-
oriented
buildings
-
Low-rise
-
Manufacturing, distribution and
storage
-
Auto-oriented services
-
Accessory retail, office, and
residential
Institutional
Civic and institutional
uses, encompassing
educational facilities,
health-care facilities,
religious institutions,
utilities, and public
agencies with limited
accessory uses.
-
Ground-
oriented
buildings
-
Low-rise
-
Mid-rise
-
High-rise*
-
Institutional
-
Accessory retail, office, and
residential
-
Places of worship
-
Supportive housing
-
Utilities
-
Mixed-use
Parks and
Recreation
Parks, trails, recreation
facilities, and natural
areas with limited
accessory uses.
-
Ground-
oriented
buildings
-
Low-rise
-
Parks and recreation
-
Protected areas
-
Recreational programs and
services facilities
Agricultural
Agricultural lands which
may or may not be within
the Agricultural Land
Reserve (ALR).
-
Ground-
oriented
buildings
-
Agricultural
-
Home based businesses
-
Utilities
-
Limited ground-oriented
residential
Future Growth
Lands within the city
that may be appropriate
for future urban
development.
-
Ground-
oriented
buildings
-
Agriculture
-
Limited ground-oriented
residential
Table B-1 Notes:
* New development proposals over 8 storeys will be considered based on applicable Local Area Plan direction.
** Typical uses shown here represent a general summary and additional requirements and opportunities may apply. Please refer to the detailed policies for each.
*** Target Density represents the average residential in gross Units Per Hectare across new development / redevelopment within each future land use designation
to achieve Courtenay's growth objectives. These land use target densities do not regulate actual densities on individual lots; this is the function of the Zoning Bylaw.
Densities are not intended to be applied to individual parcels on a project-by-project basis as each development will have unique site circumstances.
PART B Managing Growth
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-65-
-66-
B
As a type of Town Centre, the downtown
is intended to function as the local, city-
wide and regional centre of cultural, civic,
culinary, economic, and public life with the
widest range of activities and attraction
for residents and visitors, day and night,
throughout the year. Identified needs in the
downtown are more housing, more space for
special events and gatherings, more access
to and integration with the Tsolum and
Puntledge rivers, and better opportunities to
get to and circulate within the downtown -
particularly by foot, transit, and cycling.
The vision for the downtown was guided by
the 2016 Downtown Playbook: A Partnership
Action Plan but moving forward it will be
guided by the Downtown Vitalization Local
Area Plan (DVLAP) which is being developed
at the time this OCP was adopted
DOWNTOWN
SOLAR PANELS
GROUND FLOOR RETAIL
WITH HOMES ABOVE
PARKING ON STREET AND
OFF OF THE LANEWAY
SOLAR SHADING
GREEN ROOF
URBAN AGRICULTURE AND
RESIDENTIAL AMENITIES
TRAFFIC CALMING
AND RAINGARDENS
ROOFTOP AMENITY
ACCESSIBLE DESIGN
AND REST AREAS
BICYCLE FACILITIES
PLAZA
EV CHARGING
EFFICIENT BUILDING
ENVELOPE
MULTI-STREAM WASTE
RECEPTACLES
ENHANCED STREET
TREE CANOPY
Figure B-2 Artist rendering showing the higher-
density opportunities in the areas south and west of
the commercial heart of downtown. Climate-friendly
design opportunities featured.
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-67-
Map B-3 Downtown Town Centre
17TH ST
GRANT AVE
CUMBERL
AND
RD
URQUHART AVE
2ND ST
8TH ST
MENZIES AVE
STEWART AVE
LEIGHTON AVE
FITZGERALD AVE
6TH ST
CLIFFE AVE
16TH ST
HARMSTON AVE
MCPHEE AVE
3RD ST
4TH ST
KILPATRICK AVE
1
ST ST
15TH ST
3RD ST
14TH ST
FITZGERALD AVE
GRIEVE AVE
8TH ST
5TH ST
LEWIS AVE
PIDCOCK AVE
MAPLE DR
13TH ST
11TH ST
ENGLAND AVE
DOUGLAS PL
DUNCAN AVE
ENGLAND AVE
JOHNSTON AVE
ANDERTON AVE
12TH ST
3RD ST
BECKENSELL AVE
9TH
S
T
PIERCY AVE
RIVERSIDE LANE
GRANT AVE
7TH ST
Harmston
Park
Harmston
Park
Lewis Park
Lewis Park
Simms
Millennium
Park
Simms
Millennium
Park
McPhee
Meadows
McPhee
Meadows
Downtown Town Centre
Pu
nt
ledge Rive
r
C
o
u
rtenay
River
Downtown Core
±
0
80
160
Meters
DowntownTown Centre
Land Use Designation
Property Lines
Parks
City Boundary
Spatial Reference: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 10N
Data Source:
City of Courtenay GIS (local data, 2026)
Published: 2/17/2026
City of Courtenay OCP 2021
Downtown Town Centre
-68-
B
Policies
1.
Continue to support a diverse range of land
uses within the downtown including diversity
of multi-residential housing choices, small-
scale commercial uses, and other supportive
uses to promote the establishment of
a complete community and 10-minute
neighbourhood.
2.
Encourage new government and post-
secondary institutions to locate downtown,
including satellite locations.
3.
Require commercial uses at grade along 4th,
5th, and 6th Streets.
4.
Support uses and activities that encourage
both daytime and nighttime activation.
5.
Protect the historic, small-scale retail
character of the 4th, 5th, and 6th Street
streetscapes through the use of form
and character Development Permit Area
guidelines.
6.
Explore opportunities for the application
of regionally consistent Indigenous design
guidelines.
7.
Ensure compatibility of land uses between
the downtown and adjacent urban
residential neighbourhoods by providing
transitional form, character, and densities.
8.
Improve physical and visual connections
to, along, and across the rivers, integrating
nature and recreation with the downtown.
9.
Protect the views of significant landscapes or
natural features from public vantage points,
including streets and sidewalks, from being
blocked by new development. These include:
Comox Glacier, Courtenay, Puntledge, and
Tsolum Rivers, K'ómoks Estuary, and the
Salish Sea.
10. Consider future use of public lands to
promote community goals including for
affordable housing, community gathering, and
open space.
11. Create more public open spaces with an
emphasis on place making and attention to
the following areas:
a) Ensure more public and semi-public
gathering spaces are incorporated into
new developments.
b) Public plaza strategy to create public
gathering spaces within the downtown.
c) Consideration to the temporary or
permanent closure of streets to support
public life, including but not limited to
Harmston Avenue between 6th and 7th
Streets;
d) Develop a capital and programming plan
for Harmston Park as a neighbourhood
park;
d) Indigenous perspectives and worldviews,
including K'omoks First Nation traditional
use and practices, in the provision of
recreational programming and in the
formation of Harmston Neighbourhood
park types, layouts, features, and purposes.
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-69-
Built Form
-
Low-rise buildings along 5th Street and adjacent
Urban Residential Neighbourhood areas.
-
Mid-rise in other parts of the downtown.
-
High-rise buildings above 8 storeys are subject
to Local Area Plan direction.
-
Minimal or no setbacks along 4th, 5th, and
6th Streets within the downtown core.
-
Community services
-
Institutional
-
Artist live-work studio spaces
-
Emergency shelter
-
Supportive housing
-
Care facility
Supported Uses
-
Multi-unit residential
(with retail on ground level)
-
Mixed use (retail on ground level)
-
Commercial - retail & office
-
Restaurant
-
Craft brewing
-
Regional scale offices
High-rise and mid-rise buildings
Ground-oriented buildings
and low-rise buildings
-70-
B
The two Town Centres (lower Ryan Road
area, and upper Ryan Road area) and Urban
Corridor along Cliffe Avenue (between 11th
Street and Anfield Road), are intended to
be primary focus areas of commercial and
residential densities outside the downtown.
These areas will support a mix of uses that
include a variety of higher-density housing
options as well as regional retail destinations.
Policies
1.
Support a mix of land uses, including commercial
and a diversity of multi-residential housing
options to promote the establishment of a
complete community and 10-minute
neighbourhood.
2.
Encourage commercial uses at grade along Cliffe
Avenue.
3.
Use redevelopment opportunities to transform
vehicle-centric development to pedestrian-priority
urban designs.
4.
High-rise buildings above 8 storeys are subject to
Local Area Plan direction.
TOWN CENTRE &
URBAN CORRIDOR
Figure B-3 Artist rendering looking north along Cliffe Avenue, Urban Corridor land use designation.
Built Form
Low- and Mid-rise buildings
Low-rise buildings adjacent to
Urban Residential Neighbourhoods
High-rise buildings
Supported Uses
-
Multi-unit residential
-
Mixed use
-
Commercial
-
Commercial-big-box
-
Community services
-
Institutional
-
Supportive housing
-
Care facility
-
Emergency shelter
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-71-
GREEN ROOF
HOMES
OPPORTUNITIES FOR FOOD VENDORS
PARKING LOCATED TO THE REAR
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING
URBAN AGRICULTURE
URBAN AGRICULTURE
RAINGARDEN AND TRAFFIC CALMING
COMMERCIAL SERVICES AND AMENITIES
ACCESSIBLE DESIGN AND REST AREAS
CORNER PLAZA
BICYCLE FACILITIES
SOLAR PANELS
ROOFTOP AMENITY
GROUND ORIENTED HOMES
URBAN AGRICULTURE
These areas include smaller-scale mixed-use
areas (than Town Centres) that include a diversity
of destinations and housing choices. These
secondary growth locations include lands along
the E&N railway corridor between Cumberland
Road and 17th Streets, around the Lake Trail
Community School, the Tin Town area, and a new
neighbourhood centre to be planned around the
intersection of Ryan Road and Anderton Road.
Policies
1.
Allow a diversity of multi-residential housing
choices, small-scale commercial uses, and
other supportive uses to promote the
establishment of a complete community
and 10-minute neighbourhood.
NEIGHBOURHOOD
CENTRE
Supported Uses
-
Multi-unit residential and mixed use
-
Light industrial use in McPhee and Tin
Town Neighbourhood Centres
-
Commercial - small-scale
-
Small art studios, offices and live-work
studios
-
Institutional and community services
-
Supportive housing
-
Care facility
-
Emergency shelter
Built Form
Ground-oriented
buildings and low-rise
buildings
Mid-rise buildings
Figure B-4 Artist rendering showing a Neighbourhood Centre. Climate-friendly design opportunities featured.
-72-
B
Neighbourhood Centre Area-Specific
Profiles and Planning Directions
LAKE TRAIL
The Lake Trail neighbourhood today includes
a range of medium density, affordable
housing options within the context of older
suburban lots and some larger rural residential
properties. The Lake Trail Community School
has offered recreational programming
opportunities to the wider community for
over a decade and the Roy Morrison Park
and connections to regional greenways
provide enviable access to nature at the
neighbourhood's doorstep. The Arden and
Morrison Creeks that flow through and near
this centre are also home to a federally listed
endangered fish species. The Morrison Creek
Lamprey is found nowhere else in the world.
The Neighbourhood Centre designation for
these lands is supportive of Courtenay's
long-term growth vision given its existing mix
and density of uses, access to recreational
amenities, and opportunities for further
partnership with the School District to provide
more recreational services in west Courtenay.
Under the direction of the OCP, this area will
continue to support ground oriented, low, and
mid-rise residential densities and mixed uses
in order to create a vibrant neighbourhood
centre along the city's western boundary. This
area is identified as a candidate for a local
area planning process and plan in order to
provide more specific guidance for how this
Neighbourhood Centre should grow including
how best to protect and restore fish habitat
and Environmentally Sensitive Areas.
McPHEE
The Neighbourhood Centre designation for
these lands is supportive of Courtenay's long-
term growth vision given its strategic location
within the heart of west Courtenay. Commercial
and community amenities are within easy
walking and cycling distance and more
residential density could be accommodated
to support transit frequency and use.
Under the direction of the OCP, this area will
undergo a significant land use change from
the predominantly industrial uses of the
past hundred years to a mix of residential,
commercial, and light industrial uses in
the future.
Within these lands, uses that are similar to the
Tin Town 'live-work' options will be available
and encouraged to support a neighbourhood
character that connects historical uses with
future needs. This area is identified as a
candidate for local area planning process and
plan in order to provide more specific guidance
to this centre as the community grows.
TIN TOWN
The Tin Town development was designed in the
1990s as a live-work community with residential
units located above a range of permitted
commercial, office, and light industrial uses.
The adjacent industrial lands reflect the area's
historical location as 'edge of town', an area
characterized by wetlands and numerous
watercourses all connecting to Piercy Creek.
Today, this area of Courtenay is surrounded by
residential developments of a variety of ages,
some quite new, and is immediately adjacent
to an expanding greenway network that will
connect Puntledge River to the Comox Valley
Parkway.
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-73-
Map B-4 West Courtenay Neighbourhood Centres
-74-
B
The Neighbourhood Centre designation for
the industrial and Tin Town lands has been
identified as supportive of Courtenay's long-
term growth vision given its existing mix of
uses and location near recent residential
development.
Within these lands, uses that are similar to
the Tin Town 'live-work' and light industrial
options will be available throughout the
Neighbourhood Centre and encouraged to
support a neighbourhood character that
connects historical uses with future needs,
including ecological restoration of Piercy Creek.
ANDERTON LOCAL PLAN AREA
INCLUDING FUTURE NEIGHBOURHOOD
CENTRE
Map B-5 Ryan Road and Anderton Road
neighbourhood local planning area.
Located at the Ryan Road and Anderton Road
intersection, this Neighbourhood Centre is
an area for future development. These lands
are largely undeveloped, owned by a single
landowner, and present an opportunity for
coordinated and comprehensive local area
planning for this strategic location along
significant regional routes: Comox Airport,
Little River Ferry, and the Canadian Forces
Base in Comox.
A renewed vision for these lands has been
identified as supportive of Courtenay's long-
term urban growth framework concept of the
establishment of a secondary growth centre
surrounded by a mix of housing, generally in
alignment with the existing Comprehensive
Development (CD) Zone (See Page 83 of OCP
for more on the Crown Isle CD Zone).
Rezonings for additional density, new uses or
other development are strongly discouraged
before Council adopts a Local Area Plan within
this area. The local area plan shall be guided
by the following objectives and policies:
Planning Objectives
1. Optimize housing delivery and
diversity- Increase the housing diversity
and density of Crown Isle's previous
single-family focus.
2. Complete neighbourhoods - Shape
the area's growth to support 10-minute
neighbourhoods including sufficient
employment and recreational uses.
3. Transportation modal choice
- Structure land use, density and
transportation systems to enhance
the City's goals of shifting modal share
away from the automobile and reduce
transportation-related greenhouse gas
emissions.
RYAN RD
ATLAS RD
RYAN RD E
PRIDY RD
ANDERTON RD
THURBER RD
LANSON RD
CLIPP
E
R PL
LUPIN DR
TARTAN RD
HAMILTON RD
GRAYLING DR
SETON DR
HEARTHSTONE WAY
AUSTIN RD
BURDYNY RD
CYPRESS RD
GREENWOOD CRES
LANNAN RD
CR
O
W
N I
SLE
DR
C
R
OW
N IS
LE BLV
D
MAJE
ST
I
C D
R
M
AJ
E
S
TI
C
DR
ROYAL VI
STA WAY
KENS
I
N
GTON CR
RYAN RD
Crown
Isle Park
Crown
Isle Park
SCHOOL
DISTRICT NO.
71 COMOX
VALLEY
Ryan Road & Anderton Road
Local Planning Area
±
0
120
240
Meters
Local Planning Area
Property Lines
Parks
School District 71
Watercourses
City Boundary
Spatial Reference: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 10N
Data Source: City of Courtenay GIS
Published: 1/19/2026
City of Courtenay OCP 2021
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-75-
Policies
1.
Prepare a Local Area Plan (LAP) for
undeveloped Crown Isle lands shown
in Map B-5 that is functional and
well-coordinated with other areas of
Courtenay and the region.
2.
Establish a Terms of Reference with the
landowners, approved by Council, in
accordance with OCP policies on Local
Area Plans: Policies for Greenfield Plans
apply specifically as well as policies for
Neighbourhood Plans for the lands
that will form part of the mixed-use
neighbourhood centre. The Terms of
Reference will identify:
a.
Specific Local Area Plan planning
boundaries.
b.
Who will lead and fund the LAP.
c.
Plan process, timeline, and
deliverables.
d.
A comprehensive public and
interest holder communication and
engagement process.
3.
Support land uses and densities that
result in:
a.
A neighbourhood mixed-use
centre located between Anderton
Road and the existing Town Centre
at Ryan Road and Lerwick Road.
b.
Higher densities of housing and
mixed uses adjacent to existing
commercial uses within the Town
Centre and along Ryan Road.
c.
Medium density surrounding
higher density areas as a transition
to surrounding single-residential
areas.
d.
Building heights in accordance
with the Comox Airport Zoning
Regulations, OCP policies and
outcomes of the LAP process.
e.
Guidelines for new development
along the agricultural interface to
the north.
f.
Employment, institutional,
parks and recreation lands
analysis reflecting the area's role in
supporting proportionate needs of
the community.
4.
Support temporary uses such as through
the issuance of Temporary Use Permits,
as part of or preceding the adoption of an
LAP for these lands.
5.
Support the relocation of the current
SD71 school and City of Courtenay park
lands to north of Ryan Rd to be located
nearer to the neighbourhood centre.
6.
Develop a parks, greenways and
recreation plan that provides:
a.
Direction on community facilities.
b.
Direction on number and type of
amenities of neighbourhood and
community parks with a focus on
sufficient community park lands
to support activities that need
larger spaces and a diversity of
programs including passive and
active recreation, children's play
areas and equipment, community
gardens and others.
c.
Direction on trails (location,
connections, and type) that
support access to safe greenways
within a proximate distance of
most homes to support healthy
living, exercise, pet-support, and
socializing, as well as supporting
choices to walk to key destinations
in the neighbourhood.
d.
Tree preservation areas integrated
into the park network to provide
access to a protected urban
forested greenway area along the
north side of Ryan Road.
-76-
B
7.
Develop a multi-modal transportation
network that meets the needs of the new
urban neighbourhoods and integrates
the community into the surrounding
street network.
a.
Provide a structure of roads
within Crown Isle that meet the
requirement for both multi-modal
mobility, as well as a hierarchy of
roads including arterials.
b.
Work with Ministry of
Transportation and Transit to
establish and develop a new
intersection at Ryan Rd and the
future extension of Royal Vista
Way when transportation demand
requires.
c.
Consult with BC Transit and the
Comox Valley Regional District
transit service to explore a transit
network within the LAP area that
provides for safe and convenient
linkages to the rest of the region.
d.
Prioritize pedestrians in the
transportation network, combining
the functionality of parks and
greenways with the street and
sidewalk network to make walking
the highly desirable mode of
mobility in the neighbourhood,
support socializing and
experiencing natural areas as part
of the transportation concept.
e.
Consider permitting Net Zero
Emission Vehicles (NZEVs,
also known as Low Speed or
Neighbourhood Vehicles) in
accordance with Provincial
regulations, on streets in the
portion of lands within vicinity of
the golf course to further minimize
the need for private automobiles.
f.
Determine the specific locations
and sizes of all transportation
system elements, and the
construction terms for the Works
and Services Agreements, through
the subdivision application
process.
8.
Ensure development servicing is of
sufficient capacity and standards
in according with the OCP and in
coordination with the regional service
delivery model.
9.
The LAP shall include clarity of phasing
of infrastructure and parkland
dedications.
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-77-
Multi-residential lands are located between the
Lower Ryan Road Town Centre and surrounding
Urban Residential Neighbourhoods, which
include parts of Back Road, Dingwall Road, and
Headquarters Road. They provide additional
residential density in proximity to a mix of uses
and act as transitional areas between higher-
activity mixed-use and commercial areas and
Urban Residential neighbourhoods.
Policies
1.
Ensure compatibility of adjacent land uses by
providing transitional uses, form, character,
and densities between Urban Residential
Neighbourhoods and Town Centres.
MULTI-RESIDENTIAL
Supported Uses
-
Multi-unit residential
-
Community services
-
Supportive housing
-
Emergency shelter
-
Care facility
-
Small-scale neighbourhood-serving
commercial uses, including with
residential above the first floor
Built Form
Ground-oriented buildings
Low-rise buildings
Mid-rise buildings
-78-
B
ACCESSORY
DWELLING UNIT
URBAN FARMING
SOLAR PANELS
WATER CISTERN
STREET TREES
EV CHARING
ACCESSIBLE
DESIGN
TRAFFIC CALMING /
RAINGARDENS
URBAN
FARMING
REST AREAS
Figure B-5 Artist rendering
showing infill and redevelopment
with climate-friendly features within
an existing neighbourhood.
These neighbourhood areas are largely residential
neighbourhoods comprising mainly of ground-
oriented residential buildings. Infill housing will
be permitted in such areas in the form of Small-
scale Multi-unit Housing (SSMUH). This may take
the form of a secondary suite, duplex, triplex,
townhome, carriage home or laneway home or some
combination of these up to four residential dwelling
units. Small apartments may also be supported within
these areas with mid-rise options along the Frequent
Transit Network, on a case-by-case basis and
subject to rezoning applications. Limited small-scale
commercial services will also be supported on a case-
by-case basis and subject to rezoning applications.
Policies
1.
Support in ill that encourages greater housing
choices, mix, and tenure types.
2.
Support mid-rise apartment buildings within the
vicinity of the Frequent Transit Network.
URBAN RESIDENTIAL
3.
Support limited small-scale, pedestrian-oriented,
neighbourhood-serving commercial uses such as
coffee shops and grocers, subject to rezoning.
4.
Low-rise and mid-rise buildings are subject to
neighbourhood form and character integration
considerations.
5.
Support neighbourhood destinations and
gathering spaces such as parks, plazas, schools,
community facilities
6.
Encourage new development to reflect
existing form and character of the
established heritage neighbourhoods (Old
Orchard, Terminal Addition, 40 Houses)
through the use of intensive residential
Development Permit Area guidelines.
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-79-
Built Form
-
Ground-oriented buildings
-
Low-rise buildings
-
Mid-rise in vicinity of the Frequent
Transit Network
DUPLEX
SECONDARY SUITE
RAINGARDENS
BIODIVERSITY
GARDEN
PERMEABLE
PAVING
URBAN FARMING
ACCESSIBLE DESIGN
SOLAR PANELS
Supported Uses
-
Single-detached residential
-
Small-Scale Multi Unit Housing (SSMUH)
-
Multi-unit residential
-
Mobile homes and mobile home parks
-
Small-scale neighbourhood-serving
commercial uses, including with
residential above the first floor
-
Community services
-
Urban agriculture
-
Supportive housing
-
Care facility
-
Emergency shelter
Figure B-6 Artist rendering showing infill and redevelopment on a residential street with climate-friendly design features.
-80-
B
Urban Residential Area-Specific
Profiles and Planning Directions
OLD ORCHARD HERITAGE NEIGHBOURHOOD
Prior to Courtenay being incorporated, Joseph
McPhee and Reginald Pidcock worked towards
a subdivision of town lots in the area that would
become downtown Courtenay. When lot sales
failed to materialize, McPhee planted an orchard
of 1,000 apple trees to supply produce for his
store near 5th Street. Residential development
eventually materialized, becoming one of the
oldest residential neighbourhoods in Courtenay.
The 'Old Orchard' residential neighbourhood
maintains unique characteristics to this day that
are identified for preservation and enhancement.
Policies
1.
Identify, preserve, and enhance heritage
designs and landscapes.
2.
Retain the neighbourhood building character
as predominantly that of heritage style single-
detached residential homes, following the
neighbourhood-specific Form and Character
Development Permit Area guidelines.
3.
Ensure a suitable interface and transition
between the downtown commercial areas
to traditional residential qualities of the
neighbourhood.
4.
Lot consolidation for the purpose of multi-
residential and/or commercial development
is discouraged, except where zoning permits
or in transition areas adjacent the downtown.
5.
Protect and preserve mature trees.
6.
Explore opportunity to establish new
public park(s) in the Old Orchard Heritage
Neighbourhood in accordance with the Parks
and Recreation Master Plan and Downtown
Vitalization Local Area Plan.
7.
Consider pursuing a formal heritage
conservation area under the Local
Government Act.
TERMINAL ADDITION
HERITAGE NEIGHBOURHOOD
Located on the west side of the E&N railway
track between 1st Street and 5th Street, and
established in 1912, the Terminal Addition
neighbourhood is one of the oldest residential
subdivisions in Courtenay. The name originates
from its proximity to the E&N rail terminus.
Although the train station was located some
distance away from the area, the track
crossed 5th Street to the actual terminus of
the line, where freight, including livestock,
was unloaded. The neighbourhood displays
distinctive heritage character and adds
uniqueness to the history of Courtenay.
Policies
1.
Identify, preserve, and enhance heritage
designs and landscapes.
2.
Retain the neighbourhood building
character as predominantly that of heritage
style single-detached residential homes,
following the neighbourhood-specific Form
and Character Development Permit Area
guidelines.
3.
Protect and preserve mature trees.
4.
Consider pursuing a formal heritage
conservation area under the Local
Government Act.
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-81-
ISLAN
D HW
Y
3RD ST
CUMBERLAND RD
LEWIS AVE
2ND ST
C
O
MO
X RD
8TH ST
2ND ST
STEWART AVE
1
8
TH ST
URQUHART AVE
21ST ST
13TH ST
MENZIES AVE
WILLEMAR AVE
14TH ST
URQUHART AVE
OLD ISLAND HWY
LEIGHTON AVE
FITZGERALD AVE
6TH ST
CLIFFE AVE
16TH ST
PIDCOCK AVE
MCPHEE AVE
HARMSTON AVE
18TH ST
LARSEN RD
GRIEVE AVE
17TH ST
19TH ST
4TH ST
12TH ST
URQUHART AVE
1ST ST
15TH ST
8TH ST
18TH ST
14TH ST
19TH ST
JOSHUA PL
8TH ST
5TH ST
PINE PL
LEWIS AVE
MAPLE DR
KREBS CR
13TH ST
11TH ST
MAR
TIN PL
2
3RD ST
ENGLAND AVE
DUNCAN AVE
JOHNSTON AVE
ANDE
R
T
ON AVE
DOGWOOD DR
2ND ST
T
U
LL AVE
GRANT AVE
GRANT AVE
12TH ST
4TH ST
3RD ST
3RD ST
KILPATRICK AVE
FITZGERALD AVE
ENGLAND AVE
RYAN RD
16TH
ST
R
YAN RD
WOODS AVE
9TH ST
H
WY 19 BYPASS
9TH ST
NOOR
T PL
1
S
T
S
T
C
O
M
OX
R
D
LAKE TRAIL RD
KREBS CR
RIV
ERSIDE LAN
E
MCPHEE AVE
GRANT AVE
HARMSTON AVE
BURGESS RD
7TH ST
CEDAR CR
CUMBERLAN
D
RD
PIERCY AVE
ED
G
ETT
RD
22ND ST
15TH ST
Bill Moore
Park
Bill Moore
Park
Lewis Park
Lewis Park
Simms
Millennium
Park
Simms
Millennium
Park
McPhee
Meadows
McPhee
Meadows
Dogwood
Park
Dogwood
Park
Heritage Neighbourhoods
±
0
150
300
Meters
Heritage Neighbourhoods
Property Lines
Parks
Watercourses
City Boundary
Spatial Reference: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 10N
Data Source: City of Courtenay GIS
Published: 5/20/2022
City of Courtenay OCP 2021
P
un
tle
dge River
C
o
u
rt
enay R
iver
Old Orchard
Neighbourhood
Terminal
Neighbourhood
40 Houses
Neighbourhood
Map B-6 Heritage Neighbourhoods
-82-
B
40 HOUSES HERITAGE NEIGHBOURHOOD
The 40 houses are valued as a group of properties
for their connection to a federal housing program
intended to provide returning veterans of World War
II and their families with affordable and appropriate
housing. This project was a joint Veterans Land Act
and Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation
venture spearheaded by Mayor Harry Simms and
the Courtenay Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.
The houses were awarded to World War II veterans
based on their length of service in Canada and
overseas, intended length of residence, marital
status, and number of dependents.
Historically, their construction reflects a significant
stage in the development of Canadian communities.
The construction of the 40 houses was part of
the postwar response to a massive country-wide
housing shortage created by the impact of the two
World Wars. Similar housing developments were
created across the country with modest homes on
small, uniform lots aligning narrow, curving streets.
The neat, tidy, simple and efficient design of the
houses and the subdivision, and the 40 houses
location "in the woods," reflects social attitudes of
the early 20th century and influenced later housing
styles and suburban development patterns.
Policies
1.
Preserve the existing built-form by
encouraging that any redevelopment of
properties replicates the original small-
scale one-storey housing characteristics,
following the neighbourhood specific Form
and Character Development Permit Area
guidelines.
2.
Consider pursuing a formal heritage
conservation area under the Local
Government Act.
MOBILE HOME PARK RESIDENTIAL
Mobile homes, including mobile home parks,
are permitted in the Urban Residential land
use designation and are subject to Form and
Character Development Permit guidelines.
CROWN ISLE COMPREHENSIVE
DEVELOPMENT
Crown Isle refers to a master planned
community area that has been steadily
developing since the 1990s, when zoning
was designated for an area approximately
3 km2 (nearly 9% of the Courtenay's land
base today). Predominant land uses include
a golf course community with a significant
residential component and commercial
centres. Due to its master planned tailored
zoning (Comprehensive Development (CD)
zones in the Zoning Bylaw), that has been in
place since the 1990s, the land use policy is
to maintain the established uses as described
in the relevant CD Zones, and in accordance
with Bill 44 requirements. As described in the
Neighbourhood Centres land use designation,
a local area planning process is proposed for
the undeveloped lands near the Ryan Road
and Anderton Road intersection and will
provide an opportunity for land uses to be
explored in more detail in that area.
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-83-
.
-
-
Figure B-7 Artist rendering showing
cluster housing forms of development.
This type of development pattern
is encouraged for new residential
developments outside of growth
centres, and particularly in areas with
Environmentally Sensitive Areas.
Figure B-8 Artist rendering showing cluster housing forms of development in more detail.
-
-
-84-
B
These are specific parcels that are currently
zoned for larger format commercial uses,
including big-box stores, and that fall outside
of Town Centres and Urban Corridors. They
allow for the sale to the general public of
goods that may require on-site storage
to support the business' operation. A
number of these lands are located within
the floodplain and are not intended for
residential development.
Policies
1.
Recognize the role of these lands as
'gateways' to or within Courtenay that
must be managed to reflect their high
visual profile, and promote a positive
visual presence.
2.
Use redevelopment opportunities to
transform vehicle-centric development
to pedestrian-priority urban designs.
3.
Require commercial uses at grade
where mixed use is permitted.
Built Form
-
Ground-oriented buildings
Supported Uses
-
Commercial - service and big box
-
Emergency shelter
-
Outdoor sales
-
Agricultural (for lands within
the floodplain)
-
Mixed use commercial and
residential for the lands outside
of the floodplain
Light industrial uses and employment lands
accommodate a mix of light manufacturing,
processing, warehousing, and distribution, and
support the diversification of the city's economy.
Policies
1.
Heavy industrial uses such as sawmills
or outdoor manufacturing facilities are
not supported.
2.
Enable the flexible and appropriate adaptive
use of industrial lands to meet evolving
community needs.
3.
Participate in monitoring at a regional scale
the supply of readily serviced industrial
land with the objective of maintaining
sufficient capacity to meet the needs of the
regional economy.
Built Form
-
Ground-oriented buildings
-
Low-rise buildings
Supported Uses
-
Manufacturing
-
Distribution facilities
-
Enclosed storage
-
Indoor recreation requiring
warehouse-type space
-
Research and development
-
Auto-oriented services
-
Small item sales, service, and repair
-
Accessory retail, office, and residential
-
Fabrication and repair
-
Emergency shelter
SERVICE COMMERCIAL
LIGHT INDUSTRIAL
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-85-
INSTITUTIONAL
These civic and institutional uses encompass educational
facilities, health-care facilities, religious institutions,
utilities, and agencies with limited accessory uses.
Policies
1.
Support integration of civic and institutional uses
within centres and neighbourhoods.
2.
Support limited office, commercial, and residential
uses that are associated with and accessory to
institutional uses.
3.
Enable the flexible and appropriate adaptive use of
institutional lands to meet evolving community needs.
4.
Where land is designated as being within the
provincial Agricultural Land Reserve, any uses
must be permitted under the Agricultural Land
Commission Act, regulations and orders.
5.
High-rise buildings above 8 storeys are subject to
Local Area Plan direction.
Built Form
-
Ground-oriented buildings
-
Low-, medium- and high-rise buildings
Supported Uses
-
Government offices and facilities
-
Schools and post-secondary institutions
-
Health-care facilities
-
Cultural and recreational facilities
-
Community services
-
Places of worship
-
Supportive housing
-
Care facility
-
Accessory commercial and office
-
Accessory residential, including multi-residential
-
Utilities
-
Mixed-use
Parks, trails, recreation facilities, and
natural areas with limited accessory uses.
Policies
1.
Preserve, connect, and enhance access
to natural areas, and open spaces.
2.
Maximize opportunities for indoor
and outdoor recreation programs and
services.
3.
Ensure safe, convenient access to
parks and recreation amenities
through provision of trails and active
transportation options.
4.
Limit other uses that are associated
with and accessory to parks and
recreation uses, as defined in the
Zoning Bylaw.
5.
Create zones in the Zoning Bylaw to
identify and preserve lands for Parks
and Open Space uses.
Built Form
-
Ground-oriented and low-rise buildings
Supported Uses
-
Parks and recreation areas
-
Protected areas
-
Recreational programs and
services facilities
-
Emergency shelter
PARKS AND
RECREATION
-86-
B
Area-Specific Profiles and
Planning Directions
COURTENAY AIR PARK PRECINCT
The Courtenay Air Park is comprised of
public lands, some of which function as
public park, and others that are leased to
the Courtenay Airpark Association who
manage and operate the Courtenay Airpark
aerodrome. The Courtenay Airpark has
more than 50 years of history since the first
plane landed. The Airpark portion of the
lands are used not only as a recreational
airport, but also for medical aircraft, tourism,
associated businesses, and local economic
development purposes.
Surrounded by the rich, natural estuarine
environment, these lands are within the
floodplain and future uses must be carefully
considered. With views of the mountains,
the combined area of the aerodrome
Airpark, public Air Park, and adjacent public
marina and walkway is one of the most
popular recreational destinations for the
residents and visitors of the Comox Valley.
Immediately surrounding the Airpark and
Air Park are a mix of private commercial
and residential uses and re-development
opportunities. A precinct concept is
envisioned in order that the wider area
will continue to be a key destination for
residents and visitors to experience and
enjoy the public amenities and natural
environment, while carefully accommodating
new adjacent development where safe to
do so.
Policies
1. Initiate a process to develop a local
area plan for the precinct in order to
ensure the area continues to be a key
destination for residents and visitors to
experience and enjoy while providing
clarity of land use goals for the publically
owned lands as well as direction to the
development of privately owned lands.
2. Consider opportunities to meet other
recreational uses identified in the Parks
and Recreation Master Plan for West
Courtenay, within this area.
3. Support expanded recreational use of
the marina including rowing facilities.
4. Work with the Airpark Association as well
as the wider public to develop the local
area plan.
5. Any new developments in the vicinity
must meet transport Canada aerodrome
requirements and consider impacts on
traffic, view of the mountains, and trails.
6. Work with the Airpark Association to
assist them in obtaining a Temporary
Use Permit (TUP) in order to address
the current land use regulations on
public land.
7. Secure and maintain recreational water
access and sustain public recreation and
park use of the lands adjacent to the
water.
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-87-
21ST ST
20TH ST
2
6TH ST
MANSFIELD D
R
19TH ST
CLIFFE AVE
RIV
E
R
SIDE
LANE
KILPATRICK AVE
FIT
Z
GERALD PL
FITZGERALD AVE
Courtenay
Marina Park
Courtenay
Marina Park
Crown Land
Crown Land
Fitzgerald
Park
Fitzgerald
Park
Kus-kus-sum
Kus-kus-sum
Courtenay Air Park Precinct
±
0
60
120
Meters
Local Planning Area
Property Lines
Parks
Airpark Association Lease Area
Spatial Reference: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 10N
Data Source: City of Courtenay GIS
Published: 5/24/2022
City of Courtenay OCP 2021
Airpark
Association
Lease Area
Co
urtena
y River
K'ómoks
Estuary
Airpark
Greenway Loop
Airpark with
Rotary Skypark
Map B-7 Courtenay Air Park Precinct Planning boundaries are illustrative and will be established in accordance with the
Local Area Plan policies section of the OCP.
-88-
B
Agricultural lands which may or may not be
within the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR).
Policies
1. Preserve agricultural lands for agricultural
purposes including associated food
processing and distribution.
2. Uses within the Agricultural Land Reserve
are subject to the Agricultural Land
Commission Act (ALCA) and its regulations.
3. Subdivision of ALR parcels is not supported
except in the cases of boundary lot line
adjustments or consolidation applications.
4. For the purposes of subdivision of non-ALR
lands, limit parcel sizes to 4 hectares.
5. Limit size of principal residences in the ALR
through the Zoning Bylaw update.
Built Form
-
Ground-oriented buildings
Supported Uses
-
Agricultural uses including production
facilities
-
Agri-tourism building and facilities,
including accommodation
-
Single-detached residential
-
Secondary suites
-
Detached secondary dwellings
-
Home based businesses
-
Education and research (not schools)
-
Utilities within an existing right of way
Lands within the city that may be appropriate for
future urban development. These lands are not
currently designated for urban development due
to their existing low density, limited transportation
access, limited municipal services, and distance from
growth centres. The suitability for urban development
will have to be examined in more detail in a future
OCP planning cycle.
Policies
1. For the purposes of subdivision, limit lot
sizes to 4 hectares.
2. Future consideration of urban development
within the Future Growth areas will require that
local area plans be first developed to provide a
comprehensive plan for land uses, environmental
protection, and servicing. Rezonings for additional
density, new uses or other development are
strongly discouraged before Council adopts a
Local Area Plan within these areas.
3. In the north east Courtenay Block 71 area, only
support future growth in accordance with existing
Agricultural Land Reserve exclusion permissions.
Built Form
-
Ground-oriented buildings
Supported Uses
-
Single-detached residential dwellings
-
Secondary suites
-
Detached secondary dwellings
-
Agriculture
AGRICULTURAL &
AGRICULTURAL LAND
RESERVE
FUTURE GROWTH
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-89-
Area-Specific Profiles and
Planning Directions
The City of Courtenay has detailed
mapping on the flood hazard faced by
the community and adopted a Flood
Management Plan in 2024 to develop risk
reduction and resilience strategies that
reflect community priorities. That plan
provides detailed information on options
and actions to address flooding risk in a
changing climate and within a regional
context. The OCP provides high level
direction on activities subject to flood risk
over the course of Flood Management Plan
implementation and future updates.
Courtenay is exposed to flood risk from
rising sea levels, increased rainfall, and
increased river flows. The floodplain is
the area that is known to flood during the
combination of high tide and high river
flows. The frequency of flooding, and the
depth of flood waters have been mapped
under various scenarios. Areas within
the floodplain that flood most frequently
and will experience the highest flows
and deepest water are designated as the
floodway.
Areas within the floodplain that will flood
rarely, during the most extreme events
are designated as the flood fringe. The
permitted land uses for the floodway and
flood fringe areas of the floodplain are
different to reduce the damage caused by
flood events. This is one of many actions to
reduce flood risk. A description of all flood
risk reduction measures is provided in the
Flood Management Plan.
FLOODPLAIN
-90-
B
Map B-8 Floodplain areas
Cliffe Avenue
17th Street
26th Street
Fraser Road
11th Street
McPhee Avenue
stone Road
Riverside Lane
Christie Parkway
Harbourview Boulevard
Anfield Road
Kilpatrick Avenue
K'ómoks First
Nation Reserve
K'ómoks First
Nation Reserve
Vantor
Courtenay River
Floodplain
±
0
0.5
1
Kilometers
Spatial Reference: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 10N
Data Source: City of Courtenay GIS
Published: 2/5/2026
City of Courtenay OCP Update
Courtenay_Boundary
Floodway
Flood Fringe
KFN IR
K'ómoks Estuary
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-91-
The shoreline is part of the floodplain and
includes the surface waters, extending from
the present natural boundary to the extent
of the City's jurisdiction. This includes
an approximate 3 kilometre stretch of
shoreline along the K'ómoks Estuary as
well as both sides of the Courtenay River
and all other shorelines within the City of
Courtenay's boundaries.
Development within these vulnerable
areas represent regionally important urban
centres with significant public and private
property investment and transportation
connectivity.
Planning Objective
-
Minimize the risk to people and
property from natural hazards.
-
Encourage safety in construction,
location and the manner of new
construction in flood prone areas.
-
Ensure new development does
not increase natural hazards and
mitigates risks for surrounding
properties.
-
Minimize the potential for damage
to public infrastructure, facilities, and
utilities.
-
Ensure lands are safe for the
intended use.
-
Preserve the natural environment
and ecological functions of
floodplains.
-
Increase awareness of natural
hazard areas, such as designated
floodplain areas and the implications
of such a designation.
Policies
1. Permitted land uses will differ between
floodway and flood fringe areas to
minimize risk. Where development
occurs, design must meet flood
construction standards, allow safe
evacuation during flood events, and
incorporate adaptive measures for long-
term resilience.
a. Within the floodway, recreational,
parks and natural spaces, and
agricultural land uses are the most
appropriate uses. Residential uses
are not supported in the floodway.
b. Within the flood fringe, commercial,
recreational, parks and natural
spaces and agricultural land uses
are the most appropriate land uses.
c. Where development is presently
located or permitted within
floodplain or flood fringe, future
development in such areas shall
meet the current flood construction
standards and all other associated
requirements.
4. Regularly review and ensure all
floodplain related policies and
regulations are up to date.
5. Support parks and recreational uses that
are designed with flooding in mind.
6. Respect foreshore sediment and flow
processes through the prevention of
hard shoreline development solutions,
and using green approaches that
mimic ecosystem functions for erosion
protection.
-92-
B
7. Limit activities along the shoreline to
environmental protection and recreation
including limited marina access.
8. Create zones in the Zoning Bylaw to
formalize shoreline uses and setbacks to
include limited public marinas and boat
launches, with an emphasis on prioritizing
environmental protection and passive
recreation.
9. Implement the Flood Management Plan in
order to minimize the safety risk, property
damage, and environmental impacts
associated with a flood event.
-93-
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
1. Policy Foundations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
a. Understanding Quality of Life. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
b. Understanding Courtenay's Low-Carbon Approach . . . . 95
c. Understanding Affordability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
2. Thematic Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
a. Streets and Transportation..............................................101
b. Buildings and Landscape..................................................113
c. Housing...............................................................................121
d. Natural Environment........................................................130
e. Parks and Recreation........................................................140
f. Municipal Infrastructure...................................................150
g. Social Infrastructure..........................................................158
h. Arts, Culture, and Heritage...............................................165
i. Food Systems.....................................................................173
j. Local Economy...................................................................182
Dozens of policies on a range of community topics are presented in Part C
in order to support the OCP vision of a high quality of life with a low-carbon
footprint for all. Three policy foundations are presented here to provide
context and understanding on the policy connections in the following
chapters: quality of life, a low-carbon approach, and affordability.
PART C
THEMATIC
POLICIES
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Quality of life is influenced by a broad range of
personal, social, economic, and environmental
conditions in which we grow, live, work, and age.
It is defined as the standard of health, comfort,
and happiness experienced by an individual
or group.
To understand the connection to and between
policies that Courtenay can enact to support
a high quality of life for everyone, the social
determinants of health framework is presented
here (Figure C-1).
POLICY FOUNDATION:
UNDERSTANDING QUALITY OF LIFE
Social determinants of health are the
non-medical factors that influence individual
and collective health outcomes and research
suggests that they are collectively essential to
one's health, and by extension their quality
of life.
The OCP has direct and indirect influence
on a number of these factors that affect
one's quality of life. For example, the OCP
directs policy on: Courtenay's transportation
network to support active lifestyles, choice and
affordability; supports the creation of sufficient
and affordable housing; includes land uses to
support employment opportunities, a vibrant
economy, and public spaces to promote social
connections; promotes accessibility to municipal
services; and safeguards a healthy environment.
This systems-based approach to understanding
individual and community health and quality
of life was used in developing the full suite of
policies throughout the OCP. This ensures that
policy proposals deliver on multiple outcomes.
Figure C-1 The social determinants of health (presented here) have a strong influence on quality of life.
EDUCATION
TRANSPORTATION
ACCESSIBILITY
CHILDHOOD
EXPERIENCES
INCOME &
SOCIAL STATUS
EMPLOYMENT
FOOD & SECURITY
CONNECTION TO LAND
HOUSING
SOCIAL SUPPORTS
& CONNECTIONS
DIVERSITY
& INCLUSION
QUALITY
OF LIFE
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PART C Thematic Policies
High-quality of life for the entire community
must be achieved with a shrinking - and
eventually eliminated - carbon footprint by
2050. Cities are estimated to be responsible
Green House Gas (GHG) emissions,
underscoring the critical role that local
governments and their communities play in
directly controlling or influencing emissions.
Municipal actions can meaningfully address
emissions associated with energy use in
buildings, transportation systems, and
infrastructure, as well as emissions from solid
waste management and wastewater treatment.
Transportation accounts for the majority of
Courtenay's emissions, and is thus the area in
which most change must occur. As explored
throughout Part B, land use and urban form
play a vital role in reducing transportation-
related emissions. Buildings are the second
greatest source of emissions, followed by waste
management practices.
The OCP includes policies that were
intentionally developed to address Courtenay's
total community energy use and greenhouse
gas (GHG) emissions, and to support the
achievement of a net-zero GHG target by 2050.
Courtenay's emissions profile and modelling
of projected GHG emissions associated
with growth were previously developed and
presented as part of the 2022 OCP. While
updated, detailed emissions modelling was
not within the scope of the 2026 OCP update,
the underlying policy directions remain valid
and aligned with established decarbonisation
pathways. For the purposes of the 2026
POLICY FOUNDATION:
UNDERSTANDING COURTENAY'S
LOW-CARBON APPROACH
update, emissions information is therefore
presented as a snapshot in time. The City of
Courtenay continues to work with the Comox
Valley Regional District to regularly update
community emissions inventories, which will be
used to monitor progress toward the long-term
target of net-zero GHG emissions by 2050.
Why the modelling only
tells part of the story
Methods to evaluate community-wide energy and
emissions only tells part of Courtenay's emissions
story as it does not include the embodied energy
of some 'climate solutions' such as electric
vehicles, the emissions associated with the wider
consumption patterns (beyond energy) that
occurs within Courtenay's boundaries, or as a
result of all activities by its citizens. In the pursuit of
a truly net-zero emissions community, Courtenay
should strive to reduce GHGs beyond what is
measured in this OCP.
At the time of the writing of this Plan, methods
to measure the embodied energy of actions and
technologies and consumption behaviours within
communities are being developed as community
planning tools. These analyses are expected to
become more common in evaluating community-
wide climate action opportunities over time and
offer an opportunity for Courtenay to continue
to understand, account for, and take action on
emissions in future OCP updates. In identifying
larger GHG footprints than currently accounted
for, these analyses likely will also identify that net-
zero community wide emissions are harder to
achieve as we account for more GHG sources in
our daily lives.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Analogous to the multiple "R's" of waste
management--Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose,
and Recycle--which prioritize preventing waste at
its source, the most effective approach to reducing
carbon emissions is to limit energy demand through
deliberate, upstream decision-making. This energy
hierarchy emphasizes the following sequence of
actions:
1. First, avoid or reduce energy demand as
much as possible,
2. Second, improve energy efficiency, and
3. Third, switch energy supplies to low-carbon
sources.
This approach prioritises reducing energy demand
by avoiding energy-intensive activities and adopting
conservation measures wherever possible.
Examples include reducing waste generation,
thereby limiting the energy required for its
collection and processing, and replacing single-
occupancy vehicle trips with carpooling, walking,
cycling, or public transit. These benefits apply even
in systems with widespread recycling or vehicle
electrification, as waste management and the
production of electric vehicles remain energy- and
resource-intensive, and electric vehicles are not
universally affordable or equitable.
The next priority is to improve the efficiency of
energy-using systems, such as through high-
performance building retrofits or upgrades to
municipal infrastructure. The final step is to supply
remaining energy demand with low-carbon and
renewable sources, including heat pumps and
electric vehicles. This sequencing is essential: by
reducing energy demand first, the scale of efficiency
upgrades and renewable energy infrastructure
required is minimised, while also delivering co-
benefits such as reduced material use, lower costs,
and protection of natural resources.
The energy hierarchy provides a structured
framework for intentional design and
decision-making in carbon reduction. While
it establishes a clear order of priority, the
practical application of this hierarchy may
vary depending on context and constraints.
For existing buildings heated by gas or oil,
switching to low-carbon heating systems can
represent the most immediate and effective
opportunity to reduce emissions, even where
comprehensive building envelope retrofits
are not yet feasible. Nonetheless, measures
to reduce demand and improve efficiency
remain essential over the longer term, as they
reduce operating costs, enhance building
performance, and limit the scale of low-
carbon energy infrastructure required.
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PART C Thematic Policies
REDUCING MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT CORPORATION EMISSIONS
The City of Courtenay as a corporate entity has been a signatory to the BC Climate Action
Charter since 2007. Most communities in BC have signed this Charter which stipulates that
signatory local governments agree to develop strategies and take action to reduce emissions
within municipal operations and community-wide, including committing to creating a complete,
compact, and more energy efficient community. Subsequently, the City adopted a Corporate
Climate Action Strategy in 2009 which identified actions the City could take to reduce GHG
emissions from the delivery of municipal services. Since 2009, the City of Courtenay has
integrated a number of the original recommendations into their operations. The City is working
on an update to the Climate Action Plan to meet the latest greenhouse gas reduction targets,
and address climate risks that are most likely to impact the community.
Key actions will include:
1. Replacement of conventional fleet vehicles with electric fleet vehicles as outlined in
the Zero Emission Vehicle Fleet Transition Plan.
2. Building upgrades and retrofits to reduce facility emissions as outlined in the
Corporate Facility Energy Management Plan.
3. Update the Climate Action Plan to include measures to adapt to a changing climate,
and manage expected climate risks.
4. Develop detailed metrics to track the implementation of climate action at the City of
Courtenay.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
POLICY FOUNDATION:
UNDERSTANDING AFFORDABILITY
As a public service entity, the City's affordability
objectives are broad and long range. The City of
Courtenay is financially prudent when planning
municipal services for residents and businesses,
as part of supporting lower household costs.
A key assumption of the OCP is that effective
climate action will ensure the safety, wellbeing
and prosperity of the community. The City seeks
to prevent costs related to flooding, wildlfires,
droughts and related food shortages. By building
resilience and taking climate action today, the City
can continue to support a high quality of life into
the future. A holistic definition of sustainability is
embraced throughout the OCP, recognizing that
the ability for present and future generations
to meet their economic and social needs within
healthy and sustainable ecological systems must
be achieved by positively reinforcing economic,
social, and ecological systems rather than putting
them in conflict with one another.
Key affordability factors that are embedded
within the policies of the OCP include:
Cost of municipal services: Municipal asset
management studies show that compact and
focused forms of community growth are less
costly in the long run because costs for municipal
services can be shared among a greater number
of users. This has a direct impact on property
taxes, the dominant source of municipal revenue.
Cost of housing: The City of Courtenay's 2024
Housing Needs Report shows that unaffordability
remains the largest contributor to Core Housing
Need, with the gap between income purchasing
power and actual house prices widening.
There is a higher prevalence of households
experiencing Core Housing Need among
renters, single individuals, lone parents,
Indigenous households, refugees, and
transgender or non-binary persons. Meeting
the demand for a range of affordable housing
options is crucial. The primary strategy to
increase housing affordability is to support
increases in supply by allowing more units
throughout the entire city, with highest
densities being focused into targeted growth
centres. The addition of small-scale multi-unit
housing zoning intends to increase the units
permitted and being delivered.
Cost of transportation: Personal vehicle
ownership is the second-greatest household
cost for most Canadians after housing.
Options that reduce dependence on a
personal vehicle can significantly lower
household costs. More compact and focused
community growth and development can
make more transportation options viable
such as convenient transit services, cycling,
and walking. In addition, roads, parking,
and bridges that prioritize vehicles is more
expensive for a local government to provide
per trip than walking, cycling, and transit
infrastructure.
Cost of energy: The cost of fossil fuels such
as natural gas, diesel, and gasoline tends
to rise and fall over time and is influenced
by global markets, supply disruptions, and
changes in demand. In Canada, people have
experienced periods where fuel and heating
costs are noticeably higher than in the past,
especially during times of economic change
or global instability. Because energy prices
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PART C Thematic Policies
can be unpredictable and sometimes increase,
operating costs can be reduced by encouraging
compact, walkable communities that make it
easier to get around without a car, along with
buildings that use energy more efficiently.
Costs of externalities: Full cost accounting is
an important policy goal of the OCP to consider
costs more holistically. This means that external
costs associated with climate change, impacts,
air pollution, motor vehicle collisions, and other
health and sustainability impacts are factored
into the policies and in the future will be better
accounted for in decision-making.
Full cost accounting also recognizes the role
that municipal natural assets play in providing
'free' services to a community (such as flood
control, rainwater management, and cooling
urban environments). Another example is
considering the costs of other public agencies
funded by the single 'tax payer'. For instance,
the City could work with Island Health and
School District 71 on specific mandates and
budgets where there are mutual benefits and
efficiencies. Using active transportation as an
example, school districts wish to see kids come
to school with some exercise, and reduce
bussing costs and safety concerns in the
parking lot drop off and pickup. Island Health
supports increasing physical activity in our
daily lives to address emerging chronic public
health concerns that dominate public health
challenges today outside of the COVID-19
pandemic.
Costs of inaction: Studies show that the
cost of not reducing carbon emissions and
adapting to climate change will be much
more costly than taking action. This including
intergenerational costs that will be deferred to
future generations.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Development standard
New City standard
City work plan action
Routine City activity
Opportunity action
Partnership action
Advocacy
POLICY IMPLEMENTATION CATEGORIES
The City will wear many hats in the implementation of this OCP, ranging from regulator and
service provider, to partner and advocate. The implementation categories assigned to the
various policies are as follows:
Policy directing a requirement or opportunity of new development
proposals
Policy directing how or what municipal infrastructure, services, or
programs will be delivered, often to a new standard
Policy identifying the need to incorporate this action into the City's
staff and work planning in order to be accomplished
Policy directing new perspectives or processes into existing and
routine City activities
Policy identifying the City's position should such an opportunity
present itself to advance the policy
Policy identifying the need and willingness of the City to work in
partnership
Policy directing the City to advocate to other jurisdictions on the
identified topic
HOW THE THEMATIC POLICY CHAPTERS ARE ORGANIZED
Each policy chapter includes:
-
a list of objectives to provide an
overview of what Courtenay intends to
achieve within that policy theme.
-
a summary of that theme in Courtenay
today and a discussion of how the OCP
can meet stated OCP directions, vision,
and goals through the featured theme.
-
a number of policies to inform City of
Courtenay decisions.
-
implementation categories assigned
to each policy to help navigate
implementation expectations.
Where greenhouse gas emissions modelling
has been conducted for a policy chapter,
information on the GHG reduction opportunity
is also included.
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PART C Thematic Policies
Other policy chapters also influence the streets and transportation system. For example,
connecting the transportation and the greenways system to better support active mobility
is described in the Parks and Recreation chapter, reducing impervious surfaces to support
watershed health is described in Natural Environment chapter, and form and character design
objectives for streetscapes are described in the Development Permit designations in Part D.
OBJECTIVES
1.
The existing road and transportation network is optimized and vehicular
congestion is reduced through Transportation Demand Management
measures that shift the modal split to 30% of trips are by walking, cycling
and transit by 2030 and 60% by 2050
2.
The City works in partnership with other authorities responsible for local
and regional multi-modal transportation services to attain modal split
targets and support a safe and efficient transportation system
3.
Street standards are designed for safety and accessibility for all users
with attention to comfort at the pedestrian scale
4.
Excess existing road space is repurposed to support public life, active
travel, and green infrastructure
5.
Zero emissions, electrified transportation is supported and increasingly
the norm
6.
The amount of land dedicated to parking is minimized
7.
Parking standards reflect electric vehicle and cycling needs
8.
New development integrates multi-modal transportation network
planning into site design
9.
Educational programs to support transit use, walking, cycling, and car
sharing are widely available
10.
The City shows corporate leadership in the City's fleet and on City properties
STREETS AND TRANSPORTATION
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Much of Courtenay's development patterns
are 'car centric', built with the assumption
that most people will have access to a
private vehicle. The street network consists
of major corridors providing connections
through the City and region, as well as
residential streets supporting access to
neighbourhoods. The network is defined by
the two bridge crossings at 5th Street and
17th Street, both of which are key sources
of congestion and delay.
Many neighbourhood streets are wide, with
discontinuous streets and cul-de-sacs. Many
of the most major corridors - Ryan Road,
Cliffe Avenue, Highway 19a - are under
the Ministry of Transportation & Transit's
(MOTT) jurisdiction who play an important
role both locally and connecting Courtenay
to neighbouring communities.
Not surprisingly, the majority of residents
rely on their car, with nearly 85% of all
commuter trips being made by private
COURTENAY
TODAY
vehicle and fewer than 15% by sustainable
modes (walking, cycling, and public transit).
And while electric vehicles have increased
in popularity in recent years, transportation
continues to account for a significant
portion of Courtenay's emissions.
Despite recent provincial, regional and City
investments in walking, cycling, and transit,
these options often feel like an afterthought
for residents who have convenient access to
a car:
-
The sidewalk network has several gaps
and the lack of safe crossings on some
major roads can be challenging and
inconvenient for pedestrians.
-
The cycling network has significant
gaps in connectivity and poses safety
concerns for cyclists in many locations.
-
The land use, population size and
growth realities of a small urban
community within a rural regional district
pose challenges to transit viability.
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PART C Thematic Policies
Prioritizing investment in walking, wheeling,
cycling, and transit modes of transportation
- and integrating them with land use and
urban form - are incremental but important
actions to realizing the vision of a low carbon
transportation system with more choice.
Prioritizing these sustainable modes
of transportation will mean Courtenay
increasingly becomes a city that is best
experienced at the pace and scale of a person
travelling on their own power, especially
for shorter trips. Ensuring streets are more
'complete' for all mobility options and users
in turn supports street life, community
character, active living, health, neighbourliness,
investment in street green infrastructure, and
economic vitality for businesses relying on foot
traffic and tourism.
It also equitably influences mobility, as more
affordable transportation choices will allow
greater access to and within Courtenay for
all residents, not just those who have a car.
Children and youth will have seamless and
safe walking, cycling, and transit connections
MEETING OUR GOALS THROUGH
STREETS AND TRANSPORTATION
Figure C-2 Modelling results conducted in 2022 of anticipated energy that would be
used in the transportation sector under full OCP implementation, for years 2016-2050.
to schools, thus supporting active travel habits
from a young age. And regardless of physical ability,
convenient transportation options will be available.
Better supporting sustainable modes of
transportation reduces the amount of energy
used in the transportation system, reduces
congestion on the existing road system and
supports improved safety for all road users.
And while vehicles of all types will increasingly
become electric with lowered GHGs, single
occupancy electric cars should form only part
of Courtenay's transportation system of the
future. Vehicles still require energy to operate
and have large embodied energy and carbon
footprints, are not financially attainable by all
residents, and contribute to a number of negative
externalities associated with vehicle-centric
community planning such as extensive road
networks, traffic congestion and safety, sedentary
lifestyles, and high household transportation
expenses. As the City makes the transition to
the goal of functional transportation choices,
there will still be a place for single occupancy
cars but they will be one option among many.
2022 OCP MODELING
ASSUMPTIONS
Energy and GHG emissions
modelling conducted in the
creation of the 2022 OCP
shows that transportation-
related energy use can
significantly decrease and
use more energy from the
lower carbon electricity
grid if 30% of all trips are
made by walking, cycling,
and transit in 2030 and
60% of all trips by 2050.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
ST 1
Defer major vehicle transportation-related infrastructure investments through land use,
investment in non-automobile modes, and managing existing infrastructure.
ST 2
Ensure municipal transportation-related spending aligns with low-carbon and active
transportation objectives.
ST 3
Ensure new or enhanced walking, cycling, and transit infrastructure opportunities are
considered whenever undertaking road upgrades and Strategic Transportation, Cycling, and
Transit Future Plans.
ST 4
Explore innovations in price-signaling and financing practices, such as paid parking,
transportation utility fees or user pay systems, to better account for the public costs of
personal vehicular transportation, particularly wherever such opportunities are presented
through partnerships, granting opportunities, or other investments in innovation.
ST 5
Support effective goods movement and emergency response through designation, design and
protection of routes.
Policies
Objective 1 The existing road and transportation network is
optimized and vehicular congestion is reduced through
Transportation Demand Management measures that
shift the modal split to 30% of trips are by walking,
cycling and transit by 2030 and 60% by 2050
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PART C Thematic Policies
ST 6
Require pro-active traffic management planning to minimize impacts on traffic during
major infrastructure projects. Use representative baseline information to understand
impact and educational programs to encourage the shift to multi-modal options where
available.
ST 7
Review transportation policies as new mobility technologies emerge.
ST 8
Implement the Transportation Master Plan and Cycling Network Plan, and amendments
thereto, with high priority allocated to actions that promote improving efficiency of the
existing road network, walking, cycling, transit, shared use and accessibility including,
but not limited to:
a.
Filling in the gaps in the pedestrian network, particularly along the Frequent
Transit Network, within the Town and Neighbourhood Centres, around
schools, community centres, seniors housing and along major roads;
b.
Developing the spine of the cycling network, connecting existing
infrastructure, and focusing on easily achievable successes in
neighbourhoods such as around schools;
c.
Enhancing accessibility features and transit passenger amenities at bus
stops with priority given to along the Frequent Transit Network, within the
Town and Neighbourhood Centres, around schools, community centres, and
seniors housing;
d.
Improving functionality for cycling and transit priority at identified key
intersections;
e.
Prioritizing cycling intersection treatments;
f.
Coordinating with regional partners to advance public education and
information sharing to support active travel and transit use; and
g.
Prioritizing safety and operational improvements that improve road safety
and efficiency for all users.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Objective 2 The City works in partnership with other authorities responsible
for local and regional multi-modal transportation services to
attain modal split targets and support a safe and efficient
transportation system.
ST 9
Support and participate in a regional approach with other regional authorities, to multi-modal
transportation planning, delivery of infrastructure and services in accordance with this Plan.
ST 10
Collaborate with Ministry of Transportation and Transit to support coordinated land use
planning, capital planning and multi-modal improvements on provincial corridors; explore
transfer of jurisdiction where demonstrated to better support local objectives.
ST 11
Continue to work with the Comox Valley Regional District and BC Transit on implementation of
the Transit Future Plan, including:
a.
Implementation of the Comox Valley Frequent Transit Corridor;
b.
Improving capital planning and development application referral and coordination
with all authorities who have jurisdiction over the transit system and associated
road network to ensure that opportunities to seek road dedication for necessary
improvements and amenities such as bus shelters are routinely part of the
development approval and capital planning process.
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PART C Thematic Policies
Objective 3 Street standards are designed for safety and
accessibility for all users with attention to
comfort at the pedestrian scale
Objective 4 Excess existing road space is repurposed to
support public life, active travel, and green
infrastructure
ST 16
Supplement public amenity spaces within road rights of way in Town, and Neighbourhood
Centres by providing more places for people to gather including, but not limited to:
a.
Creating urban plazas and activation at street intersections and mid-block
connections;
b.
Establishing pedestrian-only streets either permanently or during certain times
of the year and/or certain times of the day;
c.
Undertaking laneway improvements that transform them into multi-functional
public spaces and pedestrian linkages; and
d.
Supporting restaurant patios, pop-up parks, and parklet initiatives.
ST 17
Implement traffic calming measures in accordance with the City's Traffic Calming Guide.
Policies
ST 12
Monitor the Island Corridor Foundation planning process and support corridor transportation
options as an integrated part of the City's mobility network.
ST 13
Support car and bike sharing programs and services by working in partnership with other
jurisdictions, public organizations, business and community partners to sustain such
services.
ST 14
Work with the Province on removing barriers to micromobility devices such as personal
electric scooters. Review and update relevant municipal traffic bylaws upon any new
legislative authorities that support micromobility devices.
ST 15
Continue to implement the Safe and Active School Program with School District 71 to
identify strategic locations for active transportation improvements and promote active
transportation.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Objective 5 Zero emissions, electrified transportation is
supported and increasingly the norm
ST 19
Create an electric vehicle (EV) public charging network plan to ensure that public
electric vehicle (including electric bike) charging and parking facilities are conveniently
distributed throughout the city, establish common design guidelines, set standardized
usage regulations and fees, and are coordinated across public and private properties
such as large commercial properties, gas stations, within Town and Neighbourhood
Centres. Work with the Comox Valley local governments, BC Hydro, and the business
community to plan and install Level 3 Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) stations in
strategic locations.
ST 20
Establish and/or promote incentive programs including rebates, bulk purchasing
and financing mechanisms to install EV charging stations in existing single residential
dwellings and multi-residences as well as commercial properties located within new
Town and Neighbourhood Centres. Do this in partnership with and in relation to
others developing such programs to cover gaps and maximize uptake.
ST 21
Establish and promote incentive programs to support uptake of electric bike
ownership in partnership and in relation to others developing such programs to cover
gaps and maximize rebate uptake.
ST 22
Respond to emerging zero emissions technologies such as electric vehicles, hydrogen
fuel and hydrogen vehicles, once the technology is established and widely used. This
may include hydrogen producing storage and fueling facilities.
Policies
ST 18
Amend the Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw to incorporate wherever feasible the
BC Active Transportation Design Guide recommendations including, but not limited to:
a.
Enhanced cycling lane standards that incorporate protected facilities on key
segments of the network as identified in the Cycling Network Plan;
b.
Increased sidewalk widths including opportunities for green infrastructure such
as rain gardens and street trees;
c.
Multi-use pathway widths and separation distances from roads;
d.
Furnishing zone recommendations including furnishing zone widths between
2 and 5 metres depending on road classification;
e.
Design speeds and posted speeds with consideration given to 50 km/h for arterials,
40 km/h for collectors, 30 km/h for local roads, and 15 km/h for lanes; and
f.
Universal accessibility features such as curb ramp widths and tactile
attention indicators.
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PART C Thematic Policies
Objective 6 The amount of land dedicated to parking is minimized
Objective 7 Parking standards reflect electric vehicle and cycling
needs
ST 23
Complete a comprehensive parking management review to optimize use and management of
available parking. Consider curbside management practices, on-street parking restrictions, priced
parking feasibility, and updated off-street parking requirements in coordination with the Zoning
Bylaw. Coordinate with exploring opportunities for active transportation, green infrastructure, and
place-making features within the road Right of Way.
ST 24
Amend off-street parking requirements in the Zoning Bylaw to consider:
a.
Vehicle parking maximums that reflect modal split targets;
b.
Reduced vehicle parking supply requirements, including no parking requirements in
some areas;
c.
Vehicular parking spaces be equipped with energized outlets, with a percentage being
capable of providing Level 2 charging (208/204V);
d.
Bike parking supply and quality requirements to reflect modal split targets such as:
Short- and long-term bicycle parking including for non-standard bikes (e.g. cargo,
trailers), electric bike infrastructure and security measures;
e.
Cycling end-of-trip facility requirements;
f.
Car share parking options and Transportation Demand Management measures in lieu of
dedicated personal vehicular parking stalls;
g.
Mobility scooter storage in select uses;
h.
Loading requirements to support meal delivery and online commerce; and
i.
Cash-in-lieu options.
ST 25
Develop a strategy to increase bike parking throughout Courtenay.
Policies
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Objective 8 New development integrates multi-modal
transportation network planning into site design
ST 26
Require that all internal road and multi-modal networks are identified and provided as part of
rezoning, subdivision, and development permit applications.
ST 27
Ensure transportation network opportunities maximize pedestrian, cycling and transit connections
in order to provide shortest active travel and transit routes to key destinations. This includes, but
is not limited to, designing for mid block pedestrian and cycling connections in areas with low
pedestrian and cycling connectivity, and securing public access for pedestrian and cycling use
through strata developments (such as through Statutory Rights of Way and Covenants), wherever
such opportunities are part of the active travel transportation network.
ST 28
Develop guidelines to inform landowner responsibilities and minimum standards when considering
a public access for active transportation use through private property.
ST 29
Multi-use pathways within developments may be required to be designated as "highway" instead
of linear parks to reflect their role in the wider Courtenay and regional multi-modal transportation
system. Such lands shall not form part of the 5% park dedication (where required), except where
the multi-modal network is located within a significant green space that offers park values.
ST 30
When updating the Transportation Plan, add multi-use pathways of significance to the Road
Network Map APX-3 - (Appendix 2 Maps) to support interpretation of ST 29.
ST 31
Review the applicability of the new provincial expanded works and services authorities and
transportation demand management authorities enabled by Bill 16 in coordination with the update
to the Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw.
Policies
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PART C Thematic Policies
Objective 9 Educational programs to support transit use, walking,
cycling, and car sharing are widely available
ST 32
Support safe cycling training and transit use programs provided by other jurisdictions and
the non-profit sector.
ST 33
Support programs that educate drivers and cyclists on how to share the road.
Policies
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Objective 10 The City shows corporate leadership in
the City's fleet and on City properties
ST 34
Demonstrate leadership on public properties and with the municipal fleet by:
a.
Continuing to implement a green procurement policy;
b.
Ensuring vehicles are replaced with non-GHG emitting versions by 2030
within the City's fleet asset management planning wherever practicable;
c.
Using electric bicycles wherever operationally practicable; and
d.
Installing electric bike parking and electric vehicle Level 2 and 3 charging
stations at strategically located municipally owned properties.
Policies
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PART C Thematic Policies
OBJECTIVES
1.
Existing buildings are upgraded for high energy and water efficiency,
net-zero emissions, and renewable energy production
2.
New buildings are highly energy and water efficient, perform at net-
zero emissions standard and produce renewable energy
3.
Living landscape elements are incorporated for water, energy, and
biodiversity purposes
4.
The designs of new buildings complement neighbourhood character
5.
Innovation in building performance and accessibility is encouraged
6.
Municipal buildings and site design demonstrate leadership in
building performance, accessibility, and design
Related objectives and policies to this topic such as parking are included
in the Streets & Transportation chapter, water conservation and waste
diversion in the Municipal Infrastructure chapter, and form and character
design objectives in the Development Permit designation section in Part D.
BUILDINGS AND LANDSCAPE
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Buildings and landscape are spaces that
create the context for public life, private life,
and everything in between. They reflect a
community's values as well as its sustainability
and resilience.
For example, buildings and their occupants
consume a great deal of energy. Following
transportation, existing buildings are the
second largest source of Courtenay's total
annual emissions. Most of the energy is used
for space and water heating - usually the
biggest items contributing to energy bills.
Landscapes and buildings also consume a
lot of fresh water. In order to reduce stress
on the Comox Lake water supply during the
summer, the Comox Valley Regional District
has established a water consumption target for
2050 that is 50% lower than the 2008 baseline
year. Because summer peak water use nearly
COURTENAY TODAY
doubles in Courtenay due to irrigation, water-
sensitive landscaping will be required to
achieve these targets.
At the end of their life buildings can also
generate a lot of waste if materials are not
disassembled, repurposed, or otherwise
diverted from the landfill whenever possible.
Estimated at 28% of the total landfill waste
stream, reducing the amount of construction
and demolition waste is key to extending the
life of the landfill and achieving GHG emission
targets associated with waste management.
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PART C Thematic Policies
When designed well, architecture can be
beautiful, can inspire, and can minimize the
building and occupant's ecological footprints.
When designed poorly, architecture can
exclude, can become a blight, and can be
wasteful in materials and performance. OCP
policies can establish high quality architectural
design expectations, while also reducing
building emissions and energy bills through
well thought-out development and high energy
efficiency and emissions standards.
For existing buildings, 2022 OCP energy and
emissions modelling shows that the greatest
energy and emissions reductions can be made
by switching building space heating systems
to heat pumps (particularly for existing
non-electrical heat systems), electrifying
water heaters, and retrofitting older homes
and commercial buildings to higher energy
efficiency performance. Combined, these
efforts can reduce Courtenay's buildings'
greenhouse gas emissions significantly while
making buildings more comfortable, providing
better air quality, and lowering energy costs.
New buildings present an opportunity
to ensure that energy and emissions
performance are designed in right from the
beginning, thus immediately contributing to
climate action goals and avoiding the need
to retrofit or switch energy sources at a later
date.
MEETING OUR GOALS THROUGH
BUILDINGS AND LANDSCAPE
This includes design features such as green
roofs and renewable energy systems on larger
buildings, biodiverse and watershed sensitive
landscapes, and passive design features to
increase natural ventilation and accommodate
natural light or shade depending on the season.
Because redevelopment of existing properties
will be an important part of accommodating
Courtenay's growth, management of
construction and demolition waste will be
an important part of Courtenay's future.
Wherever possible, the City will encourage
the disassembly and reuse of construction
materials.
As existing buildings are renovated or
redeveloped, and new buildings meet efficiency
and performance standards, Courtenay's
buildings will become increasingly accessible,
electric, healthy, and affordable to operate,
while reflecting Courtenay's character, identity,
and sense of place.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
New single residential
and small commercial
buildings are referred
to Part 9 buildings in
the BC Building Code.
Larger buildings such
as multi-residential,
industrial and large
commercial buildings
are referred to as Part
3 buildings in the BC
Building Code.
Modeling Assumptions and Policy Context
Energy and GHG emissions modelling was conducted as part of
the 2022 OCP process to understand what building performance
targets, building features and community-wide actions need to
be achieved within the identified timelines in order to contribute
to the net-zero community-wide GHG target established by
this Plan. The achievement of these targets depends on the
regulatory and development sectors working together towards
common goals. For example, at the time of the update to this Plan
in 2026, greenhouse gas emissions standards had only recently
been included in the BC Building Code with stronger performance
requirements to be phased in over time. Similarly, incentives to
retrofit existing buildings will require partnership efforts thereby
influencing the pace and scale of retrofitting efforts.
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PART C Thematic Policies
Gross Floor Area
(Size of Building)
Coverage of
Available Roof
Space (Size of
Green Roof)
2,000-4,999 m²
20%
5,000-9,999 m²
30%
10,000-14,999 m²
40%
15,000-19,999 m²
50%
20,000 m² or greater
60%
Table C-1 Green roof area coverage by building
floor area for Part 3 buildings. Available roof space is
defined as the total roof area minus areas dedicated
to renewable energy infrastructure. However,
these two roof coverings are not mutually exclusive
renewable energy infrastructure can be installed
overtop green roofing, provided the plant species
are shade tolerant.
Greenhouse Gas Emission modelling was conducted as part of the 2022
OCP project to understand the policies available to reduce GHGs in
existing and new buildings of all types.
What is Needed to Get to Net-Zero Emissions for New Buildings
-
Since 2022, the Zero Carbon Step Code has been introduced to complement the Energy
Step Code in regulating GHGs and energy efficiency respectively when undertaking
building construction under the BC Building Code. The City of Courtenay has adopted a
policy to remain ahead of provincial step code requirements for both building efficiency
and emissions.
-
The modelling work shows that in addition to being energy efficient and low carbon,
additional measures to support electricity production on site (such as with solar PV
systems) and installing the highest water efficiency and irrigation systems are important
to reducing overall building impact on the environment. For Part 3 Buildings, green roof
treatments are identified as opportunities to reduce the urban heat island effect, better
manage stormwater, and promote biodiversity and guidelines are provided on what
percentage of roof coverage should be pursued to maximize these benefits (Table C-3).
What is Needed to Get to Net-Zero Emissions for Existing Buildings
-
The modelling also identified that existing buildings are a significant source of emissions.
Whether incentivizing building owners to undertake retrofit activities, or as part of
a planned renovation, the following targets show the scale of the effort to address
emissions and energy efficiency of existing buildings.
-
By 2040, 80% of buildings built before 2022
would need to be retrofitted to achieve deep
energy efficiency improvements (achieving a
minimum of 50% energy use reduction). The
thermal energy supply in these buildings would
need to be met through electric systems.
-
By 2050, 100% of buildings built before 2022
would need to be retrofitted to achieve deep
energy efficiency improvements (achieving a
minimum of 50% energy use reduction). The
thermal energy supply in these buildings would
need to be met through electric systems.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Policies
Objective 1 Existing buildings are upgraded for high energy and
water efficiency, net-zero emissions, and renewable
energy production
BL 3
Remain ahead of provincial minimum energy and carbon code requirements where opportunities
exist.
Policies
BL 1
Establish and promote incentive programs such as rebates or financing mechanisms
(e.g., property assessed clean energy - PACE) to support decarbonizing and energy efficiency
in existing buildings. Do this in partnership with and/or in relation to others offering such
programs.
BL 2
Establish and promote incentive programs such as rebates and information audits to support
water efficiency in existing buildings. Do this in partnership with and/or in relation to others
offering such programs.
Objective 2 New buildings are highly energy and water efficient,
perform at net-zero emissions standard and
produce renewable energy
Objective 3 Living landscape elements are incorporated for
water, energy, and biodiversity purposes
Objective 4 The designs of new buildings complement
neighbourhood character
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PART C Thematic Policies
BL 4
Advocate to and support the Province in amending the BC Building Code and other building
related policies to:
a.
Regulate embodied energy of building materials and construction practices
including demolition; and
b.
Enhance universal building accessibility requirements.
BL 5
Review and update relevant building, zoning, and development permitting policies upon any
new legislative authorities that support policies within BL 4.
BL 6
Utilize Development Permit Area guidelines for the purposes of:
a.
Energy and water conservation by encouraging all new buildings to exceed energy,
emissions, and water conservation targets.
b.
Incorporating biodiversity and sensitive rainwater management practices within
landscapes; and
c.
Ensuring that the form and character of new developments complement
surrounding neighbourhood and showcase Indigenous designs.
BL 7
Explore the establishment of Development Permit Areas for wildfire hazard protection upon
review of wildfire risk to Courtenay.
BL 8
Consider establishing pre-approved form and character Development Permit Area designs
for smaller lot infill housing in order to expedite the construction of high quality infill
housing.
BL 9
Discourage the use of fossil fuel energy including natural gas in all development applications
and continue to prohibit the installation of wood burning devices in new buildings.
BL 10
Initiate a process to develop Indigenous design guidelines to inform Development
Permit Area Form and Character Guidelines for future OCP amendments. Work with
K'ómoks First Nation, other Indigenous partners, and in collaboration with other local
governments to inform consistent regional design.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
BL 12
Provide leadership with municipal buildings and site design including opportunities for
demonstration and education of carbon neutral, Indigenous-informed, environmentally
sensitive and high-quality urban design.
BL 13
Build all new municipal buildings to emerging best practices in energy efficiency and net-zero
emission standards, universal accessibility, and follow integrated Development Permit Area
guidelines for form and character, and energy and water conservation. This means:
a.
Meet 100% of energy demand through electrical means. Do not permit combustion
heating and electrical systems including oil, natural gas, and wood unless for public
emergency command centre purposes.
b.
Incorporate high energy efficiency and zero-carbon building emissions designs and
technologies such as passive design, green roofs, renewable energy generation,
low-impact rainwater management, biodiverse landscaping, non-toxic and low
embodied carbon building materials.
BL 14
Conduct a portfolio-wide energy audit and develop a retrofitting plan for all municipally-
owned buildings, in alignment with asset management and strategic financial plans. Review
the retrofitting plan every five years to evaluate progress and make necessary adjustments to
meet high energy efficiency and net-zero emissions targets.
Policies
Objective 5 Innovation in building performance and accessibility
is encouraged
Policies
BL 11
Support amendments or variances to the Zoning Bylaw, Building Bylaw, or Subdivision and
Development Servicing Bylaw when presented with development applications that:
a.
Exceed minimum universal accessibility requirements;
b.
Include sustainable building practices that use low-carbon, renewable
materials, and achieve self-sufficiency in energy, water and wastewater,
wherever such opportunities are presented by building design professionals
and meet the BC Building Code requirements.
Objective 6 Municipal buildings and site design demonstrate
leadership in building performance, accessibility,
and design
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PART C Thematic Policies
OBJECTIVES
1.
New housing supply keeps pace with demand
2.
A variety of housing options are permitted and positively integrated in
all neighbourhoods
3.
Maintain and increase rental housing stock
4.
Increase the amount of new below- and non-market housing
developed in Courtenay
The affordability, location, and type of housing relate to a number of other
policy chapters of the OCP. Objectives and policies regarding the density and
location of housing are included in the Managing Growth chapter. Standards
for new housing to ensure it is low carbon and accessible are included in
the Buildings & Landscape chapter. Parking standards are discussed in the
Streets & Transportation chapter.
HOUSING
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Many Courtenay residents are struggling in the
current housing situation that is not meeting
their needs. Rising land and construction costs,
a growing population, inability to keep supply
at pace with demand, and a significant stock
of single residential dwellings in a community
with varying housing needs are all contributing
factors to this struggle. Transportation costs also
contribute indirectly to a household's ability to
afford housing, as the need for a car, the second
greatest expense in most Canadian households,
becomes a competing expense.
More than a roof over one's head, adequate
housing is a fundamental human right in Canada,
and an important social determinant of health.
It impacts the community's ability to attract and
retain employees and sustain a vibrant economy.
Courtenay's 2024 Housing Needs Report
reveals critical insights regarding the housing
affordability crisis in the community. Between
2019 and 2022, the median home price surged
by 61%, a significant increase when compared to
the previous 35% rise from 2016 to 2019. In the
rental market, the situation mirrors this trend:
median apartment rental prices escalated by
54% from 2019 to 2023, significantly outpacing
the 21% hike observed between 2016 and 2019.
Rental vacancy rates remained consistently low
at 1-2% during this time.
Despite the delivery of new purpose-built rental
housing options contributing to healthier market
vacancy rates of between 3-5% and somewhat
softening rental prices, these improvements
have not translated into affordable housing for
many residents. The increase in vacancies has
not sufficiently offset the dramatic rise in rental
costs, particularly given that median household
incomes have not kept pace. Currently, the
median household income for Courtenay renters
stands at $50,400, and for homeowners, it's
$82,000. 41% of renter households pay more
than 30% of their income on housing, with 10%
facing the burden of spending over 50% of their
income on housing.
COURTENAY TODAY
Those compelled to exceed these thresholds
are categorized as living in core and extreme
core housing need, which reflects unacceptable
affordability standards in Canada. Unfortunately,
homelessness remains persistent, as illustrated
by the regional point-in-time homeless counts
conducted every two years.
To truly address the local housing crisis, an
increase in diverse housing options is essential.
For example, Courtenay's aging population
is contributing to smaller household sizes,
necessitating affordable living arrangements
that provide accessibility to daily necessities.
Island Health highlights that the ability to age in
place, whether by downsizing within the same
neighborhood or renovating existing homes,
remains a vital strategy for promoting seniors'
health and independence. Thus, urgent action
is required to align housing availability with
the community's growing needs and financial
capacities.
On-going public engagement with Courtenay
residents, including consultation for the 2022 and
2026 OCP, has established public openness for
more varieties of housing being incorporated into
neighbourhoods across Courtenay.
To ensure that Courtenay's housing stock can
support these vital individual and community
objectives, new and existing housing must meet
diverse needs, including financial circumstances
represented within our community. The Housing
Wheelhouse (reference in Figure C-4) illustrates a
housing system that includes a variety of tenures
of housing and reflects the reality that people's
housing needs change over time, and may not be
a linear progression to homeownership.
Overall, the Wheelhouse contains three categories
of different housing tenures and supports. These
are described on the following page:
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PART C Thematic Policies
Figure C-4
Housing Wheelhouse
MARKET HOUSING
Market housing includes rental or ownership
units of any housing form where prices are set
by the private market. These include:
-
Homes that are owned privately and are not
purchased or maintained with subsidies.
-
Market rental housing can refer to any
type of housing available on the market,
including purpose-built apartments,
duplexes, townhouses, single-detached
dwellings, secondary suites, and accessory
dwelling units, to name just some.
-
Market rental housing includes market rate
rentals that achieve tenant affordability
through rental assistance programs (i.e.
RAP and SAFER).
HOUSING WITH SUPPORTS
Long-term or permanent housing that has
financial or other supports for residents to
assist them with maintaining their housing
while living independently. This can include:
-
Non-profit and non-market housing where
the mandate is to provide safe, secure,
affordable accommodation (most often
rental housing) to households with low to
moderate incomes including subsidized
housing where residents pay rent geared to
income (typically 30% of gross household
income).
-
Supportive Housing that provides ongoing
specialized assistance so residents can live
independently. Examples are housing for
people with mental illness or seniors who
require services like meals, housekeeping,
and social activities, etc.
SAFETY NET
Safety Net Housing includes temporary shelter and
housing services that provide crisis response and/ or
transitional housing programs. These housing types
offer support services that help residents move
towards independence and self-sufficiency. This can
include:
-
Emergency shelters for people experiencing
homelessness
-
Safe Houses and Transition Houses for women
and children fleeing violence
-
Housing for people who have been homeless or
are at risk of homelessness and need temporary
supports (typically less than three years) to work
towards their independence
-
Recovery homes for people receiving mental
health or substance use treatment
Supportive housing is a term used in both the
Housing with Supports and Safety Net housing
types to recognize that the housing may be
intended to be temporary (in the case of Safety
Net housing category) or ongoing (in the case
of Housing with Supports category).
S
A
F
E
T
Y
N
E
T
M
A
R
K
E
T
H
O
U
S
I
N
G
H
O
U
S
I
N
G
W
I
T
H
S
U
P
P
O
R
T
S
THE
HOUSING
WHEELHOUSE
RENTAL
HOUSING
EMERGENCY
SHELTER
SHORT-TERM
SUPPORTIVE
HOUSING
LONG-TERM
SUPPORTIVE
HOUSING
SUBSIDIZED
RENTAL
HOUSING
OWNERSHIP
HOUSING
THE HOUSING WHEELHOUSE
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Population growth trends and expected housing
needs are identified in Part A. This OCP plans for an
additional 12,885 people over the 2021 population,
and a corresponding 8,350 more homes to be
developed across Courtenay in accordance with
Managing Growth policies (Part B). Courtenay's
2024 Housing Needs Report (HNR) breaks down
the 20-year housing demand by number of
bedrooms:
The 2024 Housing Needs Report also projects what
Courtenay can expect in terms of the amount of
market versus non-market housing needed, based
on the anticipated demand. It identifies that market
housing should remain the primary contributor to
the local inventory (approximately 73%), though
there is a clear need for non-market interventions
to provide for deeply affordable and below-market
units (approximately 27%). There will also be a
growing role for non-profit organizations to provide
and manage housing with funding and assistance
from senior governments. Housing Needs Reports
are now required of all local governments in BC,
and must be updated every five years. These
five-year updated reports will support better
monitoring of housing needs as Courtenay grows.
THE ROLE OF HOUSING IN MEETING OUR GOALS
Section 473 of the Local Government Act (LGA)
references seven (7) classes of housing that
span differences in tenure, location, affordability,
supports and size to ensure the housing
built meets the diverse needs of our growing
community.
These housing classes include:
-
affordable housing,
-
rental housing,
-
special needs housing,
-
seniors housing,
-
family housing,
-
housing in proximity to transit, and
-
shelters and housing for people at risk of
homelessness.
The OCP supports a number of strategies that aim
to address Courtenay's diverse housing needs.
Ensuring the total housing supply keeps pace
with market demand can temper rising costs and
alleviate competition for existing below market
housing. However, this must be supplemented by
the creation of additional below market housing
options that offer prices and rents affordable to
households with lower-than-average incomes
to ensure these residents continue to have
opportunities within Courtenay.
Key to achieving housing goals will be to ensure
that the wide variety of players in the housing
system are working proactively together towards
mutually supportive goals. This includes ensuring
that both the private and non-profit sectors can
continue to viably provide housing for Courtenay
residents.
Unit type
Required number
units
0-to-1 bedroom
2,831
2-bedrooms
2,348
3-bedroom
1,798
4+ bedroom
1,374
Table C-2 Anticipated housing demand by units
per required number of bedrooms.
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PART C Thematic Policies
The City of Courtenay's role in supporting housing
for all residents will be to:
-
Educate the wider community on the
importance of diversity in housing and the
need for housing to support individual and
community well-being.
-
Partner with all sectors of the housing
system to build a diversity of housing to meet
the community's needs and advocate to
senior governments and other partners for
additional supports.
-
Incentivize the development of new housing
using a variety of financial and land use tools
and ensure incentives are allocated equitably,
based on sector capacity and housing needs.
-
Regulate housing to ensure it is suitable,
affordable and appropriate for Courtenay's
diverse population.
The City will have to take full advantage of all its
roles in order to achieve a number of community-
wide housing goals and objectives.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Policies
Objective 1 New housing supply keeps pace with demand
H 1
Support multi-residential housing forms and densities in all residential land use designations, as
described in the Managing Growth Policy section of this Plan, and in accordance with protection
of Environmentally Sensitive Area policies.
H 2
Review the OCP and Zoning Bylaw every 5 years to ensure that land designation and zoning
permissions are sufficient to meet the next 20 years of housing needs and proactively amend
them in cases where they are not.
H 3
Develop a density benefit policy that allows for additional density in exchange for public
amenities.
H 4
Review the Downtown Revitalization Tax Exemption Bylaw for its effectiveness in incenting new
housing development.
H 5
Maintain regular two-way communication with the development industry to support a mutually
beneficial partnership and a healthy development environment.
H 6
Advocate for senior levels of government to invest more in all types of housing needed in
Courtenay, with a focus on below- and non-market housing.
H 7
Monitor the development of new housing supply so that future actions taken by the City to
support housing can target the areas of greatest need and so that the effectiveness of the
actions can be evaluated.
H 8
Continue to evaluate development application processes in order to recommend improvements
to the current application processes to reduce timelines, including fee structure, customer
service, and improve clarity and transparency of OCP development requirements and
expectations.
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PART C Thematic Policies
H 9
Require that a diversity of housing types and unit sizes be provided in rezoning applications for
large developments. Ensure that development of multi-residential units occur in early phases of the
subdivision.
H 10
Encourage a minimum of 10% of new residential units be universally accessible in multi-residential
rezoning applications.
H 11
Encourage unit mixes, including family-oriented units, that reflect the data in the latest Housing
Needs Report.
H 12
Support amendments to the National Building Code and BC Building Code to facilitate the
development of various sizes and types of housing.
H 13
Engage with and educate residents on the value of diversity of housing types distributed throughout
Courtenay.
Policies
Objective 2 A variety of housing options are permitted and
positively integrated in all neighbourhoods
Policies
Objective 3 Maintain and increase rental housing stock
H 14
Only consider permitting the conversion of existing occupied multi-residential rental buildings to
strata ownership when the vacancy rate as reported by CMHC exceeds 3% for a period of at least 24
months.
H 15
Monitor the rental market vacancy rate and adjust regulation on short-term rental accommodations
to be more or less restrictive in support of a healthy rental vacancy rate (3-5%). Adjustments should
be made based on a minimum of 2 consecutive years of data.
H 16
Consider, including where and when, to implement Residential Rental Tenure Zoning for existing and
proposed rental housing stock.
H 17
Encourage applicants for property rezoning to propose a strategy to accommodate displaced tenants
that exceeds provincial requirements, when properties with existing purpose-built rental, co-op, and
mobile home units are redeveloped or renovated as a result of the rezoning.
H 18
Consider complementing or enhancing provincial support for renters and their homes by exploring
mechanisms to:
a. Support proactive upkeep of building maintenance to prolong life of the buildings
and to help protect a standard of health and safety for tenants;
b. Mitigate the negative impacts of tenant displacement when properties with existing purpose-built
rental, co-op and mobile home units are redeveloped or renovated.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
H 19
Direct the Density Benefit Bylaw to prioritize the delivery of affordable housing, including cash in
lieu to the City's Affordable Housing Reserve Fund when on-site delivery is not feasible.
H 20
Seek below-market housing as the priority amenity when negotiating Community Amenity
Contributions in rezoning applications for multi residential projects that do not conform with
established zones.
H 21
Monitor the opportunity to add inclusionary zoning requirements to the Zoning Bylaw based on
development economics and affordable housing needs.
H 22
Rezoning applications for supportive housing will be supported in all land use designations
except Future Growth, Agricultural, Service Commercial, Light Industrial, and Parks and
Recreation.
H 23
Identify criteria to determine where multi-residential supportive housing is well suited and
take the necessary steps to remove barriers to permitting the use including but not limited to,
amending the Zoning Bylaw. The sites that will be identified by the criteria are intended to allow
supportive housing that generally offers homes at deep subsidy and houses people who require
specialized services to maintain housing.
H 24
Temporary Use Permits for emergency shelters will be considered in all land use designations
except Future Growth, Agricultural, and Parks and Recreation.
H 25
Rezoning applications for emergency shelters are supportable in all land use designations,
except Future Growth, Agricultural, and Parks and Recreation, and shall require community
consultation as part of the application process in accordance with the City of Courtenay
Development Procedures Bylaw.
H 26
Identify criteria to determine where emergency shelter is well suited and take the necessary
steps to remove barriers to permitting the use including but not limited to, amending the
Zoning Bylaw.
H 27
Build internal capacity to support the development of non-market housing by providing City
staff and elected officials with fulsome and up to date information around the different non-
market housing types and the different tools the City can use to support them.
Policies
Objective 4 Increase the amount of new below- and non-
market housing developed in Courtenay
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PART C Thematic Policies
H 28
Develop a below- and non-market housing strategy that identifies an appropriate role for the
City in supporting below- and non-market housing in relation to other services and strategies
within this sector including but not limited to: the Comox Valley Housing Authority, the Comox
Valley Regional Housing Action Plan, the non-profit housing sector, BC Housing and other
senior government entities and programs. The strategy shall explore, but not be limited to:
a.
Identifying undeveloped and underdeveloped municipal sites for future non-market housing
projects with emphasis on providing a mix of housing types including supportive housing.
b.
Creating a framework for monitoring local equity-priority and demographic needs for
housing over time and focus support and incentives, including housing agreements, on
residents who need it most including, but not limited to, seniors, Indigenous residents,
low to moderate income earners, and those at risk of homelessness. Develop a weighted
housing wheelhouse 'Intervention Priority by Tenure' decision making tool to inform the
level of City effort and support for different tenure priorities. Update the weighted housing
wheelhouse as new housing information comes available to define specific housing needs as
they evolve over time.
c.
Advocating for senior government funding for non-market projects and initiatives.
d.
Encouraging faith-based and other institutional landowners to consider including non-
market housing when redeveloping their properties.
e.
Creating a policy or bylaw to grant funds from the Affordable Housing Amenity Reserve Fund
to non-market housing projects.
f.
Development application support policies such as, but not limited to, application
prioritization and exemption from application fees.
g.
Reviewing the existing Development Cost Charges Waiver (Affordable Housing) Bylaw.
h.
Identifying the use of communications and agreement mechanisms to support community
integration.
i.
Strengthening partnerships specifically, but not limited to:
1. Regional partnerships with neighbouring jurisdictions, K'ómoks First Nation, and
housing providers on the regional coordination of supportive housing
2. With K'ómoks First Nation and other Indigenous partners on the delivery of non-
or below-market housing projects for Indigenous residents.
j.
Considering advancing any of the listed topics in the absence of an adopted strategy, as
opportunities arise.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
OBJECTIVES
1.
Remaining sensitive ecosystems are protected; lost or degraded
sensitive ecosystems are restored
2.
The K'ómoks Estuary is 'kept living' (Q'waq'wala7owkw) and
environmental, Indigenous, subsistence and recreational values
are protected and restored
3.
Courtenay's air, water, and soil are clean
4.
The urban forest is healthy and growing towards a 34-40% canopy
cover target
5.
Development practices meet ecosystem health and site adaptive
design objectives
6.
Information and opportunities are in place for the wider community
to play an active role in the protection, restoration, and stewardship
of the natural environment
Objectives and policies regarding Courtenay's parks are included in
the Parks and Recreation chapter. Requiring that new local area plans
incorporate watershed health goals is described in Part B - Managing
Growth. Green infrastructure, water quality, and sensitive rainwater
management to better support watershed health is a topic included in
the Municipal Infrastructure chapter
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
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PART C Thematic Policies
One of the strongest themes emerging
from the city-wide engagement for the OCP
process is that green and blue spaces are
loved. They offer beauty, places to recharge,
recreate and connect with nature and
other people. They are recognized for their
intrinsic value, in addition to the values they
provide to humans.
Sensitive ecosystems in Courtenay include
freshwater springs, creeks and rivers and
their riparian zones, wetlands, low-lying
floodplain and estuarine environments,
and mature forests aged 60-100 years.
These ecosystems would have dominated
the Comox Valley only 150 years ago, but
by 2014 they were reduced to less than
7% of the region and have experienced
fragmentation, significant alternation, or
COURTENAY
TODAY
outright loss. Courtenay's experience as
the urban centre is indicative of these
trends. Further, watersheds within the City's
boundaries have been heavily altered by
urbanization, agriculture, and infrastructure
such as highways, ditches, and other
drainage systems.
Human-made green spaces, nature
parks of all sizes, and the urban forest
with an estimated 33% city-wide canopy
cover (2018) also form important parts of
Courtenay's urban ecosystems.
Known terrestrial and aquatic
Environmentally Sensitive Areas within
Courtenay's boundaries are shown
respectively on Maps APX-6 and APX-7
(Appendix 1 - Maps).
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Nature is at the heart of meeting many of
the aspirations in this OCP. In Courtenay's
future, nature-based solutions in the form of
protecting, restoring, and managing natural
and semi-natural ecosystems to slow and
adapt to climate change are widely applied.
Forested areas act as carbon sinks, riparian
areas contribute to flood protection, and
intact ecosystems offer "free" essential
services such as water retention and
infiltration, and air and water purification.
Beyond a mere utility or service, however,
urban research is showing that a
relationship with nature is integral to human
well-being. Therefore all neighbourhoods
will have access to these places within
easy walking distance of all residents.
Core to Courtenay's identity, nature also
establishes sense of place by helping shape
neighbourhood character and creating local
destinations. Nature helps set Courtenay
apart from other cities.
MEETING OUR GOALS THROUGH
THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
Courtenay's efforts will be in good company.
The United Nations has declared this decade
to be one of Ecosystem Restoration with the
goal of preventing, halting and reversing the
degradation of ecosystems worldwide.1 This
global call to action includes a recognition that
species extinction is occurring at a rate tens
to hundreds of times greater than natural
background rates of extinction over the past
10 million years, that this rate is accelerating,
and that how urban areas develop is part of
the problem, and the solution.
Courtenay will contribute to this call to action
by bringing the city back into balance with
nature. This will include increasing green
infrastructure, reclaiming and restoring natural
areas and the ecological connections between
them, designing development to better fit
the land (site adaptive design), as well as
intentional urban design attention to increase
human connection to and encourage an ethic
of care of the natural world.
1 https://www.decadeonrestoration.org
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PART C Thematic Policies
NE 1
Preserve sensitive ecosystem areas and the connections between them in a natural
condition to the maximum extent possible.
NE 2
Use an ecosystem-based, cross-jurisdictional approach to watershed planning and
management to preserve ecological health and the ongoing function of ecological
processes that give rise to biodiversity and ecosystem services.
NE 3
Establish cross-jurisdictional ecosystem connectivity corridors to preserve and restore
long-term connectivity between sensitive ecosystems.
NE 4
Collaborate with land owners, other levels of government, non-governmental
organizations, and neighbouring jurisdictions in developing regionally consistent
approaches to inventorying, mapping, conserving, and restoring environmentally
sensitive areas, watershed health and species at risk, using the principles of precaution,
connectivity, and restoration.
NE 5
Consider entering into joint ownership and/or management agreements of protected land
with non-government organizations or other government jurisdictions where required.
NE 6
Review opportunity to create a Local Conservation Fund in order to receive contributions,
donations, or grants to assist in implementing restoration projects and to ensure a
dedicated source of funding to support nature conservation efforts, offset greenhouse
gas emissions, and support land acquisition for habitat conservation projects.
Policies
Objective 1 Remaining sensitive ecosystems are protected;
lost or degraded sensitive ecosystems are
restored
1 Sensitive ecosystems and Environmentally Sensitive Areas are terms that are used interchangeably throughout this
section. Known terrestrial and aquatic Environmentally Sensitive Areas within Courtenay's boundaries are shown re
spectively on APX-6 and APX-7 (Appendix 2 - Maps).
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
NE 7
Monitor compliance and other legal requirements such as covenants related to protecting
sensitive ecosystems.
NE 8
Work in partnership to minimize the further introduction and spread of invasive species,
and to develop an invasive species management plan to prevent, eradicate, contain, and
control the spread of invasive species within Courtenay and the wider region.
NE 9
Develop an ecosystem-centric approach and strategy to manage and protect ecosystems,
natural assets and green infrastructure across public and private properties. Explore as
part of this work:
a.
Aligning various City strategies, tools and design standards that impact and
implicate ecosystems, natural assets and green infrastructure including but
not limited to landscape standards, integrated rainwater management, flood
mitigation, parks planning, environmental development permit areas, tree bylaw
and subdivision and development servicing bylaw
b.
A strategy to monitor changes in land cover including impervious surfaces,
vegetation loss and climate change impacts to natural systems, and use
monitoring data to inform updates to environmental policies;
c.
The current condition of Courtenay's biodiversity and habitat resources
including the effects of invasive species;
d.
The impacts of climate change on local ecosystems and biodiversity;
e.
Areas that are degraded or are good candidates for restoration on public and
private land;
f.
Conservation and restoration targets and an adaptive management framework
for natural areas and indicator species;
g.
Strategies to encourage participation in the green infrastructure network
across property lines and promote a culture of conservation, restoration and
stewardship; and
h.
Partners and roles in implementing the Strategy.
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PART C Thematic Policies
Policies
Objective 2 The K'ómoks Estuary is 'kept living'
(Q'waq'wala7owkw) and environmental, Indigenous,
subsistence and recreational values are protected
and restored
NE 10
Conserve remaining natural shorelines and restore armored shorelines with green
shores approaches to the maximum extent possible.
NE 11
Recognize and support K'ómoks First Nation sustainable aquaculture interests in
accordance with the policies in this Plan.
NE 12
Participate in regional K'ómoks Estuary management planning to support the objectives
and policies of this Plan, in accordance with the policies within this Plan.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Policies
Objective 3 Courtenay's air, water, and soil are clean
NE 13
Strive to meet the BC Air Quality Objectives and Standards, including reducing sources of
airborne fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) within the City of Courtenay.
NE 14
Continue to prohibit open burning within city limits.
NE 15
Continue to regulate the use of pesticides on private land and limit use on public land.
NE 16
Limit the extent of impervious surfaces on private and public land.
NE 17
Strive to maintain and/or restore the water balance. Consider options to reduce the volume
of stormwater runoff through interflow, infiltration, retention, and/or detention.
NE 18
Explore the use of enforcement tools to protect water quality related to development
practices, such as an erosion and sediment control bylaw.
NE 19
Design and maintain urban drainage systems so that water quality in natural waterways is
protected.
NE 20
Continue to collaborate with the Comox Valley Regional District and regional partners to
monitor and take coordinated action to improve local air and water quality.
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PART C Thematic Policies
Policies
Policies
Objective 4 The urban forest is healthy and growing towards
a 34-40% canopy cover target
Objective 5 Development practices meet ecosystem
health and site adaptive design objectives
NE 21
Continue annual planting targets of 300 new trees on public land and work towards 850 new
trees on private land until 2040.
NE 22
Continue to regulate tree removal, and ensure replacement, through the use of the Tree
Protection and Management Bylaw.
NE 23
Continue to integrate City trees, forests, and green infrastructure into asset management
planning, including budgeting, policy development, and staff resourcing.
NE 24
Implement the Urban Forest Strategy plan, manage, protect, grow and partner actions.
NE 25
Enact Zoning Bylaw requirements to avoid impact to sensitive ecosystems, including but not limited
to:
a.
Cluster housing zones to allow for a tighter grouping of homes on the most
buildable portions of the property in exchange for retaining larger portions
of the land in a natural state, and allowing the owner(s) of land containing
Environmentally Sensitive Areas1 to use the original site area in computing
density allowances, in accordance with the Zoning Bylaw;
b.
Density benefit in exchange for increased nature protection or restoration; and
c.
Limiting the extent of impervious surfaces.
NE 26
Ensure connectivity of properties and landscapes to support ecosystem processes. This includes
incorporating considerations such as wildlife movement and historical hydrological patterns into
the development proposal including transportation and utility corridors.
NE 27
Require all development proposals on properties equal to or greater than 4,000 metres square
in size to submit an Environmental Impact Assessment to determine the presence or absence of
Environmentally Sensitive Areas.
NE 28
Require developments adjacent to Environmentally Sensitive Areas, including ecosystem connectivity
opportunity areas, be subject to Environment Development Permit (EDP) area guidelines.
1 Known terrestrial and aquatic Environmentally Sensitive Areas within Courtenay's boundaries are shown respectively on
Maps APX-6 and APX-7 (Appendix 2 - Maps).
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
NE 29
Exceed setbacks prescribed by the Riparian Area Protection Regulations (RAPR) to result in
30-metre setbacks from stream boundaries where possible:
a.
Include Environmental Development Permit Area guidelines for a 30-metre
setback from the stream boundary when conducting development on
properties subject to the Riparian Areas Protection Regulations (RAPR),
whenever opportunities for a 30-metre setback are possible and in
accordance with local government authorities and provincial legislative
requirements.
NE 30
Explore conducting an analysis to predetermine setbacks on streams subject to the Riparian
Area Protection Regulation (RAPR), for areas where a 30-metre setback cannot be achieved.
NE 31
Require as part of the development permit process the submission of securities to ensure the
completion and monitoring of landscaping and environmental rehabilitation, or to address
damage to the environment caused by development activity.
NE 32
Ensure Environmentally Sensitive Areas that are part of development proposals are managed
over the life of the development to ensure the health and integrity of the Environmentally
Sensitive Area:
a.
Strategies may include requiring that the Environmentally Sensitive Area be
retained under single ownership and may additionally include requiring
the Environmentally Sensitive Area be dedicated to the City or other public
entity, in circumstances where the Environmentally Sensitive Area is part
of an existing or City park or greenway system or identified as a City or
regional conservation priority;
b.
In order to retain Environmentally Sensitive Areas under single ownership,
discourage the creation of Environmentally Sensitive Areas made up of
smaller subdivided parcels with individual titles, or require a covenant
prohibiting the separate sale of parcels that together form a single
Environmentally Sensitive Area;
c.
Regardless of ownership of the Environmentally Sensitive Area, management
plans that detail the management requirements of the Environmentally
Sensitive Area are required as part of the development application and shall
include information such as, but not limited to the following, as applicable:
access, invasive species management, restoration, arborist or other
environmental monitoring as may be identified by qualified professionals,
management responsibilities;
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PART C Thematic Policies
Policies
Objective 6 Information and opportunities are in place for the wider
community to play an active role in the protection,
restoration, and stewardship of the natural environment
NE 36
Partner with senior levels of government, regional jurisdictions, conservation professionals
and organizations to maintain publicly accessible mapping and associated information of
ecological systems of the area.
NE 37
Conduct regular reviews of associated City bylaws to ensure they are up to date and are
based on current research and best practices for protection of the natural environment.
NE 38
Work in partnership on the development and delivery of robust public education campaigns
to promote a local culture of nature and watershed conservation, restoration, and
stewardship. Opportunities on private land should include, but not be limited to, invasive
species management, tree planting and care, pesticides, native, bio-diverse, and watershed
sensitive landscaping.
d.
Where Environmentally Sensitive Areas will be dedicated to the City or other
public entity, and where there are management uncertainties in receiving
the Environmentally Sensitive Area such as tree hazards as a result of
the development that may only be known a period of time after the
development has occurred, the development applicant may be required
to provide management to the Environmentally Sensitive Area for a defined
period of time or securities provided in lieu. In such instances, the
development applicant's responsibility shall not exceed 10 years. Where
securities are part of the management agreement, any funds not used by
the City or public entity in accordance with the management agreement
shall be returned to the development applicant;
e.
Such lands shall not be considered as part of the required 5% dedication
for parkland, where applicable as a condition of subdivision approval.
NE 33
Do not permit development within Environmentally Sensitive Areas. New trails or facilities in
Environmentally Sensitive Areas will be discouraged and installed only where they provide net
gain for habitat values.
NE 34
Continue to encourage participation of environmental stewardship organizations early in the
design stages of a development project within or near sensitive ecosystems.
NE 35
Explore development incentives and negotiation tools to encourage protection of the natural
environment beyond minimum standards.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
OBJECTIVES
1.
Parkland in the form of natural areas, open spaces, and outdoor
recreation is of sufficient amounts, is well-connected, equitably
distributed, and is of high quality to enhance livability throughout the city
2.
Recreation amenities, services, and programming are expanded and
enhanced to support increased health, wellness, and social connections
for all residents
3.
Parks, greenways, and streets are better integrated to create a seamless
and enjoyable active transportation system
4.
The parks and recreation system exemplifies leadership in reconciliation,
climate action, equity, and community well-being through its services,
programs, and partnerships
5.
Partnerships are in place to achieve parks and recreation objectives
The parks and recreational system touches on many parts of our lives,
a low-carbon and sustainable future, and therefore many other aspects
of the OCP. Complementary objectives and policies that relate to these
important community assets are in the following sections: equity access and
universal accessibility (Social Infrastructure chapter), cultural and diversity
representation (Arts, Culture & Heritage), green infrastructure (Municipal
Infrastructure), role in ecological health (Natural Environment chapter), active
mobility (Streets & Transportation chapter), and locations for food production
and exploration (Food Systems chapter)
PARKS AND RECREATION
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PART C Thematic Policies
Nearly all residents - approximately 98%
of them - are within a 10 minute walk of a
public park. This is a tremendous asset for a
city of people who identify parks, trails, and
other green spaces among the most valued
attributes of Courtenay.
Courtenay's Parks and Recreation Master
Plan 2019 identifies future needs for the
community, with directions centering
around eight goals: improving connectivity;
fostering a healthy and active community;
providing access for all; connecting parks
and recreation with culture; protecting and
enhancing beauty; protecting and enhancing
the environment; enhancing communication
and partnerships; and practicing sound
financial management.
COURTENAY TODAY
The community engagement results
for the OCP process emphasized and
complemented these priorities, including
an identified need for parks programming,
more recreational programming for seniors
in particular, improving park and trail
connectivity, and protecting and enhancing
access to the estuary, creeks, and rivers.
Access to inclusive and diverse indoor and
outdoor recreational programs, multi-use
accessible facilities, and public outdoor
spaces is a unifying feature of Courtenay's
strong year-round recreational spirit,
identity and quality life.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
The parks, trails and recreational system
of programs and indoor and outdoor
facilities is at its heart an opportunity for
connectivity, whether that be to each other,
the natural world, K'ómoks First Nation
history and practices, in how we get around,
or through the ecosystems across the city
and region. Providing equitable access to
these green and public places will support
physical and mental well-being for residents
of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Parks
and recreation are a strategic community
asset through which to welcome in and
practice with the wider community the core
directions of the OCP: reconciliation, climate
action, equity, and community well-being.
Connecting these public recreational
spaces through trails and greenways will
also advance the goal of more functional
transportation choices throughout the city.
By seamlessly connecting both the road and
greenway network, these linear corridors
will be an important - and delightful -
transportation network for a low-carbon
future: green, convenient, accessible,
affordable, active and beautiful ways to
travel through and across neighbourhoods
on foot and an on wheels.
Parks and greenways also provide a
significant contribution to Courtenay's wider
green infrastructure network that includes
Environmentally Sensitive Areas, the urban
forest, and engineered rain gardens and
wetlands.
Accessible spaces within walking distance
MEETING OUR GOALS
THROUGH PARKS AND
RECREATION
for social connection and play, retreating
into nature, and incorporating green
infrastructure will be essential as the city
and neighbourhoods grow and intensify.
Inherently diverse, parks and recreational
facilities provide for distinctive place making
and place keeping opportunities that make
Courtenay special.
As the City continues to urbanize in
accommodating for the growing population,
it is important to recognize the significance
of park land and open space provision
to ensure a complete community fabric.
Higher density housing forms generally
contain less private open space per dwelling
unit, resulting in additional need for
public space to support gathering, access
to nature and recreation. With limited
land supply available to be acquired for
parkland, the quality, programming and
accessibility of parkland for recreational
activities increases in importance. This
includes maximizing accessibility to
parks by improving sidewalk connectivity,
accounting for slopes and removal of other
obstructions. This is particularly important
in the case of accommodating for and
catering to a population of all ages and
ensuring that there is sufficient active and
passive recreational space. OCP policies
focus on improving park amenity standards,
shifting the form of open space to meet
more urbanized needs, emphasizing the
opportunity for placemaking practices, and
integrating amenities into the urban fabric
to support livability, equity, and complete
communities.
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PART C Thematic Policies
Policies
Objective 1 Parkland in the form of natural areas, open spaces,
and outdoor recreation is of sufficient amounts, is well-
connected, equitably distributed, and is of high quality to
enhance livability throughout the city
PR 1
Develop an integrated network of neighbourhood, community and nature parks, linear
parks and greenways, play spaces and recreation amenities generally in accordance with
the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Support objectives of the Plan including improving
parks and greenway connectivity, fostering a healthy and active community, providing access
for all, protecting and enhancing beauty, connecting parks and recreation with culture, and
enhancing communication and partnerships.
PR 2
Provide new parkland and greenways in areas identified in the OCP and Parks and Recreation
Master Plan, in future growth areas, mixed-use and high-density development areas, and
intensification areas through new development and redevelopment opportunities. Key
parkland standards include but are not limited to:
a.
Strive for a maximum 10-minute walk distance access from all residences
throughout Courtenay (400-800 metres);
b.
1.2 hectares per 1,000 population for community parks and 0.5 hectares
per 1,000 population for neighbourhood parks;
c.
Walking distance of 400 metres to neighbourhood parks and 800 metres
to community parks;
d.
Minimum size of 1.0 hectare for community parks and 0.2 hectare for
neighbourhood parks;
e.
Nature parks representative of Courtenay's biodiversity;
f.
Urban types of park features such as parklets and plazas.
PR 3
Update the Parks and Recreation Master Plan to identify parkland supply and parkland
improvement needs and opportunities in accordance with the growth direction of the OCP .
Include attention to:
a.
Provision and proximity standards that reflect a mix of park and greenway
needs for a wide variety of land use contexts;
b.
Identifying opportunities and strategy to secure increased public access
to the K'ómoks Estuary, creeks, and rivers;
c.
Specifications and guidelines to evaluate what types of park land and park
land improvements are suitable for pubic dedication;
d.
Updating the OCP Parks and Greenways policies and map accordingly.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
PR 4
Develop a parkland acquisition strategy as implementation strategy to the Parks and
Recreation Plan.
PR 5
Apply planning and design guidelines set out in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan
respecting parkland location, area and design, and including:
a.
Providing adequate, quality, useable and universally accessible open
space opportunities for year-round activities related to play, social
gatherings, leisure activities, food growing, rest and relaxation.
b.
Considering local infrastructure needs and amenities as well as safety,
accessibility, aesthetics, and recreation.
c.
Environmentally sensitive design of siting, materials, surfaces and
maintenance.
d.
Securing and locating new neighbourhood parks in prominent, accessible
locations that are connected to the City's trail network and act as focal
areas for the neighbourhoods they serve.
e.
Locating parks and open space, where appropriate, with areas for active
and passive recreation use that accommodate institutions and social
facilities, indoor and outdoor recreation facilities, retail and restaurant
areas, and other community amenities.
f.
Ensuring land dedicated as parkland meets the minimum standards.
g.
Discouraging the creation of small, isolated, single purpose parks; except
in cases where the creation of such parks contribute effectively to park
access and use that support overall parks and recreation goals.
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PART C Thematic Policies
PR 6
For multi-phase developments, park dedication and development should occur in the first
phases of development.
PR 7
Prioritize parkland dedication over cash-in-lieu contribution, where opportunities exist.
PR 8
Seek opportunity to augment the Parkland Acquisition Reserve Fund in order to ensure a
dedicated source of funding to support parks acquisition. Explore what contributions to
include such as grants, money received from the sale or disposal of parkland, or parcel-
based tax levy.
PR 9
In case of school closure or relocation, work with the School District 71 to explore
opportunities for protecting, retaining, enhancing, and acquiring the open space
components of these properties as City parks.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Policies
Objective 2 Recreation amenities, services, and programming are
expanded and enhanced to support increased health,
wellness, and social connections for all residents
PR 10
Maintain and invest in Lewis and Simms Parks as centralized, high-intensity regional
recreation destinations intended to serve the recreation needs of the community.
PR 11
Develop plans for the expansion and renovation of existing recreational facilities, including
consideration of relocation of the Lewis Centre in light of the City's Flood Management Plan,
and development of new community amenity locations to support the urban framework
growth concept.
PR 12
Conduct a recreational needs assessment to define appropriate measures and supply
of recreational services to match population growth and demographic trends. Create a
Recreation Facility Strategic Plan to ensure the City has adequate infrastructure to match the
population growth and demographics.
PR 13
Ensure asset management plans are developed for parks and greenways and incorporated
into long term capital plans. Prioritize community parks, followed by neighbourhood parks,
nature parks and trails/greenways in accordance with the Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
PR 14
Continue to implement the Recreation Fees and Charges Framework to ensure an equitable
fee structure while seeking opportunities to offer more affordable and no-cost activities for
those who have limited access to regular programs.
PR 15
Explore opportunities for mobile recreation services and 'pop-up' programming for greater
outreach in parks and public open spaces, schools, and community facilities, in particular
within the Town and Neighbourhood Centres and Corridors.
PR 16
Ensure outdoor key recreational areas are supported with adequate sanitary facilities,
particularly during peak periods.
PR 17
Provide programming that reflects the directions of the OCP: reconciliation, climate action,
equity, and community well-being.
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PART C Thematic Policies
Policies
Objective 3 Parks, greenways, and streets are better integrated to create
a seamless and enjoyable active transportation system
PR 18
Reclaim underutilized land within road rights of way to achieve a greater balance between
the pedestrian and vehicular realm on streets identified as part of the pedestrian, cycling,
and greenway network. Animate these streets with park elements such as trees, landscaping,
community gardens, seating areas, small-scale play equipment and other amenities. Provide
for policies to allow for both temporary and permanent installations.
PR 19
Ensure future updates to the 2019 Parks and Recreation Master Plan, the 2019
Transportation Master Plan, and the Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw include a
modified green and active street standard to support multiple goals within the road right of
way on select streets.
PR 20
Update the OCP Parks and Greenways Map to reflect the outcomes of the Strategic
Transportation Plan and Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan updates.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Policies
Objective 4 The parks and recreation system exemplifies leadership
in reconciliation, climate action, equity, and community
well-being through its services, programs, and partnerships
PR 21
When designing and programing parks and recreational facilities ensure the following
perspectives and factors are considered and included:
a.
Indigenous perspectives and worldviews, including K'ómoks First Nation
traditional use and practices, in the provision of recreational programming
and in the formation of park types, layouts, features, and purposes; and
b.
Unique and culturally significant spaces highlighted in parks and provide
spaces and amenities to celebrate a diversity of heritage, art and culture of
our community.
PR 22
Where appropriate, use existing and new parks, greenways, and recreational facilities
as climate-friendly leadership, education and demonstration opportunities that can
be studied, evaluated, and marketed to foster support from the public, development
community, and City for broader application. Specifically consider:
a.
Test beds for emerging green infrastructure approaches;
b.
Water conservation and zero waste management technology and practices;
c.
New models for promoting and sustaining urban and semi-urban
biodiversity, and include measurable targets and post-construction
monitoring to track successes;
d.
Planting of local and climate-adapted species, and the restoration of local
habitats in park spaces;
e.
Urban forest management and good arboricultural practices;
f.
Education about local ecosystems, their services and sensitivities, and our
relationships and responsibilities to the natural world;
g.
Renewable energy; and
h.
Urban agriculture opportunities.
PR 23
Protect sensitive ecosystems and ecological functions within City parks by:
a.
Creating designated protection areas;
b.
Limiting access points;
c.
Installing interpretive signage for increasing public awareness; and
d.
Developing guidelines to determine compatible and incompatible
recreational land uses in Environmentally Sensitive Areas.
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PART C Thematic Policies
Policies
Objective 5 Partnerships are in place to achieve parks and
recreation objectives
PR 24
Continue to participate in the regional parks service in partnership with regional
partners, and support the implementation of the Regional Parks and Trails Strategic
Plan.
PR 25
Seek out partnerships to achieve the goals and objectives of the Parks and Recreation
Master Plan including, but not limited to working with:
a.
School District 71 to increase access to school facilities after hours for
community uses and City programs;
b.
Neighbouring jurisdictions to explore regional greenway connectivity
opportunities;
c.
Community agencies to provide more programs in/around the Town and
Neighbourhood Centres and Urban Corridor;
d.
Non-profit and private sector organizations to expand sport and physical
activity options, and expand recreation opportunities for all residents;
e.
Neighbouring jurisdictions and other government agencies and community
groups, to coordinate recreation and park services and to consider
alternative service delivery methods including maintenance agreements;
and
f.
Citizens to foster resident-driven solutions and involvement in park use and
community involvement.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
OBJECTIVES
1.
Infrastructure and services are resilient to risks and impacts of
climate change
2.
Infrastructure investments are guided by a multiple bottom line
decision-making approach: this means energy efficient, fiscally
responsible, equitably distributed, sustainable levels of service
that protect public health, safety, and the environment
3.
Natural and engineered forms of green infrastructure are
integrated to manage rainwater resources, protect water and air
quality, maintain ecosystem function, provide flood control, and
address and adapt to climate impacts
4.
Solid waste, potable water, sanitary sewer and rain and stormwater
infrastructure life-cycle costs are minimized by increasing
conservation actions and reducing the need to develop new
infrastructure capacity
5.
Third party utility providers such as energy and communications
utilities are coordinated with municipal servicing, low carbon and
reliable
Objectives and policies pertaining to the mobility network are included
in the Streets and Transportation policy chapter. Aligning municipal
infrastructure investment decisions with growth management is included
in Part B
MUNICIPAL INFRASTRUCTURE
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PART C Thematic Policies
While traditional municipal infrastructure - such
as underground pipes and treatment facilities -
is often hidden from public view, it's a complex
system that forms a vital part of Courtenay's
urban system contributing to health,
sustainability, and fiscal success of Courtenay.
Examples include:
-
Courtenay's water is provided by the CVRD,
sourced from Comox Lake. A new water
treatment facility in 2021 services Courtenay
residents among others.
-
The City's sewer utility infrastructure
includes over 170 km of sanitary sewer
mains and 8,000 individual connections.
Household and business wastewater
is conveyed to the Comox Valley Water
Pollution Control Centre, which is operated
by the CVRD.
-
The City's storm drainage infrastructure
includes over 167 km of gravity mains,
approximately 650 culverts, and over 7,000
service connections. In addition, there are
over 45 km of City-maintained drainage
ditches, 22 public storm ponds and 18
private storm ponds. Storm drainage from
public and private land in the City drains
into the Puntledge River, Tsolum River,
Courtenay River, K'ómoks Estuary as well as
Millard-Piercy Creek, Morrison Creek, Little
River, Portuguese Creek, and Brooklyn Creek
watersheds.
-
Solid waste curbside collection from lower
density urban residential areas includes
garbage, recycling, and organic waste.
Additional recyclable materials can also
be brought to the private recycling depot
located within Courtenay, or taken to the
Comox Valley Waste Management Centre
(CVWMC) in Cumberland. Higher density
multi-residential homes and businesses
COURTENAY TODAY
arrange for their own waste collection services
through private haulers.
-
A regional organics composting facility has
been operating in Campbell River servicing
the Comox Strathcona Waste Management
(CSWM) area since 2023. Other waste streams
may be disposed of at the Comox Valley
Waste Management Centre (CVWM) landfill,
or separated for recycling like metal, clean
wood and drywall. The service reports that
in 2024, industrial, commercial, institutional,
and multi-residential garbage accounted for
53% of the 37,800 tonnes of waste brought to
the landfill, construction and demolition waste
accounted for 28%, curbside garbage collected
from residents (other than multi-residential)
accounted for 18%, with the remaining 1%
coming from other sources.
Despite this infrastructure asset portfolio, servicing
is constrained in a number of areas throughout
the community, particularly of water, sewer and
stormwater management infrastructure, limiting
the ability to service growth.
Distributing water, treating wastewater, and
collecting and treating solid waste all require
energy efficient management. Under status quo
(i.e., unchanged) management practices, this
energy demand will continue to grow.
Furthermore, like in all cities, the reliable
functioning of this complex network of
infrastructure in Courtenay is threatened by climate
change impacts. For example, projected decreases
in summer precipitation and winter snowfall may
reduce water supplies in future summer months.
Similarly, increasing risks of flooding, storm surges,
saltwater intrusion, extended drought conditions,
and more frequent and severe winter storms and
spring and fall rainfall events will add strain and
threaten municipal infrastructure systems.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Decisions made today about Courtenay's
growth, infrastructure, and service levels will
shape the City's long-term financial health. New
and upgraded infrastructure will be needed
to support growth, requiring a careful balance
of costs between existing residents and new
development. Because higher-density, well-
connected neighbourhoods cost less to service
over time, the City will take a holistic approach
to land use and infrastructure planning that
considers long-term lifecycle costs.
Recognizing that the City's investments have far-
reaching impacts on the well-being of people
and the environment, the City will also apply a
full-cost accounting approach to infrastructure
planning and management. This means that
external costs associated with climate change
impacts, air pollution, motor vehicle collisions,
and other health and sustainability impacts will
be better accounted for in decision-making.
Courtenay will also integrate natural assets into
core asset management practice and financial
decision-making process, with the goal of
understanding, managing, and valuing natural
assets equally to more traditional grey or "hard"
built infrastructure. Particularly for rainwater
management, the City will shift focus to treating
rain and stormwater as a resource rather than
as a waste product. This means expanding
the services of rainwater management
from solely drainage and flood prevention,
toward green infrastructure and regenerative
MEETING OUR
GOALS THROUGH
INFRASTRUCTURE
development practices that contribute to
Courtenay's ecosystems. Letting nature "do the
work" is not only ecologically beneficial, it offers
financial benefits in the long run. This will require
attention to the scale of nature-based solutions,
from entire watersheds to property-specific
opportunities. Such approaches may not be
suitable in all locations, but opportunities for
nature-based solutions will first be considered
before being dismissed.
2022 MODELLING ASSUMPTIONS
In the development of the 2022 OCP
modelling was conducted to identify
opportunities to reduce GHGs associated
with municipal infrastructure. Because
pumping and treating water and waste
water as well as moving and treating solid
waste is a source of GHG emissions, the
following targets are identified to contribute
to the community-wide 2050 net-zero GHG
emission target.
-
End-of-life pumps in the water
distribution system are replaced with
more efficient versions, reducing energy
use by 30% by 2050 and increased use of
remote monitoring technology limit staff
manual inspection frequencies;
-
Non-agricultural water use across
Courtenay is reduced 50% by 2050; and
-
90% of residential and industrial,
commercial and institutional (ICI) waste,
including 100% of organic waste, is
diverted from the landfill by 2050.
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PART C Thematic Policies
Policies
Objective 1 Infrastructure and services are resilient to risks and
impacts of climate change
MI 1
Conduct a high-level risk assessment (HLRA) to determine potential risks to Courtenay's infrastructure
and identify priority areas for adaptation interventions. Ensure the HLRA includes direction to:
a.
Involve internal and external interest holders from neighbouring jurisdictions, the
Comox Valley Emergency Program, Emergency Management BC, energy utilities,
telecommunications providers, and transportation service providers, health authority, and
other critical services including local food security.
b.
Conduct a risk and vulnerability analysis of municipally owned and operated infrastructure
at the asset class and system level to determine the climate change impact vulnerability of
municipal infrastructure and identify priority assets for adaptation interventions.
c.
Ensure risk assessments include analyses of changes expected due to climate change, such
as forecasting of rainfall intensity-duration-frequency curves and sea level rise in order to
assess the magnitude of climate change effects, and quantify that change over time.
d.
Establish a program of climate change adaptation measures to implement on local and
regional infrastructure, according to the priority established in the assessments. Ensure
that the program includes green infrastructure interventions including urban forest strategy
recommendations wherever appropriate.
e.
Install or upgrade to zero-emissions back-up power in critical infrastructure (e.g., battery
electric storage, green hydrogen).
f.
Develop inspection procedures for high-risk infrastructure to identify damage resulting from
extreme events.
g.
Develop or update design standards for new municipal infrastructure that reflect anticipated
results of the risk and vulnerability analysis.
Policies
Objective 2 Infrastructure investments are guided by a multiple bottom line
decision-making approach; this means energy efficient, fiscally
responsible, equitably distributed, sustainable levels of service
that protect public health, safety, and the environment
MI 2
Make infrastructure planning, investment, and operations and maintenance decisions using a
long-term, lifecycle, full-cost accounting approach grounded in asset management principles and
practices. This includes risk analysis for design, maintenance, and renewal of infrastructure and
utilities--including natural assets--and prioritizing preventative maintenance to extend asset life,
protect health and safety, and optimize return on investment.
MI 3
Utilize ecological services provided by natural systems wherever practical. This means applying and
integrating natural capital in the City's Asset Management Plan to provide for their maintenance
and regular support alongside traditional capital assets including reclamation and restoration of
degraded natural assets.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
MI 4
Develop decision support tools to ensure the vision and goals of the OCP are being considered and
incorporated into capital planning and capital asset renewal including a priority allocation decision
making framework for infrastructure investment that supports growth.
MI 5
Support variances to development and servicing specifications to permit green infrastructure,
public amenity or active transportation infrastructure on public land where such opportunities are
technically feasible, where operations and maintenance considerations have been identified and are
supported, and where such infrastructure is in accordance with the vision and goals of the OCP.
MI 6
Encourage senior government regulations to allow natural assets in public service accounting
frameworks.
MI 7
Explore the option of establishing, working in partnership to establish, or supporting the
establishment of a sani-dump station within Courtenay in order to ensure proper disposal options
for recreational vehicles.
MI 8
Seek opportunities for preserving utility or other rights of way for future linear paths as part of the
pedestrian and cycle network.
MI 9
Ensure that high-efficiency improvements are applied to capital upgrades including, but not limited
to: water and sewage pumps, treatment and conveyance; streetlights and other public realm
lighting; and solid waste transportation and treatment.
MI 10
Investigate infrastructure systems and technologies to improve energy efficiency and resource
reuse. Look for opportunities for capturing waste heat, heat exchange, energy generation, and
rainwater reuse.
MI 11
The City will maintain up-to-date geospatial data, including LiDAR-derived elevation models, to
support hazard mapping (floodplain, steep slopes) and infrastructure planning. LiDAR data should
be reviewed and updated periodically, ideally aligned with the five-year OCP review cycle or when
significant landform changes occur.
MI 12
When completing strategic servicing plans for City services, include the full costs of these plans to
ensure Development Cost Charges can be accurately updated, and the City has a path to fulfill these
plans in a financially sustainable way.
MI 13
Regularly review the Development Cost Charges Bylaw to reflect the costs of growth-related
infrastructure including parks and determine the appropriate balance of funding new infrastructure
between the existing community and new developments.
MI 14
Coordinate major City of Courtenay Development Cost Charge bylaw updates regionally and with
the Amenity Cost Charge Bylaw to allow for fulsome public and interest-holder engagement on the
range of projects and cost charges being contemplated and support ease of administration.
MI 15
Review fees and charges to fully recover costs of utility operations and maintenance as well as
capital replacement through user fees and frontage fees. Explore the feasibility of a utility approach
to rain and stormwater management, including incentivising permeable landscapes.
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PART C Thematic Policies
Policies
Objective 3 Natural and engineered forms of green infrastructure are
integrated to manage rainwater resources, protect water and
air quality, maintain ecosystem function, provide flood control,
and address and adapt to climate impacts
MI 16
Evaluate opportunity for green infrastructure specifications and best management practices to
be included in the Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw and explore supporting green
infrastructure opportunities in the Zoning Bylaw such as limiting impervious surfaces.
MI 17
Ensure that rain and stormwater management planning and infrastructure support both
watershed health and public safety objectives by:
a.
Minimizing and mitigating cumulative impacts, working at the watershed scale across
jurisdictional boundaries;
b.
Designing the stormwater system to maintain natural hydrology, by managing the
volume and flow of stormwater runoff to match pre-development rates, accounting
for climate change projections. This includes preventing small rainfall events from
becoming surface run-off and ensuring the maintenance of base flows;
c.
Returning water collected in drainage networks to the natural waterbody it belongs in
as close to source as possible;
d.
Supporting the integration of rainwater source control with community or natural
amenity space where possible. Promote park and streetscape designs that provide
rainwater management functions;
e.
Mimicking natural ecosystem processes in rainwater system design and construction
as much as possible. This includes minimizing runoff, maximizing infiltration,
preserving and protecting the water absorbing capabilities of soil, vegetation and
trees particularly along riparian corridors, and minimizing impervious surfaces on
both private and public lands;
f.
Encouraging the capturing of rainwater and discharging to ground where appropriate
on public and private properties, while reducing impact to downslope properties;
g.
Ensuring stormwater meets applicable BC surface water objectives at the time it is
discharged into receiving waterbodies;
h.
Restricting the use of pesticides, herbicides, and other substances that are harmful to
water quality; and
i.
Applying best practices to land use management to prevent erosion and
sedimentation during construction.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Policies
Objective 4 Solid waste, potable water, sanitary sewer and rain and
stormwater infrastructure life-cycle costs are minimized
by increasing conservation actions and reducing the need
to develop new infrastructure capacity
MI 18
Support the continued extension of garbage, yard waste, recycling, and kitchen organics
services to Courtenay properties, and collaborate with the Comox Strathcona Waste
Management service to pursue ongoing improvements in waste diversion, with a long-
term focus on significantly increasing diversion of residential, industrial, commercial, and
institutional waste, including organic materials.
MI 19
In accordance with the Comox Strathcona Solid Waste Management Plan, explore zero-waste
approaches in waste management, including upstream approaches that emphasize waste
avoidance, reduction and reuse where appropriate within local government functions. This
includes, but is not limited to:
a.
Supporting regionally coordinated and sustained public education programs;
b.
Supporting conveniently located recycling and waste diversion facilities as part
of complete neighbourhoods subject to access, form and character, and other
neighbourhood integration considerations;
c.
Ensuring sufficient and conveniently located spaces within all developments to
support occupant waste diversion behaviours;
d.
Materials restrictions and bans from the landfill where alternatives exist and
diversion options are viable;
e.
Supporting the Province in expanding the Recycling Regulation to include more
materials in Extended Producer Responsibility policies;
f.
Obtaining accurate data of waste streams for monitoring, education, and planning
purposes;
g.
Demonstrating leadership in municipal operations, procurement, and capital
investments, including renewal and disposal.
h.
Demonstrating leadership in diversion through implementation of recycling and
organics collection containers in civic buildings and municipal public spaces where
appropriate; and
i.
Explore opportunities to encourage the adaptive reuse of buildings by participating
in construction industry education programs to support on-site diversion as well as
through permitting and planning processes including but not limited to establishing
pre-demolition assessment processes for materials of value and prioritizing
building reuse over demolition.
MI 20
Implement initiatives and programs in the City's Water Smart Action Plan that aim to reduce
water demand. Explore the implementation of demand-side management measures to
reduce community water consumption including outdoor water use restrictions, universal
water metering, rainwater harvesting, and conservation-oriented water rates.
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PART C Thematic Policies
Policies
Objective 5 Third party utility providers such as energy and
communications utilities are coordinated with municipal
servicing, low carbon and reliable
MI 21
Collaborate with utility providers to coordinate wherever possible infrastructure planning to
support community growth. This includes sharing datasets and other information, coordinating
capital planning, and establishing policies and regulatory standards that co-locate infrastructure
where mutually beneficial.
MI 22
Support the creation of high quality and assured communications links.
MI 23
Work with utility companies to coordinate planning and development of electricity and other low-
carbon energy infrastructure (e.g., solar, geothermal, etc.) to ensure project efficiencies, minimize
costs, reduce public nuisance, and ensure sufficient supply.
MI 24
Encourage the generation of more renewable energy within Courtenay subject to form and
character and other land use considerations.
MI 25
Collaborate with BC Hydro to review and consider flexible options to support overhead
connections for Neighbourhood Centres and other ground-oriented forms of development.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
OBJECTIVES
1.
All Courtenay residents experience equitable access to services
2.
Coordinated, inclusionary, and systems-based responses are in place
to address evolving complex social issues
3.
Physical spaces are designed with the needs for social connection
and accessibility in mind
4.
Neighbourhood and community development-based organizing are
leveraged as a source of community capacity and resilience
Objectives and policies pertaining to an important social infrastructure -
Parks and Recreation - are included in the policy chapter by that name.
Other social infrastructure such as community gardening and a resilient and
equitable food system are included in the Food Systems policy chapter.
Arts, Culture and Heritage as a foundation to thriving and expressive
social systems are included in that policy chapter. Affordable housing and
affordable transportation are addressed in those respective chapters as well
SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE
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PART C Thematic Policies
Social infrastructure is made up of foundational
services and networks that support local quality
of life. They are provided in response to the
basic needs of communities and to provide more
equity, stability, and social well-being. Social
infrastructure will be unique to the needs of each
community and will change over time.
In Courtenay, social infrastructure needs and
issues are diverse. Depending on the barriers to
social and economic participation, some residents
may require a number of supports for varying
durations. Common needs include: mental health
and addictions services; sufficient food; child care
that supports parental, particularly women's, full
participation in the workforce; and supports to
reduce the childhood vulnerability (as measured
by the Early Development instrument scale).
Poverty and lack of affordable housing are at
the heart of a number of these complex social
challenges, including real and perceived sense of
community safety, which unfortunately remain a
significant concern in Courtenay today.
For people who identify with equity-priority
groups (such as women, seniors, youth, Black,
First Nations, Inuit, Metis, people of colour,
2SLGBTQIAP and people with physical and/or
developmental disabilities) barriers to social
and economic participation are often higher
due to systemic practices and processes that
do not consider or provide for the needs and
experiences of all people. Immigrant newcomers'
experiences indicate that affordable housing,
public transportation, access to employment,
and initiatives to foster community connections
are needed to accelerate the process of making
Courtenay home.
COURTENAY TODAY
Social infrastructure responses include
providing services as well as nurturing the
conditions for citizens to connect with and
support each other. Services may take the form
of meeting basic needs (safety, food, shelter,
child care and health care), enriching quality
of life (recreation, lifelong learning, diverse
experiences, and having fun), or supporting
community safety such as through restorative
justice principles as practiced by the Community
Justice Centre, to which the City of Courtenay
appoints an elected official.2 The delivery of
social infrastructure relies on the coordination
and partnerships of various government
agencies and jurisdictions, community
organizations, businesses, and volunteers.
2 Restorative Justice is defined by the Comox Valley
Community Justice Centre as "a way of addressing
conflict and crime that enables the person who caused
the harm, people who were affected by the harm,
and the community to create a meaningful solution.
In contrast to the traditional justice system in Canada
which seeks to establish a punishment for each act
of wrongdoing assuming that will contribute to victim
and societal satisfaction, Restorative Justice focuses
on repairing damage and restoring relationships.
Restorative Justice is not a specific model, instead it
is a set of principles that can be flexibly applied to
a variety of situations of conflict, crime, abuse, etc.
Definition from www.communityjusticecentre.ca.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
People are at the heart of this OCP.
Regardless of personal circumstance, all
residents need to be included and feel a
sense of belonging to maintain Courtenay's
spirit. Therefore this OCP recognizes that
social planning and infrastructure are
as critical to community well-being as
traditional forms of municipal infrastructure
such as roads, pipes, and parks.
It takes a community to support and
celebrate each other. The City's approach
to social infrastructure will be to foster
collaborative working relationships with
diverse community partners, as well as
support the conditions for social networks
to deepen. This people-centric approach
will be important in meeting social needs
as well as nurturing behaviour changes that
are needed for a climate friendly Courtenay.
The City will contribute and work towards an
expanding network of formal and informal
spaces and services to bring residents
together to volunteer, collaborate, receive
and give supports, have fun, and get things
done. Supporting each other, lowering our
collective and individual carbon footprints,
and preparing for the impacts of climate
change are activities that will be particularly
important at the neighbourhood scale.
MEETING OUR GOALS
THROUGH SOCIAL
INFRASTRUCTURE
People who previously were unable to enjoy
the city because of unmet needs will discover
more supports. People who have historically
been excluded from public processes will be
equally valued, and their unique needs and
aspirations will be included and represented.
Structural inequities will be reduced through
affordable housing, safe and accessible public
spaces, social programming, and more diverse
representation in civic decision-making.
Because individual and community well-
being are influenced by a broad range of
personal, social, economic, and environmental
conditions in which we grow, live, work
and age, social determinants of health will
be considered at the root of community
decisions. This includes approaches to
community safety that are founded on
trauma informed, culturally safe and
restorative justice practices. Given the diversity
of social determinants of health (Figure C-1),
other critical social infrastructure elements
such as affordable housing, affordable, safe
and accessible transportation, parks and
recreation, arts and culture, community
participation and a commitment to
reconciliation and addressing inequities are
covered elsewhere in this OCP.
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PART C Thematic Policies
SI 1
Develop and employ a locally-relevant framework for assessing social, equity, and
health impacts in policy, development, program and service decisions.
SI 2
Undertake a city-wide equity audit to identify social inequities and barriers to access in
municipal service delivery and develop a strategy to inform decision-making processes
related to planning and service allocation in the community. Ensure anti-discrimination,
diversity, and inclusion form part of any new policies and programs as well as equitable
access to all City services based on needs.
SI 3
Provide learning and capacity building opportunities for City employees to ensure
understanding and accountability to eliminate discrimination wherever such exists,
and promote equity, diversity, and inclusion throughout the City's services.
SI 4
Ensure a comprehensive approach to universal accessibility is routinely considered in
the development of new municipal plans, policies, built environment design, programs,
services, and communication formats. This includes physical accessibility as well as
access more generally that is free from systemic barriers.
SI 5
Update and expand the audit of public facilities and spaces, transportation systems,
and gathering places in consultation with the community, to evaluate accessibility.
Prioritize improvements that provide functional barrier-free options.
Policies
Objective 1 All Courtenay residents experience equitable
access to services
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Policies
Objective 2 Coordinated, inclusionary, and systems-based responses
are in place to address evolving complex social issues
SI 6
Consider social determinants of health and adopt an evidence-based approach to policy
formation, community education, advocacy, and decision making, including ensuring equity-
priority voices are included in the creation, delivery, and evaluation of services.
SI 7
Identify an appropriate role for the City in the delivery of social infrastructure in relation to
other organizations, agencies, and jurisdictions that provide services for equity-priority groups.
SI 8
Work regionally to increase childcare spaces as identified in the Comox Valley Child Care
Action Plan, including exploring how the City can support School District 71 in the provision of
childcare spaces.
SI 9
Work regionally to reduce poverty in the Comox Valley by identifying an appropriate role for
the City in addressing poverty systemically as identified in the Comox Valley Regional District's
Poverty Reduction Strategy.
SI 10
Work regionally to further recommendations of the Comox Valley Substance Use Collaborative
including identifying an appropriate role for the City.
SI 11
Support regional cooperation in the provision of addiction recovery centres, including those
that provide on-site residential facilities.
SI 12
Continue to support the regional coordination of the Comox Valley Emergency Program.
Emphasize community capacity building responses as essential to that program, including
community adaptation approaches to the longer-range climate emergency.
SI 13
Through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and the Union of BC Municipalities
(UBCM), advocate to senior governments for action, funding, support, and coordination in
addressing social infrastructure needs including, but not limited to:
a.
Poverty reduction
b.
Homelessness and below-market housing
c.
Municipal infrastructure and community amenities
d.
Complex health care such as long-term care, mental health, and addictions care
e.
High quality, affordable, and accessible child care space targets as identified in the
Comox Valley Child Care Action Plan
f.
Early childhood health and development
g.
For a growing seniors population
h.
Settlement services
i.
Food security
j.
Employment
k.
Public safety
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PART C Thematic Policies
Policies
Objective 3 Physical spaces are designed with the needs for
social connection and accessibility in mind
SI 14
Provide sufficient, high-quality public spaces that promote social connectedness. Include
amenities to support all ages and abilities such as public washrooms, seating areas, and
drinking fountains.
SI 15
Develop a strategy to address community need for public washrooms, including hand washing
stations and access to secure potable water. Strive for public washrooms in all community
parks, and spaced a maximum of 4 kilometres apart along multi-use pathways.
SI 16
Whenever developing new public facilities such as recreation centres, hospitals, and
government offices, explore the opportunity to include child care as part of the design.
SI 17
Apply universal design principles in the review of development applications and in the design
of new or retrofitted public facilities and infrastructure early in design and evaluation. These
principles include complete streets, transit and parking facilities, public buildings, trails,
recreation areas, and intuitive and accessible way-finding.
SI 18
Apply both first- and second-generation Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
(CPTED) principles in supporting community safety. This focus includes physical aspects
such as street lighting and building orientation (first generation) and social aspects such as
community connections and behaviour (second generation). Ensure consideration is given
to unintended consequences associated with discriminatory surveillance practices that can
target racialized and equity-priority groups.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Policies
Objective 4 Neighbourhood and community development-based organizing
are leveraged as a source of community capacity and resilience
SI 19
Support volunteers, organizations, and other social assets to continue undertaking their work
within the community.
SI 20
Explore opportunities for establishing volunteer programs that promote community-based
stewardship and restoration of parks and natural areas.
SI 21
Support the creation of ambassador programs, such as a seniors ambassadors program, to
connect residents to programs and services that are available to them.
SI 22
Support and build neighbourhood capacity in strengthening social connections, climate
action, and community resilience through neighbourhood-driven initiatives based on asset
based community development approaches. Such initiatives could include, but are not limited
to: School District No. 71 community use of schools, Neighbourhood Houses, Safe Routes to
School Programs, small-scale street-level projects, resilience assessments relating to climate
change, and learning events for resident action.
SI 23
Provide volunteer recognition opportunities.
SI 24
Work regionally to identify sufficient and suitable locations for emergency shelters, including
during weather related events and evacuations.
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PART C Thematic Policies
ARTS, CULTURE, AND HERITAGE
OBJECTIVES
1.
Residents and visitors know they are in K'ómoks First Nation
territory by the prominent tangible and intangible celebration of
their culture and heritage
2.
Local art, culture and heritage, including natural heritage, are
showcased throughout Courtenay
3.
Courtenay has a reputation as the regional centre for arts
and culture
4.
Community cultural and heritage assets are identified, preserved,
and celebrated
5.
Identities expressed in the public realm and cultural programing
are representative of Courtenay and the region
6.
Community access and participation in arts and culture is strong
and widespread
Arts, culture, and heritage touch a number of aspects of the OCP.
Recognition of these industries as economic opportunities are included
in the Local Economic Development chapter. The Parks and Recreation,
Streets and Transportation, and Social Infrastructure chapters
contain objectives and policies to include arts, culture, and heritage
considerations in infrastructure development and re-development
opportunities. The Natural Environment chapter includes objectives
and policies that support Courtenay's natural heritage
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Culture is the representation of who we are.
It speaks to our values from the past and
present, our traditions, and our expressions.
The living culture of the K'ómoks First Nation
is the bedrock of the "Land of Plenty" -
lands and waters rich in living heritage,
which includes the area known today as
Courtenay. K'ómoks First Nation's oral
history and archaeology reveal a rich and
bountiful relationship between the K'ómoks
and the Land of Plenty.
The totems at the corner of Duncan Avenue
and 6th Street offer a tangible example
of this recognition of place and culture.
More opportunities to honor this heritage
continue to be explored by the City and
numerous cultural partners.
COURTENAY TODAY
Courtenay's wider cultural ecosystem is rich
and varied, estimated to be practiced and
provided by the over 4,000 cultural workers
in the region.1 Local arts and culture assets
include the tangible and intangible: special
places, heritage buildings and streetscapes,
festivals, ceremonies and celebrations, art
installations, farmers markets, independent
restaurants, and hands-on opportunities
such as community development initiatives
and arts programs.
The City invests in arts, culture, and heritage
through a number of community partners
including the Comox Valley Art Gallery, the
Courtenay and District Museum, the Sid
Williams Civic Theatre, and the Comox Valley
Community Arts Council. These cultural
1 Comox Valley Arts Council 2017 local inventorying
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PART C Thematic Policies
assets are deeply valued by Courtenay residents,
and they support important cultural and
economic development within the region.
In 2025, the City adopted its first Strategic Cultural
Plan and corresponding implementation strategy,
to highlight the impact and value of arts and
culture in Courtenay and provide a framework
to continue supporting and resourcing this
important aspect of community life.
"Fish weirs, duck nets, berry picking techniques and
clothing design met the needs of the K'ómoks and
for generations provided variety, utility and sense
of cultural uniqueness. Mask dances and rhythmic
songs filled the winter nights and season. Property
was distributed to guests in potlatches and elaborate
naming ceremonies honoured the youth, leaders and
elders of the communities... Following contact with
Europeans [including]... a period of colonial policy
and practices, the K'ómoks families have endured
hardship and loss of land, resources and cultural
connection. Modern leaders are striving to reclaim
cultural expression and relationship with
'the land of plenty.'"
- K'ómoks Comprehensive Community Plan
(page 26)
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Arts, culture, and heritage help re-frame
and engage on important social topics
such as climate change, reconciliation and
equity, and provide for creative and safe
opportunities to explore our complex and
changing world. Seasonal celebrations
and ceremonies help connect to the living
heritage of local ecosystems, such as the
K'ómoks First Nation tradition of celebrating
the annual return of individual salmon
species.
A thriving cultural climate is a sign of a
vibrant community. Arts and culture renew
communities, build identity and pride,
strengthen bonds, and improve quality of
life on all socioeconomic levels. Along with
ecosystems, historical and contemporary
arts and culture are place-makers and
will continue to provide a foundation to
Courtenay's identity. They help foster a love
of local place and feeling of belonging. From
these strong roots of place, the cultural
sector grows in its role as a key economic
driver, ranging from tourism to maker
industries.
Arts, culture, and heritage can help
cities embrace diversity, building trust
and understanding across peoples, and
MEETING OUR GOALS
THROUGH ARTS, CULTURE,
AND HERITAGE
demonstrate how different identities can
be expressed and celebrated in the public
realm. Arts, culture, and heritage are
important to relationship-building and to
creating a city for everyone. This includes
highlighting and nurturing the relationships
of humans to nature and learning about and
igniting a spirit of action on climate change
and other critical social issues. Arts, culture,
and heritage open the doors to a more
dynamic, creative, and inclusive future.
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PART C Thematic Policies
ACH 1
Incorporate art, culture and heritage, including K'ómoks First Nation heritage, into
place-making efforts throughout the city, including in the design of new private and
public buildings and spaces.
ACH 2
Develop a public art policy or guideline that supports the growth of public art and
artistic expression in buildings, streets, parks and other areas of the public realm,
giving preference to local and Indigenous artists.
ACH 3
Ensure infrastructure is considered in the design of civic spaces to support safe events
and place making opportunities including but not limited to electrical connections,
potable water sources, public washrooms and transportation improvements..
ACH 4
Regularly monitor and update arts and culture programs to keep pace with the
changing and growing needs of the community.
ACH 5
Support new cultural amenities through Amenity Contribution Charge program and
the City's Amenity Cost Charge (ACC) program.
Policies
Objective 1 Residents and visitors know they are in K'ómoks First Nation
territory by the prominent tangible and intangible celebration
of their culture and heritage
Objective 2 Local art, culture, and heritage, including natural heritage,
are showcased throughout Courtenay
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Policies
Objective 3 Courtenay has a reputation as the regional
centre for arts and culture
ACH 6
Implement the Strategic Cultural Plan recommendations including the development of a
Cultural Facility Needs and Feasibility Study and a Cultural Facilities Strategic Plan that provides
a foundation for partnership models, cultural development, and asset investment and
management.
ACH 7
Continue to support the downtown as the region's arts, culture, and heritage district by ensuring
key cultural partners such as the Comox Valley Art Gallery, the Courtenay and District Museum,
the Sid Williams Civic Theatre, and the Comox Valley Community Arts Council continue to
be located downtown, and promoting and investing in public art and cultural opportunities
downtown.
ACH 8
Work regionally and in partnership to coordinate arts and cultural services and invest and raise
the Comox Valley's profile as a centre for contemporary artistic creation.
ACH 9
Recognize local cultural, arts, and heritage assets as foundational to Courtenay's community
identity.
ACH 10
Advocate for investment in arts, culture, and heritage as a local tourism economic development
driver.
ACH 11
Consider the establishment of a dedicated community arts and culture space.
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PART C Thematic Policies
Policies
Objective 4 Community cultural and heritage assets are
identified, preserved, and celebrated
ACH 12
Collaborate with K'ómoks First Nation to conserve, promote, and build appreciation for local
archaeological sites, heritage assets, and other cultural interests in coordination with their
long-term planning policies such as K'ómoks First Nation's Comprehensive Community Plan
policies and the Community Action Plan.
ACH 13
Ensure enhanced protection of archaeological sites and places of cultural significance. This
includes supporting the K'ómoks First Nation in obtaining information requirements to fulfill
their Cultural Heritage Policy and Cultural Heritage Investigation Permits when applicable.
ACH 14
Promote awareness and conservation of the heritage of Courtenay through official
designation and public educational programs.
ACH 15
Preserve, protect, and manage historic sites, structures, and landscapes in the city following
the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada or relevant
best management practices.
ACH 16
Through the Heritage Alteration Permit process, ensure that repairs or renovations be
carried out without compromising Character Defining Elements, while improving energy
efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
ACH 17
Continue to identify and document heritage assets including historic sites, structures,
and landscapes in consultation with the K'ómoks First Nation and the Heritage Advisory
Commission and continually update the Housing Inventory and Heritage Register as per the
provisions of the Local Government Act and Heritage Conservation Act for promoting the
heritage of Courtenay.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Policies
Objective 5 Identities expressed in the public realm and cultural
programing are representative of Courtenay and
the region
ACH 18
Support diverse arts programs, artistic exhibitions and expressions, cultural festivals, and
other activities that celebrate and contribute to both Indigenous and Courtenay's cultural
identity in public and private realms.
ACH 19
Develop a special event and hosting policy to clarify the city's role in the delivery of special
events.
ACH 20
Ensure investments in, and creation of, cultural resources and activities, and cultural and
artistic expression in the public realm. Include the diverse identities, aspirations, expressions
and contributions within the community.
ACH 21
Do not permit oppressive symbols in the public realm such as plaques, signs, monuments,
and place names that pay tribute to historic figures or acts that served to uphold systems of
colonialism, racism, and sexism.
ACH 22
Conduct an audit to identify oppressive symbols and initiate a community engagement
process.
ACH 23
Explore opportunities for place, parks, building or street renaming, or dual place naming
where appropriate, to reflect K'ómoks First Nation traditional naming conventions.
Policies
Objective 6 Community access and participation in arts and
culture is strong and widespread
ACH 24
Examine opportunities for art installations in public spaces as a routine part of public realm
and parks, trails and greenway upgrades, open space design, and infrastructure projects.
ACH 25
Explore opportunities within public buildings such as community centres and schools to
display local arts, culture, and heritage.
ACH 26
Seek new partnership models that support providing more arts and cultural opportunities
throughout the city.
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PART C Thematic Policies
FOOD SYSTEMS
OBJECTIVES
1.
All residents have access to affordable, healthy, culturally appropriate,
and local food outlets within walking distance, including food access
services and programs when needed
2.
All residents have access to food growing opportunities within
walking distance
3.
Lands supporting traditional foods are protected and traditional
practices are celebrated
4.
Agricultural lands are protected and are compatible with urban uses
5.
Food processing, warehousing, and distribution activities are
permitted in urban areas of Courtenay
6.
Food security actions are regionally coordinated
Food systems connect to a number of other aspects of the OCP including
as an important form of Social Infrastructure and Local Economic
Development opportunity. Ensuring healthy soil, air, water, and ecosystems
that can support a sustainable food system are addressed in the Natural
Environment chapter
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
One of the most intimate - and enjoyable - ways
in which residents interact with living landscapes
is through local food systems. The lands and
waters that make up Courtenay today have been
actively used in food production by Indigenous
peoples for generations and by settlers in
Courtenay's recent history. In fact, the K'ómoks
First Nation has referred to the lands and waters
within the Courtenay area as the land of plenty
since time immemorial and continue to do so
today.
Within urban communities, a food system
typically includes production, processing,
distribution, sales, consumption, and
COURTENAY TODAY
food recovery and nutrient cycling (i.e.,
composting). In the Courtenay area, food
systems encompass: commercial farms on
both Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) and
other agricultural lands; urban agriculture
ranging from edible landscaping to community
gardens; value-add facilities and processing
facilities such as community kitchens; goods
movement; grocers and other food stores;
restaurants; farmers markets and food
celebrations. A number of social programs
also exist such as food literacy and cooking
workshops; food share programs, soup
kitchens, and meals provided in social housing;
school lunch programs; community gardens;
and farm gleaning and fruit tree programs.
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PART C Thematic Policies
With over 95% of food imported from off island,
the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted many of the
fragilities that currently exist in the local food
system. In the 2022 OCP update, the Comox
Valley Chamber of Commerce identified food
security as top priority for local businesses,
despite this topic traditionally falling outside of
their mandate. According to the Comox Valley
Food Policy Council, there is a vital network of
food growers, businesses, and organizations
across the valley that are collaborating to
strengthen food access and the local food
economy. Farmers have the land capacity to
increase production, but require more access
to community food assets such as storage and
processing facilities, aggregation and distribution
services, and locally produced feed.
A changing climate highlights food security risks as
well, whether that food is local or imported. The
Comox Valley's climate is expected to change to
longer, hotter summers with less precipitation,
and winters characterized by higher temperatures
and more varied storm occurrences. An increase
in expected frost-free and growing degree days
can support more local food production, however
more heat waves and insufficient irrigation are
expected to be challenges to that production in
the peak growing months.
On the demand side, engagement and research
on the local food system have revealed that there
is also a lack of sustained access to healthy, local
food and food systems for equity-priority groups
across the Comox Valley.3 This work underscored
the importance of shifting the community away
from charitable and emergency food services
to a system that focuses on empowerment,
education, preventative measures, and upstream
approaches that address systemic inequality.
3 Food Security, Poverty, Housing and the Local food system;
closing the loop in the Comox Valley. LUSH Valley. 2019
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Since 2020 City has supported the Island
Food Charter which is committed to a just
and sustainable food system in the Island
region rooted in healthy communities. A
food secure community is one in which
everyone has access to food that is
affordable, culturally preferable, nutritious
and safe. This includes the ability for
everyone to have the agency to participate
in, and influence food systems. And this
includes resilient, ecologically sustainable,
socially just qualities that honour Indigenous
food sovereignty. In order for a community's
food system to be secure, the Charter
recognizes the need for viable, sustainable,
and resilient systems to grow, harvest,
process, transport, and distribute food while
also minimizing waste.
The OCP land use strategy protects local
food production opportunities by ensuring
that agriculturally optimal lands are retained
for agricultural uses. By focusing future
urban growth within existing urban areas,
pressure to develop agricultural lands
for urban purposes is reduced. This also
supports climate goals as agricultural lands
can serve as powerful carbon sequestering
industries when employing regenerative soil
farming practices.
Within the urban areas, food production
spaces will be encouraged and gradually
expanded in both public and private spaces.
MEETING OUR GOALS
THROUGH FOOD SYSTEMS
Processing, distribution, storage and value-
add opportunities will also be supported
throughout Courtenay. Increased residential
densities in existing neighbourhoods will
provide more customers for new, locally-
serving grocery stores, particularly in
areas that are home to proportionately
more equity-priority groups. Food vendors,
community gardens, and edible landscaping
will help to distinguish and celebrate
the unique character and place-making
elements of specific neighbourhoods.
Sales and celebration of food will continue
to bolster food culture in Courtenay, and the
City will coordinate with regional efforts to
increase food security and food justice for all.
It is important for all residents to better
understand local food systems and foster
a sustainable food culture. Through
collaboration and partnership with the
K'ómoks First Nation and other Indigenous
peoples, decisions about living landscapes,
environmental protection, and park
programming will seek to protect and
restore access to traditional food cultivation
and harvesting.
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PART C Thematic Policies
Policies
Objective 1 All residents have access to affordable, healthy, culturally
appropriate, and local food outlets within walking distance,
including food access services and programs when needed
FS 1
Support establishment of small-scale healthy food retail options such as both year-round and
seasonal farmers markets, small to mid-size grocery stores, mobile food vendors, bakeries
and restaurants within or in proximity to the Town and Neighbourhood Centres and Corridors
including the Downtown Town Centre.
FS 2
Support Comox Valley Farmers Market Association in their efforts to secure a permanent
year round location and provide them a seasonal market, preferably downtown, to support
community activation in spaces with adequate infrastructure amenities (i.e., loading zones,
washrooms, water, and electricity).
FS 3
Develop a concept plan for the suitable location of a "food precinct" within Courtenay that
offers and promotes local food production, distribution, and enjoyment as its defining
character and place-making opportunity, complemented by an appropriate range of food-
supportive businesses, activities, and spaces.
FS 4
Encourage large multi-residential mixed-use developments to include retail commercial uses
such as small grocery stores or specialized food retailers within the site, where appropriate.
FS 5
Work in partnership with food security organizations and regional jurisdictions to ensure food
access services and programs are available when needed.
FS 6
Develop guidelines for food production and sales on private lands to support increased food
production and sales activity. All guidelines, and any applicable bylaws, shall be prepared
in compliance with current provincial and federal regulations for food production, safety,
handling and sales, while responsibly managing wildlife attractants.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Policies
Objective 2 All residents have access to food growing opportunities
within walking distance
FS 7
Review the Zoning Bylaw and other regulatory bylaws to allow for more food growing
opportunities on private property, and allow more accessory structures for urban
agriculture. Ensure protection of Environmentally Sensitive Areas and sensitive
integration of accessory structures into the neighbourhood.
FS 8
Encourage the provision of gardens and other food production spaces for the use of
residents in new multi-residential housing, as guided in the Development Permit Area
Guidelines.
FS 9
Refine City regulations and identify the City's role in encouraging and integrating
opportunities for sustainable urban agriculture (including community gardens, small
plot farming, edible landscaping, greenhouses, and gardening to support pollinators
and foraging) on municipal lands, boulevards, park spaces and vacant lands, including
temporary accessory retail sales.
FS 10
Develop a program for community gardens and other small-scale food production
spaces such as orchards or beehives across the City, prioritizing areas of higher
residential density and areas home to equity-priority groups. Engage land holders who
may have space to provide such uses, including on a short- to mid-term basis before
land is developed.
FS 11
Support educational programming on urban agriculture, traditional Indigenous food
practices, environmental stewardship, and food security.
FS 12
Encourage gardening programs that promote health and well-being for residents,
including at supportive housing sites, schools, recovery centres, long-term care facilities,
and hospitals.
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PART C Thematic Policies
Policies
Objective 3 Lands supporting traditional foods are protected and
traditional practices are celebrated
FS 13
Collaborate with K'ómoks First Nation to identify and protect lands and waters
supporting gathering, harvesting, preserving, and eating of traditional foods.
FS 14
Collaborate with K'ómoks First Nation to develop Indigenous gardens that focus on the
cultivation of native and culturally important species of plants for food and medicine,
and include public educational opportunities.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Policies
Objective 4 Agricultural lands are protected and are compatible
with urban uses
FS 15
Continue to support protection of lands within the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) for
agricultural uses. Applications for exclusion of land from the ALR are not supported.
FS 16
Amend the Zoning Bylaw to guide the location of buildings and structures, including
agricultural structures, to maximize the agricultural potential of prime soil resources.
This includes establishing maximum farm residential dwelling and footprint sizes
commensurate with urban lot areas and establishing maximum road setbacks.
FS 17
Maximize the potential for agricultural land to be used for agriculture by discouraging
subdivision into smaller parcels.
FS 18
Where property is adjacent to land in the ALR and lands designated as Agricultural,
ensure that development limits associated negative impacts on and from adjacent
agricultural operations by providing appropriate buffers, mitigation measures,
careful site planning, and neighbourhood education as per Development Permit Area
guidelines for farm protection, and by consulting with the Ministry of Agriculture and
the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC).
FS 19
Explore incentive programs and options to encourage agricultural land preservation
and production.
Policies
Objective 5 Food processing, warehousing, and distribution
activities are permitted in urban areas of Courtenay
FS 20
Support amendment of the Zoning Bylaw to ensure that small-scale food processing,
warehousing, distribution, and other activities are permitted in more land uses
including commercial, light industrial, and where live-work uses are permitted.
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PART C Thematic Policies
Policies
Objective 6 Food security actions are regionally coordinated
FS 21
Support the establishment of a regional food hub.
FS 22
Support and participate in the development of a regional food security plan that
considers emergency, short- and long-term food supply and infrastructure needs and
opportunities as part of a critical infrastructure assessment, including developing the
conditions for more local agricultural production and economic development. Identify
an appropriate role for the City in supporting local food security in relation to other
organizations, agencies, and jurisdictions. Strive to have Indigenous traditional food
knowledge and experiences, needs of equity-priority groups, and climate mitigation and
adaptation goals inform the plan.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
LOCAL ECONOMY
OBJECTIVES
1.
Business retention, development, and investment are increasingly
green, low-carbon, climate resilient, and equitable
2.
Local economic development opportunities are regionally coordinated
3.
Municipal regulations and services are supportive of economic
development within the long-term vision of environmental and social
responsibility
4.
People are at the heart of local economic development and are able to
access adequate supports to participate in the economy
Supporting residents to participate fully in community, including the
economy, is covered in the Social Infrastructure chapter. Affordable housing
is covered in the Housing chapter. The relationship of investment in arts,
culture, and heritage as a local economic development and tourism driver is
included in the Arts, Culture, and Heritage chapter. Land uses that support
economic activities are covered in Part B - Managing Growth
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PART C Thematic Policies
Employment data shows that Courtenay
is and will likely remain as the primary
employment centre in the Comox Valley
over the life of this plan and beyond.
Updated employment data were not
obtained for the 2026 OCP review, but
data obtained for the 2022 OCP indicated
that the largest employment type in
Courtenay was retail (approximately 2,000
jobs), followed by health care and social
assistance (approximately 1,500 jobs),
construction (1,000 jobs), and public
administration (approximately 900 jobs).
2022 OCP consultation indicated that a
significant number of people identify as arts
and cultural workers (nearly 4,000).
In a global market where ideas, investments,
and talents can flow across borders, unique
and high quality of life community assets are
essential to attract them. Courtenay, and the
wider region, have diverse recreation and
lifestyle opportunities that are recognized as
being key factors in attracting and retaining
COURTENAY
TODAY
the next generation of entrepreneurs and
skilled talent. Until recently, available and
affordable housing also contributed to these
high quality of life factors.
In the 2022 OCP update, businesses and
entrepreneurs in the Comox Valley identified
key priorities for a sustainable and strong
local economy. These include:
- affordable housing;
- shop local and the arts;
- agriculture;
- tech and digital support;
- child care;
- transportation and regional connectivity;
- streamlining regulatory processes for
businesses including through good
regional governance.
Since the 2022 OCP, further strategies have
been developed supporting local economic
development including the Comox Valley
Tourism Strategy Framework and the
Courtenay Strategic Cultural Plan.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
MEETING OUR GOALS
THROUGH THE LOCAL
ECONOMY
The City of Courtenay is committed to
creating the conditions for high quality of
life and economic success through the OCP
by taking a full cost accounting approach
to community service delivery. Policies
in this section are aimed at supporting
a sustainable economy, investment
opportunities and progressive municipal
government services.
Attractive communities attract businesses.
The most attractive places for the next
generation of workers must have a thriving
downtown core, inclusive neighbourhoods
with a strong sense of place, a wide range
of housing and recreational options, a
vibrant arts and culture scene, and an
openness and celebration of cultural
diversity. Courtenay already has an excellent
foundation to be the place for those who
seek better opportunities.
When economic success is viewed
holistically through the intersecting
dimensions of environmental, social, and
economic systems, it can contribute to
community well-being in a broader and
more inclusive and impactful way. For
example, affordable housing, child care,
equity, diversity and inclusion and a healthy
environment are all increasingly recognized
as core to the success of economic
development strategies.
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PART C Thematic Policies
Policies
Objective 1 Business retention, development, and investment
are increasingly green, low carbon, climate resilient,
and equitable
LE 1
Support the expansion of green, low-carbon place-based economic development.
LE 2
Support responsible and sustainability driven tourism, including local tourism, in accordance
with the Comox Valley Tourism Strategy Framework.
LE 3
Promote green and low-carbon construction and building retrofit programs as significant
local economic development opportunities as per the CleanBC Economic Development Action
Strategies.
LE 4
Support initiatives that generate value-added, community-based business development,
including but not limited to, arts and culture, local food processing, specialty forest products,
and other value-added product manufacturing.
LE 5
Support an eco-industrial networking approach for industrial land development such as co-
locating businesses that can create collaborative networks to more efficiently and effectively
use resources such as materials, energy, and talent.
LE 6
Consider how the impacts of climate change will affect local businesses in all aspects of policy
development. This includes both positive and negative changes in seasonal events, recreation,
tourism, and agriculture activities that rely heavily on specific weather conditions.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Policies
Objective 2 Local economic development opportunities are
regionally coordinated
LE 7
Work collaboratively with neighbouring jurisdictions, the K'ómoks First Nation, Comox Valley
Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association, North
Island College and business and non-profit community organizations in the development of
community and regional economic development strategies.
LE 8
Identify appropriate roles and responsibilities for the City in the delivery of economic
development services.
LE 9
Collaborate with the CVRD to prepare an employment study to identify economic land use
needs and trends.
LE 10
Recognize Courtenay's Downtown Cultural District as a central hub and gateway to downtown,
emphasizing its role in arts, heritage, tourism, and economic growth through regional funding,
coordinated marketing, and adequate infrastructure.
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PART C Thematic Policies
Policies
Objective 3 Municipal regulations and services are supportive of
economic development within the long-term vision
of environmental and social responsibility
LE 11
Continue to support home-based businesses that are compatible with the residential character
of neighbourhoods.
LE 12
Support land uses that provide employment opportunities within or close proximity to the Town
and Neighbourhood Centres and Corridors such as intensification of mixed-use office, retail, live-
work studios and other commercial uses.
LE 13
Support non-traditional light industrial and service commercial land uses or development
proposals that accommodate emerging business trends and neighbourhood needs.
LE 14
Work with the local business community and major employers to focus investment, facility and
business development in Town and Neighbourhood Centres and Corridors.
LE 15
Support business infrastructure improvements to meet the needs for employment space, digital
connectivity, and more efficient mobility of goods and services, including co-working spaces for
hybrid or remote workers.
LE 16
Liaise with senior governments, neighbouring jurisdictions, and the business community to
identify barriers, improve business infrastructure, and streamline application processes.
LE 17
Work with Comox Valley local governments to develop consistent regulatory standards.
LE 18
Encourage data sharing, business intelligence, and best practices with the local business
community.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Policies
Objective 4 People are at the heart of local economic
development and are able to access adequate
supports to participate in the economy
LE 19
Ensure that social policies such as, but not limited to, affordable housing and child care are
integrated with economic policies to support 'people-centred' forms of economic development.
LE 20
Ensure all plans and strategies for economic development are data and performance driven based
on identified community goals and include workforce planning and labour market forecasting.
LE 21
Support the exploration of holistic economic development frameworks as the basis of local
economic development in order to better integrate ecological, social, and economic outcomes.
B-D
PART D
IMPLEMENTATION
MOVING FORWARD
1. Corporate Alignment, Plan Administration,
and Performance Monitoring .................................... 191
2. Community Education,
Engagement and Partnerships................................... 195
3. Development Application Tools................................. 196
a. Development Approval Information Areas...................... 197
b. Growth Contribution Policies............................................ 201
c. Development Permit Area Designations ......................... 206
d. Local Area Plans.................................................................. 220
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
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Implementation of the OCP will
occur through numerous municipal,
interest-holder and individual actions,
incrementally over the next 20 years
and beyond.
THE OCP IS A TOOL FOR NAVIGATING
AND INITIATING CHANGE
of this Plan. As a highest level policy document,
the OCP cannot predict the exact sequencing
of actions that are outside of the City's direct
control, nor should it provide detailed costing
for all actions that will occur over a 20 year
timeframe. Many implementation actions will
require further investigation, consultation,
and resourcing. Therefore it is important
that implementation of the OCP be viewed
as the ongoing incremental decision-making
process that it is while holding firm the vision
established.
This chapter identifies a number of core
and common OCP related implementation
tools to aid in the ongoing implementation
process, and provides guidance on the
implementation priorities to achieve net-
zero GHG emissions as a primary directive
PART D Implementation
D
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The City of Courtenay has many plans,
policies, and strategies in place that
provide detailed direction for planning
and development, engineering, parks and
recreation, culture, and more. Some of
these documents already align with the
OCP and may require minor updates,
while others require realignment of their
approach to prioritize outcomes based on
the OCP vision and goals. Whether updating
existing plans, policies or strategies, or
creating new ones, they must all align with
the OCP vision, goals, and related policies.
Current policies and regulations will be
reviewed in a timely manner to bring them
into alignment and support the OCP. Where
existing regulations, as well as other standards,
policies, and practices allow for interpretation,
discretion or prioritization, such flexibility
shall be considered in ways that support the
objectives and implementation of the OCP. The
OCP is intended to be used as the foundation
of all stages of the corporate decision-making
process and source of directions, ideas, and
actions to fulfill Courtenay's vision.
From the numerous policies and actions
contained within the OCP, Council sets strategic
priorities for their term to guide department
work plans, the five year Financial Plan, and
annual budgets. Outcomes are annually
reported through the City of Courtenay
Annual Report, which offers an opportunity for
1. CORPORATE ALIGNMENT, PLAN ADMINISTRATION,
AND PERFORMANCE MONITORING
Figure D-1 Elements of the
5-year City of Courtenay
Proactive Planning Cycle.
Regional
Growth
Strategy
Housing
Needs
Report
Housing
Needs
Report
Zoning
Bylaw
Review
Focused
Plan & Policy
Updates
Cost of
Growth
Updates
Council
Strategic
Plan
Annual
Report
Annual
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PERFORMANCE
MONITORING
& REPORTING
PERFORMANCE
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PARKS & CULTURE PLANS
ENSURE
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UPDATED DCC
& ACC RATES
REVIEW
DENSITY
BENEFITS
5-YEAR REVIEW
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
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evaluation and further work plan refinement
year after year. The OCP provides the
overarching strategic direction for the City,
from which all other plans, bylaws, actions, and
decisions should align. The full implementation
of the OCP depends on its full integration with
the City's strategic and organizational action
plans, budgeting, work planning, and annual
reporting system. The provincial planning
legislation introduced in 2023 emphasizes
long-term planning and regular review and
updates of OCPs and associated documents to
ensure standardized monitoring of population
projections and housing needs.
Performance Monitoring
Council, City staff, partners, and all residents
are strongly encouraged to participate in
decision-making processes and community-
wide dialogue in order to respond to the
evolving context of the community, and
determine whether the OCP vision, goals, and
targets are being achieved. Ongoing monitoring
and evaluation of the Plan is crucial to the
successful implementation of the OCP.
1. Carbon neutrality by 2050
A key indicator of the OCP's success is carbon
neutrality by 2050. In order to meet this target,
a number of policies and actions must be
implemented immediately while others can be
phased in over time. To guide GHG reduction
performance, the City of Courtenay commits to
the phased GHG reduction targets in Table D-1.
2. Establishing performance indicators
and monitoring framework
The City publishes an annual report outlining
development activity and summarizing major
planning, programming, and capital investment
initiatives. This report will identify what actions
have been initiated and completed and what the
outcomes are; as well as and how well the City
has responded relative to the vision, goals, and
policies of the OCP. Appropriate performance
indicators will be established, measured, and
monitored on a regular basis.
Other creative performance monitoring approaches
such as partnerships on indicator selection and
data tracking, and third party reporting through
the CVRD's Regional Growth Strategy data collection
and monitoring work will also be considered.
Key changes for proactive planning include
updated requirements for Housing Needs
Reports, OCPs and Zoning Bylaws including
requirements that these planning tools be
reviewed, and in some cases updated, every 5
years. Infrastructure and amenities are critical
to servicing new development and ensuring a
complete community. As such, the proactive
planning cycle will also be used to build more
certainty and predictability in the review,
adoption and construction of; infrastructure
servicing through strategic servicing plans (water,
sanitary, integrated rainwater management,
multi-modal transportation, parks and recreation,
cultural services), capital construction plans,
development financing tools (i.e. Development
Cost Charges and Amenity Cost Charges bylaws)
and other servicing and regulatory bylaws.
Figure D-1 builds on the OCP implementation
cycle found in the 2022 OCP to incorporate
the proactive planning cycle legislative
requirements and the recommended actions
to corporately steward the proactive planning
cycle. Each of these elements serve to support
the implementation of the OCP and will be
monitored annually and updated within the
5-year OCP cycle to measure progress towards
the vision, goals, and objectives outlined in this
plan.
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Target Year
2025
2030
2035
2040
2045
2050
tCO2e Reduced from 2016
-15,543
-37,642
-58,585
-77,,073
-86,600
-92,662
Percentage emissions reduction
from 2016
-15%
-45%
-60%
-80%
-90%
-95%
Table D-1 GHG Modelling and Target Setting Conducted by Sustainable Solutions Group, 2022 OCP process
These targets align closely with those identified by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a United Nations
governmental body responsible for advancing knowledge on human-induced climate change, and also generally align with the federal
government's most recent enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) on greenhouse gas emissions reductions (2021).
Municipal Government
Corporate Climate Action
As described in Part C Policy Foundations, the
City of Courtenay has been working to reduce
municipal government corporate emissions since
2007. Given that the City of Courtenay has not yet
achieved carbon neutrality in municipal operations,
the City continues to have an important role to play
in demonstrating climate action leadership in all
corporate actions. The OCP community-wide GHG
modelling has indicated that there are strategic
municipal corporate actions that the City should
take to contribute towards Courtenay's net-zero
GHG target. These actions are listed below and
build on the policies identified in Part C. A priority
implementation action is to update the Corporate
Climate Action Plan to provide detailed guidance,
phasing, and resourcing estimates to implement
actions listed in this section.
Municipal Corporate
Climate Action Themes
1. Implement multiple bottom line in
municipal decision-making
a) Develop monitoring frameworks and tools
to achieve triple bottom line (economic,
social, and ecological) and full life-cycle cost
accounting planning, capital investment, and
decision-making in all municipal activities.
b) Ensure climate implications are included
in staff reports to Council (opportunity for
all four cardinal directions of reconciliation,
climate action, equity, and community
well-being to be included).
c) Continue to implement tender
and purchasing policies requiring
sustainability outcomes as identified in
this Plan, including climate action, equity,
reconciliation, and community well-being,
as part of procurement decisions.
2. Achieve GHG, water and waste reductions
in new and existing municipal facilities
a) Build all new municipal buildings to net-
zero emissions standards with 100% of
energy demands met through electrical
means. Ensure green roofs are part of new
municipal buildings.
b) Conduct an energy audit of the full
municipal building portfolio.
c) Retrofit 100% of existing municipal
buildings to a net-zero emissions standard
with 100% of energy demands met through
electrical means.
This assumes a mixture of building energy
efficiency and onsite energy production.
Many large civic buildings are under Comox
Valley Regional District jurisdiction and will
require intergovernmental coordination.
d) Implement waste diversion programs
into all facilities.
e) Include water reduction performance
targets as part of new facilities and retrofit
initiatives.
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
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3. Accommodate and promote green
transportation at all municipal
facilities
a) Install electric vehicle parking and
charging stations on municipal
property for municipal fleet and
public use.
b) Accommodate and encourage
municipal employees and contractors
to use bicycle and e-bike mobility
options where possible.
4. Generate, procure, and help others
to access clean energy
a) Install ground-mounted solar photo
voltaics in underused 'greyfield'
locations such as beside roadways
and in parking lots as solar canopies.
b) Prioritize 'green energy' sources such
as electricity and Renewable Natural
Gas when procuring energy for any
municipal asset or service.
c) Administer a Property Assessed
Clean Energy program (PACE).
5. Protect and restore natural assets
on municipal land
a) Include natural capital (ecological assets)
in the Asset Management Plan.
b) Protect and restore Environmentally
Sensitive Areas and ecological assets on
municipal properties.
c) Achieve rain and stormwater
management practices on municipal
property that support both watershed
health and public safety objectives,
in accordance with the Integrated
Rainwater Management Plan.
6. Include climate adaptation
considerations in all municipal
infrastructure
a) Conduct and implement risk and
vulnerability assessments for all
municipal infrastructure, implement
recommended infrastructure
improvements, and install back-up
power where recommended.
PART D Implementation
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2. COMMUNITY EDUCATION,
ENGAGEMENT AND
PARTNERSHIPS
The OCP is a comprehensive policy document
established by and for the community.
Therefore, all members of the community
have roles to play in its implementation.
Ongoing community engagement will be
critical to the success of this Plan.
Part A - How We Work Together - establishes
the policies directing the City's approach to
public engagement which reflects and builds
upon the City Communication Strategy and
Engagement Framework to ensure that
appropriate communication and participation
methods and partnership approaches are
used for each project, and that engagement
is accessible, culturally safe, and equitable.
The OCP policies and these documents
shall be followed whenever engaging on
specific projects to ensure the appropriate
engagement, partnership approaches, and
methods are used for the task at hand.
Partnerships are a critically important
consideration in which the City must
invest in order to achieve a number of the
OCP's most ambitious goals. These include
partnerships with neighbouring jurisdictions,
with other levels of government including
K'ómoks First Nation, youth, interest holders,
academic institutions, and private and non-
profit organizations. As a defining principle
of OCP implementation, partnerships
will be explored wherever opportunity
exists to make maximum use of existing
capacity, coordination opportunities,
and social capital.
Public education and communications will
be an essential component in all public
engagement to ensure that the OCP
directions, vision and goals are guiding,
and are reflected in, community decision-
making. To support the OCP goal of
'Investing in Relationships', creativity and
additional resourcing in public education
and engagement will form a foundation to
the implementation of the OCP.
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
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3. DEVELOPMENT
APPLICATION TOOLS
Much of the OCP's implementation will occur
through new development and redevelopment
by the private, government and non-profit
sectors.
Proponents of development are responsible
for clearly demonstrating how their proposals
meet the objectives and vision of the
OCP through the submission of required
information. The City in turn is responsible
for comprehensively and credibly evaluating
how development proposals facilitate the
realization of this Plan and for providing
feedback to applicants where applications
need improvements.
The City recognizes that such analysis cannot
be selective in referencing elements of this
Plan, and must comprehensively consider
the OCP's vision and goals. This includes the
four cardinal directions, greenhouse gas
emissions reduction targets, and applicable
policies, as well as relevant development
regulations such as the Zoning and
Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaws.
The City will continuously improve the
development approval process to provide
effective customer-oriented services.
To assist applicants in navigating the
land development process, the City will
create educational and customer service
support tools to assist private and non-
profit development in the preparation of
development proposals that meet the City's
requirements and expectations.
To support clarity of the City's development
requirements and expectations, three
development application tools are included
in the OCP:
a. Development Approval
Information Areas,
b. Growth Contribution Policies; and
c. Development Permit Area Designations.
Other development application
requirements are included in
complementary land development bylaws.
PART D Implementation
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A. DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL
INFORMATION AREAS
Pursuant to the Local Government Act, a
local government (i.e., the City) may require
the submission of development approval
information to ensure that sufficient
supporting documentation is provided to
allow the City to assess the potential impact
of new development. Procedures for the
preparation and review of development
applications, and approval process
information requirements are established
within the City's Development Procedures
Bylaw as is amended from time to time.
Pursuant to the Local Government Act, the
entire City of Courtenay is designated as a
Development Approval Information Area in
which the following types of development
approval information may be required in
conjunction with a development application.
Development approval information may be
required for the following circumstances
and areas.
1. Flooding
Criteria - Development application where
the subject property is within the
Courtenay, Tsolum, or Puntledge
floodplains, the floodplain of any other
watercourse, lake, marsh or pond,
or adjacent to the K'ómoks Estuary
as shown in Map APX-2 (Appendix 2
- Maps) and defined as all floodplain
setbacks and construction levels
identified in the City's Floodplain
Management Bylaw.
Rationale - To assess the nature, extent,
magnitude, frequency, and potential
effect of natural hazards that may affect
the development; and to assess the
proposed development with regards to
safe and intended use, building sites,
building elevations and foundation design
requirements, mitigation measures, and the
construction of on-site protective works.
2. Geotechnical Hazards
Criteria - Development application where
the subject property is in or adjacent to
an area subject to rockfall, land slip, or
slopes over 20%, including, but not limited
to, those identified on the Steep Slopes
Map APX-8 (Appendix 2 - Maps).
Rationale - To assess the nature, extent,
magnitude, frequency, and other potential
effect of natural hazards that may affect
the development; and to assess the
proposed development with regards to
safe and intended use, building sites,
building elevations and foundation design
requirements, mitigation measures, and the
construction of on-site protective works.
3. Natural Environment Impacts
Criteria - Development application within lands
that contain Environmentally Sensitive
Areas, whether mapped or not, and on
all properties equal to or greater than
4,000 m2 in size. Mapping information
for known Environmentally Sensitive Areas
is included in Terrestrial Environmentally
Sensitive Areas Map APX-6 and Aquatic
Environmentally Sensitive Areas Map F-7
(Appendix 2 - Maps).
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
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Rationale - To consider the impact and
mitigation opportunities of the proposed
activity or development including servicing
of development, on water bodies, springs,
wetlands, riparian areas, Environmentally
Sensitive Areas, ecosystem connectivity
areas, and fish and wildlife habitat in order
to meet the objectives and policies within
this Plan.
4. View Corridors, Solar Orientation,
Shade and Shadow Impacts
Criteria - Development application where
the subject property is located within
Downtown, Town or Neighbourhood
Centre, Multi-Residential or Urban Corridor
land use designation or one of the Form
and Character Development Permit areas,
or to properties that may be identified in a
wider view corridor study.
Rationale - To assess the potential impacts of
the proposed development on:
i.
Significant views of historical
landscapes or buildings/structures, or
significant natural features including,
but not limited to, the Comox Glacier,
K'ómoks Estuary, Puntledge, Tsolum,
and Courtenay Rivers.
ii. Sun and daylight access to the
surrounding context - including
surrounding building façades, private
and public outdoor amenity and open
spaces, public parkland, sidewalks,
and other components of the public
realm - to evaluate the influence of
the location and height of a proposed
building to create undue shade or the
impact of the removal of shade.
iii. Form and character of adjacent low-rise
residential structures, particularly in
Form and Character Development Permit
areas.
5. Traffic Impacts and Transportation
Demand Management
Criteria - Development application that may affect
traffic pattern in surrounding properties, the
growth centres or transportation network.
Rationale - To assess potential impact of proposed
development and implications to properties
potentially impacted by the proposed
development with respect to traffic, change
of traffic flows, and the road network, and
propose mitigation options to minimize
impact, including Transportation Demand
Management opportunities.
6. Acoustical Impacts
Criteria - Development application contains
potential cause of significant noise in close
proximity to residential properties. Source of
significant noise includes, but is not limited
to: external mechanical equipment, parking,
truck loading zone, outdoor storage, or
entertainment areas such as outside patio.
Rationale - To assess the proposed development
with regards to impacts on acoustic comfort
and safety within the affected neighbouring
properties.
7. Public Facilities and Community
Services Impacts
Criteria - Development application within
Courtenay that may impact existing or
future use of public facilities and community
services.
PART D Implementation
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Rationale - To assess potential impact of
proposed development and implications
on adjacent lands or neighbourhoods in
order to meet needs of the community
and prevent negative impact on the level of
service.
8. Urban Forest Impacts
Criteria - Development application that
is subject to the Tree Protection and
Management Bylaw.
Rationale - To assess the impacts of
development including servicing of
development, to urban forest values and
opportunities for urban forest protection
and mitigation measures.
9. Site Access and Servicing, including
Municipal Infrastructure Impacts
Criteria - Applies to most development
applications within the City.
Rationale - To assess the adequacy and
provision of site access, services including
but not limited to highways and lanes,
active transportation infrastructure, water
distribution systems, sewage collection
systems and drainage collection systems
as well as impacts to said existing
infrastructure and systems.
10. Hydrological Impacts
Criteria - Development application in which
proposed development including servicing
of development, may cause negative
impact to watershed health, including
groundwater.
Rationale - To assess the impacts of
development on the hydrological system
(watershed or portion thereof) in which
the development is proposed, including
cumulative impacts.
11. Soil Agrology Impacts
Criteria - Development application in which
proposed development may cause negative
impact to agriculturally viable soils on
agriculturally zoned lands including the
Agricultural Land Reserve.
Rationale - To assess the impacts of
development on agriculturally viable
soils in order to preserve these lands for
agricultural purposes.
12. Wildfire Hazard Risk
Criteria - Development application in which
proposed development is adjacent to
significant forested areas.
Rationale - To assess the contribution of
development to wildfire risk and mitigate
the risk of wildfire to development.
13. Archaeological Impacts
Criteria - Development application in which
proposed development is within or adjacent
to archaeologically valuable areas.
Rationale - To assess the impacts of
development on archaeologically valuable
areas and features and protect such areas
and features.
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
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14. Accessibility
Criteria - Development application in which
universal accessibility to all or part of the
development is an objective.
Rationale - To propose universal accessibility
opportunities within the development in
accordance with provincial regulations,
City policies, and best management
practices.
15. Housing Affordability
Criteria - Development application subject to
affordable housing policies, or to provide
rationale how affordable housing is being
met otherwise in connection to rezoning
applications.
Rationale - To provide affordable housing
profile and opportunities within a new
development.
16. Green House Gas (GHG) Emissions
Criteria - Development application that shall
prove GHG emissions performance,
as part of rezoning applications. Also
in connection to if and when senior
government regulations or City of
Courtenay policies and regulations are
amended to require more routine GHG
emissions modeling and reporting as
part of development applications.
Rationale - To support evaluation of a
development in contributing to GHG
emission policies contained within this Plan.
17. Electricity Demand
Criteria - Developments that are subject to
Development Permit Area guidelines for Part
3 Buildings that seeks a minimum of 10%
of electricity demand be met by providing
on-site renewable energy generation
(e.g. solar photovoltaic).
Rationale - To provide information on how to
meet the stated Development Permit Area
guideline.
18. Other studies may be required for
the City to evaluate: whether a proposed
development is suitable to the location and
contributes the achievement of the vision and
goals of the OCP; and determine whether specific
conditions need to be applied to the proposed
development in order to contribute to the vision
and goals of the OCP.
PART D Implementation
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B. GROWTH CONTRIBUTION
POLICIES
The City of Courtenay will use a coordinated
set of Growth Contribution Policies to ensure
development contributes fairly toward the
amenities and infrastructure required to support
community growth and the OCP vision. The
following tools are complementary and must be
applied in an integrated manner:
-
Development Cost Charges (DCCs)
-
Amenity Cost Charges (ACCs)
-
Density Benefit Zoning
-
Community Amenity Contributions
(CACs)
-
Inclusionary Zoning, monitored for possible
future adoption
These policies advance the OCP's goals for climate
action, reconciliation, equity, affordable housing,
complete and walkable neighbourhoods, and long-
term asset management.
Coordinated Use of Growth
Contribution Tools
1. Primary funding of growth-related core
infrastructure will occur through DCCs.
1. Growth-related community amenities that
are eligible under provincial legislation will be
funded through ACCs.
2. Additional density beyond base zoning will
be secured through Density Benefit Zoning
with a strong emphasis on the delivery of
affordable housing, either on site or cash in lieu.
4. The City will negotiate CACs as a
voluntary condition of additional density
through rezoning until such time as Density
Benefit Zoning schedules are in place, and
will continue to apply for density increases
for which the Density Benefit Zoning
schedules do not apply.
5. Inclusionary Zoning will be monitored and
assessed for possible future adoption based
on development economics and affordable
housing needs.
The City will avoid duplicative or overlapping
requirements across tools and will ensure clarity
about what each tool funds.
Development Cost Charges
(DCCs)
Intent - DCCs are the City's primary legislated
mechanism for funding growth-related
capital upgrades to transportation, water,
sanitary, stormwater, and parks systems.
Policies
1. Align DCC program updates to reflect the
level and distribution of growth identified
in the OCP, including growth centres, local
area plans, transit corridors, and asset
management plans.
2. Periodically review DCC rates in accordance
with Municipal Infrastructure chapter
policies.
3. Publish DCC program summaries in annual
financial reports to support transparency.
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
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Amenity Cost Charges (ACCs)
Intent - ACCs complement DCCs by financing
eligible community amenities that are
required as population increases, such
as recreation facilities, parks amenities,
and cultural spaces.
Policies
1. Establish area-based or citywide ACC rates
by bylaw and update them on a regular
cycle.
2. Coordinate ACC project lists with OCP
implementation priorities, strategic plans,
and local area plans.
3. Maintain dedicated reserve funds and report
annually on collections and expenditures.
Density Benefits Zoning
Intent - Density Benefit Zoning links additional
development capacity to community
benefits in a predictable and transparent
manner. It is a core tool for achieving
affordable housing and other amenities
when density exceeds base zoning.
Policies
1. Base and Benefit Structure
a) The City will develop, and update as
required, a Density Benefit Bylaw that
identifies the relevant areas of the city
and zones within the City's Zoning Bylaw
where increased density may be permitted
in exchange for the contribution of
affordable housing and other amenities.
b) The Density Benefit Bylaw will include a
schedule that clearly outlines, for each
zone and area of the city, the following:
i. the maximum benefit density that may
be permitted above base as-of-right
density identified in the Zoning Bylaw.
ii. the contribution requirement relative to
the additional density granted.
c) The Zoning Bylaw will be updated to reflect
the base and benefit density thresholds
identified in the Density Benefit Bylaw as
may be required.
d) Both base and benefit density are to
remain consistent with the built form
contemplated in the OCP Land Use
policies or applicable Local Area Plan.
e) Bonus density shall only be granted
where the City is satisfied that defined
community benefits have been secured
from the applicant in a manner acceptable
to the City.
2. Primary Priority - Affordable Housing
a) Benefit density should primarily be used to
secure affordable housing.
b) Affordable housing may be provided
on site, secured through Housing
Agreements, or cash in lieu to the City's
Affordable Housing Reserve Fund when
on site delivery is not, in the City's opinion,
feasible.
c) Affordable housing secured through
density benefit should be long-term,
include a mix of unit sizes, and be
consistent with the Housing chapter
objectives and policies.
3. Secondary Priority - Amenities
a) The contribution requirement established
by bylaw may be utilized to secure other
amenities, including but not limited to:
PART D Implementation
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i. Public realm and plaza improvements.
ii. Parks, greenways, and natural area
enhancements.
iii. Cultural, social or childcare spaces.
iv. Active transportation infrastructure.
b) The value of alternative amenities secured
will be equivalent to the value of the
affordable units that would otherwise be
secured.
4. Contribution Requirements
a) Contribution requirements will be
established in the Density Benefit Bylaw
and periodically updated to reflect
development typologies across different
areas of the city, land economics,
construction costs, and amenity priorities.
b) The Density Benefit Bylaw will include
schedules and formulas for different zones
and areas of the city, that provide clarity
on the expected contribution required to
qualify for benefit density, including:
i. The amount of affordable housing,
expressed as a portion of the benefit
Gross Floor Area granted.
ii. The tenure of the affordable units, in
terms of rent or ownership.
iii. The affordability of the units, including
the sales price or the rent to be charged
for the units.
iv. The length of time the affordable units
must be maintained as affordable.
5. Cash in Lieu
a) Where, in the City's opinion, on site delivery
is not practical, cash in lieu may be accepted.
The amount of cash in lieu required will be
calculated according to a method and rate
established for each zone and area of the city
as established in the Density Benefit Bylaw.
b) The schedule of rates will be updated by the
City on a regular basis to reflect changing
market conditions.
6. Phasing
a) For multi phase projects, amenities may be
staged with clear delivery triggers.
Community Amenity
Contributions (CAC's)
Intent - CACs are voluntary, negotiated
conditions of additional density achieved
through rezoning for which Density Benefit
Zoning schedules do not apply. CACs are
complementary to Density Benefit Zoning and
ACCs, and are not intended to replace either
tool.
Policies - When negotiating CACs, the following
principles must be considered:
-
Nexus of benefit, wherein there is a direct,
demonstrable link between the impacts of
the proposed development and the amenities
provided.
-
Proportionality and fairness, wherein the
amenities provided are equivalent to the
impact the proposed development generates
and is consistent with contributions provided
by other applicants.
-
CACs shall apply only to the net increase in
development rights achieved through zoning
amendments.
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
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1. Applicability
a) Rezonings where additional density or
changes of use are being considered,
and where the additional density is not
covered in a Density Benefit Zoning
schedule.
2. Amenity Priorities
a) Affordable Housing. Preference for
onsite affordable rental or ownership
secured by Housing Agreement; cash in
lieu to the Affordable Housing Reserve
Fund may be accepted if onsite delivery is
not feasible.
b) Public Realm, Parks, and Nature.
Plazas, greenways, park improvements,
natural area restoration, and shorelines
with green shores approaches, especially
where site conditions warrant.
c) Social, Cultural, and Childcare
Spaces. Community, cultural, arts, library,
childcare, or seniors' facilities that serve
local area needs.
d) Active Transportation and Transit
Supportive Facilities. High priority in
growth centres and along the Frequent
Transit Network.
3. Location Specific Guidance
a) The City may prepare and maintain
reference materials identifying amenity
needs for specific areas to help inform
CAC negotiations in support of the OCP
and Local Area Plans.
4. Valuation and Methods
a) In-kind amenities must be supported by
professional cost estimates and drawings.
b) Land dedication may be acceptable
where it achieves OCP priorities.
c) Cash in lieu amounts will be derived from
a transparent valuation approach that
considers land economics and amenity
costs.
d) As part of a rezoning application, the City
may request land lift analysis be provided
by a qualified professional to assist in the
amenity contribution negotiation.
5. Process and Security
a) CACs are identified early in pre
application and formal application stages.
b) Contributions must be secured through
zoning amendment conditions prior
to final bylaw adoption and may
include, Housing Agreements, Section
219 covenants, phased development
agreements, or irrevocable letters of
credit, as appropriate.
c) The City will report annually on CACs
received and amenities delivered.
6. Exclusions
a) CACs do not include park dedication
under subdivision, required off site works
under the Subdivision and Development
Servicing Bylaw, DCC or ACC project lists,
or minimum environmental protections
for Environmentally Sensitive Areas as
outlined in the OCP.
7. Review and Updates
a) CAC procedures and valuation methods
will be reviewed as part of each five-year
OCP review cycle to maintain alignment
with development economics, housing
needs, and OCP priorities.
PART D Implementation
D
-205-
Inclusionary Zoning - Monitoring
Policy
Intent - Inclusionary Zoning may be a future tool
that requires a portion of new housing to be
affordable. The City will monitor development
economics and affordable housing needs to
evaluate whether an Inclusionary Zoning bylaw
is warranted and feasible.
Policies
1. Conduct periodic market and financial
feasibility analyses by housing typology and
area to understand the impacts of mandatory
affordable housing requirements on project
viability.
2. Track affordable housing outcomes
delivered through Density Benefit, CACs, and
partnerships.
3. Consider Inclusionary Zoning only if analysis
shows that a mandatory requirement would
not unduly impair project feasibility and
can complement the City's existing Growth
Contribution Policies.
4. If warranted, prepare an Inclusionary
Zoning bylaw with clear geographic scope,
unit set asides, income targeting, tenure
requirements, offsite or cash in lieu options,
and administration protocols.
Administration, Reporting, and
Updates
Policies
1. The City will publish annual reporting on
collections, amenities delivered, fund balances,
and benefit density benefits secured.
2. The City will coordinate Growth Contribution
Policies with capital planning, asset
management, and Local Area Plans.
3. The City will review rates, schedules, and
valuation methods on a regular cycle to reflect
construction cost inflation, land economics,
and OCP priorities.
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-206-
Introduction and Context
Development Permit Areas (DPAs) offer
an implementation-oriented framework to
ensure that development decisions support
the community's broader aspirations as
articulated in the Official Community Plan
(OCP) within the authorities granted by the
Local Government Act (LGA).
DPAs fit within a broader land use policy
context and hierarchy:
- Land Use Designations - Reflecting
long-term community goals and
ambitions, the OCP guides overall
City growth by designating land uses
according to area of intended activity.
- Local Area Plans - Provide detailed,
place-based direction for future growth
and change, and guide the evaluation of
development and land use applications
within defined areas of the city that goes
beyond the general land use designation
policies of the OCP.
- Zoning - Regulated according to the
Zoning Bylaw, specifics of scale and
type of development in each land use
zone outline permitted uses, densities,
heights, setbacks, etc.
- Development Permit Areas - These
focused tools then guide form and
character, access, environmental
protection measures, and a variety of
other characteristics for development
within each development permit area
and specific land uses.
Division 7, Section 488 (1) of the LGA allows
OCPs to designate DPAs for a variety of
purposes, and allows for specific design
objectives to be achieved, making sure
development is responsive to its context. DPAs
may be designated for the purposes of:
- Protection of:
a) The natural environment, its
ecosystems, and biological diversity
b) Development from hazardous
conditions
c) Farming
- Establishment of objectives for the
form and character of:
d) Revitalization of an area in which a
commercial use is permitted
e) Intensive residential development
f) Commercial, industrial, or multi-
residential development
g) In relation to an area in a resort region,
establishment of objectives for the
form and character of development in
the resort region
- Promotion of:
h) Energy conservation
i) Water conservation
j) Reduction of greenhouse
gas emissions
With the exception of g) (resort region),
all designations are contained within the
Courtenay DPAs as described further in
each DPA category. The Development Permit
Areas are designated within the OCP and
the implementation-oriented guidelines are
contained within the Zoning Bylaw.
Zoning Bylaw
OCP
C. DEVELOPMENT PERMIT
AREA DESIGNATIONS
PART D Implementation
D
-207-
DPA Categories
Five Development Permit Areas are designated, the objectives for which and lands and
uses to which they apply are described further in the following pages. All of the City of
Courtenay is a Development Permit Area for each Development Permit Area category. Specific
applications and exemptions of each Development Permit Area category are summarized in the
table below and described further in the following pages.
DPA Category
Purpose
1. Commercial, Industrial, Large-Scale
Residential and Mixed-Use.
Form and character guidelines contained
within the Zoning Bylaw communicate urban
design expectations, including for the purposes
of intensive residential and multi-residential
development, commercial revitalization, energy
and water conservation, greenhouse gas
emissions reductions, and protection of the
natural environment. These guidelines support
design decisions that are responsive to context
and climate and offer the flexibility to respond
creatively while ensuring cohesive and thoughtful
planning and design of new development.
2. Small-Scale Multi-Unit Residential.
3. Farm Protection.
Farm protection guidelines contained within
the Zoning Bylaw communicate setback, siting,
separation and screening requirements when
developing adjacent to agricultural lands in order
to minimize the potential for conflicts between
agricultural and non-agricultural land uses.
4. Environmental.
Environmental and hazardous guidelines
contained within the Zoning Bylaw communicate
environmental protection and development
safety considerations when conducting any form
of development near Environmentally Sensitive
Areas (ESA) or Steep Slopes.
5. Protection from hazardous
conditions: Steep Slopes.
Table D-2 Development Permit Area Categories
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-208-
DPA-1 COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL,
LARGE-SCALE RESIDENTIAL AND
MIXED USE
JUSTIFICATION:
This Development Permit Area is intended
to achieve attractive, architecturally
coordinated and context-appropriate higher
density, employment and mixed-use building
and landscape designs that consider the
relationship between buildings, open areas,
and circulation systems, in order to promote
walkable, safe, and vibrant developments. It
also promotes development that considers
protection of the natural environment,
energy efficiency, water conservation and
the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Pursuant to Section 488(1)(a)(d)(f)(h)(i)
and (j) of the Local Government Act, this
designation applies to all developments
that contain commercial, industrial or
mixed-uses and residential developments
with five or more residential units within
the boundaries of the City of Courtenay.
Additional guidelines apply for a defined
area of the downtown (as shown on
enclosed Map D-1 as well as in special
heritage consideration areas (as shown on
enclosed Map D-2 - Old Orchard & Terminal
Addition).
Objectives:
1. To ensure urban infill and redevelopment is
well integrated and context-sensitive.
2. To promote compact urban form that is
well-connected and accessible by walking,
cycling, and transit and supportive of
transit supportive densities.
3. To promote the creation of new
destinations that help meet residents'
daily needs by short walkable trips to
grocers, shops, restaurants, personal
services, community centres, and
gathering spaces.
4. To transform vehicle-centric developments
and prioritize the pedestrian environment.
5. To ensure attractive streetscapes,
landscapes, building design, and vibrant
public spaces.
6. To foster neighbourhood connections
and a shared sense of community across
the city.
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-209-
7. To improve urban ecological functions
such as local biodiversity and rainwater
infiltration.
8. To reduce energy and water
consumption as well as greenhouse
gas emissions (GHGs) associated with
the built environment.
Within the Downtown Core (Map D-1):
9. To protect and enhance the historic,
small-scale retail character of the 4th,
5th, 6th Streets streetscape.
On Lands with a Multi-Residential Component:
10. To support a greater diversity of
housing choices and affordability.
11. To ensure a high standard of livability
and well-being within multi-residential
developments.
On Lands with a Commercial
and/or Industrial Component:
12. To enable the flexible and appropriate
adaptive use and design of industrial
lands to meet evolving community
needs.
13. To provide convenient and safe access
to industrial areas via all modes of
transportation, including commercial
or personal vehicles, transit, walking,
and cycling.
Within the Old Orchard and Terminal Addition
Neighbourhoods (Map D-2):
14. To ensure new development contributes
to the special heritage neighbourhood
character of the Old Orchard and
Terminal Addition neighbourhoods.
Guidelines:
See Zoning Bylaw
ANDERTON AVE
F
ITZGERALD AVE
3RD ST
CUM
B
ERLAND
RD
6TH ST
8TH ST
7TH ST
DUNCAN AVE
3RD ST
5TH ST
CLI
FFE AVE
FITZGER
ALD AVE
FITZGERALD AVE
HARMSTON AVE
4TH ST
DOUGLAS PL
2ND ST
ENGLAND AVE
RIVERSIDE LANE
GRANT AVE
Downtown Development Permit Area
±
0
40
80
Meters
Development Permit
Area
Property Lines
Spatial Reference: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 10N
Data Source: City of Courtenay GIS
Published: 5/20/2022
City of Courtenay OCP 2021
Downtown DP guidelines apply to
all properties fronting 4th, 5th, and
6th Streets, and Cliffe, Duncan,
England, and Fitzgerald Avenues
within the reference area boundary
Map D-1 Downtown Development Permit Area
PART D Implementation
D
-210-
DPA-2 SMALL-SCALE MULTI-UNIT
RESIDENTIAL
JUSTIFICATION:
This Development Permit Area provides
direction for housing and related
development that meet the needs of
residents while fitting well into the existing
community. The intent is to support
three to four dwelling unit residential
infill development, and redevelopment
that demonstrates a high standard of
creative building design. It also promotes
development that considers protection of
the natural environment, energy efficiency,
water conservation and the reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions.
Pursuant to Section 488(1)(a)(e)(h)(i)
and (j) of the Local Government Act, this
designation applies to all three and four-
dwelling-unit residential developments within
the boundaries of the City of Courtenay.
Additional guidelines apply in special
heritage consideration areas (as shown on
enclosed Map D-2 - Old Orchard & Terminal
Addition and Map D-3 - 40 Houses Heritage
Neighbourhood).
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-211-
Objectives:
1. Establish guidelines for ground
orientated, infill development in
existing and new neighbourhoods that
contribute to the preservation of the
neighbourhood character while meeting
city goals for housing diversity, gentle
density, and access to employment and
services.
2. Ensure new development contributes
to the special heritage neighbourhood
character of Old Orchard and Terminal
Addition Neighbourhood and 40 Houses
Neighbourhood.
3. Promote a high standard of building, site
planning and landscape design.
4. Encourage development that supports
multi-modal transportation options and
neighbourhood connectivity.
5. Encourage new development that
considers protection of the natural
environment, water conservation and
energy efficiency in site planning and
design.
6. Promote net zero emissions in new
development, including alterations or
additions to existing buildings.
Guidelines:
See Zoning Bylaw
5TH ST
CUMBERLAND R
D
MCPHEE AV
E
2ND ST
8TH ST
2ND ST
MENZIES AVE
LEIGHTON AVE
FITZGERALD AVE
6TH ST
FITZGERALD AVE
GRIEVE AVE
PIDCOCK AVE
HARMSTON AVE
3RD ST
4TH ST
11TH ST
URQUHART AVE
1ST ST
15TH ST
14TH ST
8TH ST
STEWART AVE
ENGLAND AVE
LEWIS AVE
MAR
TIN PL
CLIFFE AVE
DUNCAN AVE
JOHNSTON AVE
AND
E
R
T
ON AVE
12TH ST
13TH ST
4TH ST
3RD ST
3RD ST
WOODS AVE
9TH ST
1
S
T
S
T
RI
V
ERSIDE LANE
GRANT AVE
7TH ST
Lewis Park
Lewis Park
McPhee
Meadows
McPhee
Meadows
Condensory
Park
Condensory
Park
Old Orchard & Terminal Addition
Heritage Neighbourhood
Development Permit Area
±
0
110
220
Meters
Development Permit
Area
Property Lines
Parks
Spatial Reference: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 10N
Data Source: City of Courtenay GIS
Published: 5/10/2022
City of Courtenay OCP 2021
P
un
tle
dge River
C
o
u
rt
enay R
iver
18TH ST
GRANT AVE
LEWIS AVE
18T
H
ST
MCPHEE AVE
GRIEVE AVE
19TH ST
21ST ST
TULL AVE
17TH ST
PINE PL
MAPLE DR
19TH ST
HARMSTON AVE
KILPATRICK AVE
18TH ST
CEDAR CR
STEWART AVE
DOGWOOD DR
MCPHEE AVE
16TH ST
PIERCY AVE
Bill Moore
Park
Bill Moore
Park
Maple
Park
Maple
Park
Dogwood Park
Dogwood Park
40 Houses Heritage Neighbourhood
Development Permit Area
±
0
50
100
Meters
Development Permit
Area
Property Lines
Parks
Spatial Reference: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 10N
Data Source: City of Courtenay GIS
Published: 5/10/2022
City of Courtenay OCP 2021
Map D-2 Old Orchard and Terminal Addition Heritage
Neighbourhood Development Permit Area
Map D-3 40 Houses Heritage Neighbourhood
Development Permit Area
PART D Implementation
D
-212-
JUSTIFICATION:
This development permit area is intended to
protect agriculture and farming operations
from adjacent new development and to
reduce conflicts that could arise between
agricultural use and non-agricultural uses
through the use of possible requirements
for screening, landscaping, fencing and siting
of buildings or other structures.
This category applies to all properties
adjacent to agriculturally zoned lands,
including lands adjacent to those within the
Agricultural Land Reserve (as shown on Map
D-4). This includes properties that abut and
are contiguous to agricultural lands.
The designation and guidelines are in
accordance with sections 488 (1) (c) of the
Local Government Act.
Objectives:
1. To minimize the conflicts that may arise
between agricultural and non-agricultural
land uses including as a result of nuisances
such as agricultural odor, noise and dust
to urban lands, or of urban light, noise and
trespass to agricultural lands.
2. To minimize the impact of urban
encroachment on agricultural lands.
3. To protect and/or develop effective vegetated
buffers along agricultural land boundaries.
Guidelines:
See Zoning Bylaw
DPA 3 - FARM PROTECTION
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-213-
Map D-4 Agricultural Lands.
K'ómoks
Estuary
Malahat
Dr
Hwy
19
Bypass
Willemar Ave
Back
Rd
N Island Hwy
17th St
8th St
Menzies Ave
14th St
Old
Island Hwy
5th St
Cliffe
Ave
Lambert
Dr
McPhee Ave
Idiens
Way
26th St
20th St
Muir Rd
Dingwall Rd
1st St
Island Hwy
Lake Trail Rd
Fitzgerald Ave
Woods Ave
Arden Rd
Cowichan
Ave
Lerwick
Rd
Norfolk
Way
Cumberland
Rd
McLauchlin Dr
Mission Rd
Christie Pkwy
10th St E
Valley
View
Dr
Crown
Isle
Dr
Ryan Rd
Arrowsmith
Ave
Piercy Ave
Centennial
Dr
McDonald Rd
Thorpe Ave
Crown Isle Blvd
Harbourview
Blvd
Buckstone Rd
S Island
Hwy
Kilpatrick Ave
Fraser Rd
Cousins
Ave
Royal
Vista
Way
29th St
Veterans
Memorial
Pkwy
Headquarters
Rd
Comox Logging
Rd
Wentworth
Rd
Comox Rd
Sitka
Ave
Anderton
Ave
Dove Creek
Pl
Vanier Dr
Comox
Valley
Pkwy
Town of Comox
K'ómoks First
Nation Reserve
K'ómoks First
Nation Reserve
Puntledge River
Courtenay River
Agricultural Lands
±
0
0.5
1
Kilometers
Spatial Reference: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 10N
Data Source:
Province of British Columbia (ALR, 2023);
City of Courtenay GIS (local data, 2026)
Published: 1/8/2026
City of Courtenay OCP 2021
Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR)
Agricultural Lands Outside the ALR
Courtenay City Boundary
PART D Implementation
D
-214-
JUSTIFICATION:
This development permit area is intended to
protect ecosystems and features that provide
habitat for aquatic and terrestrial species,
preserve biodiversity, and provide ecosystem
services, when conducting development near
Environmentally Sensitive Areas. Where the term
Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) is used, it
is meant to include the buffers, also known as
protection setbacks, of that ESA.
This category applies to all lands shown on the
Terrestrial Environmentally Sensitive Areas Map
D-5 and the Aquatic Environmentally Sensitive
Areas Map D-6 as well as to any property
that contains an Environmentally Sensitive
Area, whether mapped or not. Because not
all ESAs are mapped, all properties that are
equal to or larger than 4,000 metres square
in size are subject to an Environmental Impact
Assessment prior to development approvals to
confirm the presence or absence of ESAs.
The types of Environmentally Sensitive Areas fall
into the following categories:
-
Freshwater aquatic ecosystems:
Those natural systems that are either
permanently or periodically under water.
Water may be running, as in a river or
stream or springs or still, as in lakes and
wetlands. This includes their riparian areas,
specifically lands within 30 metres of the
natural boundary of such ecosystems.
(Shown in Map D-6). These ecosystems may
also be subject to provincial Riparian Areas
Protection Regulation (RAPR).
-
Estuary and marine shorelines:
The waters and lands adjacent to the
K'ómoks Estuary as well as the Courtenay
River and including to the Condensory
Bridge at Anderton Avenue and
Condensory Road.
-
Terrestrial ecosystems:
Those ecosystems that are land-based.
Common designations follow the provincial
Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory categories:
seasonally flooded agricultural fields,
terrestrial herbaceous, older forest, older
second growth forest, sparsely vegetated
(cliffs and bluffs), wetland, riparian, and
DPA 4 - ENVIRONMENTAL
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-215-
woodland such as Garry Oak ecosystems.
(Shown in Map D-5).
-
At-risk species and ecological
communities: These include, but are not
limited to, species listed under the federal
Species at Risk Act (SARA) and species and
ecological communities provincially designated
as red- or blue-listed.
-
Ecosystems Connectivity Areas:
The Biogeoclimatic Zone in which Courtenay
is situated (the Coastal Western Hemlock,
very dry maritime, CWHxm) is one of the most
at risk in BC. The greatest opportunities for
protecting at-risk ecological communities
within this zone are generally represented in
the Ecosystem Connectivity Opportunity Areas
shown on Map D-5 Terrestrial Environmentally
Sensitive Areas. The map includes gaps in the
corridor that will require restoration.
-
Raptor and heron nests:
Under the BC Wildlife Act, the nest of an eagle,
peregrine falcon, gyrfalcon, osprey, heron, or
burrowing owl is protected whether occupied
by a bird or its egg or not. Raptors are a
term used to describe birds of prey including
hawks, owls, falcons and eagles. This includes
the nests themselves and their setbacks as
determined by a Registered Professional
Biologist.
The designation and guidelines are in accordance
with sections 488 (1) (a) of the Local Government
Act.
The City of Courtenay's regulations do not negate
the need for compliance with any federal or
provincial statutes and regulations governing the
management of the environment and wildlife.
Objectives:
1. Protect areas of high biodiversity and ecological
sensitivity within Courtenay including ground
and surface water, shorelines, forests, wildlife
and important wildlife habitats, ecosystem
features and functions, and rare and endangered
ecosystems, ecological communities and species.
2. Maintain ecosystem connectivity.
3. Restore and enhance previously
degraded ecosystems.
4. Ensure that ecosystem protection and
enhancement values are elevated and prioritized
in the development design and review process,
and specify where and how lands are developed
around Environmentally Sensitive Areas.
5. Protect and enhance water quality and prevent
contamination of water from land use and
development activities.
6. The Province of British Columbia has expressed
support for 30 metre setback from any "stream"
as defined by the BC Water Sustainability Act. The
City understands that these protective setbacks
are useful to preserve aquatic conditions
because the conversion of riparian buffer areas
to impervious covers can effect landscape and
watershed hydrology, including by increasing
the introduction of non-point source pollutants
and detrimentally affecting stream temperature.
Stream temperature may be impacted by the
conditions of the surrounding lands including the
preservation of natural conditions to maintain
consistent air humidity, air temperature and
canopy coverage in the vicinity of such streams.
Terrestrial habitats surrounding waterbodies are
also essential to protecting essential habitats for
semiaquatic species, including mammals, birds,
reptiles and amphibians.
7. Provide comprehensive environmental protection
guidelines that are scientifically rigorous, clear,
and transparent to development applicants and
the greater community.
Guidelines:
See Zoning Bylaw
PART D Implementation
D
-216-
Map D-5 Terrestrial Environmentally Sensitive Areas.
H
eadqu
a
rte
rs
R
oad
Cliffe Ave
n
ue
Back Road
17th Street
Lerwick Road
5th Street
Vanier Drive
11th Street
R
yan Road
S Island Hig
h
way
V
eteran
s Me
m
o
ria
l P
a
rk
w
ay
Lake Trail Road
Is
land Highway
Cumbe
rla
n
d Roa
d
K'ómoks First Nation Reserve
K'ómoks First Nation Reserve
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K'ómoks
Estuary
Town of Comox
Puntledge River
Courtenay River
OCP Terrestrial Environmentally
Sensitive Areas
!(
Eagle
!(
Great Blue Heron
Nest protection buffer*
Environmentally Sensitive Areas may
include any combination of the following:
Protected Nests
óó
Environmentally Sensitive Areas
*Maximum quiet season buffers shown.
Consult Environment Development Permit
Area Guidelines for more details
Ecosystem Connectivity
Opportunity Areas
Endangered species habitat
Significant forest ecosystems
Sensitive ecosystems and other
important ecosystems
0
0.55
1.1
Kilometers
±
Spatial Reference: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 10N
Published: 5/24/2022
Data Source: City of Courtenay GIS
City of Courtenay OCP 2021
Courtenay Boundary
Other Environmentally
Sensitive Areas
Ecosystem Connectivity
Opportunity Areas
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-217-
Map D-6 Aquatic Environmentally Sensitive Areas.
PART D Implementation
D
-218-
DPA 5 - HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS -
STEEP SLOPES
JUSTIFICATION:
This development permit area is intended to
establish a process for hazard assessment
over those areas that are susceptible to land
slippage and ensure that development is
protected from such hazardous conditions.
This category applies to all properties
containing a slope of equal to or greater
than 20% measured over a minimum
horizontal distance of 10 metres (as shown
on Map D-7).
The designation and guidelines are in
accordance with sections 488 (1) (b) of the
Local Government Act.
Objectives:
1. Minimize the risk to people and property
from natural hazards.
2. Provide stable and accessible building sites.
3. Promote development that is appropriate
for steep slope areas by respecting terrain,
maintaining natural vegetation and drainage
patterns.
4. Inform land owners of potential hazards
and encourage development and property
maintenance that is resilient to hazard risk.
Guidelines:
See Zoning Bylaw
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-219-
H
eadqu
a
rte
rs
R
oad
Cliffe Ave
n
ue
Back Road
17th Street
Lerwick Road
5th Street
Vanier Drive
11th Street
R
yan Road
S Island Hig
h
way
V
eteran
s Me
m
o
ria
l P
a
rk
w
ay
Lake Trail Road
Is
land Highway
Cumbe
rla
n
d Roa
d
K'ómoks First Nation Reserve
K'ómoks First Nation Reserve
K'ómoks
Estuary
Puntledge River
Courtenay River
Steep Slope Development Permit Area
±
0
0.5
1
Kilometers
Spatial Reference: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 10N
Data Source: City of Courtenay GIS
Published: 5/20/2022
City of Courtenay OCP 2021
City Boundary
Percent Slope
20% - 29%
Steeper than 30%
Map D-7 Steep Slope Development Permit Area.
PART D Implementation
D
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Purpose and Rationale
Local Area Plans (LAPs) are detailed,
place-based land use plans that are
consistent with and nested within the
Official Community Plan. They provide clear
direction for future growth and change,
guide the evaluation of development and
land use applications within defined areas,
and give residents, landowners, applicants,
and City staff greater certainty about the
type, location, and scale of development
that is appropriate and supportable. LAPs
complement the broader vision established
in the OCP by translating citywide policy into
area specific land use, infrastructure, public
realm, and implementation guidance.
The OCP's growth strategy focuses new
development in identified growth centres
and corridors and supports moderate infill
across the city. LAPs are a primary tool to
plan for that change, integrate land use and
transportation, coordinate servicing, and
ensure climate action, equity, reconciliation,
and community well-being objectives are
advanced through implementation. LAPs
operate alongside other development
application tools in Part D, including
Development Approval Information, Growth
Contribution Policies, and Development
Permit Area designations.
Plan Types
Three types of LAPs are recognized to reflect
different growth contexts in Courtenay:
-
Greenfield Plans - Mid-level plans for
largely undeveloped areas that set the
sequence of development, the general
land use pattern, and the general location
of major transportation routes and public
utilities. They are adopted by Council, they
may be initiated by the City or landowners
and are required before development in
Future Growth Areas or any municipal
boundary extensions.
-
Infill Plans -City-initiated plans for
OCP-identified Growth Centres and
corridors that manage change through
strategic intensification and redevelopment,
address density ranges and transitions,
updated infrastructure and servicing needs,
public realm and amenity improvements,
heritage and environmental considerations,
and implementation tools.
-
Neighbourhood Plans - plans for smaller
geographies that focus on character, design
quality, and day-to-day livability. They may
be standalone or nested within Greenfield
or Infill Plans and provide guidance on
built form and streetscape design, site and
frontage treatments, heritage protection,
specific locations and types of parks and
amenities, pathways and local connectors,
and other fine-grain elements that shape
neighbourhood identity.
LAPs implement OCP direction already set out
in Part B, including the requirement for a Local
Area Plan prior to development approvals in
select areas and the completion of Infill or
Neighbourhood Plans in priority locations.
D. LOCAL AREA PLANS
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
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Status and Applicability
1. Consistency and Adoption
LAPs shall be consistent with the OCP and
adopted by Council. They become part
of the City's land use decision framework
and guide rezoning, subdivision, and
development permit considerations within
the LAP boundary.
2. Quantified Capacity
LAPs must include quantified estimates
of housing unit capacity and employment
floor area at full build out, and identify the
assumptions used. These estimates should
align with OCP growth allocations and
relevant regional targets.
3. Monitoring and Reporting
Progress toward LAP targets shall be
monitored and reported through the City's
five-year OCP review cycle, supported by the
OCP's performance monitoring framework
and annual reporting practices.
4. Hierarchy of Plans
a. While LAPs are to be consistent
with and nested within the
OCP, they are also intended to
provide granular direction for
neighbourhood growth. As such,
in the event of a conflict between
a LAP and the OCP, the policies
of the LAP are to take precedent,
unless granted explicit Council
direction otherwise.
b. Where a Neighbourhood Plan is
nested within a Greenfield or Infill
Plan, the parent LAP governs in the
event of conflict, unless granted
explicit Council direction otherwise.
Terms of Reference
Core Requirements for All LAP's
Each LAP should generally address the
following elements:
1. Planning Area and Horizon
Define the study area and its relationship to
adjacent areas, along with an appropriate
planning horizon that aligns with overall
OCP timelines.
2. Vision and Objectives
Articulate a broad vision and objectives
for the area that reflect the OCP's core
directions and community priorities.
3. Land Use and Development
Approach
Provide guidance on the intended land use
pattern, development form, and general
density considerations suitable for the area
context.
4. Mobility and Access
Outline strategies for a connected,
multimodal transportation network that
supports walking, cycling, transit, and
efficient access.
5. Municipal Servicing and Utilities
Identify servicing considerations at a
conceptual level, including infrastructure
needs and opportunities for sustainable
design.
6. Natural Systems and Environmental
Management
Address environmental features, constraints
and objectives, including watershed
boundaries and health, approaches to
protect sensitive areas and manage flood or
hazard risks.
PART D Implementation
D
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PART A: FOUNDATIONS
7. Public Realm and Community
Amenities
Consider where parks, open spaces, and
amenities should be provided to respond to
anticipated growth and enhance livability.
8. Implementation and Phasing
Provide a high-level approach to sequencing
development, infrastructure delivery, and
cost-sharing mechanisms where applicable.
Address appropriateness of designation of
Development Permit Areas to achieve LAP
objectives.
9. Monitoring and Adaptation
Include a framework for tracking progress
and adapting the plan over time as
conditions change.
As part of the terms of reference, LAPs are
required to include a comprehensive public
and interest holder communication and
engagement process.
Additional Terms of Reference by Plan
Type
1. Infill Plans
a. Intensity and Transitions --
detailed directions on density ranges,
height, and massing, with clear
transition strategies to adjacent
neighbourhoods.
b. Network and Public Realm
Upgrades -- targeted walking,
cycling, and transit improvements,
curb space management, and
placemaking projects that support
10-minute neighbourhoods.
c. Servicing Readiness -- capacity
assessments and upgrade strategies
for water, sanitary, and rainwater
systems, including green infrastructure
retrofits.
d. Heritage and Environmental
Integration -- area specific heritage
conservation guidance and ESA
protection or restoration measures.
e. Implementation Tools -- zoning
updates, DPA guidelines, CAC and
density benefit frameworks, and
a phasing plan linked to amenity
delivery.
2. Greenfield Plans
a. Sequence of Development -- a
phasing plan that aligns land release
with servicing and transportation
capacity, and that minimizes lifecycle
costs.
b. General Land Use Pattern -- block
and lot structure, village or centre
locations, and distribution of uses,
with quantified capacity for housing
and employment.
c. Major Routes and Utilities --
general location and functional
hierarchy of streets, transit corridors,
active mobility routes, and trunk
services, with integrated rainwater
management.
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
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d. Parks, Schools, and Community
Facilities -- preliminary sites and
acquisition strategies for parks,
greenways, schools, and civic facilities
to support complete communities.
e. Environmental and Flood
Considerations-- Environmentally
Sensitive Area mapping, riparian
setbacks, flood hazard analysis, and
nature-based solutions.
f. Implementation Tools -- servicing
agreements, development cost
charge alignment, zoning, DPAs,
CACs, and conditions of approval tied
to phasing.
3. Neighbourhood Plans
a. Character and Design Quality--
detailed built form directions,
frontage and streetscape treatments,
and guidelines for day-to-day
livability.
b. Fine Grain Public Realm -- specific
locations and types of parks,
pocket plazas, play spaces, pathway
connections, and local connectors.
c. Housing Choices and Accessibility
-- unit mix, universal design targets,
and small-scale infill typologies
consistent with OCP policies.
d. Heritage and Identity --
protections for heritage features, and
placekeeping or Indigenous design
elements that reflect neighbourhood
identity.
e. Implementation Tools --
refined DPA guidelines, minor
zoning adjustments, and an action
list for near-term public realm
improvements.
Initiation and Adoption
1. LAPs may be initiated by the City or
landowners, subject to Council resolution.
a. In the event an LAP is initiated by
entities other than the City, costs
related to the preparation of the
LAP may, at Council's discretion, be
shared between the City and the
applicant(s) or may be fully funded by
the applicant(s).
2. Preparation of a LAP will be guided by
Terms of Reference and any Council
approved scoping.
3. Adoption of a LAP by Council is required
before LAP guidance is used for decisions
on rezoning, subdivision, or development
permits.
4. Where OCP policy is that an LAP be in
place prior to new rezonings for additional
density, new uses or other development,
applications for rezonings for additional
density, new uses or other development
are strongly discouraged before Council
adopts a Local Area Plan.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
PART E
LOCAL AREA
PLANS
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
ARDEN CORRIDOR LOCAL AREA PLAN
within the Plan. Recognizing that development
necessarily has some degree of environmental
impact, the goal of the Plan is to limit the extent
that site disturbances have on:
-
Other properties
-
Critical habitats of rare and endangered
species
-
Fish, the waters they inhabit and the riparian
areas that support them
-
Nesting birds and the nests (whether
occupied or not) of all raptors
-
Hydrological features and function
-
Watershed health at the site level and
cumulatively over the entire Plan area
including adjacent neighbourhoods
The Plan contains a strong emphasis on
protecting environmental values in part due
to the work of the Millard Piercy Watershed
Stewards and Morrison Creek Streamkeepers
who for over 20 years have amassed biophysical
data on the watershed. Their scientifically based
work has concluded that there is increasing
evidence that the declining health of elements
of the Millard/Piercy Watershed can be linked
to land use practices and related policy. The
community consultation exercises also revealed
strong support for environmental values, which
are expanded upon further in the Plan.
1. Project Objective
The overarching goal of the Local Area
Plan (LAP) was to engage the community
in conducting comprehensive planning
along the City's western boundary in order
to respond to development pressure
and anticipated growth in the Settlement
Expansion Area (SEA), as identified in the
Comox Valley Regional Growth Strategy. The
original LAP was conducted in 2012 and
has been updated with minimal revisions
to reflect the 2022 OCP. No Settlement
Expansion Areas are anticipated to be
incorporated within the City's boundaries
within the time horizon of the 2022 OCP.
However, the LAP provides guidance on
land use and community priorities within
the City's boundaries, and provides for long-
range thinking for when incorporation of
the SEAs may occur.
See Map E-1 for the boundaries of the
LAP area. All reference material including
consultation findings, additional maps and
illustrations and all analysis can be found
in the Arden Corridor Local Area Plan -
Reference Plan.
The objective of the LAP is to project and
respond to anticipated growth in the
Arden Corridor through regulation of land
use and servicing that is in keeping with
the values of the community, the identity
of the City and the City's commitment to
environmental protection.
A foundational principle of the Plan is that
development must not be permitted to
compromise environmental features of high
ecological value. This principle is reflected
through the policies that are contained
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PART E Local Area Plans
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2. Plan Process
The Plan was created through the following
five processes:
1. Site analysis and community vision
2. Concept options
3. Preferred land use plan development
4. Review of policy and implementation options
5. Council adoption
The public consultation strategy was designed
to provide an opportunity for the entire
community to participate directly in the
formulation of the Arden Corridor Local Area
Plan. The public consultation strategy contained
the following elements:
1. Introductory workshop on site analysis,
formulating plan opportunities and
constraints.
2. Series of three workshops to provide
opportunity for community to participate
in 'design charette' of the LAP. A separate
stakeholder workshop was held parallel to
this process.
3. Survey.
4. Final public open house to vet the
findings from the survey and the final plan
principles and land use concept plan to the
community.
Both the survey and workshops provided
valuable information which has been the
foundation of the Arden Corridor Local Area Plan.
3. Vision statement
To maintain the rural character of the community
while allowing for environmentally responsible new
developments that respond to the community's
growth, that support a network of trails and rural
roads, parks, cost-effective infrastructure systems
and a diversity of housing and small home-based
businesses.
4. Plan Implementation
The following sections provide the policies of the
Plan, which will be used to implement the vision
of the Arden Corridor LAP. The following section
contains a number of overarching strategies
and design principles that inform the approach
and layout to the Plan. In addition, a number of
more specific policies, actions, and in some cases
illustrative examples, are included for each of the
topic areas:
-
Environment
-
Mobility
-
Land use (Housing; Commercial, Industrial
and Institutional; Parks and Greenways)
-
Servicing
Maps are provided to illustrate the study area
in context with the city and adjacent Settlement
Expansion Area. Data used to create the maps
have come from a variety of sources including the
City, Project Watershed, the Comox Valley Regional
District and the Ministry of Environment. The
background information, analysis and consultation
outcomes for each topic area are presented in a
separate reference Plan entitled Arden Corridor
Local Area Plan - Reference Plan.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
1. Roads to facilitate conservation of
sensitive ecosystems, provision of open
space and economical infrastructure
costs.
2. Allow infill development on all lots.
Infill development includes:
a. detached, one-story units (e.g. 'granny
flats') or 'carriage house' units above
detached garages.
b. secondary suites within the principal
building.
3. Support rental and special needs
housing.
4. Appropriate lot sizes will designated
upon rezoning application and shall be
in accordance with the OCP.
5. Energy efficient housing construction
including the use of passive design
principles will be supported.
6. Sound attenuation treatments shall be
accomplished within the architecture;
the use of tall walls is not supported
within the study area.
9. Commercial, industrial and
institutional land uses
Commercial, industrial and institutional land
use objectives:
-
Limit new commercial/heavy industrial
development.
-
Allow for some small-scale home based
businesses.
-
Maintain local institutional uses as
community assets to be retained
(e.g. Arden Elementary School).
-
Restrict new institutional uses that are not
consistent with the rural character.
Commercial, industrial and institutional land use
policies:
1. Work with SD71 to promote Lake Trail
Community School as a centre for
community interaction, recreation and
learning.
2. The City will support the development of
a community school at Arden Elementary
should the SD71 choose to pursue this
option.
3. Other private schools are permissible
within the Arden Corridor, subject to
community consultation and other site
design and servicing considerations.
4. Support the establishment of home-
based businesses in existing residential
areas including light industry provided it
conforms to neighbourhood character
and good neighbour considerations
(noise, odor, etc.), and all necessary zoning
regulations.
5. Re-visit the need and appropriateness
of commercial uses in keeping with the
neighbourhood character, as the area
develops, and further boundary extension
is considered, in consultation with the
community.
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PART E Local Area Plans
E
Design Principle
How addressed in the Plan
1
Where infill development is
permitted, it is in keeping with
existing neighbourhood character.
Design guidance is provided within this Plan to provide
direction on desirable building character.
2
Public trail networks should be
secured especially along Piercy and
Morrison Creeks and connect to key
destinations within and beyond the
study area.
An identified trail network in the OCP can ensure that
trail opportunities are identified early in a development
application process. The City may also pursue land
acquisitions and access agreements to secure public use.
Environmental professionals must advise on the suitability of
trail locations.
3
Multiple mobility modes are
provided along major roads
including Arden Road, Cumberland
Road and Lake Trail Road.
Updated standards that provide provisions for walkers and
cyclists are identified as priorities in this Plan.
4
Preserve contiguous parcels of
green space to protect against forest
and habitat fragmentation.
Development proposals will be required to provide
environmental studies that include ground truthed mapping
of environmentally sensitive features and recommendations
on how to maintain connectivity of those features.
5
Provide trail access, but not vehicle
access, from new development to
existing local streets.
Vehicular road access will be reviewed upon each
development application in which new roads are proposed to
ensure that new roads adhere to the vision of this Plan and
that traffic impact to the existing neighbourhood is reduced.
6
Create clustered family oriented
housing on sites close to Arden
Elementary School.
The land use plan focuses growth around existing destinations
and on lands that are likely to physically best support
development, within the study area.
7
Require rehabilitation of creeks
and wetlands as part of new
developments.
Development proposals adjacent to Environmentally Sensitive
Areas will be required to identify restoration opportunities.
8
Preserve the hydrological function of
the landscape by using Low Impact
Design principles.
Development proposals will be required to demonstrate how
the hydrological functions and features of the site will be
protected.
9
In general, support clustered forms
of development, not typical tract
housing.
Design guidance is provided within this Plan to provide
direction on desired site layout approaches.
10
Limit crossings to streams. Where
crossings are required, clear span
bridge crossings are encouraged.
This is a stated policy of the Plan.
Table E-1 Arden Corridor Local Area Plan Design Principles.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
10. Parks and Greenways
Parks and Greenways Objectives:
-
Expand the network of greenways
as part of the municipal and regional
greenways system that is connected
and accessible to multiple users.
-
Ensure that all homes are within service
distances as stated by the OCP.
-
Acquire natural parks to preserve and
restore watercourses, wildlife habitat,
rural landscapes, and viewscapes.
Parks and greenway policies:
1. Develop the trail network in accordance
with the general connections shown on
Map E-8.
2. The City will continue to provide future
acquisition and development of park
lands in a variety of ways including:
a. 5% dedication of land or cash-in-
lieu at the time of subdivision, with
preference to land dedication.
b. Dedication of Environmentally
Sensitive Areas to the City. ESAs are
excluded from the 5% dedication.
c. Development cost charges.
d. Restrictive covenants.
e. Working with the SD71 on a
conceptual parks plan for Arden
Elementary.
f. Purchase where appropriate.
3. Large parcel nature parks and smaller
neighbourhood parks (possibly with
playgrounds) will be the park provisions
in the Arden Corridors. The installation of
community gardens will be considered if
there is sufficient demand by residents.
Sports fields are not supported.
4. Parks shall be designated within
neighbourhoods in a manner that provides
a highly visible presence from the public
street system and connected to greenway
and pedestrian routes. This includes
ensuring that the majority of the park
perimeter is open to the street.
5. The City will pursue securing public access
to the Comox Logging Road right of way as
a public trail.
6. Maintain unused road rights of way as
informal greenspaces with potential to
be incorporated into a formal park or
greenway.
7. All trails adjacent to ESAs must be
on-leash.
Parks and Greenways Actions:
1. The Parks Master Plan should include a
concerted effort to establish consistent
Valley-wide greenway standards,
and connected greenways between
jurisdictions, as defined by the Regional
Growth Strategy, in particular in relation
to the form and function of ecological
greenways as distinct from recreational
greenways. Aim to develop consistent
standards regarding greenways such
as minimum buffer distances from
Environmentally Sensitive Areas, trail
width and materials, and maintenance
prescriptions. Ecological greenways will
likely be wider than recreational greenways
and will require intact vegetation cover.
Human activity will be limited in ecological
greenways.
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PART E Local Area Plans
E
2. Where road rights of way are to be
retained for park, prepare a road closure
bylaw and rezone to an appropriate park
zone. The City will consider and may
pursue a land swap where it is deemed
in the public interest to do so including
the protection of environmental values.
3. Work with landowners to acquire trail
rights of way or easements as necessary
to complete the trails network.
4. Establish a committee comprised of
local residents to create management
plans for any special use parks in the
area including Tarling Park and any newly
established special use parks.
5. The City will encourage and provide
in-kind and where appropriate limited
financial support to volunteer groups
that identify and work towards key parks
and greenway priorities such as signage,
furnishings, revegetation and habitat
enhancement goals.
6. The City will conduct a cost benefit
analysis of adopting smaller trail and
park maintenance equipment and of
establishing less mechanized forms of
trail and park maintenance.
11. Mobility
Mobility objectives:
-
Contribute to a multi-modal regional
transportation network with an explicit
goal of increasing cycling, walking, transit
and carpooling mobility modes and
decreasing single occupancy vehicle
modes.
-
Maintain the character of rural roads.
-
Maintain safe mobility networks for all
road users.
Mobility policies:
1. The rural road character will be
maintained where feasible for collector
and residential roads within the study
area. Variances to the engineering
specifications for roads within the study
area will be supported where they
are necessary to maintain the rural
character.
2. When local roads, that are currently
within the CVRD/MOTI jurisdiction,
become under the City's jurisdiction
upon approved Boundary Extension,
the local roads will primarily remain
'as is' and will not be developed to an
urban standard, recognizing that the
character of roads have impact on the
overall character of the community.
3. Protect and promote the rural
character of local roads by encouraging
informal native landscaping, roadside
ditches, narrow road widths and
pervious surface treatments on public
lands and private lands.
4. Require that large trees be maintained,
wherever it is safe to do so as indicated
by an ISA certified arborist, along Arden
Rd, Lake Trail Rd and Cumberland Rd in
order to preserve the rural character of
these roads and provide a visual buffer
between these roads and adjacent land
uses.
5. Balance safety, 'dark skies', wildlife
and aesthetic considerations when
reviewing requests for the installation of
street lights.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
6. Ensure that safe provisions for
walking and cycling are provided on
Cumberland Rd, Arden Rd and Lake
Trail Rd, recognizing that the primary
strategy for accommodating walking
and cycling in the Arden Corridor
is through the development of a
functional and safe greenway network
that complies with Crime Prevention
Through Environmental Design (CPTED)
best practices.
7. Work with BC Transit to maximize
access to transit by considering new
routes, frequency and timing of service
improvements, non-conventional transit
service options, and/or park and ride
facilities if there is sufficient demand
from residents.
8. Should the opportunity arise to obtain
rights of way along Cumberland Rd,
Lake Trail Rd, Arden Rd and Comox
Logging Rd to support a separated
multi-path, this option shall be
considered.
9. The City's preference for crossings
over streams include clear spanned
bridges. Such approaches to stream
crossings shall be first explored before
alternatives are considered.
10. A vehicular crossing over Morrison
Creek along Arden Rd is not desired. A
cycling/pedestrian bridge is supported.
11. Roundabouts will be considered for
intersection treatments.
Mobility Actions:
1. Amend Subdivision and Development
Servicing Bylaw to include engineering
specifications for rural collectors and
rural residential roads that are in
keeping with the character and use of
these roads.
2. Work with School District 71, the
school principal and Parent Advisory
Committees to designate safe walking/
cycling routes to school plans to Arden
Elementary and to address issues
related to student drop-off/pick-up.
12. Servicing
Servicing Objectives:
-
Retain effective open channel
stormwater management in order
to promote natural hydrological
functioning of the area, specifically
stream health.
-
Ensure safe, environmentally
responsible and cost effective methods
of sewage waste management.
-
Ensure safe drinking water to all
residents within the City's jurisdiction in
the form of municipal servicing.
Servicing policies:
For all municipal services
(Stormwater, Sanitary Sewer and Water)
1. Prior to Boundary Extension within
the Arden Corridor, conduct studies to
ensure that the condition of servicing
assets and need for new servicing
commensurate with growth are
understood.
2. Any private servicing infrastructures
(including, but not limited to, strata
developments) are required to create
and submit to the City maintenance
manuals for the maintenance of said
servicing infrastructures.
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PART E Local Area Plans
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3. Municipal service and private service
intrusion into Environmentally Sensitive
Areas shall be minimized. The location of
the necessary roads and other facilities
required to maintain such services shall
take into consideration environmental
impact.
Sanitary Sewer
On lands within the study area, support
the efforts of the Vancouver Island Health
Authority (and the Comox Valley Regional
District where septic systems are within their
geographical boundaries) to:
1. Enforce regulations respecting approval,
the correct operation, maintenance, and
inspection of on-site sewage disposal
systems; and
2. Provide ongoing public education program
about the correct operation, maintenance,
and inspection of on-site sewage disposal
systems.
Potable Water
Maintain potable groundwater by:
1. Supporting the CVRD and the Province to
monitor groundwater quality and quantity;
2. Supporting education campaigns about
protecting groundwater quality, water
conservation for private well and municipal
water users.
Electricity
Work with BC Hydro to establish a road
standard that accommodates underground
electrical services as well as the open channel
stormwater system.
Stormwater Management
1. Retain an open-channel stormwater
drainage system comprised of
watercourses, ditches, floodplains,
storm ponds of varying designs (dry,
wet, wetland, on-stream, off-stream) and
other water quality and environmental
features, some of which are privately
owned while others are publically owned.
2. The stormwater management approach
shall follow the follow 'hierarchy' on all
sites:
a. Firstly, every attempt shall be made to
introduce source controls, and must
be demonstrated by an engineering
study that such an attempt has been
made;
b. Introducing upstream detention
facilities is a second preferred option;
c. Enclosing stormwater in a piped,
underground system should be
considered only as a last resort.
3. Stormwater capacity studies must
demonstrate that a site's stormwater
approach will not result in added
pressure on downstream stormwater
infrastructure.
4. Where stormwater detention ponds are
created the design of such ponds shall
follow these guidelines:
a. Aim for a decentralized stormwater
pond system of many ponds located
suitably to service localized needs;
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
b. More and smaller ponds is preferred
over few larger ponds, including on
individual sites where such an approach
is appropriate;
c. Ponds shall be designed to be 'natural'
and aesthetic and should ensure that
there is adequate topsoil and planting
with a variety of native aquatic and
riparian species under the guidance of
a landscape architect and/or Registered
Professional Biologist proficient in
wetland landscaping practices;
d. Stormwater ponds and other
stormwater facilities that service strata
or commercial developments shall be
privately owned.
5. Where the stormwater approach to a
site contains practices such as bioswales,
raingardens, added topsoil requirements,
on private lots, a covenant may be required
to be registered on title to ensure that
property owners are aware of their
stormwater features and how to properly
maintain them. The City may consider an
educational approach in some instances
instead of a covenant.
Servicing Actions:
1. Complete area specific studies (in order of
priority) on Stormwater, Sanitary Sewer and
Water servicing.
2. Incorporate updated studies of
Stormwater, Sanitary Sewer, Water as
they are completed to ensure the Arden
Corridor LAP remains current.
13. Arden Area development checklist
A list of questions is provided within the
Arden Corridor Local Area Plan - Reference
Plan to guide development applicants
through the range of performance metrics
that staff will be evaluating the development.
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PART E Local Area Plans
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Appendix A - Arden Corridor LAP Maps
A note on the accuracy of mapping and its intended use:
In some cases information displayed on the maps is based on aerial photography and remote sensing data.
Where data has not been ground-truthed, these maps provide a conceptual understanding of the information
presented and may require further ground-truthing to determine accurate boundaries of features shown in the
maps. The maps should be used as information only and not as basis for legal land survey. Maps have not
been updated since original adoption of the Arden Corridor Local Area Plan December 16, 2013.
Arden Road
1st Street
5th Street
Piercy Avenue
Tull Avenue
17th Street
6th Street
11th Street
Grieve Avenue
McPhee Avenue
Urquhart Avenue
13th Street
Willemar Avenue
Cumberland Road
Lake Trail Road
12th Street
Cliffe Avenue
14th Street
Fitzgerald Avenue
4th Street
Stewart Avenue
Cousins Avenue
England Avenue
Comox Valley Parkway
Robert Lang Drive
Embleton Crescent
26th Street
Menzies Avenue
Woods Avenue
16th Street
10th Street
19th Street
Pidcock Avenue
Rod & Gun Road
Burgess Road
Comox Logging Road
Lambert Drive
Mitchell Road
8th Street
15th Street
Edgett Road
7th Street
Lewis Avenue
Dogwood Drive
Beckensell Avenue
Larsen Road
18th Street
Morello Place
Maple Drive
3rd Street
27th Street
Krebs Crescent
Lockwell Road
Urquhart Road
Timberlane Road
Copperfield Road
Choquette Road
Salsbury Road
9th Street
22nd Street
Archery Crescent
Joshua Place
Mitchell Place
Leighton Avenue
Tater Place
2nd Street
Rosewall Crescent
Webb Road
Malcolm Place
Lexington Place
Martin Place
Harmston Avenue
Drabble Place
Stubbs Place
Arden Road
Lewis Avenue
Urquhart Avenue
Urquhart Avenue
9th Street
Willemar Avenue
19th Street
Arden Road
Stewart Avenue
2nd Street
Comox Valley Parkway
Comox Logging Road
8th Street
Cumberland Road
4th Street
1st Street
16th Street
18th Street
Willemar Avenue
Lake Trail Road
10th Street
13th Street
Legend
Arden Area Boundary
City of Courtenay Boundary
Arden Local Area Plan
Orthophoto (Fall 2012)
Z
Date: 12/07/2013
Map Base: Orthophoto 10cm; 20x
250
0
250
125
M
Document Path: W:\Projects\2013\13-41 Arden LAP\Arden\Map1-small- AirPhoto.mxd
Map E-1
-235-
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Map E-2
Demonstration Plan and High Level Design Principles
-236-
PART E Local Area Plans
E
Morris
on M
ain
Ard
e
n
M
ain
Trib 11
Peircy Ck Main
Trib 7
Trib 6
Trib 6
Trib 7
Trib 8
Trib
10
Trib 5
Trib 1
Trib 1
Trib
3
Trib 4
Peircy M
ain
Millard/Piercy Watershed
Puntledge Rv Watershed
Morrison Cr Watershed
Puntledge Rv Watershed
Date: 12/07/2013
Map Base: Orthophoto 10cm; Project Watershed
Arden Area Boundary
Watershed Boundary
©
Ground Water Wells
Aquifer
Wetlands
Confirmed fish presence
Comox Valley Watercourses
Confirmed fish presence
Unknown fish presence
Z
250
0
250
125
M
Arden Local Area Plan
Water Courses, Wells,
and Aquifers
Docum ent Path: W:\Pr ojec ts\2013\13-41 Ar den LA P\Ar den\Map3 Water cour se_wells_aquifers.m xd
A note on the accuracy of mapping and its intended
use: In some cases information displayed on the maps
is based on aerial photography and remote sensing
data. Where data have not been ground truthed, these
maps provide a conceptual understanding of the
information presented and may require further ground
truthing to determine accurate boundaries. The maps
should be used as information only and not as basis
for legal land survey.
Map 3
Map E-3
-237-
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Morris
on M
ain
Ard
e
n
M
ain
Trib 11
Peircy Ck Main
Original Peircy Ck Main
Trib 7
Trib 6
Trib 6
Trib 7
Trib 8
Trib
10
Trib 5
Trib 1
Trib 1
Trib
3
Trib 4
Peircy M
ain
Date: 12/07/2013
Map Base: CVRD and City of Courtenay Parcels, Project Watershed
Wetlands
Proposed Wetland Buffer (30m)
Proposed Stream Buffer (30m)
Comox Valley Watercourses
Confirmed fish presence
Unknown fish presence
Parcels
Primary Building Footprints
Arden Area Boundary
Z
250
0
250
125
M
Arden Local Area Plan
Proposed 30m
Riparian Buffer
(30 m each side)
Docum ent Path: W:\Pr ojec ts\2013\13-41 Ar den LA P\Ar den\Map4a Ripar ian B uffer.mxd
A note on the accuracy of mapping and its intended
use: In some cases information displayed on the maps
is based on aerial photography and remote sensing
data. Where data have not been ground truthed, these
maps provide a conceptual understanding of the
information presented and may require further ground
truthing to determine accurate boundaries. The maps
should be used as information only and not as basis
for legal land survey.
Map 4
Map E-4
-238-
PART E Local Area Plans
E
#U
#U
Date: 23/08/2013
Map Base: CVRD and City of Courtenay Parcels
Arden Area Boundary
City Boundary
Parcels
Comox Valley Streams
#U
Eagles Nests
Rare Species
Z
S:\PLANNING\1Summer Student\Sarah\GIS Project\Arden Area
330
0
330
165
M
Arden Local Area Plan
Rare Species
Map 5
Map E-5
-239-
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Date: 12/07/2013
Map Base: Orthophoto 10cm; City of Courtenay, CVRD
Arden Area Boundary
Courtenay City Boundary(2013)
Parcel Area (sq.m)
<=650
650-2500 (Urban Residential)
2501-19999 (Suburban Residential)
20000-80000 (Rural)
>80000
Z
250
0
250
125
M
ArdenLocal Area Plan
Parcels by
OCP Lot Size Definitions
Docum ent Path: W:\Pr ojec ts\2013\13-41 Ar den LA P\Ar den\Map10 Lot Size.mx d
A note on the accuracy of mapping and its intended
use: In some cases information displayed on the maps
is based on aerial photography and remote sensing
data. Where data have not been ground truthed, these
maps provide a conceptual understanding of the
information presented and may require further ground
truthing to determine accurate boundaries. The maps
should be used as information only and not as basis
for legal land survey.
Map 6
Map E-6
Parcels by Size
-240-
PART E Local Area Plans
E
Roy Morrison Nature Park
Tarling Park
Dogwood Park
Capes Park
Dogwood Park
Cousin's Park
Capes Park
First STreet PArk
Woodcote Park
Capes Park
Martin Park
Morrison Creek Park
Crown Land
Martin Park
Roy Morrison Park
Piercy Creek Greenway
Maple Park
Woodecote Park
Piercy Creek Greenway
Krebs/Larsen Park
Galloway Park
Date: 12/07/2013
Map Base: Orthophoto 10cm; City of CourtenayZ
250
0
250
125
M
Arden Local Area Plan
Community and
Neighbourhood
Parks Level of Service
Docum ent Path: W:\Pr ojec ts\2013\13-41 Ar den LA P\Ar den\Map9 Comm unity and Neighbourhood par k level of service.mxd
A note on the accuracy of mapping and its intended
use: In some cases information displayed on the maps
is based on aerial photography and remote sensing
data. Where data have not been ground truthed, these
maps provide a conceptual understanding of the
information presented and may require further ground
truthing to determine accurate boundaries. The maps
should be used as information only and not as basis
for legal land survey.
Legend
Arden Area Boundary
Neighbourhood Park Service Distance: 400m
Community Park Service Distance: 1500m
Parks Classification
Community Park
Future Greenspace
Neighbourhood Park
Special Use Greenway
Special Use Park
School
Map 7
Map E-7
-241-
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Map 8 Conceptual Land Use Plan for the Arden Corridor
Note - all trail locations
are approximate.
Map E-8
Conceptual Land Use Plan for the Arden Corridor
-242-
PART E Local Area Plans
E
Appendix B - Arden Corridor LAP Illustrations
The illustrations on the following pages provide examples of the types of layout and building
designs that are desired in the Arden Corridor.
-243-
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Infill development is permitted in a large
part of the study area. Infill development
generally occurs at an incremental
pace, resulting in slow changes to the
neighbourhood. Where infill in proposed, it
must be consistent with the direction of this
Plan. These illustrations shows examples of
the types of elements that can be modified
on a property to help achieve the Vision of
the Plan.
-244-
PART E Local Area Plans
E
These images provide examples of building design that can
help to achieve a suitable character for the neighbourhood.
-245-
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
-246-
PART E Local Area Plans
E
-247-
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
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These images show a more traditional form
of density in the form of ground oriented
row houses which are generally designed as
a 'repeating pattern' of homes oriented in
the same direction. The multiplexes on the
previous pages may employ more creative
designs to avoid the 'repititious' look.
-248-
PART E Local Area Plans
E
APPENDICES
1. Maps.............................................................................. 249
2. Regional Context Statement
Policy Analysis Tables.................................................. 264
3. Glossary........................................................................ 288
-249-
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
APPENDIX 1 - MAPS
-250-
APPENDIX
APX 1a Land Use Designations.
-251-
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
APX-1b Existing and Proposed Local Area Plan (LAP) Boundaries and Potential Settlement Expansion Areas
-252-
APPENDIX
Cliffe Avenue
17th Street
26th Street
Fraser Road
11th Street
McPhee Avenue
stone Road
Riverside Lane
Christie Parkway
Harbourview Boulevard
Anfield Road
Kilpatrick Avenue
K'ómoks First
Nation Reserve
K'ómoks First
Nation Reserve
Vantor
Courtenay River
Floodplain
±
0
0.5
1
Kilometers
Spatial Reference: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 10N
Data Source: City of Courtenay GIS
Published: 2/5/2026
City of Courtenay OCP Update
Courtenay_Boundary
Floodway
Flood Fringe
KFN IR
K'ómoks Estuary
Map APX-2 Floodplain
-253-
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Map APX-3 Road Network
K'ómoks First Nation Reserve
K'ómoks First Nation Reserve
H
eadqu
a
rte
rs
R
oad
Cliffe Ave
n
ue
Back Road
17th Street
Lerwick Road
5th Street
Vanier Drive
11th Street
R
yan Road
S Island Hig
h
way
V
eteran
s Me
m
o
ria
l P
a
rk
w
ay
Lake Trail Road
Is
land Highway
Cumbe
rla
n
d Roa
d
K'ómoks
Estuary
Town of Comox
Puntledge River
Courtenay River
Road Network
±
0
0.5
1
Kilometers
Spatial Reference: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 10N
Data Source: City of Courtenay GIS
Published: 5/24/2022
City of Courtenay OCP 2021
Arterial
Collector
Provincial Highway
Future Collector - Residential
Future Collector - Rural
Note: All arterial and collector roads are
trucking routes, unless otherwise designated.
Trucks are permitted in commercial and
industrial use areas, including mixed use
areas, unless otherwise designated. Trucks by
permit only 8 AM - 6 PM downtown 5th Street
from Cliffe Avenue to Fitzgerald Avenue.
-254-
APPENDIX
Map APX-4 Long Term Cycling Network Connectivity Opportunities
K'ómoks First Nation Reserve
K'ómoks First Nation Reserve
H
eadqu
a
rte
rs
R
oad
Cliffe Ave
n
ue
Back Road
17th Street
Lerwick Road
5th Street
Vanier Drive
11th Street
R
yan Road
S Island Hig
h
way
V
eteran
s Me
m
o
ria
l P
a
rk
w
ay
Lake Trail Road
Is
land Highway
Cumbe
rla
n
d Roa
d
K'ómoks
Estuary
Town of Comox
Puntledge River
Courtenay River
Long Term Cycling Network
Connectivity Opportunities
±
0
0.5
1
Kilometers
Spatial Reference: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 10N
Data Source: City of Courtenay GIS
Published: 5/20/2022
City of Courtenay OCP 2021
Approximate Long Term
Cycling Network
School
College
-255-
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Map APX-5 Sidewalk Network
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
G
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
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!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
H
eadqu
a
rte
rs
R
oad
Cliffe Ave
n
ue
Back Road
17th Street
Lerwick Road
5th Street
Vanier Drive
11th Street
R
yan Road
S Island Hig
h
way
V
eteran
s Me
m
o
ria
l P
a
rk
w
ay
Lake Trail Road
Is
land Highway
Cumbe
rla
n
d Roa
d
K'ómoks First Nation Reserve
K'ómoks First Nation Reserve
Town of Comox
Puntledge River
Courtenay River
DRAFT
Sidewalk Network
0
0.5
1
Kilometres
¯
Coordinate System: NAD 1983 UTM
Zone 10NTransverse Mercator
Published: April 7, 2021
Data Source: City of Courtenay GIS
Recommended Pedestrian
Network Plan
Multi-Use Trail (From
Parks Plan)
Paved Multi-Use
Pathway (Adjacent to
Street)
Sidewalk
Existing Network
Sidewalk
!(
Elementary Schools
!(
Secondary Schools
!(
Hospital
!(
College
Planned Crossings
(
Improved Crossing
G
Potential Crossing
From Parks Plan
-256-
APPENDIX
Map APX-6 Terrestrial Environmentally Sensitive Areas
Other Environmentally
Sensitive Areas
Ecosystem Connectivity
Opportunity Areas
-257-
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Map APX-7 Aquatic Environmentally Sensitive Areas
-258-
APPENDIX
H
eadqu
a
rte
rs
R
oad
Cliffe Ave
n
ue
Back Road
17th Street
Lerwick Road
5th Street
Vanier Drive
11th Street
R
yan Road
S Island Hig
h
way
V
eteran
s Me
m
o
ria
l P
a
rk
w
ay
Lake Trail Road
Is
land Highway
Cumbe
rla
n
d Roa
d
K'ómoks First Nation Reserve
K'ómoks First Nation Reserve
K'ómoks
Estuary
Puntledge River
Courtenay River
Steep Slope Development Permit Area
±
0
0.5
1
Kilometers
Spatial Reference: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 10N
Data Source: City of Courtenay GIS
Published: 5/20/2022
City of Courtenay OCP 2021
City Boundary
Percent Slope
20% - 29%
Steeper than 30%
Map APX-8 Steep Slopes
-259-
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Map APX-9 Parks and Greenways
H
eadqu
a
rte
rs
R
oad
Cliffe Ave
n
ue
Back Road
17th Street
Lerwick Road
5th Street
Vanier Drive
11th Street
R
yan Road
S Island Hig
h
way
V
eteran
s Me
m
o
ria
l P
a
rk
w
ay
Lake Trail Road
Is
land Highway
Cumbe
rla
n
d Roa
d
K'ómoks First Nation Reserve
K'ómoks First Nation Reserve
K'ómoks
Estuary
Town of Comox
Puntledge River
Courtenay River
Parks and Greenways
±
0
0.5
1
Kilometers
Spatial Reference: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 10N
Data Source: City of Courtenay GIS
Published: 1/24/2022
City of Courtenay OCP 2021
Proposed Greenways*
Existing Greenways
Existing Parks
Proposed Parks*
Greenways
Parks
*Proposed includes general locations
of where facilities are needed
-260-
APPENDIX
Map APX-10 Community Facilities
Town of Comox
K'ómoks First
Nation Reserve
K'ómoks First
Nation Reserve
SCHOOL
DISTRICT NO.
71 COMOX
VALLEY
Puntledge River
Courtenay River
Community Facilities
±
0
0.5
1
Kilometers
Spatial Reference: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 10N
Data Source:
City of Courtenay GIS (local data, 2026)
Published: 1/21/2026
City of Courtenay OCP 2021
Parks
School District 71 Property
Secondary Schools
Elementary Schools
Public Services
City Hall
College
Cultural Facility
Fire Hall
Hospital
Library
Police
Proposed Fire Hall
Recreation Facility
CVRD Building
Courtenay City Boundary
-261-
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Map APX-11 Water Distribution System
Town of Comox
K'ómoks First
Nation Reserve
K'ómoks First
Nation Reserve
Puntledge River
Courtenay River
¯
Water Distribution System
0
0.5
1
Kilometres
¯
Spatial Reference: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 10N
Published: Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Data Source:
City of Courtenay, Water Distribution System
(2026); Comox Valley Regional District, Water
Infrastructure (2026)
Utility Mapping
CVRD Water Trunk Mains
Courtenay Water Distribution Mains
Courtenay City Boundary
K'ómoks Estuary
City of Courtenay OCP 2021
-262-
APPENDIX
Map APX-12 Sanitary Sewer Collection System
Town of Comox
K'ómoks First
Nation Reserve
K'ómoks First
Nation Reserve
Puntledge River
Courtenay River
¯
Sanitary Sewer Collection System
0
0.5
1
Kilometres
¯
Spatial Reference: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 10N
Published: Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Data Source:
City of Courtenay, Sanitary Sewer Collection System
(2026); Comox Valley Regional District, Sanitary Sewer
Infrastructure (2026)
Utility Mapping
CVRD Sanitary Sewer Mains
Courtenay Sanitary Sewer Trunk Mains
Courtenay Sanitary Sewer Collection Mains
Courtenay City Boundary
K'ómoks Estuary
City of Courtenay OCP 2021
-263-
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Map APX-13 Stormwater Distribution System
Town of Comox
K'ómoks First
Nation Reserve
K'ómoks First
Nation Reserve
Puntledge River
Courtenay River
¯
Stormwater Distribution System
0
0.5
1
Kilometres
¯
Spatial Reference: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 10N
Published: Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Data Source:
City of Courtenay, Stormwater Infrastructure (2026);
BC Freshwater Atlas (FWA) -Watercourses
Utility Mapping
Watercourses
Courtenay Open Ditch Systems
Courtenay Stormwater Collection Mains
Courtenay Stormwater Management Facilities
Stormwater Catchments
Courtenay City Boundary
K'ómoks Estuary
City of Courtenay OCP 2021
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
APPENDIX 2 -
REGIONAL CONTEXT
STATEMENT POLICY
ANALYSIS TABLES
-265-
APPENDIX
Statement of Coordination
One of the OCP goals is Housing Choices for All. This topic is addressed primarily within the Housing policy
One of the OCP goals is Housing Choices for All. This topic is addressed primarily within the Housing policy
chapter. Stated policies are designed to encourage and support the development of a wide range of housing
chapter. Stated policies are designed to encourage and support the development of a wide range of housing
options. Particular attention is given to increasing affordable housing supply that appropriately responds to
options. Particular attention is given to increasing affordable housing supply that appropriately responds to
the regional Housing Needs Report within the context of a changing, and aging, population. The City continues
the regional Housing Needs Report within the context of a changing, and aging, population. The City continues
to collect, monitor, and analyze local housing trends and take necessary actions in partner with neighbouring
to collect, monitor, and analyze local housing trends and take necessary actions in partner with neighbouring
jurisdictions and community partners.
jurisdictions and community partners.
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 1-A: Locate
housing close to existing
services
Within the OCP's Land Use chapter, there are a number of objectives
and policies that direct new housing be built in close to existing services
and amenities. This includes strategically increasing densities and mixing
land uses to ensure community growth aids toward the propagation of
10-minute neighbourhoods, where residents have access the majority of
their daily needs within a 10-minute walk of their home. Policies include:
Land Use Objective 2: The majority of community growth is strategically
guided into growth centres to create more 10-minute neighbourhoods
Land Use Objective 6: New growth takes place within the existing city
boundary
Land Use Policy 6: Co-locate residential, commercial, institutional, and
suitable employment-generating land uses in the Downtown, Town Centres
& Urban Corridor, and Neighbourhood Centres.
General Land Use Policy 2: Community services including childcare facilities
are supported in all land use designations except Agricultural, Light
Industrial, and Future Growth.
Goal 1: Housing
Ensure a diversity of housing options to meet evolving regional demographics and needs.
-266-
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 1-B: Increase
affordable housing options
The OCP's Housing chapter provides policy that supports the development
of housing with particular attention to affordable housing for households
whose incomes might not allow them to access market rate housing
affordably. Courtenay's OCP is informed by its current Housing Needs Report
which provides the most up-to-date information around Courtenay's housing
needs, including the range of cost and rents that are needed to support
households with different financial circumstances. Policies include:
Housing Policy 19: Direct the Density Benefit Bylaw to prioritize the delivery
of affordable housing, including cash in lieu to the City's Affordable Housing
Reserve Fund when on-site delivery is not feasible.
Housing Policy 28: Develop a below- and non-market housing strategy
that identifies an appropriate role for the City in supporting below- and non-
market housing in relation to other services and strategies within this sector
including but not limited to: the Comox Valley Housing Authority, the Comox
Valley Regional Housing Action Plan, the non-profit housing sector, BC Housing
and other senior government entities and programs. The strategy shall
explore, but not be limited to:
-
Identifying undeveloped and underdeveloped municipal sites for future
non-market housing projects with emphasis on providing a mix of
housing types including supportive housing.
-
Creating a framework for monitoring local equity-priority and
demographic needs for housing over time and focus support and
incentives, including housing agreements, on residents who need it
most including, but not limited to, seniors, Indigenous residents, low to
moderate income earners, and those at risk of homelessness. Develop a
weighted housing wheelhouse 'Intervention Priority by Tenure' decision
making tool to inform the level of City effort and support for different
tenure priorities. Update the weighted housing wheelhouse as new
housing information comes available to define specific housing needs as
they evolve over time.
-
Advocating for senior government funding for non-market projects and
initiatives.
-
Encouraging faith-based and other institutional landowners to consider
including non-market housing when redeveloping their properties.
-
Creating a policy or bylaw to grant funds from the Affordable Housing
Amenity Reserve Fund to non-market housing projects.
-267-
APPENDIX
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 1-B: Increase
affordable housing options
-
Development application support policies such as, but not limited to,
application prioritization and exemption from application fees.
-
Reviewing the existing Development Cost Charges Waiver (Affordable
Housing) Bylaw.
-
Identifying the use of communications and agreement mechanisms to
support community integration.
-
Strengthening partnerships specifically, but not limited to:
a. Regional partnerships with neighbouring jurisdictions, K'ómoks
First Nation, and housing providers on the regional coordination of
supportive housing
b. With K'ómoks First Nation and other Indigenous partners on the
delivery of non- or below-market housing projects for Indigenous
residents.
-
Considering advancing any of the listed topics in the absence of an
adopted strategy, as opportunities arise.
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 1-C: Develop and
maintain a diverse, flexible
housing stock
The OCP's Housing chapter and its Land Use chapter both include a number
of polices that align with objective 1-C of the RGS. Collectively these policies
support a diverse and flexible housing stock, that includes a variety of
housing forms and tenures as well as levels of affordability. The maintenance
of a diverse and flexible housing stock will be better suited to meet
Courtenay's needs as it grows and changes. Policies include:
Housing Policy 1: Support multi-residential housing forms and densities
in all residential land use designations, as described in the Managing
Growth Policy section of this Plan, and in accordance with protection of
Environmentally Sensitive Area policies.
Housing Policy 9: Require that a diversity of housing types and unit sizes
be provided in new rezoning applications for large developments. Ensure
that development of multi-residential units occur in early phases of the
subdivision.
Housing Policy 13: Engage with and educate residents on the value of
diversity of housing types distributed throughout Courtenay.
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 1-D: Minimize the
public costs of housing
In alignment with RCS Objective 1-D, Courtenay's OCP recognizes that the
public cost of housing growth should be minimized. Located in the Land Use
chapter, there are a number of policies that support this shared objective by
directing new housing away from hazardous or expensive to service lands, as
well as by taking a full cost accounting approach to land use decision making.
Policies include:
-268-
City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 1-D: Minimize the
public costs of housing
Land Use Policy 1: Allocate all growth in a manner generally consistent with
Map B-1: Land Use Designation Map, to meet Courtenay's 2050 net-zero
greenhouse gas emissions target, housing needs, and support a compact
urban form. (Full policy is outlined on page 57 of the OCP).
Land Use Policy 15: Coordinate all infrastructure upgrades and system
extensions with the growth management principles and policies established
in the OCP using a multiple bottom line approach that considers lifecycle
cost, risk, and climate resilience. (Full policy is outlined on page 59 of the
OCP).
Land Use Policy 16: Prioritize all infrastructure investment using a multiple
bottom line decision-making approach.
Land Use Policy 18: Limit community sewer service expansion into Future
Growth and Agricultural designated lands, except where infrastructure is
already planned or needed to address public or environmental health issues
and protection of natural assets as identified by the City or other levels
of government. (Full policy is outlined on page 59 of the OCP).
Statement of Coordination
One of the OCP goals is More Space for and Time in Nature. This topic is addressed across a number of OCP
One of the OCP goals is More Space for and Time in Nature. This topic is addressed across a number of OCP
chapters including the Natural Environment chapter, Parks and Recreation chapter, Food Systems chapter and
chapters including the Natural Environment chapter, Parks and Recreation chapter, Food Systems chapter and
green infrastructure
green infrastructure approaches within the Municipal Infrastructure and Streets and Transportation chapters, as
approaches within the Municipal Infrastructure and Streets and Transportation chapters, as
well as the Environment Development Permit Area designation. These chapters include a range of policies that
well as the Environment Development Permit Area designation. These chapters include a range of policies that
respond to protecting remaining critical habitat, stewarding ecological assets across public and private lands,
respond to protecting remaining critical habitat, stewarding ecological assets across public and private lands,
restoring ecosystems and connectivity corridors, valuing ecological assets, and investing in
restoring ecosystems and connectivity corridors, valuing ecological assets, and investing in green infrastructure
green infrastructure
to provide public services.
to provide public services.
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 2-A: Identify and
map areas for conservation
Courtenay's OCP aligns with Objective 2-A of the RGS. The OCP has
established Maps APX-6 and APX-7, terrestrial and aquatic Environmentally
Sensitive Areas within Courtenay's boundaries, and will update these maps
as new information becomes available. Beyond OCP maps APX-6 and APX-7,
the Natural Environment chapter has policies that support the identification
of natural areas and ecosystem for conservation. Policies include:
Natural Environment Policy 4: Collaborate with land owners, other levels of
government, non-governmental organizations, and neighbouring jurisdictions
in developing regionally consistent approaches to inventorying, mapping,
conserving, and restoring environmentally sensitive areas, watershed
health and species at risk, using the principles of precaution, connectivity,
and restoration.
Goal 2: Ecosystems, Natural Areas, and Parks
Protect, steward, and enhance the natural environment and ecological connections and systems.
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APPENDIX
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 2-A: Identify and
map areas for conservation
Natural Environment Policy 29: Exceed setbacks prescribed by the
Riparian Area Protection Regulations (RAPR) to result in 30-metre
setbacks from stream boundaries where possible:
a. Include Environmental Development Permit Area guidelines for
a 30-metre setback from the stream boundary when conducting
development on properties subject to the Riparian Areas Protection
Regulations (RAPR), whenever opportunities for a 30-metre setback
are possible and in accordance with local government authorities and
provincial legislative requirements.
Natural Environment Policy 30: Explore conducting an analysis to
predetermine setbacks on streams subject to the Riparian Area Protection
Regulation (RAPR), for areas where a 30-metre setback cannot be achieved.
Natural Environment Policy 36: Partner with senior levels of government,
regional jurisdictions, conservation professionals and organizations to
maintain publicly accessible mapping and associated information of
ecological systems of the area.
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 2-B: Frame
environmental protection
and policies around the
principles of precaution,
connectivity, and
restoration
In alignment with the RGS, Courtenay's OCP contains strong policy direction
for how the City can advance environmental protection and policies around
the principles of precaution, connectivity, and restoration. The OCP's Natural
Environment Chapter details the sensitive ecosystems that exist within
Courtenay and provides a host of polices to ensure they remain protected
and connected and where possible restored to a better state then they are
currently in. Policies include:
Natural Environment Policy 1: Preserve sensitive ecosystem areas and the
connections between them in a natural condition to the maximum extent
possible.
Natural Environment Policy 4: Collaborate with landowners, other levels of
government, non-governmental organizations, and neighbouring jurisdictions
in developing regionally consistent approaches to inventorying, mapping,
conserving, and restoring environmentally sensitive areas, watershed health
and species at risk, using the principles of precaution, connectivity, and
restoration.
Natural Environment Policy 31: Require as part of the development
permit process the submission of securities to ensure the completion and
monitoring of landscaping and environmental rehabilitation, or to address
damage to the environment caused by development activity.
Natural Environment Policy 33: Do not permit development within
Environmentally Sensitive Areas. New trails or facilities in Environmentally
Sensitive Areas will be discouraged and installed only where they provide net
gain for habitat values.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 2-C: Promote
environmental best
practices in Agricultural and
Resource areas
The OCP's Food System's Chapter directs environmental best practice in
alignment with Objective 2-C of the RGS. Ensuring healthy soil, air, water and
ecosystems within all lands, including Agricultural areas, means both food
production and environmentally sensitive areas can be safeguarded. Polices
include:
Food Systems Objective 4: Agricultural lands are protected and are
compatible with urban uses.
Food Systems Policy 16: Amend the Zoning Bylaw to guide the location of
buildings and structures, including agricultural structures, to maximize the
agricultural potential of prime soil resources. This includes establishing
maximum farm residential dwelling and footprint sizes commensurate with
urban lot areas and establishing maximum road setbacks.
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 2-D: Ensure
access to parks, recreation
areas
OCP alignment with RGS objective 2-D is largely found within the Parks
and Recreation chapter. Ensuring access to parks and recreation areas in
supported by a number of policies which direct parkland and recreation to
remain accessible and equitable as the community grows. Polices include:
Parks and Recreation Objective 1: Parkland in the form of natural areas, open
spaces, and outdoor recreation is of sufficient amounts, is well-connected,
equitably distributed, and is of high quality to enhance livability throughout
the city.
Parks and Recreation Policy 2: Provide new parkland and greenways in areas
identified in the OCP and Parks and Recreation Master Plan, in future growth
areas, mixed-use and high-density development areas, and intensification
areas through new development and redevelopment opportunities. Key
parkland standards include but are not limited to:
a. Strive for a maximum 10-minute walk distance access from all
residences throughout Courtenay (400-800 metres);
b. 1.2 hectares per 1,000 population for community parks and 0.5
hectares per 1,000 population for neighbourhood parks;
c. Walking distance of 400 metres to neighbourhood parks and 800
metres to community parks;
d. Minimum size of 1.0 hectare for community parks and 0.2 hectare for
neighbourhood parks;
e. Nature parks representative of Courtenay's biodiversity;
f.
Urban types of park features such as parklets and plazas.
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APPENDIX
Statement of Coordination
One of the OCP goals is Economic Success Emerges from Community Values and Place. This topic is addressed
One of the OCP goals is Economic Success Emerges from Community Values and Place. This topic is addressed
primarily by the OCP Managing Growth policies and Land Use designations which support the land use
primarily by the OCP Managing Growth policies and Land Use designations which support the land use
employment opportunities within Town Centres and other employment lands throughout the City.
employment opportunities within Town Centres and other employment lands throughout the City.
The Local Economy chapter includes more specific policies that recognize the City's primary role in local
The Local Economy chapter includes more specific policies that recognize the City's primary role in local
economic development is to create the physical conditions for high quality of life and economic success
economic development is to create the physical conditions for high quality of life and economic success
through responsible management of public assets and sustainable levels of high-quality service delivery. The
through responsible management of public assets and sustainable levels of high-quality service delivery. The
chapter also recognizes the importance of supporting key sectors within the local economy such as low-carbon
chapter also recognizes the importance of supporting key sectors within the local economy such as low-carbon
construction and building retrofitting industry and value-added, community-based businesses such as arts and
construction and building retrofitting industry and value-added, community-based businesses such as arts and
culture, local food processing, specialty forest products, and other value-added product manufacturing.
culture, local food processing, specialty forest products, and other value-added product manufacturing.
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 3-A: Support
local business retention,
development and
investment
Policy supports for local businesses in alignment with Objective 3-A can be
found in the Local Economy chapter of the OCP. This chapter supports the
advancement of a positive business environment with local residents at the
heart of Courtenay's economy. Policies include:
Local Economy Objective 1: Business retention, development, and
investment are increasingly green, low-carbon, climate resilient, and
equitable.
Local Economy Objective 4: People are at the heart of local economic
development and are able to access adequate supports to participate in the
economy
Local Economy Policy 2: Support responsible and sustainability driving
tourism, including local tourism, in accordance with the Comox Valley
Tourism Strategy Framework.
Local Economy Policy 4: Support initiatives that generate value-added,
community-based business development, including but not limited to, arts
and culture, local food processing, specialty forest products, and other value-
added product manufacturing.
Goal 3: Local Economic Development
Achieve a sustainable, resilient, and dynamic local economy that supports businesses and the region's entrepreneurial
spirit.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 3-B: Increase
regional job base
Local Economy Objective 2: Local economic development opportunities are
regionally coordinated
Local Economy Policy 7: Work collaboratively with neighbouring jurisdictions,
the K'ómoks First Nation, Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce, Downtown
Courtenay Business Improvement Association, North Island College, business
and non-profit community organizations in the development of community
and regional economic development strategies.
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 3-C: Support
resource-based
employment opportunities
Courtenay's OCP supports resource-based employment opportunities in
alignment with Objective 3-C. Since Courtenay's boundary is largely urban,
this is primarily accomplished by recognizing the chance to foster valued
added business that build off traditional resource-based jobs such as
forestry and agriculture.
Local Economy Policy 4: Support initiatives that generate value-added,
community-based business development, including but not limited to, arts
and culture, local food processing, specialty forest products, and other value-
added product manufacturing.
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Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 3-D: Promote
designated Town Centres
as regional employment
centres
In alignment with Objective 3-D, Courtenay's OCP recognizes that Courtenay
is, and will likely remain as, the primary employment Centre in the Comox
Valley. Through a mixture of policies in the OCP's Land Use and Local
Economy Chapters, the City continues to promote itself as a regional
employment centre. Policies include:
Land Use Policy 6: Co-locate residential, commercial, institutional, and
suitable employment-generating land uses in the Downtown, Town Centres &
Urban Corridor, and Neighbourhood Centres.
Local Economy Policy 12: Support land uses that provide employment
opportunities within or close proximity to the Town and Neighbourhood
Centres and Corridors such as intensification of mixed-use office, retail, live-
work studios and other commercial uses.
Local Economy Policy 14: Work with the local business community and major
employers to focus investment, facility and business development in Town
and Neighbourhood Centres and Corridors.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Statement of Coordination
One of the OCP goals is Functional Transportation Choices. This topic is also addressed primarily by the OCP
One of the OCP goals is Functional Transportation Choices. This topic is also addressed primarily by the OCP
Managing Growth policies and Land Use designations which support the compact, mixed-use, complete
Managing Growth policies and Land Use designations which support the compact, mixed-use, complete
community type of growth management policies identified in the RGS. The 2022 OCP growth modelling exercise
community type of growth management policies identified in the RGS. The 2022 OCP growth modelling exercise
explicitly evaluated the ideal locations for new infill development to support transit supportive densities,
explicitly evaluated the ideal locations for new infill development to support transit supportive densities,
maximize '10-minute' walking neighbourhoods, and acknowledges transportation as the most significant
maximize '10-minute' walking neighbourhoods, and acknowledges transportation as the most significant
contributor to local GHG emissions. The 2026 OCP update affirms and builds upon this urban framework. The
contributor to local GHG emissions. The 2026 OCP update affirms and builds upon this urban framework. The
Streets and Transportation chapter includes more specific policies to reduce dependency on automobiles,
Streets and Transportation chapter includes more specific policies to reduce dependency on automobiles,
boost active mobility and transit use, regard streets as first and foremost places for people, reduce the amount
boost active mobility and transit use, regard streets as first and foremost places for people, reduce the amount
of land dedicated to parking, and provide charging infrastructure to support the mainstreaming of electric
of land dedicated to parking, and provide charging infrastructure to support the mainstreaming of electric
vehicles.
vehicles.
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 4-A: Increase
public transit use
Courtenay's OCP has strong alignment with the RGS's objective of increasing
public transit use. The OCP acknowledges the climate and land use and
benefits that increased transit use can bring. Specific policy that supports
the increased use of public transit are found throughout the OCPs Streets
and Transportation chapter. Policies include:
Streets and Transportation Objective 1: The existing road and
transportation network is optimized and vehicular congestion is reduced
through Transportation Demand Management measures that shift the
modal split to 30% of trips are by walking, cycling and transit by 2030 and
60% by 2050.
Streets and Transportation Objective 2: The City works in partnership
with other authorities responsible for local and regional multi-modal
transportation services to attain modal split targets and support a safe and
efficient transportation system.
Streets and Transportation Objective 8: New development integrates multi-
modal transportation network planning into site design
Streets and Transportation Objective 9: Educational programs to support
transit use, walking, cycling, and car sharing are widely available
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 4-B: Improve
bicycle and pedestrian
infrastructure to
increase the use of active
transportation options
Similar to public transit use, Courtenay's OCP also has strong alignment with
the RGS's objective of active transportation use and options. Sometimes
grouped together, the climate and land use benefits of transit use extend
and are often exceeded by active transportation. Added to those benefits,
active transportation can also aid in improved community health and well-
being. Specific policy that supports increased walking and cycling are found
throughout the OCP's Streets and Transportation chapter. Policies include:
Goal 4: Transportation
Develop an accessible and affordable multi-modal transportation network that connects Core Settlement Areas and
designated Town Centres, and links the Comox Valley to neighbouring communities and regions.
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APPENDIX
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 4-B: Improve
bicycle and pedestrian
infrastructure to
increase the use of active
transportation options
Streets and Transportation Objective 1: The existing road and transportation
network is optimized and vehicular congestion is reduced through
Transportation Demand Management measures that shift the modal split to
30% of trips are by walking, cycling and transit by 2030 and 60% by 2050.
Streets and Transportation Objective 2: The City works in partnership
with other authorities responsible for local and regional multi-modal
transportation services to attain modal split targets and support a safe and
efficient transportation system.
Streets and Transportation Objective 4: Excess existing road space is
repurposed to support public life, active travel, and green infrastructure
Streets and Transportation Objective 7: Parking standards reflect electric
vehicle and cycling needs
Streets and Transportation Objective 9: Educational programs to support
transit use, walking, cycling, and car sharing are widely available
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 4-C: Develop and
maintain an inter-regional
transportation system
that efficiently and safely
facilitates the movement of
people and goods
Objective 4-C is met with support by a number of policies within the
OCP's Streets and Transportation chapter. The OCP recognizes the
interconnectedness of the Comox Valley's transportation network and
the need for a regional approach when it comes to the efficient and safe
movement of people and goods. Policies include:
Streets and Transportation Policy 9: Support and participate in a regional
approach with other regional authorities, to multi-modal transportation
planning, delivery of infrastructure and services in accordance with this Plan.
Streets and Transportation Policy 11: Continue to work with the Comox Valley
Regional District and BC Transit on implementation of the Transit Future
Plan, including:
a.
Implementation of the Comox Valley Frequent Transit Corridor;
b.
Improving capital planning and development application referral and
coordination with all authorities who have jurisdiction over the transit system
and associated road network to ensure that opportunities to seek road
dedication for necessary improvements and amenities such as bus shelters are
routinely part of the development approval and capital planning process.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Statement of Coordination
The topic of sustainable service delivery is addressed principally through the Managing Growth policies and
The topic of sustainable service delivery is addressed principally through the Managing Growth policies and
Land Use designations which affirm that compact and contained community growth is responsible fiscal
Land Use designations which affirm that compact and contained community growth is responsible fiscal
municipal Asset Management practice. The OCP chapter on Municipal Infrastructure contains a number of
municipal Asset Management practice. The OCP chapter on Municipal Infrastructure contains a number of
specific policies to direct the investment and renewal of municipal infrastructure services that achieve multiple
specific policies to direct the investment and renewal of municipal infrastructure services that achieve multiple
community objectives. Additionally, the topic of low carbon, energy and water efficient buildings and landscape
community objectives. Additionally, the topic of low carbon, energy and water efficient buildings and landscape
are addressed in the Buildings and Landscape chapter. Related policies ensure energy and water conservation
are addressed in the Buildings and Landscape chapter. Related policies ensure energy and water conservation
will be designed into new developments and that the City will exemplify leadership in its facilities as a source of
will be designed into new developments and that the City will exemplify leadership in its facilities as a source of
public awareness and technical demonstration.
public awareness and technical demonstration.
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 5-A: Promote
water conservation and
efficiency throughout the
Comox Valley
The OCP aligns with Objective 5-A and offers policy within the Municipal
Infrastructure and Building and Landscape chapters to meaningfully
promote water conservation and efficiency within City limits. Conservation
is a critical component of reducing the need to develop costly additional
infrastructure to grow capacity. Policies include:
Municipal Infrastructure Objective 4: Solid waste, potable water, sanitary
sewer and rain and stormwater infrastructure life-cycle costs are minimized
by increasing conservation actions and reducing the need to develop new
infrastructure capacity
Municipal Infrastructure Policy 20: Implement initiatives and programs in the
City's Water Smart Action Plan that aim to reduce water demand. Explore
the implementation of demand-side management measures to reduce
community water consumption including outdoor water use restrictions,
universal water metering, rainwater harvesting, and conservation-oriented
water rates.
Building and Landscape Objective 1: Existing buildings are upgraded for
high energy and water efficiency, net-zero emissions, and renewable energy
production
Building and Landscape Objective 2: New buildings are highly energy and
water efficient, perform at net-zero emissions standard and produce
renewable energy
Building and Landscape Objective 3: Living landscape elements are
incorporated for water, energy, and biodiversity purposes
Goal 5: Infrastructure
Provide affordable, effective, and efficient services and infrastructure that conserves land, water, and energy resources.
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APPENDIX
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 5-B: Protect the
quality of water sources
In alignment with Objective 5-B, Courtenay's OCP provides policy direction to
help protect the quality of the Comox Valley's water sources. Policies include:
Natural Environment Policy 15: Continue to regulate the use of pesticides on
private land and limit use on public land.
Natural Environment Policy 18: Explore the use of enforcement tools to
protect water quality related to development practices, such as an erosion
and sediment control bylaw.
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 5-C: Stormwater
is managed to preserve
ecosystem and watershed
health.
Courtenay OCP aligns with RGS's objective 5-C for stormwater management
and preservation of ecosystem and watershed health. The OCP has several
policies that direct development, often implemented via other strategies or
bylaws, to manage stormwater on both public and private lands. Policies
include:
Natural Environment Policy 16: Limit the extent of impervious surfaces on
private and public land.
Natural Environment Policy 17: Strive to maintain and/or restore the water
balance. Consider options to reduce the volume of stormwater runoff
through interflow, infiltration, retention, and/or detention.
Natural Environment Policy 19: Design and maintain urban drainage systems
so that water quality in natural waterways is protected.
Natural Environment Policy 26: Ensure connectivity of properties and
landscapes to support ecosystem processes. This includes incorporating
considerations such as wildlife movement and historical hydrological
patterns into the development proposal including transportation and utility
corridors.
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 5-D: Encourage
sewer management
approaches and
technologies that respond
to public health needs
and maximize existing
infrastructure
Objective 5-D is supported by Courtenay's OCP primarily through a variety
of land use and municipal infrastructure objectives and can be found within
each of those respective chapters. By continuing to increase conservation
actions and by growing within our existing serviced areas, Courtenay can help
ensure that the RGS's sewer management approaches respond to public
health needs and servicing efficiencies. Policies include:
Municipal Infrastructure Objective 2: Infrastructure investments are guided
by a multiple bottom line decision-making approach: this means energy
efficient, fiscally responsible, equitably distributed, sustainable levels of
service that protect public health, safety, and the environment
Municipal Infrastructure Objective 4: Solid waste, potable water, sanitary
sewer and rain and stormwater infrastructure life-cycle costs are minimized
by increasing conservation actions and reducing the need to develop new
infrastructure capacity
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 5-E: Reduce
regional solid waste
and improve landfill
performance
Courtenay's OCP very directly aligns with the RGS's objective of reducing solid
waste sent to the landfill. Policy alignment can largely be found within the
Municipal Infrastructure chapter. Policies include:
Municipal Infrastructure Policy 18: Support the continued extension of
garbage, yard waste, recycling, and kitchen organics services to Courtenay
properties, and collaborate with the Comox Strathcona Waste Management
service to pursue ongoing improvements in waste diversion, with a long-
term focus on significantly increasing diversion of residential, industrial,
commercial, and institutional waste, including organic materials.
Municipal Infrastructure Policy 19: Municipal Infrastructure Policy 19: In
accordance with the Comox Strathcona Solid Waste Management Plan,
explore zero-waste approaches in waste management, including upstream
approaches that emphasize waste avoidance, reduction and reuse where
appropriate within local government functions. This includes, but is not
limited to:
a. Supporting regionally coordinated and sustained public education
programs;
b. Supporting conveniently located recycling and waste diversion facilities
as part of complete neighbourhoods subject to access, form and
character, and other neighbourhood integration considerations;
c.
Ensuring sufficient and conveniently located spaces within all
developments to support occupant waste diversion behaviours;
d. Materials restrictions and bans from the landfill where alternatives exist
and diversion options are viable;
e. Supporting the Province in expanding the Recycling Regulation to
include more materials in Extended Producer Responsibility policies;
and planning purposes;
f.
Obtaining accurate data of waste streams for monitoring, education,
and planning purposes;
g. Demonstrating leadership in municipal operations, procurement, and
capital investments, including renewal and disposal.
h. Demonstrating leadership in diversion through implementation of
recycling and organics collection containers in civic buildings and
municipal public spaces where appropriate; and
i.
Explore opportunities to encourage the adaptive reuse of buildings by
participating in construction industry education programs to support
on-site diversion as well as through permitting and planning processes
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APPENDIX
Goal 6: Food Systems
Support and enhance agricultural and aquaculture sectors and increase local food security.
Statement of Coordination
The OCP contains a chapter focusing on Food Systems. This addition has been included to recognize the
important land use considerations of a viable local food system. Policies are designed to support more food
production, education, and promotion throughout the city and surrounding lands in order to contribute
to regional food security and as an economic development opportunity. The K'ómoks Estuary is also
acknowledged as an important subsistence and aquaculture resource for the K'ómoks First Nation.
Most significantly, however, is the emphasis on delaying Courtenay boundary extensions through the
Managing Growth policies. This will reduce pressure on surrounding rural lands for urban development.
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 6-A: Protect land
for existing and future
agriculture and associated
activities and allow for the
growth and expansion of
such activities
Primarily within the Food Systems chapter, the OCP provides policy alignment
with RGS Objective 6-A. The OCP has strong policy language around the
protection of agricultural lands as well as for opportunities for the expansion
of agricultural and agricultural adjacent activities. Policies include:
Food Systems Objective 4: Agricultural lands are protected and are
compatible with urban uses.
Food Systems Objective 5: Food processing, warehousing, and distribution
activities are permitted in urban areas of Courtenay
Food Systems Policy 15: Continue to support protection of lands within
the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) for agricultural uses. Applications for
exclusion of land from the ALR are not supported.
Food Systems Policy 17: Maximize the potential for agricultural land to be
used for agriculture by discouraging subdivision into smaller parcels.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 6-B: Protect
shoreline areas for existing
and future aquaculture and
associated activities
The OCP also recognizes the importance of shoreline protection for
aquaculture and associated activities. Within the Natural Environment
chapter, there are multiple polices underneath the chapter's Objective 2 that
align with objective 6-B of the RGS. Policies include:
Natural Environment Policy 10: Conserve remaining natural shorelines and
restore armored shorelines with green shores approaches to the maximum
extent possible.
Natural Environment Policy 11: Recognize and support K'ómoks First Nation
sustainable aquaculture interests in accordance with the policies in this Plan.
Natural Environment Policy 12: Participate in regional K'ómoks Estuary
management planning to support the objectives and policies of this Plan, in
accordance with the policies within this Plan.
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 6-C: Improve
and expand agricultural
irrigation practices and
infrastructure
OCP policy support for improving and expanding agricultural irrigation
practices and infrastructure is not explicit. Due to public water service
availability to lands within the City's boundaries and limited agricultural
land, such focused policy language does not seem relevant. Instead,
concepts about efficient and reliable public services, water conservation
and environmental treatment on all lands generally, including agricultural
lands, serve to fulfill alignment with RGS objective 6-C, to the degree that it is
relevant within the City.
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 6-D: Increase
farming activity in the
Comox Valley
The OCP supports RGS Objective 6-D in much of the same way and through
many of the same policies that uses it support Objective 6-A; protection of
agricultural lands. By ensuring these existing and potential future agricultural
lands are in locations and conditions that allow for farming to be viable, this
can contribute toward increasing farming in the Comox Valley on the whole.
OCP support of those agricultural associated activities can also help bring
locally grown food to market more easily. Policies include:
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APPENDIX
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 6-D: Increase
farming activity in the
Comox Valley
Food Systems Policy 10: Develop a program for community gardens and
other small-scale food production spaces such as orchards or beehives
across the City, prioritizing areas of higher residential density and areas
home to equity-priority groups. Engage land holders who may have space
to provide such uses, including on a short- to mid-term basis before land is
developed.
Food Systems Policy 11: Support educational programming on urban
agriculture, traditional Indigenous foods practices, environmental
stewardship, and food security.
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 6-E: Raise
awareness of the regional
importance of the local
food system
Courtenay's OCP supports the RGS Objective 6-E, providing consistency
across the plans for raising awareness about the importance of the local
food system. Supporting access to urban agriculture can help non-farmers
have exposure to food growing and understand the importance of the local
food system. Policies include:
Food Systems Policy 10: Develop a program for community gardens and
other small-scale food production spaces such as orchards or beehives
across the City, prioritizing areas of higher residential density and areas
home to equity-priority groups. Engage land holders who may have space
to provide such uses, including on a short- to mid-term basis before land is
developed.
Food Systems Policy 11: Support educational programming on urban
agriculture, traditional Indigenous foods practices, environmental
stewardship, and food security.
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Statement of Coordination
Community well-being is a cardinal direction of the OCP which recognizes the social determinants of
Community well-being is a cardinal direction of the OCP which recognizes the social determinants of
health as a guiding and systemic framework for understanding individual and public health outcomes and
health as a guiding and systemic framework for understanding individual and public health outcomes and
intervention approaches. As such, the topic of public health and safety is embedded throughout all of the OCP
intervention approaches. As such, the topic of public health and safety is embedded throughout all of the OCP
policy chapters by ensuring safe air, water and soil quality standards, promoting safe and convenient active
policy chapters by ensuring safe air, water and soil quality standards, promoting safe and convenient active
transportation opportunities to support active lifestyles, ensuring adequate access to high-quality outdoor
transportation opportunities to support active lifestyles, ensuring adequate access to high-quality outdoor
and indoor open spaces and recreational amenities for physical and mental health, promoting access to food
and indoor open spaces and recreational amenities for physical and mental health, promoting access to food
growing opportunities and food programs, and ensuring adequate affordable housing for all residents.
growing opportunities and food programs, and ensuring adequate affordable housing for all residents.
Equity is another cardinal direction of the OCP in recognition that some traditional planning practices have
Equity is another cardinal direction of the OCP in recognition that some traditional planning practices have
resulted in policies, programs, and regulations that disproportionately impact and stymie the progress of some
resulted in policies, programs, and regulations that disproportionately impact and stymie the progress of some
groups of people, thereby affecting their health, safety, and well-being. Therefore, the OCP strives to ensure
groups of people, thereby affecting their health, safety, and well-being. Therefore, the OCP strives to ensure
that equity considerations are embedded in all municipal regulations and service delivery.
that equity considerations are embedded in all municipal regulations and service delivery.
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 7-A: Increase the
number of pedestrians and
cyclists in the Comox Valley
Similar to the Transportation objectives of the RGS, the OCP is in alignment
with the goal of increasing the volume of people making trips via walking
or cycling for the purpose of public health and safety. To help meet
this objective, policies in the OCP direct transportation infrastructure
improvements to increase the safety and ease of active modes of travel, as
well as consideration of a number of design guidelines and bicycle and end
of trip facilities to encourage cycling. The OCP also has policy to support
programs that increase walking and biking. Policies include:
Streets and Transportation Objective 8: New development integrates multi-
modal transportation network planning into site design.
Streets and Transportation Objective 9: Educational programs to support
transit use, walking, cycling, and car sharing are widely available.
Streets and Transportation Policy 13: Continue to implement the Safe and
Active School Program with School District 71 to identify strategic locations
for active transportation improvements and promote active transportation.
Goal 7: Public Health and Safety
Support a high quality of life through the protection and enhancement of community health, safety, and wellbeing.
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Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 7-B: Increase
public education and
awareness around the links
between population health
and land use planning
Courtenay's OCP aligns with this RGS objective at its highest level of policy, its
Cardinal Directions. With "Community Well-being" as one of its four Cardinal
Directions, interwoven throughout the Official Community Plan is the
understanding that decisions around a community's built, natural and social
environment have direct impacts on population health. Examples of policy
alignment include:
Part A - Foundations - Community Well-being - "This OCP accounts for the
diverse and complex ways in which the urban environment impacts well-
being. It takes a systems-based approach to well-being, considering the
physical, mental, and emotional well-being of individuals and communities,
and the natural ecosystems of which we are all a part."
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 7-C: Improve
regional fire safety
The OCP looks to support the RGS objective of improved regional fire safety,
primarily through good land use planning and development regulations and
standards. Supportive policies are included in the Buildings and Landscape
chapter and in identified Development Approval Information. Policies include:
Building and Landscape Policy 7: Explore the establishment of Development
Permit Areas for wildfire hazard protection upon review of wildfire risk to
Courtenay.
Development Approval Information 12: Wildfire Hazard Risk Criteria -
Development application in which proposed development is adjacent to
significant forested areas.
Rationale - To assess the contribution of development to wildfire risk and
mitigate the risk of wildfire to development.
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Statement of Coordination
With the Courtenay City Council declaration of a Climate Crisis in 2019, the OCP was directed to consider
With the Courtenay City Council declaration of a Climate Crisis in 2019, the OCP was directed to consider
climate change mitigation and adaptation at all stages of its development. A net-zero GHG target by 2050
climate change mitigation and adaptation at all stages of its development. A net-zero GHG target by 2050
was later adopted to guide the policy proposals. Therefore, GHG modelling and policies to achieve net-zero
was later adopted to guide the policy proposals. Therefore, GHG modelling and policies to achieve net-zero
has been considered in all policies that either directly or indirectly influence Courtenay's community-wide
has been considered in all policies that either directly or indirectly influence Courtenay's community-wide
emissions. Climate adaptation is another critical consideration of the OCP, although one that will require further
emissions. Climate adaptation is another critical consideration of the OCP, although one that will require further
detailed work to standardize climate adaptation measures into all City services, infrastructure, and emergency
detailed work to standardize climate adaptation measures into all City services, infrastructure, and emergency
responses.
responses.
Given that a climate lens is fundamentally embedded into the OCP, objectives, and policies that advance climate
Given that a climate lens is fundamentally embedded into the OCP, objectives, and policies that advance climate
action and prepare for climate change are considered and included in all the policy areas identified above.
action and prepare for climate change are considered and included in all the policy areas identified above.
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 8-A: Reduce GHG
emissions created by the
building sector
The OCP has strong and clear policy alignment with RGS Objective 8-A. OCP
policies to support the reduction of emissions created by the building sector
are found in the Buildings and Landscape chapter. Policies include:
Buildings and Landscape Objective 1: Existing buildings are upgraded for
high energy and water efficiency, net-zero emissions, and renewable energy
production.
Buildings and Landscape Objective 2: New buildings are highly energy
and water efficient, perform at net-zero emissions standard and produce
renewable energy
Buildings and Landscape Policy 3: Remain ahead of provincial minimum
energy and carbon code requirements where opportunities exist.
Buildings and Landscape Policy 4: Advocate to and support the Province in
amending the BC Building Code and other building related policies to:
a. Regulate embodied energy of building materials and construction
practices including demolition; and
a. Enhance universal building accessibility requirements
Goal 8: Climate Change
Minimize regional greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and plan for adaptation.
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Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 8-B: Reduce GHG
emissions created by the
on-road transportation
sector
The OCP has strong and clear policy alignment with RGS objective 8-B. OCP
policies to support the reduction of emissions created by the transportation
sector are found in the Streets and Transportation chapter. As previously
discussed within RGS transportation and public health objectives that also
have OCP alignment, increased active travel and public transit use can also
reduce reliance on GHG emitting internal combustion passenger vehicles.
Policies include:
Streets and Transportation Objective 5: Zero emissions, electrified
transportation is supported and increasingly the norm
Streets and Transportation Policy 32: Demonstrate leadership on public
properties and with the municipal fleet by:
a. Continuing to implement a green procurement policy;
b. Ensuring vehicles are replaced with non-GHG emitting versions by 2030
within the City's fleet asset management planning wherever practicable;
c.
Using electric bicycles wherever operationally practicable; and
d. Installing electric bike parking and electric vehicle Level 2 and 3 charging
stations at strategically located municipally owned properties.
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 8-C: Reduce GHG
emissions in the solid waste
sector
The OCP has strong and clear policy alignment with RGS objective 8-B. OCP
policies to support the reduction of emissions created by the solid waste
sector are found in the Municipal Infrastructure chapter. The Buildings and
Landscape chapter recognizes building construction as a significant form of
waste, estimated at 28%.
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Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 8-C: Reduce GHG
emissions in the solid waste
sector
Municipal Infrastructure Policy 19: In accordance with the Comox Strathcona
Solid Waste Management Plan, explore zero-waste approaches in waste
management, including upstream approaches that emphasize waste
avoidance, reduction and reuse where appropriate within local government
functions. This includes, but is not limited to:
a. Supporting regionally coordinated and sustained public education
programs;
b. Supporting conveniently located recycling and waste diversion facilities
as part of complete neighbourhoods subject to access, form and
character, and other neighbourhood integration considerations;
c.
Ensuring sufficient and conveniently located spaces within all
developments to support occupant waste diversion behaviours;
d. Materials restrictions and bans from the landfill where alternatives exist
and diversion options are viable;
e. Supporting the Province in expanding the Recycling Regulation to
include more materials in Extended Producer Responsibility policies;
f.
Obtaining accurate data of waste streams for monitoring, education,
and planning purposes;
g. Demonstrating leadership in municipal operations, procurement, and
capital investments, including renewal and disposal.
h. Demonstrating leadership in diversion through implementation of
recycling and organics collection containers in civic buildings and
municipal public spaces where appropriate; and
i.
Explore opportunities to encourage the adaptive reuse of buildings by
participating in construction industry education programs to support
on-site diversion as well as through permitting and planning processes
including but not limited to establishing pre-demolition assessment
processes for materials of value and prioritizing building reuse over
demolition.
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 8-D: Reduce
GHG emissions created
by deforestation (land use
change)
The OCP aligns with the RGS objective of reducing GHG emissions created
by deforestation (land use change) primarily within the Growth Management
Chapter and through the OCP's Growth Management Framework (Figure
B-1). Policies that densify and concentrate new growth in already developed
areas and without expanding Courtenay boundaries means that the need to
utilize rural and greenfield lands for residential, commercial and industrial
land uses that may require deforestation, do not need to occur as quickly or
frequently. Policies include:
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Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 8-E: Plan
for renewable energy
generation
The OCP has several policies in support of planning for renewable energy
generation in alignment with RGS Objective 8-E. Policies include:
Buildings and Landscape Objective 1: Existing buildings are upgraded for
high energy and water efficiency, net-zero emissions, and renewable energy
production
Buildings and Landscape Objective 2: New buildings are highly energy
and water efficient, perform at net-zero emissions standard and produce
renewable energy
Municipal Infrastructure Policy 24: Encourage the generation of more
renewable energy within Courtenay subject to form and character and other
land use considerations
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 8-F: Plan for
climate change adaptation
In alignment with RGS Objective 8-F, the OCP includes polices that direct
planning for climate change adaptation primarily within the Municipal
Infrastructure chapter. It also provides direction to produce climate adaption
specific plans such as the Flood Management Plan within the Managing
Growth chapter which will guide adaptation to future flood and storm events.
Policies include:
Municipal Infrastructure Objective 1: Infrastructure and services are resilient
to risks and impacts of climate change
Municipal Infrastructure Policy 1: Conduct a high-level risk assessment (HLRA)
to determine potential risks to Courtenay's infrastructure and identify priority
areas for adaptation interventions.
Managing Growth- Floodplain Policy 8: Implement the Flood Management
Plan in order to minimize the safety risk, property damage, and
environmental impacts associated with a flood event.
Goal Objectives
Policy Citations
Objective 8-D: Reduce
GHG emissions created
by deforestation (land use
change)
Land Use Objective 1: Community growth is located away from hazardous
lands, agricultural lands, and Environmentally Sensitive Areas
Land Use Objective 5: Municipal Infrastructure planning and investments
align with the urban framework concept
Land Use Objective 6: New growth takes place within the existing city
boundary
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APPENDIX 3 -
GLOSSARY
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APPENDIX
2SLGBTQIAP
Refers to individuals who self-identify as lesbian,
gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual,
pansexual, or two-spirited.
10-minute neighbourhood
This is a neighbourhood that provides easy access
to shops, services, schools, nature, and community
within a 10-minute walking radius. Ten minutes of
walking generally translates into approximately 800
metres of pedestrian infrastructure.
Affordable housing
The technical definition is housing which costs 30%
or less of a household's gross annual income. (Rent
or mortgage plus taxes and including minimum down
payment). However, an individual's and community's
housing needs are diverse and change over time.
Affordability of housing also considers the availability
and accessibility to the type of housing that an
individual needs at a particular time in their life.
Asset Based Community Development (ABCD)
ABCD emphasizes strengths, connections, citizen
leadership, and individual gifts in approaching
community change.
BC Building Energy Step Code
The new BC Building Code is a performance-based
regulation that requires that enhanced energy
efficiency standards, or "steps", be met over time.
By 2032, all new construction in BC will be required
to be net-zero ready. Net-zero buildings produce as
much clean energy as they consume, and are highly
efficient.
Census family
Defined as a married couple and the children, if
any, of either and/or both spouses; a couple living
common law and the children, if any, of either and/
or both partners; or a parent of any marital status in
a one-parent family with at least one child living in
the same dwelling and that child or those children.
All members of a particular census family live in
the same dwelling. Children may be biological or
adopted children regardless of their age or marital
status as long as they live in the dwelling and do
not have their own married spouse, common-law
partner or child living in the dwelling. Grandchildren
living with their grandparent(s) but with no parents
present also constitute a census family.
Climate mitigation and adaptation
Actions that combat and respond to climate
change are often categorizes as mitigation
or adaptation activities. Climate mitigation
approaches reduce greenhouse gas emissions
or re-capture carbon in carbon sinks using
vegetation, soil restoration, and/or technological
storage.
Community resilience
This is a measure of a sustained ability of
a community to utilize available resources
to respond to, withstand, and recover from
adverse situations respectively. It includes but
is not limited to public health and emergency
preparedness, climate adaptation, infrastructure
protection, and economic recovery.
Crime Prevention Through
Environmental Design (CPTED)
CPTED is a multi-disciplinary approach for
reducing crime and fear of crime. CPTED strategies
include architecture and urban planning design
approaches that aim to reduce victimization, deter
offender decisions that precede criminal acts, and
build a sense of community among inhabitants.
First Generation CPTED focused on the four
principles of: sense of informal ownership over
public spaces by residents; natural surveillance
or "eyes on the street"; physical condition and
maintenance of properties; and control of access
into properties.
Second Generation CPTED focuses on social
concepts and small-scale environments, and also
includes principles of: social cohesion; community
culture; physical connectivity; and threshold
capacity, which is the idea of creating rich and
genuine diversity within the build environment
where residents can socialize, shop, and recreate
together.
Development Approval Information Area
Development Approval Information refers
to information on the anticipated impact
of a proposed activity or development on
the community, including but not limited to
information regarding impact on matters such
as transportation patterns, local infrastructure,
public facilities including schools and parks,
community services, and the natural environment
of the area affected. A Development Approval
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City of Courtenay Official Community Plan
Information Area is the designated area for which
Development Approval Information is required, as
per Section 485 of the Local Government Act.
Density benefit
Is a zoning tool that allows developers to build
additional density or floor area in exchange for
community amenities.. This is permitted under
Section 482 under the Local Government Act.
Ecological or Natural Assets and
Ecosystem Services
Ecological assets (eco-assets) are natural
assets such as lakes, rivers, wetlands, aquifers,
mountains, forests, riparian areas, estuaries, and
salt marshes. These features have considerable
economic value and provide goods and services
(ecosystem services) such as water purification,
soil stabilization and fertility, food production,
and recreation. They are also critically important
to responding to mitigating and adapting to the
impacts of climate change.
Ecosystem connectivity opportunity areas
Ecological connectivity is the unimpeded
movement of species and the flow of natural
processes that sustain life on earth. The role of
ecological connectivity has become increasingly
important in the past decades due to habitat
modifications, such as overexploitation and
fragmentation, that have led to the consequent
decline of biodiversity. Ecological connectivity
opportunity areas were identified through
Courtenay through the Urban Forest Strategy
study and are shown on the Terrestrial
Environmentally Sensitive Areas Map APX-6 in
Appendix 2 - Maps.
Emergency Shelter
Immediate, short-stay housing for people
who are homeless or at risk of becoming
homeless. Emergency shelters provide single
or shared bedrooms or dorm-type sleeping
arrangements with varying levels of support
to individuals. Emergency Shelters can be
purpose built and/or converted buildings and/or
temporary.
Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA)
Those parcels of land that already have, or with
restoration or enhancement could become,
natural features. These features contribute to the
retention and/or creation of wildlife habitat, soil
stability, water retention or recharge, vegetative
cover and similar vital ecological functions.
Environmentally Sensitive Areas range in size from
small patches to extensive landscape features.
They can include rare or common habitats, plants
and animals. Environmentally Sensitive Areas may
overlap hazardous condition areas.
Equity-priority group(s)
These are people who often face discrimination
or other forms of systemic disadvantage. They
include but are not necessarily limited to persons
of colour, persons with disabilities, Indigenous
peoples, 2SLGBTQIAP individuals, and women.
Food security
Food security includes at a minimum the ready
availability of nutritionally adequate and safe
foods, and as an assured ability to acquire
acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways.
Full cost accounting
Method of accounting that recognizes the indirect
and direct economic, environmental, health, and
social costs of a project, policy, or action.
Green infrastructure
Broadly defined as a strategically planned network
of high quality natural and semi-natural areas
with other environmental features, which is
designed and managed to deliver a wide range of
ecosystem services and protect biodiversity in both
rural and urban settings. More specifically green
infrastructure, being a spatial structure providing
benefits from nature to people, aims to enhance
nature's ability to deliver multiple valuable
ecosystem goods and services, such as clean air
or water.
Ground-oriented building
A type of building in which each dwelling unit has
a direct entrance at street/ground level. They can
include single-detached houses and detached
secondary suites, duplexes, triplexes, rowhouses,
and townhouses.
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Housing Needs Report (HNR)
A mandatory document for all local governments
to update every 5 years, as required by the Local
Government Act (LGA). The report provides an
understanding of the current and anticipated
housing needs in a community.
ICI buildings and land uses
Refers to buildings and land uses that are
Industrial, Commercial, or Institutional.
IPCC
This is the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change, a United Nations governmental body
responsible for advancing knowledge on human-
induced climate change.
Inclusionary Zoning
A land-use policy that requires developers to
include a certain percentage of affordable housing
units within new residential developments.
Infill
This refers to adding new residential units to an
existing neighbourhood, and may or may not
include population increases as the number of
people per household may be in decline. Since
infill occurs within lands within the built-up area
of a community, it makes more efficient use of
land than developing lands in areas that were
previously in a natural or agricultural state.
Intensification
The development of a property, site or area at
a higher density than currently exists, through
development, redevelopment, infill and expansion
or conversion of existing buildings.
Land lift
Increase in land value from a Council approved
rezoning.
Level 3 / Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC)
These are ports for electric vehicle charging. Level
3 Charging or Direct Current Fast Charging enable
most electric vehicles to charge to 80% in under an
hour, making road rips easier and quicker.
Local Government Act (LGA)
Provides a legal framework for the establishment
and furtherment of local governments across
British Columbia.
Nature-based solutions
These are actions to protect, sustainably manage,
and restore nature or modified ecosystems
that address societal challenges effectively and
adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-
being and biodiversity benefits.
Net-Zero Emissions
This is the target of completely negating the
amount of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs)
produced by human activity through the reduction
of GHGs and absorbing carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere. There is international consensus
that GHGs must be reduced to zero by 2050 at the
latest, in order to stabilize global temperatures
and avoid catastrophic climate change impacts.
Canada committed to this target in the 2015 Paris
Agreement, which is a legally binding international
treaty on GHG reductions.
Non-census family
Households in which there is either one person
living alone or a group of two or more persons
who live together but do not constitute a census
family.
Non-market housing
Housing that is for low and moderate income
households, often subsidized through a variety of
ways including senior government support.
Multi-modal / multi-use transportation planning
This refers to planning that considers various
modes - such as walking, cycling, transit, driving,
wheelchair and scooter use - and the connections
between those modes.
PACE program
PACE refers to property assessed clean energy,
and a PACE program is a tool that provides access
to long term financing for energy efficiency,
water conservation, renewable energy, and
resiliency measures for owners and developers of
residential, commercial, industrial, institutional,
and multi-unit properties. PACE loans are repaid
through an addition to property tax bills that are
transferred from one owner to the next when
properties are sold.
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Parklet
Parklets are public seating platforms that
convert curbside parking spaces into vibrant
community spaces. They are typically the
product of partnerships between the City and
local businesses, residents, or neighbourhood
associations.
Reconstruction
The act of restoring something to an earlier state.
Redevelopment
The demolition of existing development and the
construction of something new.
Regional food hub
Shared-use food and beverage processing facilities
that offer food and agriculture businesses access
to commercial processing space, equipment,
expertise and resources to support business
development and growth.
Regional Growth Strategy
The Comox Valley's regional growth plan adopted
by the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD)
directs long-term planning for Courtenay, Comox,
Cumberland, and the unincorporated Electoral
Areas A, B, and C. While each community must
create more implementation detail through
their respective OCPs, a commitment is made by
municipalities and regional districts to collaborate
and ensure sustainable growth management by
taking into account shared services, unique natural
environments, and available resources.
Residential Rental Tenure Zoning
This is BC legislation that provides local
governments with the authority to zone for
residential rental tenure (i.e. rental housing) and
enact zoning bylaws that: require new housing in
residential areas be developed as rental units; and
ensure that existing areas of rental housing are
preserved as such. This authority can only be used
where multi-residential use is a permitted use.
Restoration
In the context of ecological, environmental,
or natural restoration, refers to repairing the
damages caused to natural ecosystems and seeks
to return them to an earlier state or another state
that is closely related to its natural state.
Restorative Justice
A way of addressing conflict and crime that enables
the person who caused the harm, people who were
affected by the harm, and the community to create
a meaningful solution.
In contrast to the traditional justice system in
Canada which seeks to establish a punishment
for each act of wrongdoing assuming that will
contribute to victim and societal satisfaction,
Restorative Justice focuses on repairing damage and
restoring relationships. Restorative Justice is not a
specific model, instead it is a set of principles that
can be flexibly applied to a variety of situations of
conflict, crime, abuse, etc.
Social asset
These are the networks, organizations, and
institutions, including norms of reciprocity and the
mutual trust that exist among and within groups
and communities.
Social determinants of health
Non-medical factors that influence individual and
collective health outcomes. Research suggests that
they are collectively essential to one's health, and by
extension their quality of life.
Strategic Cultural Plan
A non-statutory plan that reflects the 2023-2026
Council Strategic Priority and provides a framework
to support arts and culture in Courtenay. The
Strategic Cultural Plan Implementation Strategy
supports the execution of the Plan.
Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw
This bylaw regulates the subdivision and
development of land within the City of Courtenay,
and outlines standards for works and services.
It is designed to meet current community needs
by modernizing engineering design guidelines,
construction specifications, and detailed drawings.
Supportive Housing
Housing that provides on-site supports and services
to residents.
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Tactical attention indicators
These are a system of textured indicators
commonly used at pedestrian ramps, stairs,
crossing platforms, and sidewalks to improve
accessibility, including for persons with disabilities.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of
Canada (TRC)'s Calls to Action
The TRC was created through a legal settlement
between Residential School Survivors, the
Assembly of First Nations, Inuit representatives,
and the parties responsible for creation and
operation of the schools, which were the federal
government and church bodies. The TRC's
mandate was to inform all Canadians about what
happened in residential schools.
The TRC made 94 calls to action to redress the
legacy of residential schools and advance the
process of Canadian reconciliation. The calls to
action can be found here: https://ehprnh2mwo3.
exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Calls_to_
Action_English2.pdf
Transportation Demand Management
Information, encouragement and incentives
that help people make decisions that reduce the
demand on the transportation network.
Universal design and accessible design
Accessible design is a design process in which the
needs of people with disabilities are specifically
considered. Universal design broadens this
concept, and refers to the design of products and
environments that are usable by all people, to
the greatest extent possible. Sidewalks with curb
cuts and doors that automatically open when a
person moves near them are examples, as they
benefit people with disabilities, parents with baby
strollers, delivery workers, and others. Human
characteristics considered in universal design
may include age, gender, stature, race/ethnicity,
culture, native language, and learning preference.
Zoning Bylaw
This regulatory bylaw establishes what land uses
may occur where at what densities, how large a
lot can be, where development can occur on a
property, what setbacks and yards are required,
the height and overall massing of structures, the
number of structures, if landscaping and open
space are required (in some zones), and parking
requirements.
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