Dawson Creek, British Columbia
· adopted 2026-03-09
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City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025 | i
BYLAW NO. 4620, 2025
City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025 | i
THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF DAWSON CREEK
OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN
BYLAW NO. 4620, 2025
WHEREAS the Council of the City of Dawson Creek wishes to adopt a new Official
Community Plan pursuant to the Local Government Act;
AND WHEREAS, Council has considered this Official Community Plan in conjunction with the
City's most recent financial plan and other relevant plans to ensure consistency between
them;
AND WHEREAS, Council has met the consultation requirements pursuant to the Local
Government Act;
NOW THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Dawson Creek enacts as follows:
1.
This Bylaw may be cited as "Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025".
2. The following schedules attached are hereby part of this Bylaw and adopted as the Official
Community Plan for the City of Dawson Creek:
a. Schedule A - Official Community Plan Text
b. Schedule B - Land Use
c. Schedule C - Transportation
d. Schedule D - Parks, Natural Areas, Recreation and Trails
e. Schedule E - Water Servicing
f.
Schedule F - Raw Water Servicing
g. Schedule G - Sanitary Sewer Servicing
h. Schedule H - Storm Servicing
i.
Schedule I - Natural Assets
j.
Schedule J - Development Permit Areas
3. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or map in this bylaw is for any reason
held to be invalid by the decision of any court, the invalid portion shall be severed and the
decision that it is invalid shall not affect the validity of the remainder.
4. Bylaw No. 4373, 2018, cited as the "City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw
No. 4373, 2018" and all amendments thereto are hereby repealed.
City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025 | ii
READ first time this
27th
day of
October
, 2025.
READ second time this
9th
day of
February
, 2026.
ADVERTISED this
13th
and
19th
day of
February
, 2026.
PUBLIC CONSULTATION mailed out this
19th
day of
December
, 2025.
PUBLIC HEARING was held this
23rd
day of
February
, 2026.
READ third time this
9th
day of
March
, 2026.
ADOPTED this
9th
day of
March
, 2026.
CERTIFIED A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY of
Bylaw No. 4620 cited as "OFFICIAL
COMMUNITY PLAN BYLAW NO. 4620, 2025."
The Corporate Seal of THE CORPORATION
OF THE CITY OF DAWSON CREEK was
affixed in the presence of:
ORIGINAL SIGNED BY
ORIGINAL SIGNED BY
Tab Young - Corporate Officer
Darcy Dober - Mayor
ORIGINAL SIGNED BY
Tab Young - Corporate Officer
City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025 | iii
List of Amendments to City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan
Bylaw No. 4620, 2025
Bylaw No.
Date of Adoption
Purpose of Amendment
City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025 | iv
Schedule A
Official Community Plan Text
City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025 | v
Contents
Part I - Introduction and Context
1 Introduction and Plan Overview .............................................................................................. 1
1.1
All About Official Community Plans ............................................................................................................. 1
1.2
A New Plan for a New Chapter ....................................................................................................................... 4
2 Community Engagement Visioning and Goal Setting ....................................................... 6
2.1
Official Community Plan Update Process ............................................................................................... 6
2.2
Stable Roots, Vibrant Future: Dawson Creek 2045 ............................................................................ 8
3 Community Context ..................................................................................................................... 12
3.1
Dawson Creek Overview .................................................................................................................................... 12
3.2
Community Profile ................................................................................................................................................ 15
Part II - Community Development
4 Our Plan for Resiliency .............................................................................................................. 22
4.1
Efficient Growth Management .................................................................................................................... 22
4.2
Supporting Prosperity / Economic Development ............................................................................ 25
4.3
Fiscal Sustainability .............................................................................................................................................. 27
4.4
Planning Partnerships ....................................................................................................................................... 28
4.5
Hazard and Risk Reduction ............................................................................................................................. 31
5 Our Plan for Environmental Management ......................................................................... 33
5.1
Integrating Natural Assets and Built Systems.................................................................................... 33
5.2
Adapting Infrastructure and Buildings .................................................................................................. 35
5.3
Local Food Systems.............................................................................................................................................. 36
5.4
Sustainable Waste Management ............................................................................................................... 38
5.5
Strategies for Climate Adaptation and Resiliency ........................................................................... 38
6 Our Plan for Mobility .................................................................................................................. 40
6.1
Multi-Modal Road Network .............................................................................................................................. 41
6.2
Transportation .......................................................................................................................................................... 41
6.3
Active Transportation ......................................................................................................................................... 43
6.4
Connecting Neighbourhoods ....................................................................................................................... 45
6.5
Parking ........................................................................................................................................................................ 46
City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025 | vi
7 Our Plan for Healthy and Vibrant People ........................................................................... 47
7.1
Social Health and Wellness ............................................................................................................................. 47
7.2
Community Safety ............................................................................................................................................... 49
7.3
Arts, Culture and Heritage ............................................................................................................................... 50
7.4
Affordable Housing and Homelessness ................................................................................................. 52
7.5
Inclusivity, Accessibility and Aging-in-Place ........................................................................................ 53
7.6
Treaty 8 First Nations and Métis Peoples ............................................................................................... 55
7.7
New Residents ......................................................................................................................................................... 56
7.8
Parks, Recreation and Community Events ........................................................................................... 57
8 Our Plan for Complete and Inclusive Neighbourhoods ................................................. 59
8.1
Planning Our Neighbourhoods ................................................................................................................... 59
8.2
Neighbourhoods for All Seasons ................................................................................................................ 60
8.3
Placemaking ............................................................................................................................................................. 62
8.4
Vacant Lands and Brownfield Development ...................................................................................... 63
8.5
Downtown Revitalization ................................................................................................................................ 64
8.6
Municipal Infrastructure, Facilities and Services .............................................................................. 66
Part III - Land Use
9 Our Plan for Land Use and Development ........................................................................... 69
9.1
General ......................................................................................................................................................................... 69
9.2
Agricultural ................................................................................................................................................................ 70
9.3
Residential ................................................................................................................................................................. 72
9.4
Commercial ............................................................................................................................................................... 76
9.5
Industrial ...................................................................................................................................................................... 81
9.6
Civic and Institutional ......................................................................................................................................... 83
9.7
Municipal Infrastructure and Facilities .................................................................................................. 84
9.8
Parks and Recreation .......................................................................................................................................... 85
9.9
Development Reserve ........................................................................................................................................ 87
10 Development Permit Areas .................................................................................................... 93
10.1
Natural Hazards Development Permit Area ....................................................................................... 94
10.2 Downtown Core Development Permit Area ........................................................................................ 95
10.3 Commercial Development Permit Area ................................................................................................. 96
10.4 Major Corridor Development Permit Area ............................................................................................ 96
10.5 Multi-Unit Residential Development Permit Area ........................................................................... 97
City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025 | vii
10.6 Intensive Residential Development Permit Area .............................................................................98
10.7 Exemptions to Development Permits .....................................................................................................98
11 Implementation and Monitoring .......................................................................................... 99
11.1
Implementation ...................................................................................................................................................100
11.2
Monitoring ................................................................................................................................................................ 101
11.3
Amending the City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan .......................................... 102
12 Glossary ...................................................................................................................................... 104
Other Schedules
Schedule B - Land Use
Schedule C - Transportation
Schedule D - Parks, Natural Areas, Recreation and Trails
Schedule E - Water Servicing
Schedule F - Raw Water Servicing
Schedule G - Sanitary Sewer Servicing
Schedule H - Storm Servicing
Schedule I - Natural Assets
Schedule J - Development Permit Areas
City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025 | viii
Part I - Introduction and Context
Part 1
City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025
1
1
Introduction and Plan Overview
1.1 All About Official Community Plans
An Official Community Plan is the highest-level policy document for a municipality - it
informs and guides how the community grows for the next 15+ years. An Official Community
Plan provides a regulatory framework to guide how a local government evaluates and
approves future development. It also serves to provide clear direction on how Dawson Creek
should grow in the coming years so that growth is well planned and supports the
community's vision for the future.
All Official Community Plans are prepared under the authority of the Local Government Act
(s. 473), which describes an Official Community Plan as a comprehensive guiding document
and requires the following content:
-
Approximate location, amount, type, and density of residential development to meet
anticipated housing needs for at least five years,
-
Approximate location, amount, and type of present and proposed commercial,
industrial, institutional, agricultural, recreational, and public utility land uses,
-
Approximate location and area of sand and gravel deposits that are suitable for future
sand and gravel extraction,
-
Restrictions on the use of land subject to hazardous conditions or that are
environmentally sensitive to development,
-
Approximate location and phasing of major road, sewer, and water system,
-
Approximate location and type of present and proposed public facilities, including
schools, parks, waste treatment and disposal sites,
-
Policies for affordable, rental, and special needs housing,
-
Targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and policies and actions of the
local government to achieve those targets, and
-
Consideration of applicable provincial policy guidelines.
The City of Dawson Creek acknowledges that we are privileged to live and
work on Treaty 8 territory and the traditional home of the Cree, Dane-Zaa,
Saulteau, Sikanni and Slavey First Nations. We value the Métis Peoples that
live and gather here. We commit to upholding the respectful relationships
these Nations have built with the land and we acknowledge our
responsibility to carry that forward today and into the future.
City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025
2
In addition, optional policy components that influence the overall quality of life in a
community are also identified in the Local Government Act (s. 474), including policies of the
local government:
-
Relating to social needs, social well-being, and social development,
-
Respecting the maintenance and enhancement of farming on land in a farming area
or in an area designated for agricultural use in the plan, and
-
Relating to the preservation, protection, restoration and enhancement of the natural
environment, its ecosystems and biological diversity.
In addition to the policy components above, an Official Community Plan may also contain a
regional context statement, consistent with the rest of the plan. Finally, if a local government
proposes to include a matter in an Official Community Plan of matters outside of the local
government's jurisdiction, such as items within provincial, federal or other local government
jurisdictions, the Official Community Plan may only state the broad objectives of the local
government with respect to that matter.
The Local Government Act also states that a local government is not obligated to undertake any
project included in the Official Community Plan or to retroactively amend existing bylaws.
However, all the City's policies, plans, capital projects or bylaws created after adoption of its
Official Community Plan must be consistent with it. For example, when Dawson Creek updates
its current Zoning Bylaw, it should be made consistent with the Official Community Plan over
time.
After the adoption of an Official Community Plan, all bylaws enacted and works undertaken
by the municipality must be consistent with the Official Community Plan, unless the Official
Community Plan is amended.
This Official Community Plan builds extensively on the excellent work that was undertaken in
the City's 2018 Official Community Plan. This information is augmented with recent Census
and BC Stats data and the comprehensive input provided by the community during 2024
engagement activities.
It should be recognized that communities are not static, and that change is always occurring. An
Official Community Plan should be a living document that is amended from time to time. Such
amendments may be initiated by Council or as the result of an approved Official Community
Plan amendment application. While Official Community Plans are typically created with a fifteen
to twenty-year life span in mind, best practice is to review an Official Community Plan
approximately every five to ten years. This is because many of the objectives and policies
contained within an Official Community Plan should be regularly evaluated to ensure that they
are still relevant and current, and those that have been completed should be replaced with new
objectives and policies where appropriate.
While this Official Community Plan reflects the best ideas at the time of its writing and is
adopted as a bylaw by the City of Dawson Creek, the adoption of the Official Community Plan
does not commit the City to proceed with any project that is specified herein. It does,
however, commit the City to ensuring that all actions taken once the Official Community
Plan is adopted are consistent with the direction set forth within it.
City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025
3
1.1.1
New Legislation
Since the adoption of the previous Official Community Plan, there have been several
significant legislative changes that impact local governments across British Columbia. These
legislative changes include the following:
1.
In 2019, the Government of British Columbia introduced changes to the Local
Government Act requiring local governments to complete Housing Needs Reports by
2022 and updating every five years thereafter. The aim of these reports is to better
understand current and future housing needs and use the findings to inform local plans
and policies.
2. Also in 2019, Agricultural Land Commission implemented changes to the Agricultural
Land Commission Act and Regulations, which impacts all lands within the Agricultural
Land Reserve across British Columbia. Several key amendments were made, including
limits on residential development in the Agricultural Land Reserve, new restrictions and
requirements for soil removal and infill, increased penalties for illegal fill placement, the
reinstatement of a single Agricultural Land Reserve 'zone' across the province, and
adjustments to the exclusion process to require greater local government involvement. In
essence, the Agricultural Land Commission prioritizes the protection and enhancement
of Agricultural Land Reserve and farming.
3. In late 2023, the Government of British Columbia again introduced legislative changes to
the Local Government Act through Bill 44: Housing Statutes (Residential Development),
which requires local governments to implement a variety of initiatives to expedite the
approval process related to housing and facilitate increased densities to get more homes
to people of all demographics and life stages. The new legislation required local
governments to immediately update their Zoning Bylaws to accommodate greater
residential densities, particularly in restricted residential zones, undertake an Interim
Housing Needs Assessment, and then integrate that information into a new Official
Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw. Another key element of this legislation is that
Housing Needs Assessments and Official Community Plans must be reviewed and
updated every 5 years; prior to this legislative change, best practices recommended that
Official Community Plans be reviewed approximately every 5-10 years.
These legislative changes have all been integrated into this new Official Community Plan to
guide the City of Dawson Creek well into the future.
1.1.2
Why Do We Need an Official Community Plan?
An Official Community Plan is the overarching visionary document that municipalities use to
shape their growth, development, programming, and services. It is a mandated document
that serves as a roadmap for the municipality, providing an overview of current and future for
the City that Mayor and Council, staff and the community can collectively access and use.
Without policies and directions in place in the Official Community Plan, there is no
framework to build from when deciding on land use, the extent and type of growth, and
programming. Municipalities must ensure that the policies they set out in the Official
Community Plan stay broad enough that there is flexibility in the implementation of these
policies, and that there is room to implement future desired actions without having to rewrite
the entire document.
City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025
4
1.2 A New Plan for a New Chapter
An Official Community Plan is a visionary road map that translates Dawson Creek's
aspirations into reality. Striving for improvement can only be achieved if the community
defines its future. The Official Community Plan provides a road map that is unique to Dawson
Creek that defines the community's preferred future and how to get there. What's New in
This Official Community Plan?
This Official Community Plan has been developed to build upon the initiatives taken in the
previous Official Community Plan and strives to address the challenges that Dawson Creek
has faced in the past 15 years and will continue to face into the future. It also serves as a
visionary document that takes the dreams and aspirations of the community, City staff and
City Council, and tempers them with a dose of realism, ensuring a fiscally responsible and
sustainable, livable community.
This Official Community Plan contains the following elements:
-
A greater focus on ensuring that Dawson Creek is a resilient community over the long
term,
-
Continuing to support and increase the economic diversity of the community to
reduce the impacts of a cyclical natural resource economy,
-
Working to address the affordable housing1 and homelessness challenges that face
every community,
-
A continuing and increased focus on environmental sustainability and incorporating
initiatives that achieve this,
-
Increasing mobility in the community through improved transportation infrastructure
and mobility options,
-
Creating a healthy and vibrant community by creating opportunities for inclusion,
connectedness, and community safety,
-
Celebrating our arts, culture and heritage,
-
Recognition of First Nations and Métis communities and Treaty 8,
-
Creating a community that is welcoming to new residents and provides them with
the support and services that they need to thrive, and
-
Focusing on fiscal responsibility within the City to ensure a balanced approach is
maintained in spending.
1 Bolded terms are defined in the Glossary Section 12.0
City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025
5
1.2.1
Plan Organization
This Official Community Plan builds upon the excellent work that went into the previous
Official Community Plan that was developed with extensive input from the community. This
Official Community Plan is presented as a variety of plans focused on specific community-
building elements, and is organized in the following sections:
Section 1.0 -
Introduction and Plan
Overview
This section describes the context of an Official Community Plan, its
legislative requirements and why one is needed. This section also highlights
what is new in the Official Community Plan and how this plan is set out.
Section 2.0 -
Community
Engagement: Visioning
and Goal Setting
This section summarizes the comprehensive engagement process that was
undertaken to guide the development of this Official Community Plan. It
also presents a refreshed vision and goals.
Section 3.0 - Context
and Challenges
This section presents descriptive and statistical information on the City of
Dawson Creek. Statistical information reflects the most current information
available at the time, most of which is the 2021 Census.
Section 4.0 - Our Plan
for Resiliency
This section describes how Dawson Creek will work towards resilience over
the long term with respect to growth, economic development, fiscal
sustainability and the creation and nurturing of effective partnerships with
other jurisdictions.
Section 5.0 - Our Plan
for Environmental
Management
This section describes how Dawson Creek plans to minimize the
environmental impacts that it may face, and explore new ways to manage
waste mitigate the negative impacts of climate change and increase
resiliency.
Section 6.0 - Our Plan
for Mobility
This section addresses transportation, including multi-modal road networks,
active transportation, and connectivity between neighbourhoods.
Section 7.0 - Our Plan
for Healthy and Vibrant
People
This section speaks to how Dawson Creek can influence and affect the
quality of life in the community through components including social
health, wellness, arts, culture and heritage, parks, recreation and community
events, accessibility and ageing in place, community safety, affordable
housing and homelessness, First Nations and Métis communities, and new
residents.
Section 8.0 - Our Plan
for Complete and
Inclusive
Neighbourhoods
This section of the Official Community Plan focuses on the creation of
neighbourhoods that are well thought out and designed, addressing such
key components as livability, mobility and accessibility in all seasons,
placemaking, infill, vacant lands and brownfield development, revitalizing
the downtown and the provision of municipal infrastructure, services and
location of facilities.
Section 9.0 - Our Plan
for Land Use and
Development
This section guides how the City of Dawson Creek will encourage growth
and development that meets a variety of objectives while ensuring that
development occurs in conjunction with good planning principles.
Section 10.0 -
Development Permit
Areas
This section sets out the new development permit areas for the City of
Dawson Creek, focusing on areas of environmental importance or concern,
the highway corridor, the downtown core, commercial developments,
multi-unit developments and areas of intensive residential development.
Section 11.0 -
Implementation and
Monitoring
This refreshed implementation section has been developed to provide
guidance and clear direction as to how this Official Community Plan will be
implemented over its lifespan.
Section 12.0 - Glossary
This section defines the bolded words and terms used in this Official
Community Plan.
City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025
6
2
Community Engagement
Visioning and Goal Setting
2.1 Official Community Plan Update Process
The Official Community Plan update process is undertaken to ensure that the current and
future aspirations, goals and policy programs of the Dawson Creek community are being
accurately reflected in the current Official Community Plan.
This Official Community Plan update began with a review of the 2018 Official Community
Plan from an organizational and best practices perspective and was updated to achieve
alignment with strategic policy documents and programs the City has undertaken, such as
the current update of the Transportation Master Plan and the Parks, Recreation + Culture
Master Plan (2023).
Since the Official Community Plan was adopted in 2018, there have been many changes in
Dawson Creek. Some of the notable changes within the City that have impacted the
community include:
-
Completion of the 2024 Peace River Regional District Interim Housing Needs
Assessment, which included the City of Dawson Creek,
-
Integration of Bill 44 legislation,
-
Integration of Agricultural Land Commission legislation changes,
-
Residential development growth, with a total of 103 new dwelling units created,
including 47 single detached dwellings, 6 duplex units, 48 multi-unit dwelling units,
and 2 secondary suites,
-
Approved a total of 77 commercial building permits,
-
Began construction on a new hospital,
-
Relationship building with local Treaty 8 First Nations and Métis communities and
developing Memorandums of Understanding for future collaboration,
-
Identification of lands for a future urban reserve in Dawson Creek,
-
Completion of the 8th Street Bridge replacement,
-
Completion of a Parks, Recreation + Culture Master Plan,
-
Development of a Transportation Master Plan, and
-
Contributed to the Regional Growth Strategy process in collaboration with the Peace
River Regional District.
City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025
7
This Official Community Plan review process focused on the following elements:
1.
Ensuring that the process is an update
The 2018 Official Community Plan
contains many excellent objectives and
policies which are still relevant today, and
in general, the community of Dawson
Creek is pleased with the direction of that
Official Community Plan. However, there
are some objectives and policies that are
no longer reflective of the direction the
City is moving in and needs to be
updated.
Additionally, the Official Community Plan
update examined if there was a need to
refresh the overarching Vision and Goals.
The update also explored:
-
Updating land use and growth
management to provide direction
for growth and development in
Dawson Creek, while providing
tools and guidance to help the
community deal with the growth,
-
Incorporating policies related to
current and future housing needs,
social challenges, asset
management, economic
diversification and resiliency,
revitalizing Downtown Dawson
Creek, and fiscal gap stewardship,
-
Further developing relationships
and seeking opportunities to
collaborate with Treaty 8 First
Nations and Métis communities,
-
Seeking opportunities to make
Dawson Creek a more inclusive
and equitable community for all to
thrive,
-
Incorporating the addition of a
new Major Corridor Development
Permit Area, and
-
Developing an effective
Implementation Framework for
the Plan.
City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025
8
2. Comprehensive community engagement
For the Official Community Plan update process to be successful, it was important to
provide engagement opportunities that were accessible and inclusive to all. This was
accomplished by creating and attending community events, hosting specific targeted
community members/focus groups, distributing QR codes and information cards for
online surveys during engagements, and providing avenues for engagement of
community members through social media platforms such as Facebook. It was important
for the Official Community Plan Update Process to engage as many community
members as possible for input.
3. Following a timely process
To ensure a successful Official Community Plan update process, it was crucial that a well-
planned timeline was followed that allowed for flexibility and modifications when
necessary and also incorporated new legislated requirements. The update process was
divided into five milestones, which are shown in the image below:
The engagement undertaken throughout this process, the guidance and direction of City
staff and Council, and the incorporation of best practices, serves as the framework for this
updated Official Community Plan.
2.2 Stable Roots, Vibrant Future: Dawson Creek 2045
The Official Community Plan update is based around the creation of a community catch
phrase of "Stable Roots, Vibrant Future: Dawson Creek 2045". The Official Community Plan
serves to address the needs of residents today while simultaneously envisioning what it
means to have a healthy, sustainable, thriving, and vibrant community in the year 2045 and
what must be implemented to achieve this.
Throughout the various engagement activities, participants were encouraged to be future-
oriented with their thoughts, especially when it came to the vision they held for their city.
Participants were also asked to give feedback on appropriate goals for Dawson Creek, as well
as policy directives for land use, growth, programs and services.
City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025
9
2.2.1
Community Engagement
A comprehensive community engagement process was developed that facilitated multiple
opportunities for the community to participate in the Official Community Plan update. There
were several different communication and engagement techniques and tools used, both in-
person and online, including:
-
The City developed a StoryMap website that provided project information and project
updates to the community: Dawson Creek Official Community Plan StoryMap.
-
The City provided a wide range of posts about the engagement opportunities, access
to the community visioning survey, the Official Community Plan art contest and
project updates.
-
Two rounds of engagement were done for Phase 2. In person engagement
opportunities for people within the community to come out and learn about the
Official Community Plan and contribute input for the new update.
-
An online survey was also provided for those not able to make it to events in person.
-
City Council and Staff were included in workshops during Phase 2 to ensure that their
input was provided in the Official Community Plan.
-
Letters were sent out to community members and Treaty 8 First Nations and Métis
communities to encourage and welcome their involvement and input.
The City facilitated multiple engagement events which focused on welcoming the
community to share their input for the future of Dawson Creek. In-person and online options
for participation were available to the community and internal workshops were facilitated
during the first round of engagement for Council and City Staff.
City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025
10
Phase 2: Round 1 of Community Engagement
The purpose of this engagement was to understand what residents envision for the future of
Dawson Creek. This feedback would be used to consider the relevance of the City's current
vision, goals for the future, and in the preparation of the draft Official Community Plan.
Engagement activities included:
-
City Council and Staff workshops,
-
Community Visioning Survey (online
and paper),
-
Family Fun Night at the Calvin Kruk
Centre for the Arts,
-
Focus Group Workshops, and
-
Art Contest.
The engagements explored topics such as:
-
Vision and Goals for Dawson Creek,
-
Downtown Vibrancy,
-
Economic Development,
-
Partnerships, and
-
Transportation and Mobility.
2.2.1.1
Official Community Plan Art Contest
The City launched a public art contest to have artwork incorporated into the Official
Community Plan. Community members of all ages were invited to submit their artwork in a
variety of artistic mediums including painting, digital art, photography and mixed media.
They were asked to capture what they love most about their community or how they envision
Dawson Creek in the future.
Several submissions were received from the contest and are integrated throughout the
Official Community Plan as heading pages for its key parts.
Phase 2: Round 2 of Community Engagement
On July 14, 2024, a pop-up engagement booth was at the annual Mile Zero Cruisers Show. N'
Shine. Community members were invited to learn more about the Official Community Plan
project and were able to provide feedback on key topics. The following topics were present at
the pop-up:
-
Official Community Plan Vision and Goals for Dawson Creek,
-
Downtown Dawson Creek,
-
Economic Development,
-
Climate Adaptation and Resiliency,
-
Environmental Sustainability, and
-
Sunset Ridge-Harvest View Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan.
Two What We Learned Reports covering both rounds of engagement were developed and
provided to the City. They were also made public on the project StoryMap and City's website.
City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025
10
Overarching Themes from Phase 2 Engagement
When community members were asked about what they want Dawson Creek to look like in
20 years the words were:
Other key themes that arose from the engagement included (in no particular order):
-
Transportation,
-
Housing (e.g. seniors housing),
-
Downtown Revitalization,
-
Community Safety,
-
Parks and Recreation,
-
Economic Development and Resiliency, and
-
Fiscal Sustainability.
The words shown above these themes encompassed a wide range of topics at multiple
engagement events and integrated throughout the Official Community Plan.
2.2.2
Vision
One of the key pieces of the update process was to re-assess the overarching vision
statement of the Official Community Plan, as it is the vision that sets the overall direction that
this plan takes.
Based on community feedback throughout the engagement events, the following vision
statement was created:
Community members felt that this vision statement better reflects the future direction of the
City and shows the importance of balancing heritage, industry, and the environment.
"Dawson Creek is a diverse, inclusive, and engaged community that is welcoming to
residents and visitors alike. A stable yet vibrant and diverse economic base creates
opportunities for the community and residents to thrive. A balance of agriculture,
industry, culture, and nature enables residents to live, work, and play locally."
City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025
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2.2.3
Goals
In addition to the new vision statement, the following goals were developed with input from
the community:
2.2.4 Phase 4: Draft Official Community Plan Engagement
The Draft Official Community Plan was shared with Council in March 2025 and positively
received. In addition, it was shared with the community in April 2025 through a variety of
events, including an open house at the Kenn Borek Aquatic Centre, online through the City's
StoryMap website, posts on social media, and an on-line and paper survey.
The Draft Official Community Plan was also shared with Treaty 8 First Nations and Métis
communities.
Dawson Creek will continue to:
1.
Manage and use resources (e.g. financial, people, infrastructure) responsibly and
efficiently.
2. Foster social well-being and connections for all demographics in all aspects of our
community.
3. Support initiatives that encourage an accessible, safe and diverse community.
4. Build a beautiful and vibrant community that attracts visitors and residents alike.
5. Encourage and build inclusive relationships and partnerships within our communities.
6. Implement initiatives that build long-term community resiliency.
City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025
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3
Community Context
3.1 Dawson Creek Overview
3.1.1
Regional Context
The City of Dawson Creek is the second-largest municipality within the Peace River Regional
District. It is seen as the service centre for the South Peace region. The City's closest
neighbour, the Village of Pouce Coupe, benefits from the provision of services, such as water,
from Dawson Creek. In addition, the City works closely with the Village of Pouce Coupe, the
Peace River Regional District, and provincial ministries on initiatives that impact multiple
jurisdictions.
At the time of writing this Official Community Plan, the City of Dawson Creek, along with the
other municipalities within the Peace River Regional District, are collaborating on the
development of a Regional Growth Strategy - the first of its kind in northern British
Columbia.
3.1.2
Location
The City of Dawson Creek is known as "Mile 0" of the world-famous Alaska Highway, a vital
transportation corridor that runs from Dawson Creek through the Yukon and into Alaska.
Dawson Creek is approximately 26.7 km² in size and sits in a low-lying area with higher
elevation changes to the north and south of the city. Dawson Creek, a shallow narrow
watercourse, bisects the municipality and flows to the Pouce Coupe River to the east, while
South Dawson Creek flows to the west.
Immediate lands surrounding the municipal boundary include protected agricultural land
that is actively farmed. In addition, the Village of Pouce Coupe is situated adjacent to Dawson
Creek's southeastern boundary.
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3.1.3
History
The City of Dawson Creek lies within the traditional lands of the Beaver people (Dane-zaa
First Nation). As the main descendants of the earliest Indigenous peoples in the Peace region,
the Dane-zaa lived in small groups along the Peace River and followed a nomadic pattern
throughout the region based on the season, rather than establishing permanent villages.
They were later joined by Cree, who had migrated westward during the 1700s due to
pressures resulting from European settlement in Eastern and Central Canada. The Beaver, in
turn, pushed the Sekani deep into the Rocky Mountain Trench in the mid-1700s. The two
groups convened at Tsadu or Beaver Point, later to be called Peace Point, on the lower Peace
River in 1796 to agree upon a truce known as Wachegee.
The two major language groups in the Peace River area are the Athapaskan and the
Algonquian. Some of the Beaver have preserved their Athapaskan tongue while the
Algonquian language is still used by a few Cree people of the area. Efforts are being made to
preserve the language and culture and pass it down to the younger generations, but it is a
continual struggle.
In addition to the Beaver and Cree, the Iroquois and Saulteau peoples also migrated to the
Peace River region to settle during the 17th and 18th centuries. Iroquois presence in the
Peace Region dates back to 1819 when they acted as guides for traders and explorers. The
Saulteau were descendants of the Ojibway residing primarily around the areas east of Lake
Superior. Saulteau peoples began migrating westward in the 1800s after being pushed out of
their traditional territories by the Federal Government. They were led to the Moberly Lake
area by a spiritual leader who had visions of two sacred snow-tipped mountains which are
today known as the Twin Sisters.
The signing of Treaty 8 signalled a key moment in First Nations people and settler
relationships in the Peace River region and beyond in the Treaty's 840,000 km² territory,
which includes northeastern British Columbia, northern Alberta, northwestern
Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories south of Hay River and Great Slave Lake. The
signing of the Treaty between the local Beaver and Cree groups along with Chipewyan
groups from the prairies in 1899 and the Government of Canada was followed by Prophet
River and Fort Nelson First Nation signing the Treaty in 1910. Under the Treaty, signatories
were promised access to maintain traditional activities, such as hunting, fishing, and
trapping, in their traditional territory.
Dawson Creek is named after the watercourse of the same name, itself named after George
Mercer Dawson who led a surveying team through the area in August 1879. The community
that formed by the creek was one of many farming communities established by European-
Canadian settlers moving westward through the Peace River Country. When the Canadian
government began issuing homestead grants to settlers in 1912, the pace of migration
increased. With the opening of a few stores and hotels in 1919 and the incorporation of the
Dawson Creek Co-operative Union on May 28, 1921, Dawson Creek became a dominant
business centre in the area.
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After much speculation by landowners and investors, Northern Alberta Railways built its
western terminus 3 km from Dawson Creek. The golden spike was driven on December 29,
1930, and the first passenger train arrived on January 15, 1931. The arrival of the railway and the
construction of grain elevators attracted more settlers and business to the settlement. The
need to provide services for the rapidly growing community led Dawson Creek to incorporate
as a village in May 1936. The community exceeded 500 people in 1941.
In 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. This significant event forced the American and
Canadian governments to re-evaluate their security and determine that there was an obvious
need to shore up and protect the sovereignty of North America. In response, a secure land
transportation link was needed to transfer goods, materials, and men from the continental
United States to Alaska. As one part of the wartime measures, 1,500 miles of road needed to
be punched through the vast untamed wilderness of northern Canada and Alaska. Building
in these northern areas would not be an easy feat. Men and women would battle the
mountains, muskegs, and mosquitoes for eight months to finish this vital artery.
On March 9, 1942, Dawson Creek, a small northern Canadian community with a population of
600 people, bustled and swelled with activity when the first train carrying American troops
arrived. In a matter of weeks, the town's population exploded to 10,000. Seven regiments of
American engineers (approximately 11,000 men including three regiments of men with
African American heritage) 16,000 civilians from Canada and the United States, and 7,000
pieces of equipment were thrown into action against some of the toughest and most
unforgiving wilderness areas in the world.
On November 20, 1942, after a little over nine months of intense construction, 250 soldiers,
civilians, police officers, and government delegations from Canada and the United States,
met at mile 1,061, known as 'Soldiers Summit', where they cut the ribbon officially opening
the 'Alcan' Highway. The total cost for construction of the 1,523-mile route, which also includes
133 major bridges and more than 8,000 culverts, was about $140 million USD.
This remarkable achievement has developed into a major transportation link in North
America, stretching from Mile '0' at Dawson Creek through the Yukon Territory, and into
Alaska. In 1946, reconstruction and upgrading were carried out under Canadian Army
supervision. On April 1, 1971, the Canadian Federal Government turned over maintenance of
the Yukon section of the Alaska Highway to the Yukon Department of Highways and Public
Works. Since completion of the Alaska Highway in the 1940s, a continuous program of
upgrading, widening, and straightening has been underway; today, the Alaska Highway is
completely paved. The Alaska Highway, once an emergency wartime road, has developed
into a vital link between the giant industrial regions of the United States and Canada and the
natural resources of Alaska and Yukon. In addition to the economic aspects of the highway, it
also represents a permanent monument to the resilient and enduring friendship between
two nations. On September 28th, 1996, a ceremony was held in Dawson Creek. At this time,
the Alaska Highway was designated as the 16th International Historic Civil Engineering
Landmark. In 2017, the Alaska Highway celebrated its 75th Anniversary with a variety of events
travelling the route to commemorate its significance and history.
City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025
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3.1.4
Climate
Dawson Creek is in the Boreal Plains Ecozone and is part of the flat Interior Plains of Canada,
a northern extension of the Great Plains of North America. The subdued relief consists of low-
lying valleys and plains stretching across the mid portions of Manitoba and Saskatchewan
and continuing through almost two-thirds of Alberta and into British Columbia, including the
South Peace. Most of Dawson Creek's surface waters are part of three larger watersheds: the
Saskatchewan River, the Beaver River, and the Peace, Athabasca, and Slave Rivers' watershed,
and locally, part of three small watersheds: Dawson Creek, South Dawson Creek and Ski Hill
Creek which flow into the Pouce Coupe River.
Dawson Creek is characterized by a unique climate, marked by summers that are warmer
than the surrounding areas. The mean annual temperature in Dawson Creek in the summer
is 15°C and the mean winter temperature is -14°C. The average daily high temperatures range
from -7°C in January to 22°C in July. The mean annual precipitation ranges from 350-600
mm. The climate, when combined with the extended sunshine hours, allows a variety of
crops, such as wheat and canola, to grow in the area. This results in agriculture continuing to
be of major importance in the City's economy.
3.2 Community Profile
3.2.1
Demographics
Dawson Creek has traditionally been a low to moderate-stable growth community. Over the
past decade, the City has seen its traditional steady growth patterns interlaced with periods
of high growth and population loss. Much of this population fluctuation is based on oil and
gas activities in northeastern British Columbia, which have become a significant driver of
growth in Dawson Creek and the region in the past 25 years.
3.2.1.1
Existing Population
Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Dawson Creek increased from 12,178 to 12,323, an
increase of 1.2% over that five year period. The 2021 Census population saw an increase of
14.9%% since 2001, where the population was 10,754, and represents an annual average
growth rate of 0.7%.
This average growth rate tends to be sustained by periods of minimal or negative growth
coupled with years of dynamic growth, generally revolving around the activity in the natural
resource sector in northeastern British Columbia. It is anticipated that this growth pattern will
likely continue.
The median age of Dawson Creek's population in 2021 was 35.6 years of age, a slight increase
over the 2016 median age of 34.4, but still considerably younger than the median age of the
population in all of British Columbia for the same year (42.8 years of age). It is generally felt
that the young median age in the community is directly related to the many employment
opportunities that attract people to the area.
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3.2.1.2
Population Projections
The 2024 Peace River Regional District Interim Housing Needs Assessment provided updated
population projections for the City of Dawson Creek using BC Stats projected populations.
Table 1 seen below is provided on page 34 and Table 17 "Projected Population Projection by
Jurisdiction" of the Peace River Regional District Interim Housing Needs Assessment.
Table 1: Projected Population Change (BC Stats)
Year
Total
% Annual Change
Age 0 to14
Age 15 to 64
Age 65+
2021
12,918
2,387
8,806
1,725
2026
13,228
0.48%
2,263
9,035
1,930
2041
13,699
0.29%
1,975
9,572
2,152
Source: Peace River Regional District Interim Housing Needs Assessment, 2024
It is also important to note that there is a considerable shadow population that exists in
Dawson Creek due to resource industries in the area. The Peace River Regional District
Interim Housing Needs Assessment population projection does not reflect the shadow
population, so these projections may not accurately reflect seasonal fluctuations of
temporary residents.
3.2.2
Labour Force and Income
With an expanding economy and major economic pillars that include agriculture, forestry,
mining, tourism, oil and gas, there is a wealth of work, investment, and business opportunity
in Dawson Creek. The main occupations that comprise the labour force in Dawson Creek are:
-
Business, finance, and administration occupations
-
Occupations in education, law, social, community, and government services
-
Sales and service occupations
-
Trades, transport and equipment operators, and related occupations
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A table summarizing employment by occupation, and divided into genders is found below:
Table 2: Dawson Creek Employment by Occupation (2021 Census)
Total
Male
Female
Total labour force population aged 15 years and over by occupation
6,790
3,570
3,225
All occupations
6,645
3,485
3,160
Occupations As a % of the TOTAL
Legislative and senior management occupations
0.6%
9.6%
8.3%
Business, finance, and administration occupations
11.8%
6.1%
21.9%
Natural and applied sciences and related occupations
3.4%
5.5%
1.1%
Health occupations
8.3%
2.4%
14.9%
Occupations in education, law, social, community and government
services
13.5%
7.5%
20.3%
Occupations in art, culture, recreation, and sport
1.2%
1.3%
1.1%
Sales and service occupations
28.9%
21.5%
36.7%
Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations
22.1%
37.7%
4.9%
Natural resources, agriculture, and related production occupations
4.3%
7.6%
0.6%
Occupations in manufacturing and utilities
6.0%
10.6%
0.8%
Dawson Creek residents recorded a median before tax income of $44,800 and a median
before tax household income of $81,000 in the 2021 Census. The median income per
individual in Dawson Creek was higher than the provincial median, but the provincial median
household income was higher than that of Dawson Creek. This indicates that on an individual
level, Dawson Creek residents earn higher incomes when compared to the rest of the
province.
Table 3: Dawson Creek Income Statistics (2021 Census)
Dawson Creek
British Columbia
Median Income
$44,800
$40,800
Median Household Income
$81,000
$85,000
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3.2.3
Housing Inventory and Projected Needs
3.2.3.1
Inventory
Within Dawson Creek, there are about 461 people per square kilometre, making it more
dense than neighbouring communities such as Pouce Coupe (370.3) and Chetwynd (36.2). In
addition, Dawson Creek has an average household size of 2.2 average individuals per private
household, a slight decrease from 2.3 in 2016.
To accommodate Dawson Creek's population growth, alongside the development of new
housing, the aging housing stock should be upgraded and/or replaced, as a considerable
proportion of existing private dwellings were constructed prior to 1980 (58.8% of the total
housing stock).
Table 4: Dawson Creek Dwelling Counts by Construction Period (2021 Census)
Number
% of Total
TOTAL
5,405
100%
1960 or before
1,285
23.77%
1961 to 1980
1,895
35.06%
1981 to 1990
445
8.23%
1991 to 2000
515
9.53%
2001 to 2005
155
2.87%
2006 to 2010
480
8.88%
2011 to 2016
400
7.40%
2016-2021
235
4.35%
In addition, 61% of the existing private dwelling housing stock are single-detached housing
and apartments under 5 storeys (20%). The relatively small proportions of other dwelling
types may be preventing different demographics from accessing housing types that they
desire. Developing policy focused on diversifying the existing housing stock should be
considered.
Table 5: Dawson Creek Occupied Dwellings by Structural Type (2021 Census)
Structural Type
Number
% of Total
TOTAL
5,405
100%
Single-Detached House
3,305
61.15%
Apartment (5 or more Storeys)
0
0%
Movable Dwelling
225
4.16%
Semi-Detached House
295
5.46%
Row House
340
6.29%
Duplex
160
2.96%
Apartment fewer than 5 Storeys
1,080
19.98%
Other single-attached house
5
0.09%
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3.2.3.2
20-Year Housing Capacity (Interim Housing Needs Assessment)
As of 2023, with the implementation of Bill 44, Housing Statutes (Residential Development)
Amendment Act, provincial legislation mandates that all municipalities address the core
housing needs to include a 5-year and 20-year capacity within their communities within their
Interim Housing Needs Assessments. The City of Dawson Creek joined the Peace River
Regional District's Housing Needs Assessment 2024, to complete their Interim Housing
Needs Assessment.
The core housing need within the City of Dawson Creek is used to determine the needs of the
community in regard to housing and how well housing needs are being met. It looks closely
at residents' quality and obtainability of housing and determines how many people in
Dawson Creek are living in adequate housing. This helps to determine the future of housing
stock within the community and whether there is a need for more housing or improvement
of infrastructure. Core housing needs have been covered within the 2024 Peace River
Regional District Interim Housing Needs Assessment. Those who are identified to be within
core housing need are households that fall below one or more of the following standards:
adequacy, affordability, and suitability. These households are also spending more than 30%
of their before-tax income on shelter costs. Core housing need is also used to determine how
many people have adequate housing that is without a need for major repairs. Some major
repair requirements which could contribute to core housing needs is mould, faulty wiring,
and repairs required to floors, walls and ceilings.
In 2024, it was reported that Dawson Creek had 840 households (15.81% of private households
with incomes) which were spending 30% or more on shelter costs. Tenants who rent their
homes are more likely to be in core housing need. In Dawson Creek, 25% of tenant
households are spending over 30% on rent and utilities.
These units are broken down to accommodate for 6 components that were developed by the
Province's Methodology for the Interim Housing Needs Assessments:
-
Extreme Core Housing Need,
-
Persons Experiencing Homelessness,
-
Suppressed Household Growth,
-
Anticipated Growth,
-
Rental Vacancy Rate Adjusted, and
-
Additional Local Demand.
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Each of the components above are planned to be addressed over the 20-year period of
dwelling units being built within the community. Using the Housing Assessment Resource
Tool, the Interim Housing Needs Assessment 5-year and 20-year core housing needs capacity
assessment across the components is shown below.
Table 6: Total 5-Year and 20-Year Housing Need
Component
5 Year Need
20 Year Need
A. Extreme Core Housing Need
63.24 ~63
252.94 ~ 253
B. Persons Experiencing
Homelessness
33.75 ~ 34
67.51 ~ 68
C. Suppressed Household
Formation
28.79 ~ 29
115.14 ~ 115
D. Anticipated Growth
184.56 ~185
781.97 ~ 782
E. Rental Vacancy Rate Adjusted
0
0
F. Additional Local Demand
81.61 ~ 82
326.43 ~ 326
Total Need
392*
1544
Source: Housing Assessment Resource Tool (HART), 2024 - *Numbers may be slightly different due to rounding*
The projected number of units from the Peace River Regional District Interim Housing
Needs Assessment 2024 should be treated as minimums and guidelines. The City of
Dawson Creek is not required to build the housing units, but they must ensure that the
Zoning Bylaw and Official Community Plan accommodate the required housing need
and do not pose barriers to developing housing to meet local needs.
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Part 2
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4
Our Plan for Resiliency
The ability to be adaptable in the face of change and thrive in an ever-evolving environment
is key for the success of Dawson Creek to be a resilient, desirable, and vibrant place for people
to live, work and play. Dawson Creek aims to focus on managing growth and evolving
community dynamics while working towards a more diversified economy. Remaining
committed to maintaining financial sustainability and fostering effective partnerships for
mutual benefit.
4.1 Efficient Growth Management
A resilient community is one that can effectively manage its new growth and development in
a manner that capitalizes on existing infrastructure through infill and intensification of
vacant and under-utilized lands. Directing new development to vacant or underutilized
parcels within existing serviced areas meets local development demands and helps support
the financial sustainability of the City by providing cost-effective servicing.
Objectives:
1.
Accommodate growth and development in a compact, cost-efficient, and land efficient
manner that minimizes the need for extending municipal infrastructure and services.
2. Encourage and allow for the development of mixed-use projects in new and existing
neighbourhoods.
3. Ensure that the City's growth and development occurs in a sustainable manner over the
long term, rather than responding to the cycles of the natural resource economy.
4. Focus on development which occurs in a manner that incorporates sound planning
principles, fiscal sustainability and creates livable communities.
5. Promote infill development on underutilized parcels in existing built areas as a
community priority to achieve efficient land use, improve fiscal sustainability and
promote walkable and complete neighbourhoods.
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6. Support strategic infill and redevelopment in existing residential areas in a manner that
results in minimal impacts to adjacent parcels.
7. Ensure development in fringe areas of the community is coordinated and respectful of
the adjacent agricultural land, while maximizing the use of the limited available lands
outside the Agricultural Land Reserve.
Policies:
1.
Generally, encourage new development to be directed to lands in a manner that is
prioritized in the following order:
a. Downtown Infill - infill development within lands in the downtown area
designated as Downtown Mixed Use or Downtown Residential,
b. Neighbourhood Infill - infill development within existing built up and serviced
lands outside of the downtown area,
c. Neighbourhood Sequential - greenfield development on lands that border
existing built up and serviced lands on at least two sides of the greenfield
development area,
d. Serviced Fringe Area - greenfield development on lands that border existing
built up and serviced lands on one side of the greenfield development area, and
e. Unserviced Fringe Area - greenfield development that is not located adjacent to
existing built up and serviced lands, thus requiring a substantial extension of
servicing.
2. Support a full range of mixed uses, including residential, commercial, and institutional
uses in the Downtown Mixed-Use area identified on Schedule B.
3. Promote sensitive infill of existing residential parcels that provides minimal or no impact
on surrounding parcels, such as reduced parcel sizes for subdivision on existing
underutilized residential parcels.
4. Consider allowing infill of existing residential areas with development that is of higher
density than adjacent parcels, provided that it is done in a sequential manner where new
higher density development is buffered on both interior parcel lines by lower density
development.
5. Encourage applicants who wish to develop in fringe areas of the city to provide evidence
that their proposed development meets an existing community need that cannot be met
through infill, compact or sequential development.
6. Consider opportunities for providing up-zoning for commercial, residential, mixed-use,
and institutional uses on corner parcels that front onto a Provincial Highway or City
arterial roads.
7. Consider developing an annual report that presents the status of the City's vacant land
supply and current development trends to assess if an increase in land supply through
boundary extension is warranted.
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8. Approximately every 5 years, review and update the previous investigation into population
and employment statistics with respect to Dawson Creek's shadow population to
determine how it affects the availability of housing, local employment, programs, and
services.
9. Work with the business, development, and real estate communities to identify
development needs and absorption rates of new residential, commercial, and industrial
units to prevent overbuilding and surpluses of vacant units. Consider these factors in
addition to the current local and regional economic climates when evaluating
development applications.
10. Consider opportunities to purchase strategic parcels of land during economic downturns.
11. Consider opportunities to dispose of City-owned lands to accommodate strategic
community-focused developments.
12. Investigate the potential to develop capital plans and funding mechanisms, such as a
rainy day capital fund, for non-imminent infrastructure and social infrastructure
improvements that are activated during economic downturns to achieve the following:
a. Create additional public investment and economic activity during economic
downturns,
b. Secure lower costs for construction through more competitive tendering for
desired City projects, and
c. Stabilize employment and the local economy.
13. Encourage redevelopments to include a residential component in the form of creative or
innovative infill housing, such as live-work studios, student housing, or short-term rental
housing.
14. Areas subject to natural hazards or containing environmentally sensitive habitat will not
be used to accommodate industrial, commercial, residential, or institutional growth and
will not be used in density or minimum lot size calculations.
15. Only pursue Agricultural Land Reserve exclusions that align with Dawson Creek's growth
and infrastructure objectives and include land that has:
a. Access to City servicing and transportation infrastructure or is readily serviceable,
b. Limited agricultural capability and/or existing agricultural uses, and
c. Limited environmental and/or hazardous conditions that may limit future land use
and development.
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4.2 Supporting Prosperity / Economic Development
The economic health of a community is a focal point to remaining buoyant through
economic cycles. A growing and diverse local economy can weather periods of economic
stagnation, especially during times of low global commodity prices. Growth and expansion of
existing businesses, creating an investment-friendly environment, and improving the quality
of life all contribute to an economically resilient community.
Objectives:
1.
Increase the economic diversification of Dawson Creek to reduce the reliance on natural
resource economies.
2. Encourage and support the retention and growth of existing businesses in Dawson Creek.
3. Encourage entrepreneurship opportunities within Dawson Creek.
4. Consider incentives that encourage investment in downtown Dawson Creek.
5. Provide the required services and amenities to attract and retain businesses within
Dawson Creek.
6. Work with other jurisdictions and agencies to strengthen the regional economy.
7. Focus on initiatives that improve the quality of life as a method to generate economic
development activities.
8. Provide a high level of amenities and services in Dawson Creek to incentivize more
families to make Dawson Creek their home.
9. Encourage and support small businesses and the creative sector in Dawson Creek.
10. Continue to recognize the importance of the natural resource and agricultural industries
on the Dawson Creek economy.
11. Embrace and enhance tourism as an integral economic driver in Dawson Creek.
12. Enhance and invest in sports facilities, infrastructure and specialized programs and
community units that cater to specific groups within the community.
Policies:
1.
Enhance the City's economic diversity through the implementation of strategies
contained in the Dawson Creek Community Economic Development Vision and
Strategy, including:
a. Establish a clear economic development contact at City Hall,
b. Strengthen regional partnerships in economic development,
c. Consider the implementation of a Business Retention and Expansion Program,
d. Develop a comprehensive downtown revitalization program,
e. Ensure adequate supply of market-ready employment lands,
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f.
Review City's development review and approval process,
g. Support the expansion of education and workforce development programs,
h. Engage the youth and young professionals in the community, and
i.
Continue to pursue local health care improvements.
2. Support the hiring of an Economic Development Officer to increase the economic
diversity of Dawson Creek and implement City economic development initiatives.
3. Promote commercial development for tourism-related uses to locate in the downtown,
within a 10-minute walking distance to downtown or just north of downtown adjacent to
Northern Alberta Railway Park.
4. Support the development of a commercial hierarchy that will develop diverse commercial
nodes including downtown mixed-use commercial and residential areas (e.g. downtown
and surrounding areas), highway commercial, and neighbourhood commercial nodes for
emerging residential areas.
5. Consider developing an investment-ready profile directed towards attracting First
Nations and Métis investment, business development and land acquisition in Dawson
Creek.
6. Work with the Dawson Creek Chamber of Commerce in meeting the needs of the
business community, particularly as it relates to employee retention and business
opportunities within the city.
7. Work with industry to identify key land and infrastructure requirements they require for
their continued viability.
8. Evaluate and consider updating the City's Tourism Plan every 10 years.
9. Increase advertising and signage of being "Mile 0" of the Alaska Highway and consider
having more directional signage along the highway and in the community.
10. Increase and enhance amenities for tourists visiting Dawson Creek.
11. Work with local businesses, service providers and surrounding communities to develop
'package deals' for tourists looking to make excursions along Highway 97 N (Alaska
Highway).
12. Continue to host and support various sports tourism events, as well as arts, culture and
music events that occur at City venues.
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4.3 Fiscal Sustainability
Strong management of civic finances and sufficient development cost recovery ensures that
a community has the resources required to maintain acceptable service standards, while
continually investing in new physical and social infrastructure. This enables communities to
maintain and further grow high quality of life for its residents.
Objective:
1.
Maintain strong financial sustainability for the City through cost-effective servicing of new
development, building new infrastructure and maintaining intergovernmental
agreements.
Policies:
1.
Ensure that the Peace River Agreement is maintained and secured as a vital source of
capital funding for the city.
2. Conduct regular reviews of the City's Development Cost Charge Bylaw, including
reviewing and amending the capital plans associated with the charges.
3. Continue exploring and expanding the City's Development Cost Charge Bylaw to include
charges for transportation, park acquisition and development and stormwater drainage.
4. Continue to implement and regularly review and update the City's Asset Management
Plan to ensure good management of, and strategic investment in, the City's
infrastructure and assets such as roads, water, and sanitary sewer systems, buildings,
facilities, and equipment.
5. Consider building technologies that decrease energy and utility costs, such as passive
house techniques, to create lifecycle operational savings on new public buildings and
facilities.
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4.4 Planning Partnerships
The growing importance of fringe area development in the long-term sustainability and
resiliency of a community makes the formation of strong partnerships with neighbouring
local governments vital. As Dawson Creek continues to grow in the future and potentially
expand its boundaries, it is important to ensure existing development in those lands aligns
with the future growth and direction of the community. This will be critical to ensuring
harmonious and complementary patterns of land use and servicing that are not overbearing
on City finances.
In addition, the conclusion of various Treaty and land claims has led to a growing priority
among First Nations to acquire and develop fee-simple urban lands and establish urban
reserves for economic development purposes. There are many aligned and mutually
beneficial economic objectives between Dawson Creek and Treaty 8 First Nations and Métis
communities in relation to land development. Being proactive in establishing relationships
and partnerships will allow both Dawson Creek and Treaty 8 First Nations and Métis
communities to be at the forefront to capture this investment. As there are First Nations
communities actively interested in lands in Dawson Creek, growing these relationships are
integral for strong partnerships and collaboration for mutual benefit.
4.4.1
Local Government Partnerships
Forming strong partnerships and relationships with neighbouring local governments in
Northeastern British Columbia is necessary for long term community resiliency and
sustainability. As Dawson Creek moves towards its vision for 2045, the City will strive to grow
and maintain partnerships with its neighbouring local governments.
Objectives:
1.
Engage in coordinated planning efforts with neighbouring jurisdictions to ensure
harmony between land uses, development, and infrastructure where appropriate.
2. Work collaboratively and form strong relationships with neighbouring local governments
for the mutual benefit of our residents.
3. Promote planning best practices for development on the fringe area around Dawson
Creek.
Policies:
1.
Where large scale inter-jurisdictional planning processes and projects occur, encourage
the formation of a committee or working group to advise both City Council and the Peace
River Regional District throughout the process.
2. Continue to develop stronger relationships and collaborate with the provincial
government on initiatives that are of importance to the City of Dawson Creek and
directed by the province.
3. Continue to collaborate with neighbouring local governments on initiatives such as the
Northeastern BC Collaborative Accessibility Plan and the Northeast Accessibility
Committee and its implementation.
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4. Continue to develop strong cross-jurisdictional relationships with the Peace River
Regional District, Village of Pouce Coupe and Province of Alberta, with Saddle Hills
County and the County of Grande Prairie No. 1 and their municipalities.
5. Continue to work collaboratively with the Peace River Regional District to enhance the
referral processes for both jurisdictions and ensure that referrals are done in an expedient
and timely manner.
6. Work collaboratively with the Peace River Regional District in evaluating potential
boundary extension areas, provided they are in alignment with the direction of any
comprehensive development plan that is in effect.
7. Continue to maintain current agreements for water supply to Pouce Coupe and partner
on future reservoir expansion where policies for management and water supply
protection are consistent and aligned.
8. Encourage beneficial partnerships with nearby communities, where appropriate.
4.4.2 Treaty 8 First Nations and Métis Government Partnerships
The City of Dawson Creek acknowledges that we are
privileged to live and work on Treaty 8 territory and the
traditional home of the Cree, Dane-Zaa, Saulteau,
Sikanni and Slavey First Nations. We value the Métis
Peoples that live and gather here. We commit to
upholding the respectful relationships these Nations
have built with the land and we acknowledge our
responsibility to carry that forward today and into the
future.
Objectives:
1.
Develop strong and mutually beneficial
relationships with Treaty 8 First Nations and Métis
communities.
2. Support awareness and recognition of Treaty 8 First
Nations and Métis communities and the
importance of recognizing treaty rights.
3. Work in partnership with Treaty 8 First Nations and
Métis communities for the betterment of Dawson
Creek and the strengthening of communities
within the greater regional community.
4. Recognize the economic and social benefits of
Treaty 8 First Nations land acquisition and
development, and urban reserve development for Dawson Creek.
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Policies:
1.
Support Treaty 8 First Nations communities as they seek to create economic prosperity
for their members through land acquisition and urban reserve development in and
adjacent to Dawson Creek.
2. In partnership with Treaty 8 First Nations communities, ensure that urban reserve
development in and adjacent to Dawson Creek is compatible and harmonious with
surrounding land uses.
3. Work proactively with Treaty 8 First Nations governments to allow for efficient and
effective land use planning of Treaty 8 First Nations acquired fee-simple lands and future
urban reserve establishment.
4. Collaborate with Doig River First Nations in the development of their urban reserve in
Dawson Creek.
5. Be proactive in initiating conversations with Treaty 8 First Nations communities regarding
the Treaty Land Entitlement settlements, urban land acquisition and opportunities for
development in Dawson Creek.
6. Work with Treaty 8 First Nations to develop Memorandums of Understanding or Servicing
Agreements related to servicing urban reserves.
7. Investigate opportunities to align City land use, development, growth, and economic
development objectives with those of Treaty 8 First Nations and Métis communities.
8. Work with local Treaty 8 First Nations governments to develop a public education
strategy and related materials on the Treaty Land Entitlement settlements and urban
reserve development.
9. Consult with Treaty 8 First Nations and Métis communities when considering boundary
expansions to ensure culturally significant areas within fringe areas around the municipal
boundary are protected from development and related activities.
10. Build meaningful relationships with Treaty 8 First Nations and Métis communities on all
land related plans and development applications, and actively seek and engage their
involvement and input.
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4.4.3 Community Partnerships
The City recognizes that it is stronger and better able to meet the needs of current and future
residents by partnering with the many agencies, service providers and non-profits that exist.
Forming strong partnerships and relationships with these community assets is necessary for
long term community resiliency and sustainability, and the City will continue to grow and
nurture these partnerships.
Objectives:
1.
Focus on highlighting partnerships with community groups and entrepreneurs.
2. Empower and enable community groups and citizens to take on community
development and program initiatives.
Policies:
1.
Facilitate the development of private-public partnerships to leverage diverse ways of
funding projects, programs, and developments.
2. Facilitate or support governance training for not-for-profit Boards to educate new
members on foundational skills required in order to effectively carry out their roles and
responsibilities (i.e. Roberts rules, fiscal management, accruing grants, etc.).
3. Consider creating more citizen working groups on projects to give citizens more voice
and ownership of projects and programs.
4. Host entrepreneur events where local business owners and entrepreneurs can come
together and share ideas about partnerships and joint ventures.
4.5 Hazard and Risk Reduction
Dawson Creek is susceptible to floods, water scarcity events, and other natural occurrences
that happen from time to time. The City is committed to being prepared for hazards that
may occur and reducing the risks that they pose. The City aims to assist residents in being
prepared for these events and aid those who may be impacted by them through its
partnerships with local organizations, regional governments, and provincial ministries and
agencies.
Objectives:
1.
Establish a water scarcity plan for the City of Dawson Creek.
2. Regularly review and update an in-depth infrastructure and recovery plan for after floods.
3. Provide support for people and property who are at risk of-or have been impacted by-
natural hazards.
4. Educate the community on natural-hazard emergency plans and precautions.
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Policies:
1.
Continue using a risk management framework to regularly review and identify hazard
risks and mitigation strategies with the purpose of increasing community resiliency.
2. Account for future climate projections when developing and implementing policies and
emergency response plans.
3. Develop and implement measures to reduce risks of hazards from impacting buildings
and infrastructure.
4. Continue to update hazard area mapping to ensure that the mapping of hazardous
development permit areas remains current, and the highest levels of public safety and
health are maintained.
5. Develop tools to aid in risk management to help reduce the overall risk of natural hazards
to people and property.
6. Communicate risks of natural hazards to residents, particularly those who are exposed
and vulnerable.
7. Properties that have a high risk of flooding should be acquired and converted into
parkland to be naturalized.
8. Accommodate uses that can easily recover from flooding, such as agriculture, park, open
space, and recreation within the floodplain.
9. Work with the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. and local
service organizations to create a coordinated response to emergencies created by
extreme weather events and to increase the resiliency of our community.
10. Regularly review and update emergency response plans as well as hazard risk and
vulnerability assessments that align with legislation.
11. Utilizing the FireSmart BC Homeowner's Manual as a principal guidance document, strive
to foster wildfire awareness and resiliency through public education materials, programs,
and events.
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5
Our Plan for
Environmental Management
At the City of Dawson Creek, we pride ourselves in the quality and character of the natural
environment that surrounds and is integrated into our city. In addition, we are working to
ensure that the built environment is developed in a sustainable manner. We strive to
enhance our existing environmental initiatives and programs while establishing new ways to
manage waste, mitigate the negative impacts of climate change to our infrastructure, and
increase resiliency while thriving as a city.
5.1 Integrating Natural Assets and Built Systems
The integration of natural assets and built systems focuses on protecting, maintaining and
enhancing natural ecosystems, habitat corridors and environmental quality within the built
form of the City of Dawson Creek. This includes maintaining and protecting as many natural
features as possible when land is being developed, enhancing the City's tree canopy and
vegetation, considering best practices related to natural assets and built systems, and
creating a culture of environmental stewardship among the community.
Objectives:
1.
Preserve natural environments within and around Dawson Creek through the integration
of natural assets.
2. Enhance the natural assets of existing neighbourhoods and built areas.
3. Protect environmentally sensitive areas through a range of policies and incentives that
work with property owners.
4. Maintain and enhance the City's natural environment to preserve vital community
functions such as air quality, temperature moderation, precipitation management and
greenhouse gas reduction.
5. Secure and protect water resources through wise and efficient management.
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Policies:
1.
Encourage development on lands outside identified flood plains or areas prone to
flooding.
2. Continue to acquire lands that fall within floodplains to further discourage private
development in these areas or encourage a return to a natural state.
3. Encourage buffer areas adjacent to the Dawson Creek watercourse both on public and
private land.
4. Partner to conduct an assessment and inventory of ecosystems related to Dawson Creek
for the purposes of updating protection strategies, restoration programs and facilitating
appropriate land use and servicing decisions.
5. Protect and preserve environmentally sensitive areas using one or more of the following
measures, depending on which are appropriate to a given situation:
a. Dedication as a City park or trail where the area complements the goals and
objectives of the City's Parks, Recreation + Culture Master Plan,
b. Dedication to a land trust or similar non-government organization for
conservation purposes,
c. Covenant for conservation purposes with the City, Province and/or a non-
governmental organization(s) eligible to hold Conservation Covenants, or
d. Some form of development incentive (density bonus, density transfer, cluster
housing, etc.) that will help to protect designated environmental protection areas.
6. Continue to promote environmental stewardship programs within the city.
7. Maintain an inventory of tree species, ecosystems and shrub species in City parks and use
it to guide future planting programming or interpretive possibilities.
8. Consider the development of a tree and shrub planting incentive program for residential
and non-residential neighbourhoods that includes:
a. Tree canopy coverage specific to the site,
b. Tree and hazard reporting and replacement,
c. Growth diversity,
d. Phased planting within parks, and
e. Targeting areas susceptible to public traffic.
9. Develop an Urban Forestry plan which outlines tree species, phased planting and
proposed protection areas to mitigate climate impacts.
10. Continue to recognize the value of natural assets and include them as part of an asset
management program.
11. Incorporate FireSmart principles into the management of natural assets.
12. Where feasible, expand the use of natural assets to address infrastructure needs, such as
stormwater management, rather than traditional built infrastructure.
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5.2 Adapting Infrastructure and Buildings
A long-term and sustainable approach to planning and managing civic infrastructure will be
instrumental in ensuring that Dawson Creek is environmentally and fiscally sustainable.
Incorporating sustainable and environmentally focused designs into new City infrastructure
and buildings, while identifying opportunities for retrofits to existing built features will aid the
City in this endeavour.
Objectives:
1.
Minimize the contributions to climate change and environmental impacts of City
infrastructure and buildings.
2. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated by City buildings to meet targets.
3. Continue to meet or exceed the requirements outlined in the BC Building Code for all City
developments, and encourage private developers, builders and contractors to do the
same.
4. Improve the energy efficiency and environmental performance of existing buildings
through retrofits or redevelopment.
Policies:
1.
Develop a climate action plan for the City of Dawson Creek.
2. Educate the public and development industry on measures, incentives and programs
that encourage water and energy conservation.
3. Lead by example and consider adopting renewable energy tactics for the use and
operation of municipal buildings.
4. Monitor City of Dawson Creek's greenhouse gas emission levels.
5. Develop educational materials and provide workshops to homeowners and industry
groups including developers and realtors to increase uptake of existing programs,
incentives, and green building opportunities.
6. Consider opportunities to include a retrofit demonstration of renewable energy systems
in city facilities, properties and parks.
7. Consider opportunities to develop greywater reuse and reclaim water systems for public
and park facilities.
8. Consider opportunities to reduce water usage for irrigating landscaping and sports fields.
9. Encourage property owners of all uses to retrofit their buildings and properties to include
small wind turbines, solar panels, rainwater collection systems, water-efficient toilets, rain
gardens and other retrofits.
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10. Consider developing a property tax abatement/refund policy to facilitate building and
property renewable energy and energy conservation retrofits.
11. Continue to investigate opportunities to integrate bioswales into street and streetscape
development and renewal.
12. Incorporate climate adaption and resiliency into all bids, tenders, and contracts for
planning or infrastructure projects.
5.3 Local Food Systems
Promoting local food production enhances the food security of a community, diversifies the
local economy and reduces the environmental impacts associated with the transport of food.
Dawson Creek will utilize its history and experience as an agricultural community to
transition into an urban food production centre. This will include new and expanded
opportunities for residents, social organizations and small commercial food producers to
participate in a local food sector.
Objectives:
1.
Enhance local food production capabilities in the city as a means of improving individual
and community food security.
2. Further diversify the local economy through the growth and expansion of a local food
sector.
3. Support local food security and supply throughout the winter months.
Policies:
1.
Count food production elements, including but not limited to allotment gardens,
community gardens, green walls (i.e. vertical landscaping), and green roofs, toward or in
lieu of landscaping or screening requirements.
2. Enable community gardens and apiculture uses in all land uses.
3. Support the Dawson Creek Farmer's Market.
4. Develop guidelines for a City policy to enable small scale urban agriculture within City
boundaries, considering such elements as small-scale gardens, apiaries, backyard hens
and food stands.
5. Provide water hook-up and a secure supply storage area for community gardening
groups on public land.
6. Consider planting native and edible plant species in lieu of landscaping in development,
parks, utility corridors, and local rights-of-ways where appropriate.
7. Consider allowing beehives on the roofs of commercial and institutional buildings, and
identifying associated safety requirements.
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8. Continue to promote Dawson Creek as a bat-friendly community and raise awareness of
the Community Bat Program of BC as bats help support local food systems.
9. Integrate local food production opportunities into the economic development related
activities undertaken by the City.
10. Consider allowing commercial gardening activities as a temporary use on vacant parcels.
11. Support local food security by partnering with farmers to find ways to support them and
their livestock throughout the winter seasons.
12. Develop a Local Food Action Plan that considers and addresses the following areas:
a. Assessment of the local and regional agricultural context,
b. Climate change and its effects on local and regional food production,
c. Local food assets, including, but not limited to lands, facilities, local capacity and
programs, related organizations and other food growing assets,
d. Local food production and security gaps and needs,
e. Vision and goals for local food production and security, and
f.
Action plan and implementation to improve local food production and security.
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5.4 Sustainable Waste Management
Solid waste in the City of Dawson Creek is managed by the Peace River Regional District and
collected by the City. The collected solid waste is transferred to the Bessborough Landfill - a
facility owned by the Peace River Regional District. In addition to working with the Peace
River Regional District, the City also offers a variety of waste management solutions,
including curbside recycling and a yard waste drop-off facility.
Objectives:
1.
Reduce the amount of solid waste collected by the City and transferred to local landfills.
2. Increase the lifecycles of existing landfills through the reduction in the amount of waste
transferred to them.
Policies:
1.
Continue to promote and monitor the existing curbside recycling program with
educational tools that all residents have access to.
2. Develop a public education and awareness campaign on the importance and benefits of
composting.
3. Investigate the feasibility of developing a city household organics composting program.
4. Continue to develop educational materials to be distributed to the community that
identify what waste can and cannot be collected by the City to be transferred to landfills.
5. Continue to seek out grant funding and community partnerships to support sustainable
waste management activities, such as recycling, composting and other waste reduction
initiatives.
5.5 Strategies for Climate Adaptation and Resiliency
Climate change is resulting in impacts to communities that include increased shifts in
temperatures, greater instances of extreme weather events and changes in seasonal
precipitation patterns. The implications of climate change on a community are damage to
property and infrastructure from extreme weather events, higher instances of freeze-thaw
periods, degradation of natural ecosystems, changes to local agricultural production and
community health and wellbeing. Minimizing Dawson Creek's contribution to climate
change is a responsibility shared between the City, residents and business community.
Objectives:
1.
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a holistic approach that considers transportation,
utilities, waste management and industry.
2. Prepare the City of Dawson Creek to be able to address the anticipated impacts of climate
change.
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Policies:
1.
Consider developing a Community Energy and Emissions Plan to evaluate the
community's existing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions and develop strategies
for reducing energy consumption and emissions, improve efficiency and increase the
local renewable energy supply.
2. Continue creating awareness on the impacts of flooding and work towards adaptation
planning and mitigating the effects of flooding by conducting assessments to build
resilience through adaptation and implementation by undertaking recommended
actions from those assessments.
3. Seek grants, partnerships, or other alternatives to municipal funding to minimize
greenhouse gas emissions.
4. Retain existing vegetation on land undergoing new construction and development as
much as possible.
5. Improve transportation options to reduce personal vehicle use and related emissions
within the City.
6. Regularly review and update the Climate Adaptation Plan to assess and prioritize future
climate risks and actions across all aspects of Dawson Creek to strengthen community
resilience to future climate risks and includes performance targets and monitoring
activities.
7. Conduct a cost-benefit analysis of long-term climate adaptation measures.
8. Include climate adaptation and resilience in all decision making processes, such as when
undertaking a review of planning and land use development patterns, infrastructure
standards, and flood mitigation policies to ensure adequate climate risk management
and optimization of investment opportunities.
9. Collaborate with senior and regional governments, public agencies, community
organizations, businesses, and individuals for the coordination of climate resilience
planning, policies, and initiatives.
10. Strengthen community resilience by increasing food, energy, and water security.
11. Raise community awareness of climate resilient actions that can be implemented at
home, such as water conservation, FireSmart planning, and on-site stormwater
management.
12. Encourage the Provincial Government to enhance tools, provide information, and support
local governments to better manage climate risks; including but not limited to weather
and climate monitoring, climate projections, design guidelines, and planning support.
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6
Our Plan for Mobility
Getting around the City safely and effectively throughout all seasons is a priority for everyone
who lives in and visits Dawson Creek. It is important to consider the diverse abilities and
mobility preferences of all individuals as transportation networks and transportation options
are developed throughout the City. Providing opportunities for active transportation
connections that link neighbourhoods is a key element of a successful mobility plan for the
city of Dawson Creek.
The City undertook an update to the Transportation Master Plan alongside the update to the
Official Community Plan to guide the development of transportation facilities and
infrastructure. The Transportation Master Plan contains objectives, directions, general
policies, cross-section designs, and a list of improvements related to active transportation,
public transit, parking, and the overall road network. It also includes operational and
management directives to ensure effective planning and coordination in implementing the
plan. The overall vision for transportation in Dawson Creek, as guided by the Transportation
Master Plan is:
Our Plan for Mobility has been designed to reflect the direction of the Transportation Master
Plan and works towards implementing it.
"Dawson Creek's transportation system effectively connects the
community, promoting seamless travel by integrating
transportation infrastructure and planning together. The City
strives to provide year-round maintenance and accessible facilities
so that no matter how residents get around Dawson Creek, the
experience is convenient, safe and smooth.
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6.1 Multi-Modal Road Network
This aspect of mobility reflects the City's desire to continue to build and maintain a safe and
efficient road network that offers residents options for different modes of travel.
Objectives:
1.
Expand the road network to connect existing and future neighbourhoods together, while
meeting future capacity needs for different modes of transportation.
2. Provide Dawson Creek residents with safe and efficient transportation opportunities for
different modes of transportation that are guided by current best practices.
Policies:
1.
Ensure new roads align with the network and strategies outlined in the Transportation
Master Plan.
2. Ensure new infrastructure meets current design standards and best practices, and is
appropriate for all users.
3. Improve intersection operation and safety for key intersections to ensure an acceptable
level of service for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicular traffic alike.
4. Ensure that all local roads have sidewalks and trees on both sides of streets within one
block of lands designated as institutional, particularly for future schools or community
facilities.
5. Ensure that all arterial roads in new developments within the city have sidewalks and
trees on both sides of the right-of-way.
6. Ensure that all local roads in all new developments within the city have sidewalks and
trees on at least one side of the right-of-way.
6.2 Transportation
The City aims to provide affordable and reliable opportunities for the transportation of people
and goods, both internally within Dawson Creek and externally to other communities.
Objectives:
1.
Provide easier access to other Canadian cities through increased air travel opportunities.
2. Advocate for and improve bus service and facilities to enhance public transit as an
accessible and feasible transportation option.
3. Explore ways to engage with and effectively use CN Rail service for the transportation of
goods.
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Policies:
1.
Collaborate with BC Transit on performing regular transit system service reviews.
2. Promote partnerships with BC Transit to increase public engagement in public
transportation planning and identify transit routes and strategies that further increase
ridership.
3. Work with BC Transit to explore other options to create a flexible, accessible, and
affordable public transit system.
4. Explore opportunities to provide a more comprehensive and efficient public transit
system, including the potential for an on-demand service.
5. Investigate the feasibility of providing bus service to Pouce Coupe to promote sustainable
inter-community travel options and consider cost-sharing options for providing this
service.
6. Explore transit shelter funding through BC Transit's "Transit Shelter Program" to fund
priority transit stop improvements.
7. Require transit infrastructure in or adjacent to large redevelopment sites and subdivision
projects where an internal road network and/or a large parking lot is required.
8. Ensure safe and convenient transit stops are located near commercial mixed use,
medium- and high-density residential areas.
9. Continue to ensure that bus stops are accessible.
10. Require interim transit service (such as a private or community shuttle service), at the cost
of the development, where the approved development is not consistent with City transit
planning until public transit service is available.
11. Continue to advocate to airlines to host direct flights from Dawson Creek to major cities
like Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary.
12. Consider reviewing and updating the City's airport-related plans so that short-, medium-,
and long-term development initiatives are explored to meet the current and future
demands related to air travel and the movement of goods by air.
13. Engage with CN Rail on diversified transportation and business opportunities within and
beyond City boundaries.
14. Consider undertaking an assessment on the use and impacts of the railway corridor
within City limits and use the results to explore future rail development opportunities as a
transportation resource.
15. Require new development near the railway corridor to adhere to prescribed setbacks
from railways to prioritize safety and adequate buffering.
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16. Promote walkability and alternative forms of transportation within Dawson Creek to
increase community connectivity by expanding pedestrian infrastructure and ensuring
safe pedestrian crossings of the railway.
17. Continue collaborating with the Ministry of Transportation and Transit to maintain and
make improvements to the Highway 97 N (Alaska Highway) and Highway 2 (Dawson
Creek Tupper Highway) corridors as necessary.
18. Finalize and implement the City's Transportation Master Plan.
19. Explore developer-led car share opportunities for multi-unit housing developments.
20. Support the development of a regional emergency transportation system by partnering
with regional and provincial agencies in the identification of an integrated network of
road, water, and air transport facilities designed to retain functionality following a
damaging climate event.
6.3 Active Transportation
To provide residents with the ability to travel throughout Dawson Creek as pedestrians,
cyclists or by other active means safely and efficiently through the development of a network
of interconnected sidewalks, cycle tracks, multi-use trails, and bikeways.
Objectives:
1.
Develop an interconnected, accessible, multi-seasonal, and safe active transportation
network throughout Dawson Creek.
2. Utilize green corridors and linear parks more effectively to promote healthy
communities by providing options for movement throughout the city.
Policies:
1.
Ensure expansions to the pedestrian, cycling, and multi-use network align with the
Transportation Master Plan and as shown on Schedule C and D.
2. Implement the active transportation elements contained within the City's Transportation
Master Plan, as opportunities arise. highlighting the opportunities for active modes of
travel.
3. Ensure any necessary acquisition of lands to facilitate the development of the trail and
green corridor network shown on Schedule D. These lands may be acquired through
parkland dedication at time of subdivision, donation, land trade, or by cash acquisition.
4. Continue to expand the trail and green corridor network over time by creating
connections to it from residential subdivisions in the north and south.
5. Seek partnerships with local governments of adjacent communities to connect the City's
trail and green corridor network from City limits to other trail networks and corridors
outside the city.
6. Identify mid-block crossings and determine which are necessary and suitable for
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greenway connections. Develop these as a part of an overall trail and green corridor
network.
7. Seek other proposals or uses for mid-block crossings in areas that do not fit within the
proposed City-wide trail and green corridor network.
8. Create the City Trail Loop within the trail network so that active transportation is
connected throughout the city.
9. Where linear parks cannot be acquired through parkland dedication, the City will explore
ways to encourage dedication by compensating property owners when land is made
available for linear parks. Methods of compensation may include but are not limited to:
a. Increased density on the balance of the subject property
b. Density transfer
c. Grants-in-aid
d. Tax exemptions or land trades
10. Consider, in situations where there is a willing seller, the purchase of all or a portion of
properties in high priority access areas where it is unlikely the required land can be
obtained in less costly ways in the desired timeframe. Where land is purchased, funds will
be sought from the following sources:
a. General tax revenue
b. Designated funds approved through referendums
c. Other sources, such as grants
11. Consider alternatives to help offset costs associated with purchasing linear
parks/trailheads. For example, where lots are purchased, and only a portion of the site is
needed for park purposes, the portions not required could be severed and sold to offset
costs.
12. Require new developments to separate sidewalk edges from curbs by including climate
tolerant landscaping or hardscape for the protection of pedestrians.
13. Require combined walking/cycling paths to provide short-cuts connecting new
residential subdivisions and destinations such as schools, transit stops, recreation facilities
and employment nodes.
14. For large redevelopments or subdivision projects where an internal road network and/or a
large parking lot is required, require safe pedestrian walkways through parking areas to
entrances and nearby transit stops.
15. Explore ways new development can improve pedestrian facilities, such as reducing
pedestrian barriers, increasing opportunities for crossing busy roads safely, and providing
direct routes to transit, schools, and businesses.
16. Create a healthy creek and natural areas with the integration of trails for public use in
accordance with the Parks, Recreation + Culture Master Plan.
17. Develop the trail network defined in the Transportation Master Plan.
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6.4 Connecting Neighbourhoods
Create neighbourhoods that link together through interconnected active transportation
infrastructure, providing ease of access for pedestrians and cyclists to move from one
neighbourhood to another.
Objective:
1.
Develop active transportation connections that focus on linking existing and future
neighbourhoods, and public amenities.
Policies:
1.
Ensure that all new subdivisions and neighbourhoods have sidewalks on local roads.
2. Build a multi-use trail network as identified in the Transportation Mater Plan that
connects neighbourhoods in the community, especially those neighbourhoods north of
CN Rail to the neighbourhoods south of the Highway 2 (Dawson Creek Tupper Highway),
Alaska Avenue, and the railway.
3. Develop a wayfinding and signage strategy to address the following:
a. Identifying different neighbourhoods/areas in the City,
b. Wayfinding between neighbourhoods, parks, and public spaces,
c. Making recreational assets better known and providing information for residents
and visitors to easily access and navigate the City's trail network, and
d. Identifying key community gateways, including entrances into Dawson Creek and
the downtown.
4. Explore opportunities to integrate First Nations and Métis language into wayfinding and
signage as appropriate.
5. Require new neighbourhoods or subdivisions to consider ways to enhance connectivity
between neighbourhoods.
6. Require multi-use trails and lanes to link to adjacent major open spaces, parks, schools,
other public institutions, and large activity areas as a priority at rezoning.
7. Ensure new cul-de-sacs incorporate active connections to enable the movement of
people through neighbourhoods.
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6.5 Parking
The provision of parking facilities is necessary to accommodate the needs of motorists, but
can also lead to increased automobile use, underutilized lands and a built form that is
discouraging to pedestrians. The provision of parking must meet basic demands while
encouraging other modes of travel and the development of parking facilities that do not
detract from the urban fabric of the community.
Objectives:
1.
Provide transportation infrastructure that results in a decrease in the use of single
occupancy vehicles and results in a reduction of parking demand.
2. Create more pedestrian-friendly streets.
Policies:
1.
Regularly review the cash-in-lieu of parking mechanism in the Zoning Bylaw to ensure
that it continues to reflect current parking costs to provide parking.
2. Work with employers to encourage and develop incentives for "travelling green", promote
websites that encourage this, and recognize businesses that promote this notion.
3. Consider developing landscaping, lighting, and design standards for surface parking lots.
4. Consider opportunities to share parking between different uses (public or private).
5. Promote the City's trail and green corridor network as an alternative mode of
transportation.
6. Encourage underground, tuck under and rear of parcel parking facilities in new
developments.
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7
Our Plan for Healthy and
Vibrant People
The City of Dawson Creek strives to create a safe, supported, socially connected environment
where people are encouraged to explore their culture and heritage, participate in art and
recreation programming, and attend community-wide events. The City strives to support and
create opportunities for understanding and reconciliation with Treaty 8 First Nations and
Métis communities and be inclusive and welcoming to new residents. The City realizes that
some of the most important community-held values associated with a healthy and
supported community are the affordability and availability of suitable housing and
appropriate infrastructure and planning for current and future residents to healthfully age in
place.
7.1 Social Health and Wellness
A well-developed community affords residents access to needed health and social services,
including childcare, health services, education and poverty supports. Most of these services
are provided by other levels of government and social organizations; however, the City can
play a role in supporting them in delivering services required to maintain a healthy and
happy community.
Objectives:
1.
Continue to build an inclusive, healthy community where people feel socially connected
and have the tools and opportunities to thrive.
2. Support social and non-profit organizations that provide critical services to the
community, such as housing and community living societies.
3. Recognize the social isolation experienced by citizens, especially seniors, and consider
programming opportunities for arts, culture, recreation, and social interaction spaces to
reduce this isolation.
4. Ensure that health and wellness programming within the community remains affordable
and accessible to residents of all ages.
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5. Promote spaces for healthcare services for the community.
6. Support local food security.
Policies:
1.
Investigate and establish policies and guidelines for partial or full property tax exemptions
for properties or buildings owned or leased by non-profit organizations to provide social,
cultural, or recreational services and programs for public benefit.
2. Support the integration of community services, such as places of worship, schools, care
centres, group homes and seniors housing, into residential areas where appropriate.
3. Advocate and support other levels of government and partnerships in the development
of addiction treatment facilities and mental health facilities to provide access to support
and resources for those who need it.
4. Consider developing or providing support for the development of a temporary safe drop-
in space as a community after-care resource for those transitioning out of
addictions/mental health treatment.
5. Continue to recognize and support the important contributions of volunteers and non-
profit groups and agencies that bring significant value to the community.
6. Review and implement the City's purchasing policies to prioritize local social enterprises
in the bid tendering process on purchasing products and services.
7. Consider developing a Youth Advisory Committee or Youth Advisory Council so youth in
the community are engaged in participatory decision making.
8. Advocate to Northern Health to increase accessibility to mental health resources and
health services, including walk-in services.
9. Advocate to Northern Health to continue developing communications and awareness
initiatives that provide a more informed understanding of mental health and substance
use.
10. Advocate to social organizations and Northern Health to increase accessibility of mental
services for youth.
11. Advocate to social organizations and Northern Health to work with neighbouring Treaty 8
First Nations and Métis communities to develop partnerships across regional, provincial
and national organizations to enhance the delivery of culturally informed healing services.
12. Liaise with Northern Health and social service providers to investigate opportunities to
improve program coordination and to enable agencies to meet on a regular basis to
continue co-operation and collaboration regarding community health and wellness.
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7.2 Community Safety
Fostering a culture of safety is the key to encouraging a stronger public presence, which
creates a vibrant and thriving community. This includes designing the built environment to
enhance feelings of security and providing accessible services and spaces where individuals
can find support and protection when faced with real threats.
Objective:
1.
Prioritize community members' safety and security in their homes and their community.
Policies:
1.
Improve city infrastructure as a crime prevention measure, including lighting
improvements along trails, sidewalks, alleys, beautification, and community clean-ups.
2. Advocate to relevant organizations to explore the creation of alternative, community-
based responses (e.g., intervention, outreach and social navigation) to police calls
involving people in crisis.,
3. Advocate to social organizations to support and expand family support services (e.g.,
through a community hub) to promote and strengthen healthy lifestyles and to enhance
child and family development.
4. Advocate to social organizations to create strategies / mechanisms for peer-to-peer (e.g.,
people with lived or living experience) involvement in community safety projects (e.g.,
partnerships with business community).
5. Encourage citizens to create neighbourhood groups to keep an eye on their community
for home and car theft.
6. Utilize Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles in the review
process for rezoning and development permit applications.
7. Advocate to local organizations, School District 59 and Northern Health on initiatives for
informational handouts and advertisements regarding substance use and the negative
impacts they can have on health and well-being to be distributed in places where youth
reside.
8. Provide letters of support to social organizations who are applying for grant funding for
community safety initiatives, if the initiative aligns with the City.
9. Engage community partners like social organizations and RCMP to increase knowledge
and resources for community members and organizations to prevent crime and improve
sense of safety.
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7.3 Arts, Culture and Heritage
Dawson Creek is home to a vibrant artistic community, a growing and diverse population,
and a rich agricultural heritage that has shaped it into the hub of the South Peace region.
These assets all contribute to the quality of life and strong sense of community.
There is an opportunity to further strengthen these assets by undertaking initiatives focused
on showcasing local arts, culture and heritage. This includes recognizing the traditional arts,
culture, and heritage of the Treaty 8 First Nations and Métis people who originally settled in
the Dawson Creek area, and who reside here today. Emphasizing and engaging in different
arts, cultural, and heritage practices will strengthen Dawson Creek as a destination for people
to live, work, play and call home.
Objectives:
1.
Support the growth of the local arts community and the establishment of new spaces for
local art in the community.
2. Continue to support and grow community events within Dawson Creek.
3. Recognize and celebrate Dawson Creek's rich agricultural heritage.
4. Celebrate Dawson Creek's growing diversity and newcomer populations.
5. Partner with diverse cultural and ethnic groups within the community to build cohesion,
educate and engage with residents.
6. Use the cultural framework proposed in the Parks, Recreation + Culture Master Plan to
identify, protect, and enhance buildings, landmarks, views, and places of historical
significance in Dawson Creek.
7. Work with local organizations, non-profits, school groups, Treaty 8 First Nations and Métis
communities to develop arts and culture programming.
Policies:
1.
Identify opportunities to support the arts when making planning, service, and program
decisions.
2. Encourage the use of local art and artists for public art displays within the City.
3. Consider developing a City-owned industrial studio space in the downtown to provide
affordable and accessible studio space for local artists involved in industrial and
fabrication-based arts.
4. Continue to look for opportunities to support and enable live-work studio spaces for
artists.
5. Encourage new major arts activities and events to take place in the downtown.
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6. Work with local cultural organizations to help them acquire spaces to practice cultural
activities.
7. Encourage festivals, events, and activities that showcase year-round the growing diversity
of the community.
8. Work with Treaty 8 First Nations and Métis communities to highlight their contribution to
the history and culture of Dawson Creek.
9. Consider adopting the Cultural Framework proposed in the Parks, Recreation + Culture
Master Plan to support the management of cultural resources.
10. Explore ways to preserve and embrace the agricultural roots and heritage of the city,
including supporting local farmers and ranchers.
11. Consider developing a heritage preservation process to preserve key heritage resources,
such as the art gallery, Northern Alberta Railway Station Museum, the Walter Wright
Pioneer Village, and the Calvin Kruk Centre for the Arts.
12. Consider the development of a Heritage Registry that identifies the City's built, natural
assets and intangible heritage resources, consistent with Local Government Act and
guided by the Park, Recreation + Culture Master Plan. For example:
13. Protect publicly owned properties on the Community Heritage Register through heritage
designation.
14. Introduce a program of heritage incentives.
15. Seek opportunities to designate private properties listed on the Community Heritage
Registry.
16. Invest in Dawson Creek's heritage facilities to make needed improvements to resident
and visitor experiences. Specifically address:
a. The Northern Alberta Railway Station Museum
b. Calvin Kruk Centre for the Arts
c. Walter Wright Pioneer Village
d. Other existing and proposed publicly owned facilities and resources
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7.4 Affordable Housing and Homelessness
Providing affordable housing was identified as a key community priority. Many residents are
struggling to access housing that falls under 30% of their income, the typical measure of
affordable housing. Many others require social housing, which provides them with vital
stability needed to access social programming and employment. There is a broad spectrum
of housing types in the housing continuum (shown below), which should all be included in
the delivery of a community's housing stock.
Figure 1: Housing Continuum Spectrum
Objectives:
1.
Work towards ensuring there is housing stock available for a range of housing needs.
2. Work with partners such as BC Housing and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
and develop partnerships with local non-profit agencies to provide a range of affordable
housing options for residents, with a particular emphasis on rental for low-income
individuals and families, seniors, and those with disabilities.
3. Continue supporting the development of secondary suites or accessory dwelling units as
an affordable housing option.
Policies:
1.
Regularly review and update the composition and state of the City's current housing
stock and provide an inventory of available housing units. Research how the shadow
population is affecting this number and ensure that there are a variety of housing options
available for residents.
2. Regularly review data from Northern Health and BC Housing on current homelessness
statistics to determine what the current homelessness trends are.
3. Become a champion for seeking solutions to address homelessness in the City, and work
with regional, provincial, and organizational partners to make it a priority in the city.
4. Consider providing municipal land at or below market rates for the purpose of creating
affordable, non-market housing.
5. Consider providing parking relaxations or other development incentives for development
proposals incorporating non-market affordable housing.
6. Explore ways to increase affordable rental and special needs/supportive housing -
including seniors' housing - with preference given to locations that include amenities,
and services, including transit.
7. Consider supporting demonstration or pilot projects that showcase affordable residential
applications of energy efficient technology or systems.
Emergency
Shelters
Transitional
Housing
Social
Housing
Affordable
Rental
Housing
Affordable
Home
Ownership
Rental
Housing
Home
Onwership
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8. Consider partnering with other municipalities and the Regional District to establish a
regional housing service that dovetails with municipal reserve funds (where relevant) to
fund regional housing and homelessness initiatives.
9. Encourage residents to consider the development of legal secondary suites or accessory
dwelling units where applicable and as guided by City bylaws to increase dwelling unit
availability and diversity. Partner with Northern Health to develop creative solutions and
improve planning and emergency responses for vulnerable populations. (e.g.,
warming/cooling stations, shelters, and disaster response).
7.5 Inclusivity, Accessibility and Aging-in-Place
Becoming an inclusive community requires focused efforts on ensuring the unique needs of
various demographic groups and persons with mobility challenges are considered and
addressed. Ensuring universal design is integrated into the built environment of a
community is a focal point. This includes improving the accessibility of public facilities,
streets, parks, and buildings in all seasons. Identifying required health and social
programming needs of ageing and disabled populations and finding ways to support that
service provision is vital to creating an accessible community where seniors can age-in-place.
Dawson Creek is a young and thriving community but will see its seniors' population grow in
the future as middle-aged residents age into the seniors' demographic. Being proactive now
in implementing accessibility age-friendly initiatives is the best approach in the long-term as
opposed to being reactive in the future.
Accessible communities also face similar challenges and considerations in their planning.
The Accessible B.C. Act recognizes the following barriers of accessibility; attitudinal, physical,
systemic, technological, sensory, or informational barriers. Dawson Creek is a participant of
the Northeastern BC Collaborative Accessibility Plan created in 2023 and sits on the
Northeast Accessibility Committee.
Objectives:
1.
Improve the ability for seniors and persons with mobility challenges to navigate the built
form of Dawson Creek.
2. Work with service providers and agencies to identify and address service gaps and needs
of seniors in the community.
3. Take an age-friendly approach toward civic affairs that considers the needs of seniors in
decision-making processes.
4. Seek initiatives to improve housing and transportation for seniors and persons with
mobility challenges.
What is aging-in-place?
Aging-in-place is the ability for individuals to maintain a healthy, independent and
autonomous lifestyle in their community regardless of their age or impairments.
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5. Increase the civic participation of seniors in the community when developing and
implementing plans, policies, and programs.
Policies:
1.
Ensure all new developments can accommodate persons with accessibility and diverse
needs.
2. Lead by example in making City facilities and services accessible to all, and promote the
same in all other new developments.
3. Ensure new development accommodates the accessibility needs of wheelchair and
medical scooter users.
4. Develop an Age-Friendly Assessment and Action plan that engages with local seniors and
service providers to identify the needs of local seniors and initiatives to improve their
ability to age-in-place for the following areas:
a. Outdoor spaces and buildings
b. Housing
c. Transportation
d. Social participation, respect, and social inclusion
e. Community supports and health services
f.
Civic participation and employment
g. Communication and information
5. Ensure all new sidewalks, crosswalks and transit stops are constructed for accessibility.
6. Ensure future park and trail plans include accessible infrastructure and improved
lighting.
7. Consider implementing incentives and funding mechanisms to stimulate the
development of accessible and seniors' housing, such as permissive tax exemptions,
density bonusing, reduced parking requirements, and waiving of development fees.
8. Encourage seniors' housing to locate in a 400 m (800 m maximum) walking radius to
services and amenities desired and accessed by seniors.
9. Look for opportunities to develop partnerships between different seniors' and housing
organizations and agencies to combine their assets, resources, and abilities to develop
seniors' housing.
10. Work with service organizations to strengthen awareness of the Shelter Aid for Elderly
Renters (SAFER) program for seniors.
11. Support the development of "adult living" communities, if they meet the following:
a. Have adequate support facilities, such as intermediate and extended care
b. Are connected to the municipal water and wastewater systems
c. Are compatible with surrounding uses in terms of use, scale, and density
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12. Consider developing an Equity and Inclusion Strategy to help address barriers in access to
community services and programs at a municipal level.
13. Advocate to relevant agencies and stakeholders for increased health and social services
for all community members
7.6 Treaty 8 First Nations and Métis Peoples
Dawson Creek is located in Treaty 8 territory and has a large and diverse First Nations and
Métis population residing within the city. Incorporating Treaty 8 First Nations and Métis
culture into the physical landscape, celebrating the different languages and cultures and
working to become more aware of the needs of First Nations and Métis residents in Dawson
Creek will create a more inclusive community. The City maintains that it has a role to play in
reconciliation efforts.
Objectives:
1.
Work to celebrate and incorporate local and regional Treaty 8 First Nations and Métis
culture and history in the community.
2. Foster respectful and mutually prosperous relationships with Dawson Creek's Treaty 8
First Nations and Métis residents and regional communities.
Policies:
1.
Actively promote the involvement of Treaty 8 First Nations and Métis community
members in public celebrations and gatherings as performers, exhibitors, or attendees.
2. Work with local Treaty 8 First Nations and Métis communities to identify opportunities to
align and collaborate service provisions for members, such as education and health
services, between the individual nations, the City and local service providers and
organizations.
3. Continue to work on relationships with neighbouring Treaty 8 First Nations and Métis
communities for economic development opportunities in Dawson Creek.
4. Consider opportunities to name new streets, parks, trails and public buildings with First
Nations and Métis language to celebrate the historic context of Treaty 8 First Nations and
Métis people in Dawson Creek.
5. Investigate opportunities to erect commemorative displays in public buildings that
recognize their location on Treaty 8 lands.
6. Work with Treaty 8 First Nations and Métis people and the Peace River Regional District
to preserve, protect and enhance areas of First Nations and Métis cultural significance in
and around Dawson Creek.
7. Encourage the use of local Treaty 8 First Nations and Métis art and artists for new public
art displays.
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8. Identify opportunities for the inclusion of Treaty 8 First Nations and Métis representatives
on City committees and boards.
9. Partner with Treaty 8 First Nations and Métis communities to create a private inventory of
cultural and archaeological sites in the city to protect these sites from development and
other activities.
7.7 New Residents
Dawson Creek is experiencing growing diversity from newcomers seeking to build a new life
in the community and also continues to maintain a transient population involved in the
region's resource development activities. Providing these new residents with information on
the community and making them feel connected and included in the community will foster
a strong sense of community. This often results in more newcomers settling permanently in
Dawson Creek and eases the transition of newcomers into a new life.
Objectives:
1.
Ease the transition for new residents, including newcomers to Canada, when they settle
in the community.
2. Build an increased sense of personal investment in the community for new residents to
feel connected and a part of the community, and help minimize transient resident cycles.
Policies:
1.
Consider developing a comprehensive online local service and business inventory.
2. Investigate the potential for developing an information resource to be available to new
residents that provides information on the community, local services, recreation and
social opportunities and other key areas.
3. Improve access to, and availability of, information regarding community services. Support
plain language and clear communication for all, including immigrants and new residents,
to create a welcoming and socially inclusive community.
4. Encourage and promote the development of programs such as support groups,
employment assistance, multi-lingual services, and other educational opportunities to
help make the integration process easier for newcomers.
5. Develop a "New Residents" section on the City's website to provide resources to
newcomers in the community.
6. Continue to explore ways to engage and support the newcomer population through City
civic engagement processes and leverage support from the business sector.
7. Work with social agencies and organizations that provide supports and programs to
newcomers to identify ways in which the City can support their efforts.
8. Develop multi-lingual translations for the City's website to increase the accessibility of
core City information.
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7.8 Parks, Recreation and Community Events
Providing opportunities and spaces for residents to stay physically and socially active is vital
to the overall health and quality of life of a community. Access to different activities, events
and spaces that meet the unique needs of different user groups contributes to the overall
livability of Dawson Creek.
Objectives:
1.
Focus on providing programming and social opportunities to meet the diverse needs of
the Dawson Creek community as set out in the Parks, Recreation + Culture Master Plan.
2. Embrace winter planning and programming to encourage physical and social activity
year-round.
3. Continue to expand and maintain the City's trail network as set out in the Transportation
Master Plan.
4. Replace vegetation in conjunction with the development of new trails.
5. Continue to expand and enhance Dawson Creek's parks and open space network as set
out in the Parks, Recreation + Culture Master Plan.
6. Protect natural assets, such as the Dawson Creek corridor.
7. Naturalize parks and areas identified in the Parks, Recreation + Culture Master Plan.
Policies:
1.
Integrate park planning and design with broader community planning initiatives related
to land use, residential development, transportation, and provision of community
amenities, including:
a. Social, celebratory, and contemplative spaces
b. Public art
c. Heritage, the environment, Treaty 8 First Nations, Métis, veteran, and local
immigrant culture
d. Activities and events in the downtown core year-round
2. Prioritize the creation of a public gathering place on City-owned land within the
downtown core that will serve as a community celebration and civic engagement space.
3. Encourage partnerships with community groups and educational institutions to
implement programming within City parks that benefits local neighbourhoods and City
residents.
4. Review the prioritization of recreation amenities and programming from the Parks,
Recreation + Culture Master Plan when planning for new or enhanced amenities and
programs.
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5. Reconnect creeks with public park spaces by providing access to the creek (where
appropriate). Public park spaces could include viewpoints, interpretive signage, bridges,
walking paths, programming or celebratory spots or venues directly adjacent to the
creek.
6. Continue to provide the use of public open spaces year-round for community events and
ceremonies, such as street festivals or park events, as per the Dawson Creek Temporary
Road Closure and Event Manual.
7. Consider organizing a community bulletin or shared column for community groups and
organizations to share their events and activities.
8. Consider engaging with the growing newcomer populations about their needs in relation
to recreation and social activities. Consider opportunities to develop culturally integrative
parks and recreation facilities and programming.
9. Protect creek banks, steep slopes, ravines, and environmentally sensitive areas, and
naturalize key areas and parks in order to do so.
10. Continue to expand the trail and green corridor network as set out in Schedule D.
11. Consider adopting a Parks Classification System as set out in the Parks, Recreation +
Culture Master Plan.
12. Apply universal design and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles
when planning and designing parks and trails.
13. Build upon existing research to investigate opportunities to partner with the Peace River
Regional District and/or the Village of Pouce Coupe to develop and connect trails across
jurisdictions.
14. Consider preparing an annual State of Parks, Recreation and Culture report that includes
information about existing programming and opportunities, research on new trends and
technology, and identifies partnership and funding opportunities.
15. Consider reviewing and updating the City of Dawson Creek Parks, Recreation + Culture
Master Plan every ten years.
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8
Our Plan for Complete and
Inclusive Neighbourhoods
Our neighbourhoods are important places where people should feel connected to their
neighbours, to their direct environment and to their homes. In a northern location where a
colder climate exists for a large part of the year, planning for the enjoyment of all seasons in
our neighbourhoods is key. We strive to have a vibrant downtown, filling empty lots and
unused spaces with new businesses and community art. One of our strengths reported from
community members and visitors alike is our small-town, community feel, and we intend to
keep it that way with place-making and effective neighbourhood planning.
8.1 Planning Our Neighbourhoods
To provide more detailed neighbourhood-level land use planning for areas of undeveloped
land, the City of Dawson Creek will require the completion of a Neighbourhood Concept
Plan. This is a secondary land use plan that supplements the Official Community Plan. Once
completed, Neighbourhood Concept Plans are amended to the Official Community Plan to
ensure that their intent is legally binding.
The development of a Neighbourhood Concept Plan may be triggered by a variety of
conditions including:
-
Whether the proposed development will occur on raw land
-
If the proposed development will see the revitalization of a previously developed area
-
The congruency of proposed future land uses with current Official Community Plan
and Zoning designations in place
Neighbourhood Concept Plans are required for all Development Reserve areas as identified
in the Official Community Plan. The purpose of a Neighbourhood Concept Plan is to provide
guidance and direction on such topics including land use, transportation and parking,
servicing, urban design, housing, community facilities, parks, and recreation.
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Objective:
1.
Establish Neighbourhood Concept Plans that guide development to create
communities and neighbourhoods that are livable, accessible, exemplify good planning
principles and utilize resources and infrastructure in a fiscally sustainable manner.
Policies:
1.
Communicate completed Neighbourhood Concept Plans to citizens.
2. Ensure that Neighbourhood Concept Plans are developed for all development reserve
areas as shown in Schedule B.
3. Ensure Neighbourhood Concept Plans are incorporated into the Official Community
Plan.
4. Consider developing a set of guidelines that guide the development of Neighbourhood
Concept Plans.
8.2 Neighbourhoods for All Seasons
The winter season can present physical, social, and economic challenges for a community. It
also presents immense opportunities to create a thriving winter community through
embracing and capitalizing on the unique features and characteristics of the season. Dawson
Creek experiences a long and hearty winter that consists of low temperatures, snowfall, wind
and wind-chill and low daylight hours. This can present challenges to many residents,
including low-income residents, newcomers, seniors, and individuals with accessibility
challenges.
Traditional city planning, development patterns and civic policies have not responded to
winter conditions. Winter is inherent in Dawson Creek's identity and can contribute to the
livability and overall quality of life experienced in the community. The uncomfortable
elements must be mitigated to enhance comfort for residents to be outside and moving
about the community. The positive elements, such as snow landscapes, must be celebrated
and built on to create a positive winter environment and culture in Dawson Creek.
Objectives:
1.
Celebrate the winter season and grow a winter culture in the community.
2. Plan for and develop neighbourhoods that respond to winter conditions.
3. Capitalize on the unique benefits of winter conditions for recreational, social, and
economic purposes.
4. Mitigate the more severe winter conditions to improve comfort and safety for residents.
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Policies:
1.
Consider hosting special events year-round, including activities organized for the winter
months.
2. Embrace a winter city model of event planning, ensuring that amenities are accessible to
all.
3. Consider developing a pedestrian snow clearing plan to identify key pedestrian routes,
including roads, sidewalks, and trails, within the City that would receive additional snow
clearing and winter maintenance.
4. Encourage new buildings and subdivision layouts to be oriented to capture maximum
passive solar gain.
5. Identify opportunities for strategic investment in infrastructure that mitigates wind and
blowing snow, such as bus shelters, windscreens, and tree planting.
6. Create vibrancy and warmth through the installation of temporary lighting in the
downtown during winter, such as adding lighting and exterior LED Lighting installations
to buildings and infrastructure.
7. Find ways to ensure that new park development incorporates infrastructure and spaces
that are usable during the winter season.
8. Develop a comprehensive Winter Strategy that addresses the following areas:
a. Identifies challenges and barriers experienced by the community in winter
b. Physical environment - improve how the built environment and urban fabric, such
as streets, buildings, public open spaces, and development pattern of the
community respond to winter conditions
c. Social - address winter's effect on the social welfare of the community, including
health, safety, and environmental considerations
d. Economic - mitigate seasonal changes in employment and capture the economic
opportunities brought on by winter
e. Policy - develop and modify the policies and programs that guide the decision
making and service provision of a community to respond to winter considerations
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8.3 Placemaking
Placemaking is the strengthening of connections between people and the places that they
share. It is a collaborative process by which public spaces are reimagined and reinvented by
the community in respect to the physical, cultural, and social aspects that define a place.
Many times, this results in pilot or temporary projects focused on bringing life and vibrancy to
a passive or inactive space. The objective of placemaking is to achieve the maximum shared
value of spaces and places that exhibit the following attributes:
-
They are accessible and well connected to other important places
-
They are comfortable and project a good image
-
They attract people to participate in activities there
-
They are social environments where people want to go to repeatedly
A comprehensive approach to placemaking will help contribute to the livability of Dawson
Creek by creating spaces and places that attract people and showcase the ingenuity and
artistic creativity of the community.
Objective:
1.
Create accessible, connected, comfortable and attractive public spaces that facilitate
social interaction among people.
Policies:
1.
Consider developing an inventory of underperforming public spaces in Dawson Creek
and identify priority spaces to undergo a placemaking process based on "Project for
Public Space" indicators.
2. Encourage short-term experiments that create cost-effective temporary improvements to
public spaces.
3. Continue supporting food fairs and other public events in community facilities, parks, and
rights-of-way, such as car-free street fairs.
4. Develop public outdoor places that support programmed or spontaneous performances,
art installation, and plays.
5. Work with partners to fund a major public art initiative and/or installation in a highly
visible area.
What is Placemaking?
Placemaking inspires people to collectively reimagine and reinvent
public spaces as the heart of every community. Strengthening the
connection between people and the places they share, placemaking
refers to a collaborative process by which we can shape our public realm
to maximize shared value. More than just promoting better urban
design, placemaking facilitates creative patterns of use, paying particular
attention to the physical, cultural, and social identities that define a place
and support its ongoing evolution. (Source: Project for Public Spaces)
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6. Look for opportunities to incorporate Treaty 8 First Nations and Métis art and culturally
based design motifs into public and private developments, with the potential of adding
related guidelines into Development Permit Areas.
7. Consider developing a Placemaking Strategy for the downtown that provides a
framework for undertaking community-oriented design processes to reinvent key spaces
in the downtown to enhance vibrancy and social activity.
8.4 Vacant Lands and Brownfield Development
There are vacant and underutilized lands throughout Dawson Creek, including some that
have been subjected to contamination from previous uses. These lands in their existing forms
detract from the aesthetic, character, and safety of Dawson Creek. They also represent
immense opportunities for infill development and the rebirth of life and activity into inactive
spaces. Developing these sites aligns with a number of community priorities, including
downtown revitalization, efficient growth management, financial sustainability, and
environmental sustainability. This will require a strategic approach to facilitate development
that includes incentives, education and other City supports.
Objectives:
1.
Facilitate the remediation and redevelopment of brownfield lands.
2. Encourage the development of vacant lands in Dawson Creek.
Policies:
1.
Permit temporary or permanent use of City-owned vacant lots for community gardens
and other local food security initiatives.
2. Create an inventory of brownfields and ensure site profiles resulting from development
applications for parcels that indicate contamination or potential contamination are
entered into the inventory.
3. Consider waiving or reducing Development Cost Charges for the remediation and
development of existing brownfields.
4. Consider acquiring strategically located vacant lands that have no continuation for the
purposes of controlling their redevelopment, specifically in the downtown area.
5. Consider interim measures on brownfield sites such as pop-up parks, public art displays,
raised community garden beds to improve community aesthetics and active under-used
spaces.
6. Consider opportunities to work with social housing agencies and housing societies to
acquire and remediate contaminated lands to construct affordable housing with
funding from federal and provincial programs.
7. Consider ways to implement the final concept plan being developed for the vacant
Grandview school site to ensure that future development is inclusive and meets the
needs of the community.
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8. Explore funding opportunities for brownfield planning, environmental assessments,
remediation, and redevelopment.
9. Develop a Brownfield Development Strategy that considers:
a. Existing vacant, underutilized and brownfield inventory in Dawson Creek,
b. Incentives for remediation and redevelopment, and
c. Barriers to redevelopment.
10. Consider beautification efforts such as decorative screening, art and tree coverage along
brownfield sites to improve aesthetics.
11. Consider providing incentives and development tools, such as revitalization tax
exemptions, density bonusing and expedited development approval processes to
facilitate the following types of development on brownfield and vacant parcels:
a. Brownfield remediation and non-industrial use redevelopment,
b. Mixed-use development with ground floor commercial uses, and
c. Neighbourhood commercial uses in existing residential areas.
8.5 Downtown Revitalization
Downtown revitalization can provide a community with numerous benefits, including
economic development, improved quality of life and attractiveness to outside residents and
acts as an anchor towards realizing more efficient and sustainable land use and development
patterns. A vibrant and active downtown can be a catalyst for further infill and densification,
limiting future sprawl and providing the City with fiscal sustainability through an efficient
property tax base.
Proper revitalization of Dawson Creek's downtown must see it become a complete
neighbourhood. This requires a mix of permanent residents, mixed-use development,
businesses that are active past traditional business hours, improved streetscaping and
public spaces that draw people from all over the community. Reinventing the downtown
into the focal point of Dawson Creek and the hub of activity in the community is vital to the
long-term stability and sustainability of the community and a high priority for Council.
Objective:
1.
Continue encouraging the development and redevelopment of the downtown to
support a vibrant community.
Policies:
1.
Undertake a Downtown Revitalization planning process to identify the core downtown
and develop a vision for what a downtown revitalization means for the community.
2. Review the City's Attractions Master Plan and determine what elements should be
incorporated into a Downtown Revitalization Plan that addresses areas such as:
a. Refined land use plan for the downtown,
b. Strategies to facilitate infill development on vacant parcels,
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c. Active and public transportation improvements,
d. Beautification, landscaping, lighting, and downtown park development,
e. Streetscaping and urban design for the public realm,
f.
Incentive options to promote development in the downtown, and
g. Promoting arts, cultural and public art programs.
3. Promote major government offices, professional services and cultural facilities to locate in
the central downtown core.
4. Promote small businesses to locate in the downtown core.
5. Build on existing efforts and focus public realm investments in the downtown to increase
its attractiveness to residents and visitors as a place to work, shop, live, learn, and visit.
6. Encourage the use of international symbols on signs.
7. Continue encouraging the adaptive re-use of heritage and other buildings in the City's
downtown to mixed-use developments.
8. Consider undertaking a pilot project to develop a "green alleyway" in the downtown and
consider hosting "alleyway" or "laneway" community events.
9. Focus development related to culture, arts and civic uses to lands surrounding the Calvin
Kruk Centre for the Arts.
10. Develop guidelines to enable the greening or infill of underutilized parcels in the
downtown that already contain existing development and uses.
11. Promote interim and temporary uses on vacant lots in the downtown, such as outdoor
markets, food trucks, community gardens, temporary parks and other uses that help
activate the downtown.
12. Consider providing capital upgrades to the existing lanes in the downtown to promote
their use for accessing parking facilities located at the rear of downtown parcels.
13. Encourage downtown property owners to engage in shared parking of existing facilities
as a strategy towards reducing the need for surface parking lots in the downtown.
14. Investigate opportunities to work with key downtown stakeholders, property owners and
merchants to establish a Business Improvement Area (BIA) for the downtown.
15. Encourage surface parking lot owners to use a portion of their lot that fronts onto the
sidewalk to host temporary uses, such as food trucks, outdoor vendors, public seating,
and other similar uses.
16. Maintain, enhance, and integrate downtown heritage and character with new
developments and renovations to existing buildings through the building permit process.
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8.6 Municipal Infrastructure, Facilities and Services
Municipal infrastructure, facilities and services provide the community with essential
services. In addition, the City of Dawson Creek also provides infrastructure, facilities and
services that directly benefit industry in and around Dawson Creek. Any enhancement and/or
expansion to infrastructure should take into consideration the impacts that both the
community and industry will have on it into the future. In addition, cost recovery
mechanisms should consider all users.
Objectives:
1.
Efficiently use existing infrastructure while considering the impacts that resource
development has on them.
2. Consider the implications of industry use on the City's infrastructure and facilities.
3. Discourage the extension of the City's infrastructure and services outside of its municipal
boundary.
4. Prioritize sustainable development for the City's new infrastructure and utilities so that
the City remains fiscally sustainable.
5. Continue improving the level and quality of infrastructure and services.
6. Develop and implement a process for managing the City's assets.
Policies:
1.
Discourage any increase in the capacity or extension of municipal services outside the
City's boundary.
2. Support infrastructure and facility improvements that benefit the municipality and
extend the life of infrastructure and facilities.
3. Ensure that any expansion made to municipal infrastructure is undertaken in a cost-
effective manner for all taxpayers.
4. Ensure that any expansion to municipal infrastructure takes into consideration life-cycle
costs and these costs are incorporated in any cost-recovery program.
5. Continue to seek out provincial cost-sharing opportunities, grant funding and potentially
public-private partnerships to reduce the financial impacts on City taxpayers.
6. Ensure that costs of upgrading services are borne primarily by the property owners who
benefit, using development finance tools such as local area services and utility charges.
7. Continue to review water and sewer rates to ensure that they are equitable and able to
cover future maintenance, repair, and upgrade costs in a financially sustainable manner.
8. Consider investigating and implementing options to increase water efficiency for
residents.
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9. Continue to repair and replace water, sewer and storm distribution and collection systems
and roads on an on-going basis.
10. Continue to require improvements to the storm drainage system to be coordinated with
road network improvements.
11. Reduce water use, stormwater runoff and waste generation in municipal operations and
look for opportunities to expand water reuse options.
12. Ensure the continued high-level provision of emergency services, such as fire protection,
policing, and bylaw enforcement to all residents of the City.
13. Provide leadership to property developers by designing water-wise/xeriscape landscaping
for City lands and facilities, such as boulevards, sports fields, and parks, to conserve water
while ensuring proper maintenance and function.
14. Require energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions to be factored in municipal
maintenance and operations and in the purchase of City equipment, vehicles, and tools.
15. Work with partners within and outside of the City to provide space and facilities for three-
stream waste separation (recyclables, organics/compost and residual garbage) at the unit
level, building level, and at the neighbourhood level.
16. Investigate options that encourage developers to dispose of construction and/or
demolition waste from buildings in an environmentally sustainable manner.
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Part 3
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9
Our Plan for Land Use
and Development
As a city, we know there are a range of land uses important to the citizens of Dawson Creek.
Agricultural land is crucial to maintaining the identity and heritage of the region; industrial
uses are important to maintaining the vibrancy of the economy. Well-planned residential
areas, with diverse housing arrangements and abundant commercial opportunities to
support local business and access services, are key for attracting families and allowing them
to thrive in Dawson Creek. Finding an ideal balance of land designations, along with infusing
an ideal amount of park space and well-planned municipal infrastructure is important to
Dawson Creek.
9.1 General
The physical act of land use and development begins with the City's evaluation process in the
development approvals stage. Ensuring these processes are consistent and aligned with
community priorities will ensure that the final built products reflect the broader community
vision and direction and creates a Dawson Creek that has high-quality, visually appealing
developments for all land uses, and that land resources are managed in a manner that
promotes longevity and competitiveness in Dawson Creek. In addition, how land resources
are managed is directly linked to infrastructure and growth, and therefore has a vital role in
the financial sustainability of any community. The land use designations for Dawson Creek is
shown on Schedule B.
Objectives:
1.
Ensure development applications undergo an efficient and consistent approvals process
that aligns with the vision and direction of this Official Community Plan.
2. Prioritize consistent and attractive quality and character in new development that reflects
Dawson Creek.
3. Work toward the efficient use of land, infrastructure, and other resources to
accommodate growth in the community.
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Policies:
1.
Consider development applications submitted to the City with respect to consistency
with future land use designations, policies, the Agricultural Land Reserve, and applicable
Development Permit Area guidelines as outlined in this Official Community Plan.
2. Require development applicants to meet with appropriate City staff prior to application
submission and ensure development applications are efficiently processed.
3. Review the Development Procedures every few years to ensure they are current and
reflect legislative requirements, and outline the various application requirements and
evaluation and approval processes for the following development applications:
a. Subdivision applications,
b. Official Community Plan Amendments,
c. Zoning Amendments,
d. Temporary Use Permits,
e. Strata Title Conversion,
f.
Development Variances,
g. Development Permits,
h. Phased Development Agreements, and
i.
Agricultural Land Reserve Exclusions.
4. Consider Temporary Use Permit applications within the City of Dawson Creek as
appropriate.
5. Recognize that there are no known aggregate sources within the City of Dawson Creek,
but that aggregates are essential to growth and development.
6. Where a property is adjacent to Agricultural Land Reserve land, ensure that
development limits the negative impacts on adjacent agricultural operations by
including appropriate buffers, fencing, and setbacks consistent with the Ministry of
Agriculture and Food's Guide to Edge Planning.
9.2 Agricultural
Dawson Creek's history as an agricultural community was a prominent theme in the
community engagement undertaken for this Official Community Plan and was identified as
especially important to Dawson Creek residents. The agricultural heritage of the area will be
preserved in the future by ensuring existing agricultural land within the City's municipal
boundary retains its agricultural uses. Agricultural Land Reserve exclusion applications to
the Agricultural Land Commission will only be supported in cases where it is necessary to
accommodate development needs that align with the City's long-term land use planning
efforts.
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Objectives:
1.
Protect agricultural heritage, culture, and use in the area, particularly those in the
Agricultural Land Reserve.
2. Collaborate with the Agricultural Land Commission to support shared goals.
3. Ensure the Agricultural Land Commission Act and the Local Government Act are applied
regarding any land use or building application submitted within the Agricultural Land
Reserve.
Policies:
1.
Agricultural uses will be directed to the extent and locations as shown on Schedule B.
2. Encourage and support agricultural uses on lands within the Agricultural Land Reserve
within and adjacent to the City boundary.
3. Consider evaluating every boundary extension request to ensure that the impacts on
agricultural land are minimal and only as needed
4. Consider developing a set of criteria for evaluating boundary extension applications to
ensure a consistent process is undertaken that evaluates the merits of boundary
extensions versus encouraging development to locate on lands already within the city.
5. Collaborate with the Agricultural Land Commission to ensure the development of lands
within the Agricultural Land Reserve designated for future residential, commercial, and
industrial uses occurs in an incremental and orderly manner and happens only when
there are no existing suitable alternative lands.
6. Ensure agriculture is integrated with development at the City's edge such that they are
mutually beneficial. Integration considerations may include land uses, design strategies,
and programs to increase the visibility and experience of urban and regional food systems
for residents, as well as minimize the impacts of residential and agricultural properties
across jurisdictions.
7. Continue to collaborate with the Agricultural Land Commission and the Peace River
Regional District to ensure that the interface between urban and rural areas does not
result in excessive trespass or complaints. Urban/rural interface design policies may
include but are not limited to, transitional densities, fencing, residential building setbacks,
and urban side vegetative buffering.
8. Support agricultural activities in the Agricultural Land Reserve and the mandate of the
Agricultural Land Commission.
9. Recognize that soil removal within the Agricultural Land Reserve is subject to the
Agricultural Land Commission Act.
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9.3 Residential
Dawson Creek will require housing development to accommodate future population growth
and to replace ageing housing stock. Housing is a life necessity and ensuring that there is
access to desired housing by different demographics, family types and income levels is vital
to ensuring the long-term sustainability of a community. Ensuring new neighbourhoods
contain a mix of housing types and architectural stylings will create attractive areas for
people to live in while making efficient use of the City's remaining vacant and greenfield
lands.
Objectives:
1.
Allow the integration of different housing forms in all designated residential areas in a
manner that mitigates impacts between different housing forms to promote a diverse
housing stock.
2. Support residential growth if it addresses common concerns such as parking, emergency
and utility vehicle access, snow removal and storage, walkability, and accessibility.
3. Encourage a diversity of high-quality housing options that meets the needs of all
demographics within the city, including as these needs change over time.
4. Encourage retrofitting older homes to increase accessibility and functionality and
modernize the City's housing stock to better meet the needs of residents today.
5. Ensure that new residential developments integrate with the character of surrounding
neighbourhoods.
6. Encourage the development of all types of seniors' living facilities within Dawson Creek,
from independent living to extended care.
7. Encourage the development of accessible and adaptive housing.
Policies:
1.
Encourage new greenfield development to include a range of housing types that
includes:
a. Single-detached homes with attached or detached suites,
b. Small lot single detached homes,
c. Semi-detached and duplex homes,
d. Ground-oriented multiple unit housing (townhouses, row houses and triplexes),
e. Low-rise multiple unit housing (up to four stories),
f.
Medium and high rise residential (four or more stories), and
g. Mixed use residential with ground floor commercial.
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2. Prioritize infill housing development that:
a. Compliments the general scale, use and character of adjacent existing
development at the street level,
b. Respects existing private outdoor spaces,
c. Is connected to municipal water and sewer systems,
d. Can be supported by neighbouring facilities, such as schools in the infill
development's catchment, and
e. Provides traffic studies as required (for multi-unit infill with 4 units or more).
3. Ensure that required parking areas for multiple-unit residential developments include
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles in their design and
construction.
4. Recognize secondary suites and accessory dwelling units as affordable housing options
that are permitted within identified residential zones in the City Zoning Bylaw.
9.3.1
Low Density Residential
The low-density residential land use designation is designed to facilitate the development of
residential areas containing primarily single-detached residential development with
opportunities for attached and detached suites.
Policies:
1.
Encourage Low-Density Residential as indicated on Schedule B to generally contain
primarily single detached and duplex residential development with a maximum gross
density of 20 units per hectare.
2. Encourage more green space and improved snow storage capacity in new subdivisions.
3. Support the development of detached suites, such as coach houses, on parcels
containing a single-detached dwelling with rear lane access.
4. Encourage the development of attached suites in single-detached homes.
5. Encourage the development of duplexes in the Low-Density Residential land use
designation.
6. Support home-based businesses if they are clearly secondary to the principal residential
use.
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9.3.2 Medium Density Residential
The medium density residential land use designation is designed to facilitate the
development of residential areas containing a mix of single-detached, semi-detached and
ground-oriented multi-unit housing.
Policies:
1.
Encourage Medium Density Residential, as indicated on Schedule B, to generally contain
multiple-unit residential development with a minimum gross density of 20 units per
hectare and a maximum gross density of 45 units per hectare.
2. Encourage more green space and improved snow storage capacity in new subdivisions.
3. Ensure that suites are not developed within duplexes, triplexes, and townhomes.
4. Ensure that individual units, their entries, and private outdoor spaces are designed to
maximize privacy and clearly delineate private and common spaces.
5. Encourage new medium density residential developments to provide rear lane access.
6. Ensure that medium density residential development in the Sunset Ridge-Harvest View
Sustainable Neighbourhood (Appendix A) is developed along arterials and areas adjacent
to mixed-use village centres.
7. Ensure that medium density residential development in the Sunset Ridge-Harvest View
Sustainable Neighbourhood is developed in a manner that contributes to a unified
streetscape and provides ground-oriented units with direct access from the street.
8. Ensure that all homes front the street and have their principal entry onto the street in the
Sunset Ridge-Harvest View Sustainable Neighbourhood area.
9. Consider density bonusing where special needs or affordable housing is provided.
10. Consider the use of medium density residential developments as a buffer between low
density and high-density residential developments.
9.3.3 High Density Residential
The high-density residential land use designation is designed to facilitate the development of
residential areas containing higher density multi-unit developments.
Policies:
1.
Encourage High-Density Residential, as indicated on Schedule B, to generally contain
multiple-unit residential developments with a minimum gross density of 45 units per
hectare.
2. High-density residential developments will be focused in areas located close to the
downtown, identified neighbourhood commercial centres, along transit routes and
major arterial and collector roads.
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3. Consider density bonusing where special needs or affordable housing is provided.
4. Support individual units, including their entries and outdoor spaces, that are designed to
maximize privacy and that clearly delineate private and common spaces.
5. Encourage high-density developments in the Sunset Ridge-Harvest View Sustainable
Neighbourhood to contain a mix of residential, live/work, and commercial uses to a
maximum of six stories in height.
6. Ensure that all homes front the street and have their principal entry onto the street in the
Sunset Ridge-Harvest View Sustainable Neighbourhood area.
7. Encourage more green space and improved snow storage capacity in new subdivisions.
8. Encourage new high-density residential developments to provide rear lane access.
9. Encourage high-density residential to be close to transportation routes and amenities
and services.
9.3.4 Downtown Residential
The downtown residential land use designation is designed to enable a mix of residential
types of different densities through the development of vacant parcels and redevelopment of
single or multiple parcels.
Objectives:
1.
Facilitate the infill and redevelopment of designated lands in the downtown for medium
gross density residential of 20 to 45 units per hectare consisting of a variety of housing
types.
2. Encourage a variety of residential infill development in single-detached dwelling
neighbourhoods surrounding the downtown core.
3. Support the development of a vibrant downtown core.
4. Support parcel amalgamation in the downtown to encourage redevelopment.
Policies:
1.
Apply Intensive Residential Development Permit Area guidelines to all developments
within the Downtown Residential land use designation.
2. Within areas designated for Downtown Residential on Schedule B, only the following
development types are permitted:
a. Single-detached residential with a suite up to a maximum gross density of 20
units per hectare,
b. Duplex residential up to a maximum density of 20 units per hectare, and
c. Multiple-unit residential up to a maximum density of 45 units per hectare.
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3. Encourage more green space and improved snow storage capacity in new residential
subdivisions in the downtown.
4. Encourage new downtown residential developments to provide rear lane access for
multiple-unit residential developments.
9.4 Commercial
Most of Dawson Creek's commercial development is concentrated in the downtown (smaller
retail and office space) and along Alaska Avenue and 8th Street (larger retail, office space,
tourist accommodations and highway commercial). The commercial clustering along major
arterials in Dawson Creek will continue as larger commercial developments require larger
parcels. However, a focus will be put on directing as much commercial development into the
downtown and onto existing underutilized parcels along major arterials.
Objectives:
1.
Recognize the existing commercial businesses that exist within Dawson Creek.
2. Encourage new commercial businesses to move to Dawson Creek.
Policies:
1.
Encourage a range of commercial uses that meet the needs of both residents and visitors.
2. Focus and encourage the establishment of local commercial developments.
3. Support the development of a range of tourism accommodations, services and activities
that cater to tourists.
4. Encourage the development of vacant lands within Dawson Creek.
5. Investigate opportunities to develop brownfield lands within Dawson Creek.
6. Ensure that all new development is visually appealing, well built, and follows the direction
provided by the City through applicable Development Permit Area Guidelines.
7. New commercial developments shall ensure adequate accessibility for vehicles, transit,
pedestrians, cyclists and people of all abilities.
9.4.1
General Commercial
The general commercial land use designation is designed to enable the development of
temporary and permanent general commercial uses to meet the retail, food and beverage,
and personal service needs of the community.
Objectives:
1.
Encourage the temporary and permanent establishment of a range of general
commercial development that meet the needs of the community, including residents
and visitors, such as retail, food and beverage, and personal service establishments.
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2. Limit and focus general commercial development behind highway commercial
developments and along existing commercial corridors and within areas already
developed as auto-oriented retail.
3. Encourage the subdivision and/or infill development of underutilized service commercial
surface parking areas to facilitate new commercial, mixed-use and high-density
residential development on sites such as:
a. Dawson Creek Mall,
b. Alaska Avenue fronting parcels from 13th Street to 8th Street, and
c. Co-Op Mall.
9.4.2 Highway Commercial
The highway commercial land use designation is designed to enable the development and
infill development of Alaska Avenue and 8th Street to accommodate visually appealing
commercial uses that include larger retail and office spaces, tourist accommodations and
services, commercial uses geared toward the travelling public. This includes opportunities to
develop high-density residential development to create a more mixed-use corridor
throughout Dawson Creek.
Objectives:
1.
Limit and focus service commercial development along existing commercial corridors
and within areas already developed as auto-oriented retail.
2. Ensure commercial developments are accessible for seniors and individuals with mobility
challenges.
3. Encourage commercial ventures that promote tourism such as accommodations,
hospitality services and activities.
Policies:
1.
The full range of commercial land uses is permitted in the area designated as Highway
Commercial on Schedule B subject to the policies contained in this section.
2. New highway commercial developments shall ensure adequate accessibility for vehicles,
transit, pedestrians, and cyclists.
3. Highway-oriented service commercial uses may be permitted within existing commercial
areas along Highway 97 N (Alaska Highway), the Highway 97 S (John Hart Highway),
Highway 2 (Dawson Creek Tupper Highway), and 8th Street as shown on Schedule B.
4. Encourage new large-scale visitor accommodation to locate adjacent or within proximity
to existing commercial areas.
5. Encourage boutique hotels and other smaller visitor accommodation forms, such as
hostels, that are unable to locate in the downtown due to lack of available land, to locate
near the downtown, such as adjacent to the Northern Alberta Railway Park.
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9.4.3 Village Commercial
The village commercial land use designation is designed to enable the creation of complete
and walkable neighbourhoods by providing opportunities to develop small scale retail, food
and beverage and personal service-oriented commercial developments that function as
neighbourhood hubs in new and existing residential areas. This may include mixed-use
development that includes residential components combined with the permitted
commercial types in the village commercial designation.
Objectives:
1.
Enable all residents to access village commercial areas within a 5- to 10-minute walking
radius from the place of residence.
2. Promote complete neighbourhoods and enhanced walkability through the strategic
development of village commercial areas.
Policies:
1.
Encourage the establishment of neighbourhood-scale food vendors, including grocery
stores and eating establishments.
2. Village commercial areas identified on Schedule B will generally meet the following
requirements:
3. A village commercial establishment will not exceed 1,000 m²
a. Contain uses restricted to neighbourhood pubs, personal services, small retail and
grocery and other similar uses, and
b. Be located centrally within residential areas or on corner parcels adjacent to an
arterial or collector road.
4. Encourage the infill and development of existing parcels designated as village
commercial prior to designating new areas as village commercial.
5. Require village commercial buildings to be oriented along the adjacent sidewalk,
including on corner parcels and have their principal entry onto the street.
6. Require village commercial uses to provide required parking at the rear of the parcel
whenever possible.
7. Ensure that village commercial developments accommodate ground-floor commercial
development along all street frontages and residential uses above commercial uses.
8. Ensure buildings are stepped back from the street to minimize the impacts of height and
to facilitate views and solar exposure.
9. Ensure that village commercial developments are small in scale, local in nature and
pedestrian-oriented. Vehicle-oriented commercial uses, such as drive-through businesses
and service stations are discouraged.
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10. Provide alternative means for residents to get around within village commercial areas,
and to travel between village commercial areas and other neighbourhoods in the city.
9.4.4 Downtown Mixed-Use
The downtown mixed-use land use designation is designed to enable the creation of a
complete and vibrant downtown neighbourhood through the development of pedestrian-
scaled and higher density forms of commercial, residential, and mixed-use developments.
Objectives:
1.
Create a downtown core area that accommodates a variety of commercial and residential
mixed-use developments to create a thriving and active downtown.
2. Prioritize the development and redevelopment of parcels within the downtown mixed-
use designation as shown on Schedule B.
Policies:
1.
Encourage amalgamation of parcels to accommodate larger office/hotel/mixed-use
projects.
2. At the street level, uses are required to emphasize employment generating uses, such as
retail, office, cultural, service, entertainment, and/or institutional uses, in mixed-use
buildings within the downtown and along major corridors including 10th Street and 102nd
Avenue.
3. Encourage larger office developments that provide over 1,000 m² of leasable space to
locate in the downtown on vacant lots, underutilized lots, and surface parking lots along
103rd and 104th Avenue and Alaska Avenue from 12th Street to 8th Street. Consider providing
reduced parking requirements, allowing shared parking facilities, and meeting parking
requirements through on-street parking to facilitate larger office development in the
downtown.
4. Encourage boutique hotels and other smaller visitor accommodation forms, such as
hostels, to locate in the downtown.
5. Allow standalone medium and high-density multi-unit development in the downtown.
6. Encourage the development of industrial studio spaces in the downtown that contain
industrial and fabrication-based processes, such as sculpting, painting, textile
development, woodworking and ceramics, provided that they are not adjacent to single-
detached housing.
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9.4.5 Mixed-Use
The mixed-use land use designation is designed to encourage the creation of complete and
vibrant neighbourhoods through the development of pedestrian-scaled and higher density
forms of commercial, residential, and mixed-use developments.
Objectives:
1.
Create an area that accommodates a variety of commercial and residential mixed-use
developments.
2. Prioritize the development and redevelopment of parcels within the mixed-use
designation as shown on Schedule B.
Policies:
1.
Encourage amalgamation of parcels to accommodate larger office/hotel/mixed-use
projects.
2. Encourage the development of industrial studio spaces in the mixed-use designation that
contain industrial and fabrication-based processes, such as sculpting, painting, textile
development, woodworking and ceramics, provided that they are not adjacent to single-
detached housing.
3. Support the continued redevelopment of lands for commercial use that complement
adjacent residential areas.
4. Limit mixed use development to small-scale retail businesses, convenience stores,
personal service uses (e.g. spas, barber shops, laundromats), and other similar small-scale
commercial amenities that provide limited-service functions for surrounding
neighbourhood residents.
5. Support small mixed use areas designed to support local convenience shopping needs in
locations that serve specific residential neighbourhoods.
6. Establish building forms that are compatible with the scale of the surrounding residential
areas.
7. Encourage mixed use property owners to provide frontage landscaping that buffers
residential uses from mixed use development where possible.
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9.5 Industrial
Industrial development in Dawson Creek is largely oriented towards natural resource
development, agriculture, and their supporting industries. There are three primary industrial
nodes in the community that contain a mix of light and heavy industrial uses in the
northwest, east and southeast portions of the city. Industrial development provides the City
with a strong property tax base while acting as employment generators for the community.
Ensuring sufficient availability of industrial land is important to sustaining the local economy
and fiscal stability of Dawson Creek.
9.5.1
Light Industrial
The light industrial land use designation is designed to enable the development of industrial
development that does not create significant impact on adjacent properties, such as noise,
odour or increased heavy truck traffic. Light industrial development can be buffered easily
from adjacent conflicting land uses and are smaller in scale than heavy industry.
Objectives:
1.
Maintain and encourage light industrial uses within the City as key employment nodes.
2. Create smaller, more compact light industrial "Districts" within the City for light
manufacturing, research, studio space, and business office use.
3. Ensure adequate buffering between industrial lands and residential lands.
Policies:
1.
Infill of existing industrial areas will be encouraged before creating new, undeveloped
industrial areas except where land trade or sale would promote more desirable compact
light industrial centre locations.
2. The development of light industrial land uses will be on lands designated as Light
Industrial on Schedule B.
3. Encourage new light industrial development to locate in the following areas:
a. The area north of the exhibition grounds,
b. The Airport Industrial Park, and
c. The industrial area on the west side of Dawson Creek in the Highway 97 S (John
Hart Highway)/Dangerous Goods Route (DGR) intersection area.
4. Light industrial uses should only be permitted to the extent that they do not generate any
significant noise, odours, toxic waste or increased heavy truck traffic associated with
heavy industrial uses.
5. Encourage the subdivision of underutilized light industrial parcels for new development
and permit panhandles for subdivided parcels that do not front onto an existing
maintained City road to provide road access.
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6. Encourage the amalgamation of existing parcels and/or parcels that intend to subdivide
an underutilized portion out of the existing parcels to facilitate infill of existing light
industrial areas.
7. Promote the development of industrial studio spaces in light industrial areas that contain
industrial and fabrication-based processes, such as sculpting, painting, textile
development, woodworking, and ceramics.
8. Consider permitting smaller minimum parcel sizes and increased parcel coverages for
light industrial parcels that contain non-typical industrial type uses, such as research
facilities, office parks, industrial studio spaces and live-work industrial shops and studios.
9. Promote the development of business centres that incorporate a mix of research and
light manufacturing and business offices in light industrial areas, with landscaping and
buffering on main roads to visually buffer industrial activities from vehicular and
pedestrian traffic.
10. Promote renewable and/or energy efficient practices in local industries.
11. Encourage industrial buildings to be visually appealing (is this measurable).
9.5.2 Heavy Industrial
The heavy industrial land use designation is designed to enable the development of
industrial development that may result in impacts to adjacent properties or uses that are not
easily mitigated. Heavy industrial is clustered away from residential uses and buffered from
residential areas by non-residential land uses.
Objective:
1.
Maintain and encourage heavy industrial uses within municipal boundaries to locations
that do not adversely affect adjacent land uses and the City's overall air quality.
Policies:
1.
The development of heavy industrial uses will be designated to areas identified on
Schedule B as Heavy Industrial.
2. Heavy industrial uses are required to be connected to the City's full range of municipal
servicing and developers must pay for upgrading and extensions of the services required
to provide new industrial developments with the required servicing.
3. Council may consider heavy industrial developments with self-contained servicing
systems under the condition that they receive approval from the appropriate authority,
for example, the Northern Health Authority for septic tank installation.
4. Access to heavy industrial areas and related development will not be routed through
residential areas or through areas intended for future residential development.
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9.6 Civic and Institutional
The civic and institutional land use designation is designed to enable the development of
institutional uses that provide services to the community, including hospitals, public health
facilities, community centres, provincial government buildings, schools, cemeteries,
community care facilities and cemeteries.
Objectives:
1.
Maintain and enhance civic and institutional uses within the City.
2. Ensure there is sufficient land available to meet the current and future needs of the
community.
3. Develop a downtown civic and cultural hub.
4. Continue to support high quality civic and institutional facilities and services in Dawson
Creek to enhance the quality-of-life experienced in the community
Policies:
1.
Promote provincial government offices, cultural facilities, museums, and other similar
type uses to locate on lands adjacent and near the Kiwans Performing Arts Centre to
develop a downtown civic hub.
2. Encourage government offices to locate above the ground floor to promote active
ground floor uses in the downtown.
3. In collaboration with School District 59, and as required, coordinate the acquisition of land
for the development of school facilities.
4. Maintain a sufficient level of service for fire protection and upgrade facilities as required.
5. Consider developing and implementing a School Site Acquisition Charge for different
types of residential development to contribute to the cost of developing new schools.
6. Investigate opportunities to develop community uses into new civic and institutional
developments, such as daycares, recreation facilities and other similar community uses.
7. All new civic and institutional facilities are required to ensure waste reduction, recycling
and reuse programs are in place to eliminate or delay the need for expanding existing
waste landfills.
8. Encourage the development of joint use agreements with institutional and civic facilities
to enable community uses of those facilities outside of office and school hours.
9. Permit community care facilities in both institutional and residential designated areas.
10. Support the continued inclusion of religious and related facilities in residential
neighbourhoods.
11. Allow permits for cultural centres and community centres within residential and
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commercial areas of the community.
9.7 Municipal Infrastructure and Facilities
The municipal infrastructure designation is meant to accommodate the development of
public utilities and related facilities required to provide necessary municipal services, such as
water treatment and wastewater treatment facilities. This designation also includes
municipally-owned properties that house City Hall, the Kenn Borek Aquatic Centre, the
Memorial and Kin Arenas, and other recreation facilities. The City of Dawson Creek's
municipal infrastructure is shown on Schedules B, D, E, F, G and H.
Objectives:
1.
Expand municipal infrastructure and develop new municipal facilities where appropriate
and financially feasible.
2. Ensure the security of the City's municipal infrastructure and facilities amid the
continuous demands of industry on municipal infrastructure - particularly water and
sanitary sewer.
Policies:
1.
Continue to ensure that municipal infrastructure is buffered from adjacent land uses.
2. Ensure long term financial planning and community planning is completed to support
the City's level of service and provision of facilities.
3. Continue to provide high-quality municipal facilities within Dawson Creek.
4. Ensure that new public municipally-owned facilities are universally accessible and include
public safety design measures.
5. Continue to strategically enhance and expand the City's municipal water infrastructure.
6. Continue to develop the City's raw water infrastructure to provide high-quality water
services to Dawson Creek.
7. Continue to address the deficiencies that exist in the City's sanitary sewer and storm
infrastructure, as identified in master plans completed by the City.
8. Continue to improve the City's stormwater system to minimize the impacts of major
storm events because of rainfall or rapid snowmelt.
9. Continue to undertake flood mitigation studies and initiatives and implement key
recommendations from such documents to reduce the risk and severity of flooding to
Dawson Creek property owners.
10. Ensure all future, and existing, public utilities make concerted efforts to provide adequate
screening through landscaping, tree retention, fencing and earthworks such as berming.
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9.8 Parks, Natural Areas and Trails
The parks, natural areas and trails use designation is meant to accommodate the
development of parks, trails, natural areas, and recreation facilities that are heavily linked to
the overall quality of life in Dawson Creek.
Objectives:
1.
Ensure efficient use and balanced distribution of park and recreational uses across the
City to meet residents' needs.
2. Expand the City's trail and green corridor network to provide safe, alternative recreational
and commuting routes and connects neighbourhoods.
Policies:
1.
Adopt the park classification system set out in the City's Parks Recreation + Culture
Master Plan:
a. City Wide,
b. Neighbourhood Hubs,
c. Nature Retreats,
d. Local Amenities,
e. Urban Experiences, and
f.
School Sites.
2. Continue to acquire land along the entire length of the Dawson Creek portion within the
City boundary for the establishment of a fully intact nature retreat across the city.
3. Develop a trail system that connects existing parks and residential areas to the Dawson
Creek nature retreat to provide active transportation access to the Dawson Creek nature
retreat for all existing residential areas.
4. Ensure equitable geographic distribution of neighbourhood, community, and City-wide
park facilities. Park and recreational needs should be accessed through an analysis of
population demographics, geographic location, walkability, existing parklands, and
recreation needs of the community.
5. Look to establish partnerships with recreational facilities owned and/or operated by other
agencies including the School District; cooperate in funding and sharing of recreation
facilities where feasible and appropriate. Use joint agreements to define development,
maintenance and operating arrangements for recreation facilities and amenities.
6. Ensure all new park acquisition maximizes opportunities for programming (events,
interpretative, recreational services, etc.) in alignment with the Parks, Recreation + Culture
Master Plan and that programming relates to, or supports, existing adjacent uses.
7. Identify opportunities to use existing City-owned property, including land trade or sale for
equivalent purchase (no net loss) of parklands that expand existing park areas or create
more logical boundaries in more logical locations.
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8. Consider the establishment of an optimal tree cover target to be achieved on public and
private property and provide incentives to residents and developers to achieve that target.
9. Update the preferred tree species list to encourage the planting of trees suitable to our
northern climate.
9.8.1
Parkland Acquisition
Ensuring there is a sufficient supply of parkland to accommodate existing and future
demands will be essential to continuing to maintain a good standard of outdoor and
recreational opportunities for residents. The following is a strategy for the City to acquire
parkland in the future.
Objective:
1.
Evaluate opportunities to acquire land for park use to meet the needs of current and
future residents.
Policies:
1.
Acquire parkland through both the 5% parkland dedication for subdivision and cash-in-
lieu options.
2. Do not accept environmentally sensitive and undevelopable hazardous areas as lands
that can contribute to the required 5% parkland dedication for subdivision.
3. Consider opportunities to use the 5% parkland dedication for subdivision to obtain land
corridors for the development of trails and linear parks that connect to the Dawson Creek
linear park.
4. Ensure neighbourhood plans for new subdivisions locate larger parks centrally within the
subdivision area and locate neighbourhood parks in an even peripheral manner around
the subdivision area.
5. Work with the development community and property owners to acquire undevelopable
natural areas for the intent of establishing nature retreats.
6. Consider developing a Park Development Cost Charge for the intent of acquiring
parkland.
7. Ensure that all park acquisitions are accessible to all residents, and do not discriminate or
exclude socially disadvantaged, people with disabilities and the elderly.
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9.9 Development Reserve
Within the City of Dawson Creek there exist three larger tracts of land that are currently
undeveloped but suitable for future development. These areas are located adjacent to the
City's boundaries. An additional large undeveloped area exists, but because it is a floodplain,
it is not suitable for development. Collectively, the three developable areas have been
identified as development reserves and are shown on Schedule B.
The development reserve land use designation is meant to ensure efficient and harmonious
development and growth patterns and to ensure that any development in these areas is well-
planned and thought out in advance of development activities occurring in these areas.
Planning considerations include designing complete neighbourhoods that are connected to
the remainder of the community and consider neighbouring development, both within the
City of Dawson Creek and that located adjacent to the City in the Peace River Regional
District. In addition, financial considerations must be made, by both the developer and the
City with respect to on-site and off-site costs, as well as future operations and/or maintenance
costs that will need to be borne. These developments will require collaboration with other
relevant jurisdictions and agencies, including local governments and provincial agencies,
particularly when areas of consideration border multiple jurisdictions.
Objectives:
1.
Ensure the orderly development of lands designated as Development Reserves in
Dawson Creek, taking into consideration sound planning principles.
2. Ensure adequate reserve lands for future growth in Dawson Creek.
3. Require that a Neighbourhood Concept Plan be undertaken for each development
reserve area prior to any consideration being given for Official Community Plan
amendments.
Policies:
1.
Development reserve lands will be designated to the extent, uses and locations as shown
on Schedule B.
2. Development reserve lands will not be considered for development unless the current
land needs required to accommodate different land uses cannot be met by the City's
existing vacant lands. Any future designation of additional development reserve lands
that are currently designated as Agricultural Land Reserve is subject to approval by the
Agricultural Land Commission.
3. To advance development, Neighbourhood Concept Plans must be prepared for all
development reserve areas.
4. Upon the adoption of a Neighbourhood Concept Plan as an amendment to the City's
Official Community Plan, those development reserve lands will be redesignated to other
Official Community Plan designations.
5. Infrastructure, other service provisions, and development cost recovery tools must be
considered to encourage the logical and sequential pattern of development within
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Dawson Creek.
6. Develop a public consultation guide for the creation of Neighbourhood Concept Plans to
provide guidance to the process, content, and requirements.
9.9.1
Development Reserve One - East Dawson Creek
This development reserve area is in northeastern Dawson Creek, north of 96th Avenue and
east of 6th Street. This development reserve area is bordered on two sides by the Peace River
Regional District and is just under 32 ha in size. This land is currently vacant and is shown in
the image below.
Image 1: Development Reserve One - East Dawson Creek
It is intended that this land would accommodate a range of residential development, with
higher density development closer to key collector roads, such as 8th Street and 96th Avenue,
and lower density development towards the edges of the community. It is also anticipated
that these lands would incorporate parks and open spaces areas and preserve viewscapes
out toward the northeast and across the city to the southwest. This area may also incorporate
small-scale mixed-use village centre commercial development.
Objectives:
1.
Ensure that development in this area occurs in a logical manner guided by sound
planning principles.
2. Require the completion of a Neighbourhood Concept Plan prior to any development
occurring on the site.
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Policies:
1.
Require that any development concepts for this area follow the direction set forth in the
Neighbourhood Concept Plan as amended to this Official Community Plan and includes
the following components:
a. Residential, consisting of a mix of densities and parcel sizes, encompassing low,
medium, and high density residential,
b. Commercial, limited to small-scale mixed-use village centre commercial,
c. Parks and open spaces,
d. Landscaping, and
e. Supports multi-modal transportation opportunities, with a special focus on
walkability, cycling and pedestrian linkages.
2. Require that any development concepts for this area follow any Neighbourhood Concept
Plans that have been prepared.
3. Require commercial and park components to incorporate public seating, pedestrian-
scaled lighting, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design and elements that
enhance the winter experience.
9.9.2 Development Reserve Two - Woodlands
This development reserve area is in southwest Dawson Creek, south of 116th Avenue and west
of 13th Street. This development reserve area is bordered on one side by the Peace River
Regional District and is just over 53 ha in size. This land is currently vacant and is shown in the
image below.
Image 2: Development Reserve Two - Woodlands
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It is intended that this land would accommodate a range of residential and commercial
development. It is anticipated that the southern portion of this development reserve area
would accommodate highway commercial development along the Dangerous Goods Route
(DGR). Moving northward across this development reserve, development would transition to
medium density residential development followed by low-density residential development. It
is also anticipated that these lands would incorporate parks and open spaces and preserve
the viewscapes across the City to the northeast and to the southwest.
The first phase of development has been removed from this Development Reserve and is
identified in Schedule B. This phase of development includes Low, Medium, and High Density
Residential - including secondary suites within the medium and high density land uses as
well as Park, Natural Areas, and Trails. Phase 1 is also anticipated to include the development
of commercial uses such as restaurants, day-cares and seniors housing.
Objectives:
1.
Ensure that development in this area occurs in a logical manner guided by sound
planning principles.
2. Require the completion of a Neighbourhood Concept Plan prior to any development
occurring on the site.
3. Ensure that any development in this area is complementary to the existing development
around this area, particularly to the north and east.
Policies:
1.
Require that any development concepts for this area follow the direction set forth in the
Neighbourhood Concept Plan as amended to this Official Community Plan and includes
the following components:
a. Residential, consisting of a mix of densities and parcel sizes, encompassing low,
medium, and high density residential,
b. Commercial, consisting of primarily highway commercial development,
c. Parks and open spaces,
d. Landscaping, and
e. Supports multi-modal transportation opportunities, with a special focus on
walkability, cycling and pedestrian linkages.
2. Encourage commercial development to locate along the north side of the Dangerous
Goods Route.
3. Encourage higher density forms of residential development to buffer lower density
development from commercial development.
4. Encourage higher density forms of residential development to locate close to key
collector roads.
5. Require commercial and park components to incorporate public seating, pedestrian-
scaled lighting, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design and elements that
enhance the winter experience.
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9.9.3 Development Reserve Three - 17th Street
This development reserve area is in southwest Dawson Creek, north of 116th Avenue and west
of 17th Street. This development reserve area is bordered on two sides by the Peace River
Regional District and is just over 32 ha in size. This land is currently vacant and is shown in the
image below.
Image 3: Development Reserve Three - 17th Street
It is intended that this land would accommodate a mix of primarily medium and high-
density residential development. Some small-scale mixed-use village centre commercial
development may occur. It is also anticipated that these lands would incorporate parks and
open spaces and preserve the viewscapes across the City to the northeast and to the
southwest.
Objectives:
1.
Ensure that development in this area occurs in a logical manner guided by sound
planning principles.
2. Require the completion of a Neighbourhood Concept Plan prior to any development
occurring on the site.
3. Ensure that any development in this area is complementary to the existing development
around this area, particularly to the north and east.
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Policies:
1.
Require that any development concepts for this area follow the direction set forth in the
Neighbourhood Concept Plan as amended to this Official Community Plan and includes
the following components:
a. Residential, consisting of a mix of densities and parcel sizes, encompassing low,
medium, and high density residential,
b. Commercial, limited to small-scale mixed-use village centre commercial,
c. Parks and open spaces,
d. Landscaping, and
e. Supports multi-modal transportation opportunities, with a special focus on
walkability, cycling and pedestrian linkages.
2. Encourage higher density forms of residential development to locate close to key
collector roads.
3. Require commercial and park components to incorporate public seating, pedestrian-
scaled lighting, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design and elements that
enhance the winter experience.
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10 Development Permit Areas
A municipality uses development permit areas to further regulate specific aspects of
development. This is undertaken through legislation set out in the Local Government Act.
Development permit areas can be designated for the following reasons:
a. Protection of the natural environment, its ecosystems and biological diversity,
b. Protection of development from hazardous conditions,
c. Protection of farming,
d. Revitalization of an area in which commercial use is permitted,
e. Establishment of objectives for the form and character of intensive residential
development,
f.
Establishment of objectives for the form and character of commercial, industrial, or
multiple unit residential development,
g. Establishment of objectives to promote energy conservation,
h. Establishment of objectives to promote water conservation, and
i.
Establishment of objectives to promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
The City of Dawson Creek has identified several development permit areas that it feels are
important to apply additional development guidelines to. Specific guidelines for the
implementation of development permit areas can be found in the City of Dawson Creek
Zoning Bylaw.
The Local Government Act states that if a property is situated within an identified
development permit area, the property owner is required to obtain a development permit
prior to the subdivision of land, construction of, addition to or alteration of a building or
structure on the land, or the alteration of land within a designated development permit
area. In some situations, exemption provisions may apply.
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10.1 Natural Hazards Development Permit Area
10.1.1 Justification
Pursuant to the Local Government Act, the purpose of this designation is to establish
objectives for the following:
-
Protection of the natural environment, its ecosystems and biological diversity,
-
Protection of development from hazardous conditions, and
-
Protection of farming.
The Natural Hazards Development Permit Area encompasses several areas within the City of
Dawson Creek that have the potential to constrain or have impacts on development. These
constraints are shown on Schedule I. These include areas primarily prone to flooding,
unstable or eroding lands extending along ravines, bluffs, rock faces and shorelines
influenced by water. Over the years, the City of Dawson Creek has experienced a number of
extreme flooding events which has resulted in significant infrastructure and property
damage within the City.
While development could occur within this development permit area, it would require
extensive protective measures to reduce negative impacts because of the natural hazards
that these areas are prone to. The City of Dawson Creek envisions that the lands within this
development permit area will continue to be undeveloped, to protect both the properties
and the natural environment.
The objectives of this designation are to:
-
Ensure that these areas are generally protected from development activities,
-
Regulate development on lands of natural hazard to avoid property loss and maintain
bank stability,
-
Retain the natural features of these areas, and
-
Ensure that, where necessary, the design of development accommodates measures
to protect the development from any natural hazards that may occur.
These objectives provide the basis for a set of design guidelines to be applied to all
development within the Natural Hazards Development Permit Area, as illustrated on the
Development Permit Area map (Schedule J).
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10.2 Downtown Core Development Permit Area
10.2.1 Justification
Pursuant to the Local Government Act, the purpose of this designation is to establish
objectives for the following:
-
Revitalization of an area in which commercial use is permitted, and
-
Form and character of commercial, industrial, or multiple unit residential
development.
The Downtown Core Development Permit Area is located around 102nd Avenue between 17th
Street and 6th Street. This area is the core of Dawson Creek and the hub of the community.
Many events occur in the downtown core and the City is working hard to refresh and
revitalize the downtown. It is envisioned that this area will continue to be developed and
redeveloped as appropriate to provide a range of small-scale commercial, community
facilities such as public plazas and spaces, and housing options in an area that encourages a
pedestrian-friendly and walkable environment.
The objectives of this designation are to:
-
Contribute to the downtown's unique identity and sense of place,
-
Create a vibrant, compact, walkable, accessible downtown with high-quality design
and construction,
-
Ensure that developments are compatible in scale, form, and character with the
existing community and consistent with the desired future direction of downtown
and
-
Ensure that, where necessary, the design of development creates a suitable transition
between adjacent different land uses or residential densities.
These objectives provide the basis for a set of design guidelines to be applied to all
development within the Downtown Mixed-Use land use designation. The Downtown
Development Permit Area is illustrated on the Development Permit Area map (Schedule J).
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10.3 Commercial Development Permit Area
10.3.1 Justification
Pursuant to the Local Government Act, the purpose of this designation is to establish
objectives for the following:
-
Revitalization of an area in which commercial use is permitted, and
-
Form and character of commercial, industrial, or multiple unit residential
development.
The Commercial Development Permit Area is located throughout the City of Dawson Creek
and encompasses all commercial land uses within the City. This development permit area is
intended to ensure that commercial development is undertaken in a manner that results in
high-quality, visually appealing developments that encourage the establishment of new
business and retention of existing businesses, local shopping opportunities and provides for a
safe, accessible, and attractive environment for residents and visitors.
The objectives of this designation are to:
-
Ensure that all new commercial developments meet a high standard of visual quality
and a high standard of construction quality,
-
Improve the appearance of commercial properties in Dawson Creek, and
-
Ensure that safe and efficient access is provided.
These objectives provide the basis for a set of design guidelines to be applied to all
development within the General and Highway Commercial land use designations. The
Commercial Development Permit Area is illustrated on the Development Permit Area map
(Schedule J).
10.4 Major Corridor Development Permit Area
10.4.1 Justification
Pursuant to Section 488 of the Local Government Act, the purpose of this Development
Permit Area is to establish the objectives for the following:
-
Form and character of commercial, industrial or multi-family residential development,
-
Protection of the natural environment, ecosystems, and biological diversity, and
-
Protection of development from hazardous conditions.
The Major Corridor Development Permit Area applies to all major entrances to the City of
Dawson Creek, including Highway 97 N (Alaska Highway, Highway 97 S (John Hart Highway),
Highway 2 (Dawson Creek Tupper Highway), Highway 49 (Spirit River Highway) , and the
Dangerous Goods Route (DGR). The Major Corridor area generally accommodates light-
industrial developments in a low-density area but could also be low-industrial within a higher
density downtown area. The intent of this development permit area is to enhance all
entrances into the City by making them welcoming and visually appealing while recognizing
the primarily large industrial nature of these entrances. The Major Corridor Development
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Permit Area also generally accommodates more industrial development which includes
lower scale buildings, reduced lot coverages, and more on-site storage requirements.
The objectives of the Major Corridor Development Permit Area are:
-
Protect the visual corridor of Dawson Creek along Highway 97 N (Alaska Highway) ,
Highway 97 S (John Hart Highway), Highway 2 (Dawson Creek Tupper Highway)
(Highway 2), Highway 49 (Spirit River Highway), and the Dangerous Goods Route
(DGR) and enhance the appearance of other developments fronting these major
corridors, and
-
Ensure that, where necessary, there is a suitable transition between neighbouring
land uses and permit areas.
These objectives provide the basis for a set of design guidelines applied to all development
within the Major Corridor Development Permit Area, as illustrated on the Development
Permit Area map (Schedule J). If parcels are to be subdivided within this Development
Permit Area, only parcels and sections fronting the identified major corridors should be
maintained under these guidelines.
10.5 Multi-Unit Residential Development Permit Area
10.5.1 Justification
Pursuant to the Local Government Act, the purpose of this designation is to establish
objectives for the following:
-
Form and character of intensive residential development, and
-
Form and character of commercial, industrial, or multiple unit residential
development.
Multi-unit residential developments can have significant positive impacts on the surrounding
area, including aesthetics, traffic generation and creating neighbourhoods. Applying design
guidelines can enhance an area with respect to aesthetics, crime prevention, transportation
and mobility, passive and active recreational opportunities and thereby result in a higher
quality of life for residents in multi-unit residential developments.
The objectives of this development permit area are to:
-
Emphasize building and open space designs in a manner that enhances pedestrian
mobility, accessibility, amenities, and safety,
-
Ensure that multi-unit developments are attractive and compatible with the
surrounding area through siting, design, and exterior finishing, and
-
Ensure that, where necessary, the design of development creates a suitable transition
between adjacent different land uses or residential densities.
These objectives provide the basis for a set of design guidelines to be applied to all
development within the Medium and High-Density Residential land use designations. The
Multi-Unit Development Permit Area is shown on the Development Permit Area map
(Schedule J).
City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025
98
10.6 Intensive Residential Development Permit Area
10.6.1 Justification
Pursuant to the Local Government Act, the purpose of this designation is to establish
objectives for the following:
-
Revitalization of an area in which commercial use is permitted,
-
Form and character of intensive residential development, and
-
Form and character of commercial, industrial, or multiple unit residential
development.
Intensive residential developments can have significant positive impacts, particularly in the
downtown of a community, where they are able to bring new vitality to an area by the
presence of residents at any time of day. Applying design guidelines on intensive residential
developments enables an area to be enhanced visually and with respect to transportation
and mobility options, the creation of unique residential development options, passive and
active recreational opportunities, and the ability to live, work and recreate within the centre of
a community. All these factors help increase the quality of life for residents.
The objectives of this Development Permit Area are to:
-
Provide for opportunities to create innovative housing options for residents wishing to
live in downtown Dawson Creek,
-
Ensure that intensive residential developments are attractive and compatible with the
surrounding area through siting, design, and exterior finishing,
-
Create a vibrant, compact, walkable, accessible downtown with high-quality design
and construction,
-
Emphasize building and open space designs in a manner that enhances pedestrian
mobility, accessibility, amenities, and safety, and
-
Ensure that, where necessary, the design of development creates a suitable transition
between adjacent different land uses or residential densities.
These objectives provide the basis for a set of design guidelines to be applied to all
development within the Downtown Residential land use designation. The Intensive
Residential Development Permit Area is shown on the Development Permit Area map
(Schedule J).
10.7 Exemptions to Development Permits
Exemptions to development permits are listed in Section 1.3 of the Development Permit Area
Guidelines, which form Appendix B of Zoning Bylaw No. 4582, 2024.
City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025
99
11 Implementation and Monitoring
This Official Community Plan provides a long-term vision for the City of Dawson Creek and
goals and policy guidance to achieve this vision. For the Official Community Plan to be
effective, it is important that municipal decision-making and policy implementation are
consistent with the objectives and commitments laid out in this Official Community Plan.
This approach provides direction and assurance to the City's residents, partners, and
stakeholders alike.
While this Official Community Plan has a long-term horizon looking towards the year 2044
and beyond, it is also important that the Official Community Plan is considered a "living
document". Thus, the Official Community Plan will be amended from time to time rather
than a static document. Caution should be exercised in ensuring that any amendments
made to the Official Community Plan are in the best interests of the community. As such, it is
recognized that the Official Community Plan will be amended from time to time as the
community evolves, needs change, and new opportunities emerge. The key will be for Official
Community Plan amendments to benefit the community.
As a result of Bill 44 and the Province's shift to more pro-active planning, a series of new
requirements have been legislated. The Local Government Act now stipulates that a local
government must receive a Housing Needs Report on or before December 31, 2028, and
every fifth year after that date. The Local Government Act also requires local governments to
plan for these updated housing needs by reviewing, and if necessary, updating and adopting
an Official Community Plan to reflect the most recent Housing Needs Report. With each
review and update of the Official Community Plan, public involvement will be essential in
keeping the Official Community Plan relevant and alive.
This section identifies some of the key methods in which the Official Community Plan will be
implemented and monitored. None of this section's contents are meant to be obligatory or
all-encompassing. The contents are intended to be illustrative and provide tangible paths for
the different individuals and organizations to follow, whose involvement will be required in
many ways to see the implementation of this plan.
City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025
100
11.1 Implementation
There are many strategies that can be used to implement this Official Community Plan
including:
-
Zoning Bylaw,
-
Fiscal program,
-
Municipal leadership, and
-
Public awareness, involvement, and volunteerism.
11.1.1
Zoning Bylaw
The Zoning Bylaw is one of the primary tools used to implement the plans and policies in an
Official Community Plan. Amendments to the Zoning Bylaw will be necessary to ensure it
remains consistent with the directives set forth in this Official Community Plan with respect
to land uses, densities and building heights. The City of Dawson Creek is planning to review
and update its Zoning Bylaw upon the adoption of the Official Community Plan. This review
is necessary as the City has identified a number of areas of improvement for the Zoning
Bylaw and it must also ensure the Zoning Bylaw is compatible and consistent with this
Official Community Plan.
11.1.2
Fiscal Program
Many of the policies contained within the Official Community Plan rely on the expenditure of
City funds for implementation. The City's financial plans and annual reporting must reflect
the policies of the Official Community Plan. Ensuring that the City's Official Community Plan
considers and reflects the fiscal reality of the City, and that the City's fiscal program is in
alignment with the Official Community Plan will help implement the Official Community
Plan in a fiscally responsible and sustainable manner.
11.1.3
Municipal Leadership
The City can demonstrate leadership by leading through example. The actions of the City can
benefit from assessing current practices and evaluating if any practices are
counterproductive to the achievement of the community's vision as described in this Official
Community Plan.
Reports to City Council should include a section that describes their relation and
relevance to the Official Community Plan. Furthermore, the City could highlight in the
Annual Report the various Official Community Plan initiatives that the City has
undertaken each year; this will increase the recognition of this important policy
document and communicate the City's actions towards implementing it.
City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025
101
11.1.4 Public Awareness, Involvement and Volunteerism
The update of this Official Community Plan required significant community involvement in
the summer of 2024 and the effective implementation of this Plan will also require
community involvement. In addition, the successful implementation of the Official
Community Plan will require building public awareness and understanding of the objectives
and policies within the plan. The City of Dawson Creek will be proactive in expanding and
enhancing its communications and public engagement practices in the implementation of
this Official Community Plan.
While the City of Dawson Creek has a key role in the effective implementation of this Official
Community Plan, public involvement is also critical to ensuring maximum benefits are
achieved by the community, while minimizing potential negative impacts. The individual
contributions of community members will have a significant impact on the City's successful
implementation of this Official Community Plan. Residents, business owners, employees,
property owners, developers and others all play a role through their individual and collective
actions. This will occur at multiple levels of community life including individual actions,
participation at public events and developments that meet public objectives. Volunteerism is
woven throughout these levels and the City will need to utilize its volunteer base and
capitalize on its growing efforts. The coordinated results of these groups will enable the City
to successfully implement its Official Community Plan.
11.2 Monitoring
To meet the demands of the goals and policies identified in the City of Dawson Creek Official
Community Plan, incremental actions are required to make progress. These actions will be
integrated into the Monitoring Framework. The Monitoring Framework will be a supporting
tool that brings together the City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan with actions that
the City, may consider for the future. As the City moves forward, strategic planning will be
crucial.
Over the lifespan of the City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan, the Monitoring
Framework will be developed over the course of three phases:
Phase 1: Annual Monitoring
The annual monitoring of the Official Community Plan is intended to highlight to Council,
city staff and the public how the City has made progress in implementing that important
policy document, utilizing data over the course of the year to provide a clear indication of
performance. The annual monitoring of the Official Community Plan will also provide insights
into the need for minor amendments for consideration. It is anticipated that the annual
monitoring will be integrated into the City's Annual Report.
Phase 2: Create a Library of Actions
The Library of Actions will provide a pathway for meeting the goals and policies within the
Official Community Plan. It will outline a path for each policy within the Official Community
Plan identifying a timeline, action to complete the goal or policy and any collaboration
needed amongst internal city departments. This will be a separate companion to the Official
Community Plan document.
City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025
102
Phase 3: Develop Evaluation Mechanism
In conjunction with the development of the library of actions, city staff will create a
mechanism to evaluate the actions and further contribute to a more comprehensive
monitoring and evaluation program. The evaluation mechanism will help staff to assess the
overall success and impact of the Official Community Plan and provide important insights
into how gaps and challenges can be addressed. This will be a separate companion to the
Official Community Plan document.
Objectives
1.
Use the phases of the Evaluation Framework to create actions the City will consider to
meet the goals and policies in the City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan.
2. Use the phases of the Evaluation Framework as a tool to monitor and communicate
trends and progress about the Official Community Plan to the City of Dawson Creek
Council and staff.
Policies
1.
Use the Evaluation Framework to review goals and policies within the Official
Community Plan through annual monitoring.
2. Use the Evaluation Framework to remove outdated actions, adjust existing actions or
incorporate newly identified actions.
3. Communicate the findings of the annual monitoring report and 5-year review to City of
Dawson Creek Council and staff.
11.3 Amending the City of Dawson Creek Official Community
Plan
The City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan provides a vision for moving forward to a
brighter future for the City of Dawson Creek. Community input shapes the goals and policies
to forge a future path.
Although the pathway is clear, there is an understanding that new conditions, issues or
opportunities may arise that require amendments to the plan to reach new and innovative
progress. Change is part of growth and can accelerate progress towards the goals of a
successful community for all City of Dawson Creek residents and visitors.
Objectives
1.
Updates to the Official Community Plan will be made in a meaningful way to ensure that
the plan remains innovative and meaningful.
2. Opportunities for the consideration of amendments to the City of Dawson Creek Official
Community Plan will be supported in efforts to remain relevant and meet the needs of
valued community members.
City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025
103
Policies
1.
Consider including amendments that support the objectives and policies of the Official
Community Plan and provide a clear rationale for these changes.
2. Reviews amendment applications of the Official Community Plan and consider whether
application trends warrant shifts to the direction of the Official Community Plan in
updates or reviews
City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025
104
12 Glossary
Affordable Housing means housing that does not cost more than 30% of the median
household income.
Agricultural Land Reserve is a collection of land in BC where agriculture is recognized as the
priority use and non-agricultural uses are controlled. In British Columbia, the Agricultural
Land Reserve covers approximately 47,000 km2 and includes both private and public lands.
The reserve is administered by the Agricultural Land Commission.
Apiculture means the raising and caring of bees.
Brownfield/Brownfields means abandoned, vacant or underutilized property where past
actions have resulted in the actual or perceived contamination of the property.
Complete Neighbourhood means a neighbourhood where one has safe and convenient
access to the goods and services needed in daily life. Complete neighbourhoods include a
variety of housing options, grocery stores and other commercial services, schools, parks, open
spaces and recreational facilities, affordable active transportation options and civic amenities.
An essential element of a complete neighbourhood is that it is built at a pedestrian scale and
meets the needs of people of all ages and abilities.
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design means a multi-disciplinary approach to
discouraging criminal behaviour through environmental design. Crime Prevention Through
Environmental Design relies on the ability to influence decisions that precede criminal
activities by affecting the built, social, and administrative environments.
Development Permit Area means a specific area with a set of development regulations
designed to achieve specific purposes as set out in the Local Government Act. Development
Permit Area guidelines are a flexible tool that provide Council with the ability to exercise
discretion in granting or refusing a development permit on a case-by-case basis. Any
City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025
105
proposed building and subdivision within a Development Permit Area requires a
development permit.
Downtown means the area located between 13th Street and 8th Street, south of Highway 2
(Dawson Creek Tupper Highway)/Alaska Avenue (encompassing NAR Park) to Kin Park.
Economic Development is the process of improving the economic well-being and quality of
life of a community in several ways. Elements of economic development can include creating
new and higher paying jobs, reducing poverty, increasing service offerings in a community,
economic diversification and financial sustainability. Economic development requires
collaboration from different community stakeholders such as local and regional
governments, the business sector, and nonprofit organizations.
Employment Lands means lands which accommodate business clusters and economic
activities including, but not limited to, manufacturing, warehousing, offices and
associated retail and ancillary facilities. Employment lands may also include commercial
or industrial parks.
Environmental Sustainability is responsibly and thoughtfully interacting with the natural
environment to reduce the depletion or degradation of natural resources to meet current
needs while ensuing the long-term viability and availability of those resources for the future
generations.
Fiscal Sustainability is the strong management of civic finances and sufficient development
cost recovery which ensures that a community has the resources required to maintain
acceptable service standards, while continually investing in new physical and social
infrastructure. This enables communities to maintain and further grow high quality of life for
its residents.
Green corridor means urban right-of-ways such as streets or alleys that, through a variety of
design and operational treatments, give priority to multi-modal transportation, open and
green spaces, and stormwater management. Design and operational treatments may
include street trees, planters, landscaped islands, and street furniture as a means of
improving the pedestrian experience, slowing vehicle traffic, and managing stormwater.
Green Space means publicly owned parkland that is generally undeveloped and does not
support a significant amount of use. Green spaces may include small grassed and/or treed
properties or boulevards that do not have trails or recreation amenities. These areas
contribute to the visual character of the community.
Greenfield Development means the development of large parcels or multiple lots that are
undeveloped land.
Gross Density means a measurement unit that is typically applied to residential areas. It is
often measured in the number of residential dwelling units per hectare.
Infill means the planned development of empty lots, underused or rundown buildings and
other available space within a developed area for such uses as commercial buildings and
housing.
City of Dawson Creek Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4620, 2025
106
Linear Park means a park that is long or linear in nature and may connect to other similar
parks. When two or more linear parks are connected, they are called greenways. Often, a trail
system is incorporated into a linear park.
Mixed Use means development that is characterized by two or more different land uses.
Typically, mixed-use consists of commercial development on the main or ground floor, with
residential development above the commercial uses. Mixed-use developments support a
more pedestrian-friendly environment.
Neighbourhood Concept Plan means a secondary land use plan that supplements the
Official Community Plan and is amended to it. Neighbourhood Concept Plans are created to
provide neighbourhood-level land use planning for key areas within Dawson Creek, including
servicing, layout, built-out, and ultimate development of each area.
Neighbourhood Park means a park that is designed to serve a catchment area like that of an
elementary school. Neighbourhood parks typically include play equipment, pathways, open
grass, and seating, and are usually accessed by walking. Neighbourhood parks are intended
to form the visual, physical, and social focus of the neighbourhood.
School Sites means the green space portion of public school sites. School sites have parklike
values because many school sites are used as de facto parks outside of school hours.
Streetscaping means the natural and built fabric of streets, the design quality of streets and
their visual effect. This concept recognizes that a street is a public place where people can
engage in various activities. Streetscapes and their visual experience influence public places
where people interact and help define a community's aesthetic quality, economic activity,
health, and sustainability.
Up-zoning means the practice of changing the zoning in an area typically from residential to
increased commercial use. Up-zoning allows for greater density in an area, which may result
in other outcomes, such as increased traffic.
Urban Reserve means First Nations reserve lands located within municipal boundaries.
Urban reserves would comprise land purchased through funds made available to First
Nations from specific claim and Treaty Land Entitlement settlements.
Winter City means an approach to land, policy and community development that recognizes
the importance of and incorporates the social, physical, and economic elements of winter
planning into the planning and implementation of community projects, initiatives, and
priorities.
SUNSET RIDGE - HARVEST VIEW
SUSTAINABLE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
January 2009
FINAL DRAFT
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Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
This document outlines Dawson Creek's first official sustainable neighbourhood plan
to be adopted within the Official Community Plan as a bylaw amendment.
This sustainable neighbourhood plan marks a shift in planning for the City. Until now,
the form and character of existing and proposed land use and servicing requirements
in the City of Dawson Creek (at the neighbourhood scale) were made by policy
framework set at a City-wide scale in the Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 3550.
PLAN FORMAT
This document is organized as follows.
Overview of Neighbourhood Planning:
-
A definition of a neighbourhood plan, benefits to
neighbourhood planning and its relationship to other plans and
City-wide initiatives, in particular, its significance for and within
Dawson Creek's move towards a sustainable city.
Part A - Land Use:
-
The vision and land use planning concept.
Part B- Development Policies:
-
Development policies for circulation, infrastructure services,
parks, community, culture and phasing of development.
SUNSET RIDGE - HARVEST VIEW
SUSTAINABLE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
3
OVERVIEW
5
Definition of a Neighbourhood Plan
5
Benefits of Neighbourhood Planning
6
Planning Context and Principles
6
Neighbourhood Plan Implementation
9
PART A - LAND USE PLAN
1.0
Land Use Plan
13
Planning Area
13
Unique Site Opportunities
13
2.0
Illustrated Plan and Neighbourhood Vision
17
Neighbourhood Vision
17
Design Concept Statement
17
3.0
Land Use, Density & Housing
20
Objective
20
Policies
20
PART B - DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
4.0
Access & Movement
34
Objective
Policies
5.0
Infrastructure & Services
45
Objective
Policies
6.0
Parks, Community & Culture
51
Objective
Policies
7.0
Agricultural Land Edges
56
Objective
Policies
8.0
Phasing
60
Objective
Policies
LIST OF FIGURES
Neighbourhood Planning Diagram
5
Planning Area and Land Use Allocation
7
Neighbourhood Planning Context & Area
16
Land Use Designation & Density
22
Illustrated Concept Plan & Vision
18
Circulation
36
Parks & Trails
52
Phasing
60
APPENDICES
Appendix A
Recommended Stormwater Management for Residential
61
Appendix B
Preliminary List of Tree Species Suitable for Planting in Dawson Creek
63
Table of Contents
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Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
DEFINITION OF A NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
A neighbourhood plan is a statutory planning
document, adopted by council as policy or an
amendment within the Official Community Plan
(OCP).
The neighbourhood plan is different than an OCP. It
outlines a vision for a neighbourhood with greater
detail on -
-
land use and land use policies
-
circulation or network
-
parks and open space
-
infrastructure and servicing
In turn, this informs what happens in the planning
area with respect to -
-
zoning and rezoning
-
development permit areas & guidelines
-
subdivision and development
OVERVIEW
NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
(Specific Area in the CIty)
OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN
(OCP) - City Wide Document
Adopted
within the
OCP
SUBDIVISION &
DEVELOPMENT PLANS
Community Engaged
Process
CITY PLANNING PROCESS
LAND DEVELOPMENT
(landowners and developmers)
work with the City and provide -
Figure 1. Neighbourhood plans are the responsibility of the City and involve community engagement
and resident support. They are not a plan for subdivision and development.
A neighbourhood plan
is a statutory planning
document, adopted by
council as policy or as
an amendment within
the Official Community
Plan (OCP).
1 The Official Community Plan (OCP) is established under Section 875, Part 26 - Planning and Land Use Management of the Local
Government Act of BC.
1
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Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
BENEFITS OF NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNING
A neighbourhood plan provides the policy framework
to facilitate and coordinate development. It provides
residents and City Council with a degree of certainty
about the vision, form and character in the planning
area regardless of land ownership or when the
development occurs.
In addition to defining major land use patterns,
transportation corridors, and preliminary
infrastructure servicing, this neighbourhood plan also
provides the opportunity to -
-
set a precedent for engaging citizens in
neighbourhood planning
-
showcase the City's move towards
sustainability
-
establish guidelines and a policy
context for subsequent neighbourhood
planning
-
provide a framework within which
adjacent landowners can cooperatively
work towards the implementation of
this neighbourhood plan
-
ensure and plan a major growth area in
the City
PLANNING CONTEXT AND PRINCIPALS
The 124 hectare (306 acre) planning area is located
at the northern edge and municipal boundary of the
City as outlined in Figure 2 - Planning Area and Land
Use Allocation.
Neighbourhood planning
provides the opportunity
to ask residents how they
envision the City's future
development to occur.
Overview
Photo: Peace Photographics
7
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
Figure 2. Planning Area and Land Use Allocation - modified from South Peace Comprehensive Development Plan.
II
I
Land Use Allocation Area
8
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
South Peace Comprehensive Plan
The planning area is one of six areas in the "Land
Use Allocation Plan" contained in the South Peace
Comprehensive Plan that is designated for residential
development. The area is ranked as "more favourable"
for the feasibility of servicing, and is given priority -
along with one other site - for development phasing
in Dawson Creek's Official Community Plan (OCP).
Dawson Creek Sustainable Planning Initiative
The planning concept for Sunset Ridge-Harvest
View area is rooted within Dawson Creek's larger
Sustainable Planning Initiative. The goal of this
City-wide initiative is be a visionary City that works
together for innovative social, cultural, economic and
environmental vitality.
The overall design and policies for the Sunset Ridge-
Harvest View neighbourhood are guided by this
planning initiative and its following goals, which were
developed as a part of a separate, public visioning
consultation process.
City Wide Sustainability Goals
1)
Create a compact complete community
2)
Develop an environmentally-friendly,
community-oriented transportation system
3)
Increase energy efficiency and the use of
renewable energy
4)
Use water responsibly and efficiently to ensure
a clean and sustainable supply
5)
Enhance green space to support both
community and ecological uses
6)
Encourage vibrant arts and culture
7)
Foster social well-being through health,
housing and education
Overview
Neighbourhood planning is
guided by Dawson Creek's
overarching Sustainability
Planning Initiative.
9
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
8)
Encourage participation in civic issues through
an open and accountable municipal
government
9)
Foster robust economic development that
supports the community's goals
10)
Increase reuse of resources and decrease
waste
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
PLAN
The neighbourhood plan will be adopted by council
as an amendment within the Official Community Plan.
The details of the plan will be implemented through
a range of statutory and non-statutory mechanisms
available to the municipality, namely the planning
& engineering approval processes. Decisions with
respect to these approvals should conform to the
planning goals, policies and guidelines contained
in this Plan and are consistent with the Official
Community Plan (OCP).
Land Use Bylaw
The land use bylaw is the primary tool available for
the implementation of statutory plan policy. The land
use bylaw establishes a system of land use districts,
related development regulations and standards for
all land in the City. New provisions to the land use
bylaw may be required to incorporate innovative
development.
Subdivision Approval
Subdivision approval is a legal process involving the
creation of individual titled lots and rights of way
from large parcels of land. The Local Government Act
Overview
NEIGHBOURHOOD
PLANNING
Implementation:
Rezoning & Land Use Designation
Land Use Bylaws
Sub-Division Approvals
10
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
and the Subdivision and Development Bylaws provide
the legislative authority for subdivision approval.
Application for subdivision will require, among other
things, a subdivision development plan covering
the particular title that is being subdivided. The plan
should identify lot dimensions, development setback,
registered rights of way, easements as well as other
requirements deemed appropriate by the approval
authority.
Service Agreements
Service agreements are a contractual agreement
entered into between landowners and/or the City and
landowners/developers.
Service agreements ensure that -
-
infrastructure installed to serve a proposed
development is constructed to municipal
standards and;
-
a fair arrangement is negotiated for all land
owners covered by the neighbourhood plan.
Service agreements require on site and off site costs
associated with servicing new developments with
new roadways and infrastructure to be borne to the
developer through development cost charges and
levies. These agreements are required as a condition
of most subdivision approvals in accordance with the
Local Government Act.
Service Agreements for Sunset Ridge - Harvest
View Neighbourhood
For the Sunset Ridge - Harvest View Neighbourhood,
the City will require servicing plans as part of the
Overview
11
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
subdivision and development plan.
Servicing plans should address:
-
sanitary,
-
storm water, and
-
potable water supply servicing requirements.
Detailed engineering design drawings and
accompanying specifications that confirm the design
of the infrastructure required to service each specific
stage of development. These drawings must comply
with the neighbourhood plan contained herein and
municipal standards, unless otherwise agreed upon
by the City (as may pertain to the development or
piloting of new standards).
In addition, the City will require a separate legal
agreement (in perpetuity) be established between
landowners covered by the neighbourhood plan.
The purpose of this agreement will determine
the fair distribution of infrastructure costs and
amenities required to facilitate the neighbourhood
plan development and secure designated land
areas for stormwater drainage. This may be in the
form of payment to the landowner(s) of which own
the land areas that are designated for stormwater
infrastructure and drainage. In exchange, the land
owner of designated drainage areas must register the
land area to municipal ownership and management
for dual benefit of landowners. The responsibility
of preparing this agreement will be that of the
landowners with guidance offered by the City, if
required. This agreement should take into account the
land value (developable land), cost of infrastructure
and legal costs.
Additionally, landowners will be required to secure
necessary covenants on the land title for those land
areas designated for park dedication and agricultural
land buffer.
Overview
Servicing Plans Address:
-
sanitary
-
stormwater
-
water
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Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
Agricultural Land Reserve
The neighbourhood planning area is currently
designated as Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR)
and is therefore governed by the Agricultural
Land Commission Act (ALCA). Under Section 882
(3) (c) of this Act, a local government must refer
the neighbourhood plan (as a part of the official
community plan) to the Commission for comment, if
the plan applies to land in an ALR established under
the ALCA.
The City of Dawson Creek has notified the
Commission of plan preparation early in the process.
Consultation and referral of early plan drafts may
be followed by meetings, as necessary, between
the Commission and Board or Council if necessary.
The plan will be referred to the ALC immediately
following first reading. The Commission will then
advise on whether the plan is consistent with the
Act, regulations and orders of the Commission, and
may or may not require specific changes to make it
consistent.
Overview
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Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
1.0 Land Use Plan
PLANNING AREA
Sunset Ridge-Harvest View Neighbourhood is located at the northern edge and municipal
boundary of the City. The 124 hectare (306 acre) site is bounded by three major roads:
Imperial Road to the north; 17th Street to the west; and 8th Street to the east. The first two
roads also represent a point of division between agricultural and residential land uses. See
Figure 3 - Planning Area & Context.
UNIQUE SITE OPPORTUNITIES
The following unique site aspects were identified by residents early in the planning and
design process. As a result, these became opportunities for the neighbourhood planning
vision.
Solar Aspect & Views
PART A - LAND USE PLAN
The neighbourhood is situated at a topographic high point and has some of the best
southern views into and across the City. With its southern aspect, the area receives a
greater amount of sunlight year round than most other areas in the City, which provides
opportunity for active and passive solar heating. As such, homes located here should be
solar ready.
14
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
Slope and Drainage
Land Use Plan
The site is well drained. Due to the south sloping terrain, rainwater drains to the south
east corner and natural ravine area off-site. This has caused some incidents of flooding
in adjacent residential areas. Development on this site must ensure remediation of
flooding issues and restoration of the natural drainage system.
Cultivated Land
The site is currently used for agriculture. Given housing prices in the region are
high and world energy costs continue to rise, the development of this site presents
opportunities to explore new housing typologies suitable to a range of family sizes
that are more affordable and sustainably developed.
15
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
An Edge to Agricultural Land
Land Use Plan
The site is directly adjacent to agricultural land. This constrains the development of the
site because it must take into account this character and place. It also is an important site,
in that, it must take into account the transition between urban and agricultural land uses.
This presents opportunities to explore innovative options for edge design and celebrate
former agricultural use.
8th St
17th St
Planning Area
Boundary
Municipal
Boundary
Imperial Road
17
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
Figure 3 - Planning Area & Context
2.0 Neighbourhood Vision
NEIGHBOURHOOD VISION
Respect and integrate natural site systems with
development and community to create a characteristic
and functional place that maximizes site opportunities
and celebrates its cultural and ecological context.
DESIGN CONCEPT
Guided by Dawson Creek's sustainable planning
principles, the neighbourhood seeks to layer and
integrate natural site characteristics and systems with
community needs and development infrastructure.
The Plan responds to a growing regional demand
for mid-density, more affordable housing forms and
takes advantage of the opportunity provided by those
densities to promote walking, cycling, and transit.
Thus, residential development is organized around a
central village area adjacent to a school reserve site
and destination park linked by a network of multiple
road and trail connections through the neighbourhood.
The neighbourhood focuses on a mix of housing
types arranged to maximize great views and take
advantage of passive solar gain. Street layout follows
natural contour lines that avoid difficult topographical
variation. Streets located in water catchment areas
with high volumes (downslope) have swales and are
designated as 'stormwater streets'. Swales double as
convenient and attractive walking and cycling pathways
unique to the neighbourhood, which enhance the
aesthetic and ecological assets of the development. The
integrated system of green spaces with circulation and
infrastructure connects to the natural drainage system
off site, as well as creates a network of internal public
spaces and facilities, including the park/school reserve
site, walkways, natural vistas, corridors, trails, and transit
Land Use Plan
2.1 Illustrated Concept Plan
Land Use Plan
Neighbourhood
Village Centre
(small commercial
area integrated with
the park / stormwater
pond)
Amenity reserve
(small community
centre, school,
etc.)
Water reservoir / park
(opportunity for park
programming and education
on water and water
conservation)
Stormwater pond
Rehabilitation of the ravine
is encouraged.
Housing density
encouraged in three main
nodes (maximum 4 storey
buildings).
Neighbourhood trail system
connects to nearby Leoppky Park
and Community Forest.
Agricultural
buffer activated
by a multi-use
trail. Housing faces
onto the buffer to
provide security
and care (similar to
the principal of 'eyes
on the street').
Village Centre
Commercial
Apartment/
Townhomes
Duplex or
Triplex
Small Lot
Single Family
Standard
Single Family
19
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
Stormwater pond
prevents flooding and
integrated as a recreational
amenity for the existing and
new neighbourhood.
Extensive
neighbourhood trail
system throughout and
around the perimeter of
the neighbourhood. Trails
correspond and integrated
with stormwater streets.
Mix of housing
typologies to suit a
range of incomes and
lifestyles. Flexible lot sizes
can accommodate a variety
of housing, dependent on
market needs. Housing is
solar ready for energy
efficiency.
A vibrant
neighbourhood
centre adjacent to the
park uses meets some
of the daily needs of
residents and a 'heart' to the
neighbourhood.
Land Use Plan
20
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
stops.
3.0 Land Use, Density & Housing
The land use designations outlined in Figure 4 - Land
Use Designation & Density provide a framework for the
coordinated and sustainable long-term development of the
Sunset Ridge - Harvest View planning area.
The proposed residential housing mix for the
Neighbourhood is outlined below:
Housing
Amount (%)
Avg. Lot Size (m2)
Single Family
(standard lot)
12%
650 (7,000sqft)
Single Family
(small lot)
30%
465 (5,000sqft)
Multi-Family
(street oriented)
35%
465 - 650 (5,000 to
7,000 sqft)
Multi-Family
(apartment)
23%
8,000 (86,000sqft)
OBJECTIVE
To create a compact and complete community that reduces
the neighbourhood's footprint.
POLICIES
All policies are applicable to all residential land uses in the
Plan area unless otherwise specified:
Land Use Designations & Policies
3.1
The application of development cost charges will be
evaluated and applied at the discretion of the City.
Land Use Plan
21
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
Land Use Plan
3.2
Land uses shall be applied in the
neighbourhood as illustrated in Figure 4 -
Land Use Designation and Density.
3.3
All residential development should address the
vision and planning principles outlined in the
Plan, in accordance with the policies outlined
herein.
3.4
Minimum and maximum densities, optimal
lot dimension, lot coverage, parking, and
stormwater management requirements shall
be applied to residential land uses in the
neighbourhood as indicated in the Table 1 -
Residential Land Use Designation - Building
Typologies and Design Considerations.
3.5
Block sizes and orientation shall be applied
to residential land uses in the neighbourhood
as indicated in Figure 5 - Housing Typologies -
Options for Lot and Block Layout.
0
100
200
300
400
Metres
This map illustrates the future land uses intended by Council for the area within the Neighbourhood Plan. These designations will govern
future development, redevelopment or rezoning of the property.
LAND USE AND DENSITY
HARVEST VIEW - SUNSET RIDGE
NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
Planning Area
Country Residential
Single Family Village Residential
Multi-Family Village Residential
Apartment Residential
Mixed-Use Village Centre
Green Space
Amenity Reserve Site
Agricultural Buffer (15m)
City Owned Property
Blocks with View Lots
63 units/hectare
5,000 - 20,000 sq ft.
12 - 26 units/hectare
32 - 41 units/hectare
22 units/hectare
Figure 4 - Land Use Designation and Density.
23
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
Land Use Plan
Country Residential - (Standard Lot Single Family)
Description:
The Standard Lot Single Family designation accommodates lower-density residential
development at densities below 12 - 26 (with coach house) units per hectare. Standard
Lot Single Family lands are situated in the northern neighbourhood area with steeper
slopes, where it is more efficient to create longer and narrower lots that require less
road frontage; however, in keeping with the lower density residential character of this
designation, the recommended minimum lot frontage for lots in the Standard Single
Family designation is 13.5 metres - 16.5 metres.
Building Typologies:
Standard Single Family Lots with or without coach houses
Photo 1. Single Family with rear
lot access.
Photo 2. Coach house above
garage.
Photo 3. Single Family with
front lot access - garage does
not extend beyond the house.
Extensive landscaping and
street swale in front.
Option to have a coach house or
secondary suite.
Design Considerations:
24
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
Land Use Plan
Single Family Village Residential
Description:
The Single Family Village Residential land use designation provides a choice for
households who desire a more compact single-family option at average densities of 22
units per hectare. Single Family Village Residential uses are situated in close proximity
to local neighbourhood amenities, around focal points of parks and the reserved
school site.
Building Typologies:
Small Lot Single Family with garage in front or behind (lane access)
Photo 1. Small lot single family
with front access.
Photo 2. Small lot single family
with rear access and street
parking permitted.
Photo 3. Street oriented - short
front set-backs.
Innovative organization of lots, such as shared parking, zero lot setbacks, etc. will be
considered to maximize private and built areas.
Design Considerations:
25
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
Land Use Plan
Multi-family Village Residential
Description:
The Multi-Family Village Residential designation is intended to provide a ground
oriented, attached housing option within the neighbourhood. Areas designated
as multi-family are flexible, in that, there are a number of residential typologies
(townhome, duplex, triplex, etc.) that are acceptable here. The typologies can be
determined by housing and market needs over time. Contributing to a mix of compact
housing types to foster community diversity, Multi-Family Village Residential front
directly onto public streets, and have street-oriented entrances with private rear yard
areas. Vehicular access is primarily provided from the rear lane and where there is front
access, parking can be shared. Average densities for Multi-Family Village Residential
are around 32 - 41 units per hectare.
Building Typologies:
Duplex, Duplex with coach house, Triplex, Rowhousing
Photo 1. Front accessed town
homes with private back-yards.
Photo 2. Carriage court and
common landscaped areas.
Photo 3. Two duplexes on one
corner lot each with a private
area.
Design Considerations:
26
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
Apartment Residential (outside the Harvest Village Centre)
Description:
The Apartment Residential designation provides a higher density of housing at
average densities of 63 units per hectare. This designation is located in small nodes
on the north and south west side of the plan area adjacent to major travel corridors
(enable future transit service) and large green spaces.
Building Typologies:
4 storey buildings, stacked townhouse
Photo 1. Apartment residential
with internal pedestrian pathways
provide common space and buffer
between buildings.
Photo 2. Buildings are
articulated to provide aesthetic
interest and maximize private
spaces. Roof lines fit within the
character of the surrounding
neighbourhood.
Photo 3. Rain gardens provide
common residential spaces and
minimize site runoff from paved
areas.
Apartment residential buildings front entrance
faces onto the street. Parking areas and entrances
to parking should be concealed alongside or
behind the building.
Design Considerations:
Buildings should be articulated to add variety, aesthetic interest, and to maximize
private and common residential areas.
Land Use Plan
27
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
Commercial - Mixed Use
Description:
This area is the heart of the neighbourhood, integrated with the park area and
stormwater pond. The building are mixed use with retail, office uses below and
residential uses above.
Building Typologies:
4 storey buildings
Photo 1. Apartment residential
with small corner coffee shop. Each
storey of the building steps back to
create some out
Photo 2. Buildings are
articulated to provide aesthetic
interest and maximize private
spaces. Roof lines fit within the
character of the surrounding
neighbourhood.
Photo 3. Rain gardens
provide common
residential spaces and
minimize site runoff from
paved areas.
Apartment residential buildings front entrance
faces onto the street. Parking areas and entrances
to parking should be concealed alongside or
behind the building.
Design Considerations:
All buildings must have a strong pedestrian/street orientation on the ground floor.
Land Use Plan
28
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
Designation
Density
(units/ha)
Proposed Typology
Average Lot
Dimension
Max. Lot
Coverage (%)
Parking
(stalls/unit)
Required Stormwater
Management
Country
Residential
12 - 26
Standard Lot Single Family
with permitted coach house above
garage (accessed from alley),
secondary suites and flex housing
Located on blocks with alley ways
16.5m x 40m
70%
2 stalls for unit
1 stall per
coach house
absorptive topsoil (18")
Single Family
Village
Residential
22
Small Lot Single Family with
permitted secondary suites and flex
housing
Located on lot with and without alley
ways
15m x 30m
50%
1 per unit
No driveways
on street
allows for
street parking
absorptive topsoil (18")
Multi-family
Village
Residential
32 - 41
Duplex with rear access parking
with on site coach house (above
garage) -
Located on lot with alley
16.5m x 40m
70%
1 stall per unit
1 stall per
coach house
absorptive topsoil (18")
extra area allowed for rain
gardens on lots that are
across the street and down
slope from single family
lots
Duplex with front access parking
(from street)
16.5m x 30m
60%
1 stall per unit
absorptive topsoil (18")
Triplex (through to six-plex) front
access parking (from street)
Located on lot without Alley
24m x 30m
(8m building
frontage unit)
63%
1 stall per unit
absorptive topsoil (18")
Apartment
Residential
63
Apartment
4 to 6 storey, mixed use
commercial residential permitted in
the Village Centre
70m x 100m
51% max unless
underground
parking provided
1.5 per
apartment unit
(on average)
absorptive topsoil (18")
Site drains to rain garden
for 6mth storm (31mm)
HOUSING TYPOLOGIES
Table 1. Residential Land Use Designations - Building Typologies and Design Considerations
29
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
Small Lot Village - Single Family
30m
15m
60m
150m
Average Block - 20 units
22 units per hectare (9 u.p.a.)
Country Residential - Standard Lot Single Family
(with or without Coach House)
40m
16.5m
86m
198m
Average Block - 24 to 48 units
12 to 26 units per hectare (5 to 11 u.p.a.)
6m
Multi-Family Village Residential -
Duplex and Duplex with Coach House
30m
16.5m
50m
200m
Average Block - 32 units
32 units per hectare (13 u.p.a.)
86m
198m
Average Block - 72 units
41 units per hectare (17 u.p.a.)
6m
40m
16.5m
Multi-Family Village Residential - Triplex
30m
24m
60m
192m
Average Block - 48 units
41 units per hectare (17 u.p.a.)
Apartment Residential
4 Storey Apartments - 50 units
41 units per hectare (>26 u.p.a.)
80m
100m
Street Front
Street Front
Block organization:
To maintain street-oriented residential area -
blocks should be 'capped'
Unit Size (average)
1 bed = 750 sq ft.
1 bed + den = 900 to 1000 sq ft.
2 bedroom + den = 1200 sq ft.
street
street
street
Cap blocks on neighbourhood arterials
Figure 5 - Housing Typologies - Lot and Block Layout
30
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
In addition to general land use policies, the following
policies are applied to specific residential land use
designations:
Country Residential (Standard Lot Single Family) and
Single Family Village Residential (Small Lot Single
Family)
3.6
Accommodate Single Family Village
Residential homes adjacent to Standard Lot Single
Family.
3.7
Recognizing that Single Family Village
Residential are a compact housing form, subdivision
proposals must be in accordance with required
setbacks, housing form and landscaping that
contribute to well defined attractive streetscapes.
Multi-family Village Residential and Apartment
Residential
3.8
Continue to respond to housing needs, market
and land constraints by facilitating attractive forms
of compact housing types. Encourage multi-family
housing that appeals to people seeking features
traditionally associated with single-family housing.
Such features may include: an area to garden,
play or enjoy the outdoors; direct access at grade;
workshop spaces; variety of unit sizes; and locations
in family-oriented areas of the neighbourhood
(close to amenities).
3.9
Accommodate Multi-Family Village Residential
homes along primary neighbourhood arterials, and
areas adjacent to the Harvest Village Centre.
Duplex Housing -
side by side
On narrow lots -
Offset duplex housing
to create a shared
middle pathway to side
entrances
Ensure multi-family
housing has the same
amenities found in
single family homes -
garden spaces, private
entry, parking.
Land Use Plan
31
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
Land Use Plan
Housing should present a
friendly face to the street -
doors and porches should be
visible and garages should
not extend beyond the front
facade of the house.
Where possible, lanes should
be used for access.
3.10
Ensure that the design of Multi-Family Village
Residential homes contributes to a unified
streetscape and provides ground-oriented
units with direct access from the street.
Buildings should be articulated to create
adequate private and common spaces.
3.11
Ensure that individual units, their entries, and
private outdoor spaces are designed to
maximize privacy and clearly delineate private
and common spaces.
3.12
Where special needs or affordable housing is
provided an additional bonus density may be
permitted.
3.13
All homes shall front the street and have their
principal entry onto the street.
32
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
A small commercial node
integrated with park
area is the heart of the
neighbourhood.
Land Use Plan
Mixed Use - Commercial
3.14
No fewer than 465m2 (5,000 sq.ft.) of
commercial uses shall be provided.
3.15
Commercial uses shall be small in scale
and local in nature. Commercial uses may be
permitted outside the Harvest Village Centre
and in the neighbourhood at the discretion
of Council. Vehicle-oriented commercial uses
such as drive-in or drive-through businesses,
fast food outlets, gas bars, and service stations
are inappropriate for the neighbourhood and
are prohibited.
3.16
Apartment Residential buildings within the
Harvest Village Centre will contain a mix of
residential, live/work and commercial uses, and
shall be a maximum of six stories in height.
3.17
All at-grade uses in the Harvest Village Centre
shall be commercial along all street frontages.
Residential uses should be situated above
commercial uses in the Harvest Village Centre.
3.18
Primary building frontage in the Harvest
Village Centre shall be built to the sidewalk,
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Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
with facades parallel to the property line
directly abutting a sidewalk or open space,
except on corners where building frontage
may be at an angle.
3.19
All buildings shall have their principal entry
onto the street.
3.20
Storefront module widths shall be a maximum
of 12.0 metres to enable a pedestrian-scaled
streetscape.
Buildings should be
articulated (stepped
back) from the street
to minimize the
impact of height and
facilitate views and
solar exposure. Parking
should be located
behind or under the
building.
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Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
4.0 Access & Movement
OBJECTIVE
To develop a safe, environmentally-friendly, community-
oriented transportation system that prioritizes
pedestrians and other non-motorized users.
POLICIES
Neighbourhood Circulation
The transportation network follows a landscape oriented
grid aligned with natural contours and that creates short
blocks to provide multiple travel routes for vehicles and
promote a pedestrian and cyclist friendly neighbourhood.
Refer to section Section 5 - Infrastructure and Servicing
for streets designated as 'stormwater streets'.
4.1
Access and movement throughout the
neighbourhood should conform to the network
as illustrated on Figure 6 - Circulation. Dead ends
and cul-de-sacs are discouraged.
4.2
While rear lanes are encouraged, front-loaded
street access may be provided where site
development constraints such as steep
topography, stormwater needs, natural features,
environmentally sensitive areas, and/or parcel
size or configuration would limit vehicular access.
However, to enhance the pedestrian-oriented
character of medium and high density residential
areas, rear lane access is preferred.
Neighbourhood Arterials
4.3
Roads designated as neighbourhood arterials
shall provide primary circulation in and out of the
neighbourhood.
PART B - DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
To develop a safe,
environmentally-friendly,
community-oriented
transportation system that
prioritizes pedestrians and
other non-motorized users.
35
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
4.4
Amend the Subdivision and Development
Servicing Bylaws to include neighbourhood
specific streets for Neighbourhood Arterial -
as shown in Figure 7 and 8 - Neighbourhood
Arterial.
4.5
All Neighbourhood Arterials shall have sidewalks
and street trees on both sides of the right-of-way.
Residential (local) Roads
Refer also to section Section 5 - Infrastructure and
Servicing for streets designated as 'stormwater streets'.
4.6
Streets designated as local - residential shall
provide internal circulation within the
neighbourhood.
4.7
Amend the Subdivision and Development
Servicing Bylaws to include neighbourhood
specific street standards for residential (local)
roads as shown in Figure 9 - Residential (local)
Road.
4.8
All Residential (local) Roads shall have sidewalks
and street trees on at least one side of the right-
of-way. Residential (local) Roads shall have
sidewalks on both sides of streets within 1 block
of the reserve site (for potential future school or
recreation centre, and Harvest Village Centre).
4.9
All Local (Residential) Streets shall have sidewalks
and street trees on at least one side of the right-
of-way. Local (Residential) Streets shall have
sidewalks on both sides of streets within 1 block
of the reserve site (for potential future school or
recreation centre, and Harvest Village Centre).
Village Centre Road
All streets should have
sidewalks for pedestrian
comfort.
DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
8th St
17th St
Water
Reservoir
Stormwater Catchment
Harvest Village
Centre
Stormwater
Catchment
y
Adjacent Agricultural Reserve
Existing
Ravine
City Owned
Parcel
Leoppky Park
Community Forest
and Trails
Forest District
Office
Amenity Reserve
Site
Agricultural Buffer
Agricultural Buffer
CIRCULATION
22m width, primary circulation network
in/out of the neighbourhood, street
parking permitted
15m width, seasonal street parking
25m width, pedestrian oriented
commercial corner, street parking
permitted
Neighbourhood arterials & residential
roads that with stormwater management
intrastructure. Streets serve as catchment
& conveyance routes for stormwater to
local stormwater ponds. Streets are
apart from neighbourhood trail system
(see parks/open space)
HARVEST VIEW - SUNSET RIDGE
NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
0
100
200
300
400
50
Metres
This map illustrates the future land uses intended by Council for the area within the Neighbourhood Plan. These designations will govern
future development, redevelopment or rezoning of the property.
6m width, seasonal street parking
Planning Area
Neighbourhood Arterial
Village Centre Road
Residential Road
Residential Lane
City Owned Property
Storm Water Streets
Figure 6 - Neighbourhood Circulation.
37
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
Refer to Section 5 - Infrastructure and Servicing for
Village Centre Street, as it is designated as a 'stormwater
street'.
Neighbourhood Trail Network
There are four multi-use trails connecting destinations
throughout the neighbourhood - 1) Perimeter Trail,
2) Ridge Trail, 3) Pond Loop and, 4) Valley Trail. The
objective of the trail network is to provide safe alternative
recreational and commuter routes within and connecting
out of the neighbourhood.
4.10
A multi-use trail system that accommodates
the movement of pedestrians, cyclists and other
non-motorized users in, out and through the
neighbourhood shall be provided and shall
conform to the routes identified in Figure 10 -
Parks and Open Space.
Landscaping - Street Trees
The objective of a trail
network is to provide safe
alternative recreational
and commuter
routes within and
connecting out of the
neighbourhood.
DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
38
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
Figure 7 - Conceptual option for the design of a neighbourhood arterial.
39
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
Figure 8 - Conceptual option for the design of a neighbourhood arterial.
Figure 9 - Conceptual option for the design of a residential (local) road.
41
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
4.11
Amend the Subdivision and Development
Servicing Bylaw to include boulevard trees as
Supplementary Specifications with a schedule
of suitable street tree species, size at planting,
and Best Management Practices for planting and
maintenance requirements. Preliminary list of
approved species for the Sunset Ridge - Harvest
View is included in Appendix B - Preliminary List
of Tree Species.
4.12
With the City's recommendation, determine and
establish an optimal tree cover target to be
achieved post-development on private and public
property. Support residents with recommended
list of species for landscaping.
Parking & Loading - General
4.13
Where there are inconsistencies between parking
and loading space requirements in Section 5 of
the Zoning Bylaw and in this Neighbourhood Plan,
policies in the latter will take precedent.
All streets should
have street trees
and sidewalks for
pedestrian comfort.
DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
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Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
Residential Parking
Residential parking requirements are as follows:
Table 2. Residential Parking Requirements
4.14
Garages, driveways and parking areas shall be
accessed by rear lanes and prohibited along
streets, unless rear lanes are not provided.
4.15
Where laneway (alley) access does not exist, permit
vehicular access to Standard Lot Single Family
residential lots from the street front provided that
driveway crossing widths are minimized to reduce
negative impacts on the pedestrian environment.
Unit Type
Lane
Access
Stalls/Unit
(minimum)
Location
Country
Residential
Yes
2
1 on-street
1off-street
Country
Residential -
Coach Housing or
Secondary Suite
Yes
3
1 or 2 on-street
1 or 2 off-street
Single-Family
Village Residential
Yes
1
on or off-street
Single-Family
Village Residential
with Coach
Housing or
Secondary Suite
Yes
2
on or off-street
Duplex
Yes/No
1
on or off-street
Duplex with
Coach Housing
Yes
2
1 or 2 off-street
Apartment
Yes/No
1.5 (avg.)
at building
rear1
Option to reduce
parking requirements
where alternative
on-street parking is
available.
DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
Garages shouldn't
extend beyond the
front facade of the
house.
43
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
4.16
Where laneway (alley) access does not exist,
promote shared access between adjacent
residences to minimize the visual impact of
driveways and the number of driveway crossings
impeding the pedestrian environment.
4.17
Where laneway (alley) access does not exist,
aesthetically minimize the extent of the front
façade occupied by garage doors (provide
detailing, set back from the front façade of the
house, etc.)
4.18
Where rear yard access is not possible on internal
streets, garages shall not extend beyond the front
building facade.
4.19
Although rear lane access to Small Village
Single Family residences is encouraged, front-
loaded street access may be provided where
site development constraints such as steep
topography, natural features, environmentally
sensitive areas, and/or parcel size or configuration
would limit vehicular access options.
4.20
Where laneway access does not exist, promote
shared access between adjacent residences to
minimize the visual impact of driveways and
the number of driveway crossings impeding the
pedestrian environment.
4.21
An option to reduce on-site parking requirements
by up to 30 percent and/or cash in lieu for
off street parking (to be used for alternative
transportation infrastructure) will be considered
as part of development directly adjacent to
the Village Centre area if justified through the
demonstration of lower automobile ownership,
shared parking opportunities and other long-term
incentives for occupants (bicycles included with
Where possible,
consider shared
parking areas - in
order to maximize
green space.
DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
Side by side duplex
with coach house
behind
Front
Back
(coach home)
44
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
the purchase of units, transit pass programs for
residents).
4.22
Parking areas should be concealed, alongside or
behind apartment residential buildings.
4.23
Priority parking on-street or stalls shall be
provided for users of a car co-operative or car-
share users, if and once it is established City-wide.
Commercial
4.24
Off-street parking in commercial areas shall be
permitted only at the rear of properties, and
shall not be visible from a fronting street. Where
rear parking is visible from a flanking street,
landscaping shall be used to screen parking from
the street.
4.25
Maximum allowable parking spaces for
commercial uses shall be set at the minimum
requirements for commercial parking spaces
identified in Section 5 of the Zoning Bylaw.
Underground parking is encouraged for off-street
parking needs in the Harvest Village Centre, where
feasible.
4.26
Where appropriate, implement traffic calming
strategies/features (e.g. roundabouts) and traffic
diversion strategies (e.g. pedestrian/cyclist-only
streets)
4.27
Ensure safe and convenient transit stops are
located near commercial, mixed-use and higher-
density residential uses.
DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
On-street parking
should be maximized.
Parking for
commercial buildings
should be concealed.
45
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
5.0 Infrastructure & Services
OBJECTIVE
To manage wastes and use resources responsibly and
efficiently to the benefit of the community.
POLICIES
5.1
A detailed infrastructure and servicing plan for the
neighbourhood is required as a part of the
subdivision and development plan.
Stormwater Management
5.2
A plan for stormwater management must be
addressed as a part of the subdivision and
development plan and reflect the conceptual
vision as described herein.
5.3
Amend the Subdivision and Development
Servicing Bylaws to include neighbourhood
specific street standards for the Village Centre
Road, Neighbourhood Arterial and Residential
(local) Road designated as stormwater streets as
shown in Figure 10 - Village Centre Road, Figure
11 - Neighbourhood Arterial and Figure 12 -
Residential (local) Road.
5.4
A rain garden shall be provided in apartment
developments to assist in storm water
management.
5.5
All residential development shall include 18 inches
of absorptive topsoil to maximize water
absorption.
5.6
In the absence of a City-wide stormwater
management policy and design manual, Appendix
A - Recommended Stormwater Parameters
DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
To manage wastes
and use resources
responsibly and
efficiently to the benefit
of the community.
Figure 10 - Conceptual option for the design of the Village Centre Road.
Figure 11 - Conceptual option for the design of a Neighbourhood Arterial stormwater street.
Figure 12 - Conceptual option for the design of a Residential (local) stormwater street.
49
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
shall be used as a guide in the development of
residential lots.
5.7
Village Centre Road shall be the primary
commercial road. Standards shall be reviewed
and approved by the City Engineering. Design
shall conform to Figure 9 - Village Centre Road
- and shall include a swale for storm water
management.
Energy Efficiency
5.8
All residential and commercial buildings shall be
built to maximize advantage of solar gain and
natural ventilation.
5.9
If determined feasible, the neighbourhood shall
be developed to accommodate the incorporation
of district energy system.
5.10
Housing in the neighbourhood must be solar
ready and should explore the installation of
compatible heating systems and the required
space for mechanical systems and connection
point to accommodate geothermal exchange
systems, should residents choose to retrofit the
home in the future.
5.11
Use of Canadian Green Building Council - LEED
(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
standards for multi-family and commercial
and Canadian Home Builders - BuiltGreen for
Single Family and Townhouse is encouraged as
complementary to the approaches described in
this plan. Developers are required to provide a
statement of initiatives for energy efficiency as a
part of subdivision approval process.
DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
Build to maximize passive
solar gain.
All housing should be
solar-ready.
50
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
Waste
5.12
Space for waste stream separation and
storage,
including recycling, composting and residual
garbage, shall be provided in all housing units
or buildings.
5.13
Construction waste should be managed in an
environmentally responsible way.
5.14
Builders for this neighbourhood must have
reviewed the neighbourhood plan and
familiar or have experience with sustainable
construction.
DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
Space for waste
stream seperation
(including recycling,
composting and
residual garbage.
51
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
6.0 Parks, Community & Culture
OBJECTIVE
To promote social well-being, develop passive and active
recreational opportunities, enhance food security, and
offer cultural activities that meet a range of community
needs.
POLICIES
Affordable and Energy Efficient Housing
6.1
Reduced or exemption of development cost
charges will be considered for development of
affordable housing units and/energy efficiency
(such as, for profit affordable rental units, small lot
housing, green building or energy efficient rated
housing, etc.)
6.2
The City will require that residential development
should be in accordance with the most current
policies available in Dawson Creek's Social
Planning.
Parks and Open Space Dedication
6.3
A minimum of 5% percent of the neighbourhood
area shall be designated as park or recreation
area as shown in Figure 13 - Parks and Open
Space. At minimum, designations shall include
community park areas around the water reservoir
and stormwater catchment systems, one smaller
neighbourhood park, and a neighbourhood
multi-use trail network (excluding the buffer
requirements along agricultural land). The
City may redistribute designated areas where
necessary.
DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
To promote social well-being,
develop passive and active
recreational opportunities,
enhance food security, and offer
cultural activities that meet a
range of community needs.
8th St
17th St
Water
Reservoir
Stormwater Catchment
Harvest Village
Centre
Stormwater
Catchment
Municipal Boundary
Adjacent Agricultural Reserve
Existing
Ravine
City Owned
Parcel
Leoppky Park
Community Forest
and Trails
Forest District
Office
Amenity Reserve
Site
Connections to
Adjacent
Neighbourhood
scent Park
Connection to Leoppky
Park Community Forest
Connection to Frank
Ross Elementary and
Ravine
Connection
Pa
Permimeter Trail
Ridge Trail
Sunset Trail
Harvest Valley Trail
Pond Trail
Agricultural Buffer
Agricultural Buffer
0
100
200
300
400
Metres
This map illustrates the future land uses intended by Council for the area within the Neighbourhood Plan. These designations will govern
future development, redevelopment or rezoning of the property.
Planning Area
Green Space
Amenity Reserve Site
Agricultural Buffer (15m)
City Owned Property
Multi-use Neighbourhood Trail
Mid-Block Crossing
Community Trail Connections
Pending assessment
ALR 15m buffer with planting
PARKS/OPEN SPACE
HARVEST VIEW - SUNSET RIDGE
NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
Figure 13 - Neighbourhood parks and open space.
53
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
6.4
Parks shall be multi-functional, and provide both
passive and active recreational opportunities.
6.5
At least one park shall provide a youth and/or
family-oriented recreational amenity.
6.6
An area shall be reserved for future school or
recreational use. A review or survey of
community needs shall be conducted prior to
the construction of recreation centre or school,
if required. The City may redistribute designated
areas where necessary or request additional land
area, if required.
6.7
Crime Prevention through Environmental Design
guidelines as identified in the Dawson Creek
Official Community Plan shall be applied to the
neighbourhood. If there are inconsistencies
between the guidelines and the neighbourhood
plan policies, the latter will take precedent.
6.8
Front homes directly onto neighbourhood parks
to encourage passive surveillance and security for
these public spaces.
Public Art Contribution
6.9
Public art or space for cultural activities shall be
provided in one or more public location, and
shall be valued at 0.5% of estimated construction
costs at the time of subdivision and development.
A community survey or consultation with local
arts & culture related groups may be required to
determine appropriate needs and requirements.
If public art is not determined appropriate,
cash in lieu contribution to park development
or recreational programming in parks shall be
assumed.
DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
Allow for the engagement
of community groups in
public spaces.
54
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
Destination and Neighbourhood Parks
Destination parks are defined as the larger destination
parks within the neighbourhood. Neighbourhood parks
are the smaller parks that serve more localized areas
within the neighbourhood.
6.10
Community gardens shall be a permitted
use in Neighbourhood Parks if organized by a local
or neighbourhood society or adjacent institution
(school, seniors centre, etc.) and as approved by
the City Parks & Recreation Department. If desired
by residents, dedicated space for growing food
shall be permanent, viable, and determined as
follows:
Table 3. Guide for Determining the Need for
Community Garden Space
Density
(dwelling units/acre)
Dedicated Growing Space
m2 (sq ft.)
7 to 14
18 (200sqft.)
> 14 and ≤ 22
9 (100sqft.)
> 22 and ≤ 28
7.5 (80sqft.)
> 28 and ≤ 35
6.5 (70sqft.)
> 35
5.5 (60sqft.)
or approx. 3m2 or 40sqft. for each person interested in growing
6.11
Neighbourhood parks will allow for some active
park uses (bocce ball, lawn bowling, horse shoes,
small playing fields, etc.).
Neighbourhood Trail Network
There are four proposed multi-use trails connecting
destinations throughout the neighbourhood - 1)
Perimeter Trail, 2) Ridge Trail, 3) Pond Loop and, 4) Valley
DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
Community gardening
shall be permitted in
neighbourhood parks.
55
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
Trail. The objective of the trail network is to provide safe
alternative recreational and commuter routes within and
connecting out of the neighbourhood.
6.12
A multi-use trail system that accommodates
the movement of pedestrians, cyclists and other
non-motorized users in, out and through the
neighbourhood shall be provided and shall
conform to the routes identified in Figure 7 -
Parks and Open Space unless otherwise approved
by the City.
6.13
Wayfinding infrastructure such as
interpretative signage shall be provided to assist
in navigation, and to educate trail-users about the
neighbourhood's sustainability features.
6.14
Develop standards for multi-purpose
neighbourhood trails with a schedule of Best
Management Practices for maintenance.
Landscape & Integrated Infrastructure
6.15
Public green spaces shall be landscaped to reduce
water consumption and eliminate cosmetic
pesticide use.
This may include:
o
Drought-resistant landscaping (xeriscape)
o
Native plant species
6.16
Where opportunities exist, promote responsible
landscape maintenance and conservation
practices on private property through leadership
by example in parks and open spaces, as well
as through awareness programs in partnership
with local stewardship groups and educational
institutions.
Creative interpretation
or signage should be
provided where there
are 'sustainable features'
- such as stormwater
ponds, swales, etc. to
tell users about the
neighbourhood features.
56
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
7.0 Agricultural Land Edges
OBJECTIVE
To create a sense of place, and celebrate the community's
rural and agricultural assets.
POLICIES
7.1
The City of Dawson Creek will support the
application for exclusion of the subject properties
from the Agricultural Land Reserve, where
development is consistent with the following:
Edge/Buffer
o
All edges directly adjacent to agricultural land
must conform to the standards set by the
Agricultural Land Commission, unless otherwise
approved.
o
The City will require an agricultural edge buffer
retained as a public park amenity with a perimeter
trail.
o
The total buffer width must be a minimum of
35m. This may include the adjacent public right of
way (includes 8th St and McQueen Road) with the
remaining 15m as a linear park trail.
o
A 3.0m (minimum 1.5m) wide perimeter trail
shall be provided along the northern and eastern
edges of the site. This trail must meet all
Agricultural Land Reserve vegetated buffer
requirements and/or guidelines. To guide
development, trail conditions are outlined in
Figure 14 - Conceptual Options for
Neighbourhood Trail System within the
Agricultural Land Buffer and for Development
Adjacent to it.
DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
To create a sense of
place, and celebrate the
community's rural and
agricultural assets.
57
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
o
The predominant use of native tree and shrub
species for the vegetated buffer is required.
Physical links to the Leoppky Community
Forest is encouraged.
An external perimeter fence along road
οο
edges is required to ensure the safety of trail
users. The fence must conform to schedule
D4 fencing guidelines as per ALC Buffer
Guidelines. It must be dog/pet proof and
discourage casual trespass.
Housing Adjacent to Buffers
o
All single family and multi-family residences -
except for apartments - along the ALR buffer
are permitted to front the trail and agricultural
land where indicated in the neighbourhood
plan only.
o
Apartment residential that abuts the
agricultural buffer edge shall explore
appropriate ways to transition the buffer zone.
Fencing the edge is discouraged. Use of berms
and landscaping is encouraged.
Implementation
o
The City of Dawson Creek will work with the
ALC to implement the plan as intended
and aligned with the planning goals described
in this Neighbourhood Plan.
DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
Where residential areas
meet an agricultural
edge, housing should be
integrated through the use
of landscape.
20.0m
cL
PL
PL
3.0
3.5
35m ALR Buffer @Imperial Road (north side)
13
3.5
Imperial Road
Boulevard
Boulevard
Common Residential Outdoor
Spaces (4-storey apartment) or
Private Sideyard
Agricultural Land
Interpretive Trail
(includes ALR
interpretive
signage)
PL
15.0
35.0
ALR Buffer
2.0 min
3.5
4x
ALR Buffer Indicator Sign
Optional Lot Fence
Berm
20.0m
cL
PL
PL
3.0
3.5
35m ALR Buffer @8th Street (east side)
13
3.5
8th Street
Boulevard
Boulevard
Private Frontyard
Agricultural Land
Trail
(includes ALR interpretive
signage in some areas)
PL
15.0
35.0
ALR Buffer
2.0 min
3.5
4.0
Berm
Residential (backing or
siding onto ALR buffer)
Vegetated barriers, berms or
pathways connecting to the
ALR buffer is encouraged
(similar to the principal of
'eyes on the street')
Pathways can mark the edge of
private land and provides a
transition to ALR buffer.
Residential access and
parking is permitted
from the back lane only.
Driveways can not be
constructred through
the ALR buffer.
Small gravel pathways are
permitted through the ALR buffer
for street access, where required.
Attractive fencing is required to ensure
safety of trail users while contributing to
the character of the trail.
Attractive fencing is required to ensure
safety of trail users while contributing to
the character of the trail.
Perimeter pathway winds through the
buffer (the path does not have to be
located at the buffer edge).
ALR BUFFER
ALR BUFFER
Front or Side
Residential sides or
backs onto the ALR
buffer.
Back
Front
Back or Side
Figure 14 - Conceptual options for the neighbourhood trail system and the integration of development adjacent to the buffer.
Note: Planting shown is at maturity. Trees and shrubs will take time to establish and grow as a buffer.
Where possible, existing mature trees along the edge of the property should be retained.
59
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
Figure 15 - Preferred fencing option for perimeter fencing within the ALR buffer. Schedule
D: Fencing Specifications - D4: Wire Fabric Fence with One Strand Barbed Wire. Chain link
fencing is discouraged.
Landscape Buffer Specifications, Agricultural Land Commission, March 1998.
60
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
8.0 Phasing
OBJECTIVE
To ensure that development proceeds in a manner
that most efficiently and effectively utilizes existing
infrastructure, and is most economically viable as new
infrastructure is developed in the neighbourhood.
POLICIES
8.1
Development shall be governed by the
technical feasibility of servicing as approved by
the City and outlined in Figure 15 - Phasing.
8.2
All covenants and/or landowner agreements
shall be in place as a condition of subdivision
and development.
DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
To ensure that
development proceeds
in a manner that
most efficiently and
effectively utilizes existing
infrastructure, and is
most economically viable
as new infrastructure
is developed in the
neighbourhood.
61
Sunset Ridge - Harvest Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan
2
4
3
1
Planning Area
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
Phase 4
715 metre contour
725 metre contour
PHASING
HARVEST VIEW - SUNSET RIDGE
NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
0
100
200
300
400
Metres
This map illustrates the future land uses intended by Council for the area within the Neighbourhood Plan. These designations will govern
future development, redevelopment or rezoning of the property.
Phasing 2/3/4 cannot proceed until the
water resevoir and other determined
system upgrades are complete
Water
Reservoir
Phase 2
Figure 16 - Phasing for the development - given adaquate infrastructure and servicing agreements are in place.
APPENDIX A
6-month rain volume
31 mm
worst case rain volume
100 mm in 20 min
input value
Growing Medium Depth
350 mm
calculated result
GM field capacity
0.28
GM
Growing Medium
GM wilting point
0.07
Net GM Depth
202 mm
(for mitigating imp areas)
rock pit porosity
0.35
Rock pit depth
0.6 m
infiltration rate
1 mm/hr
max
impervious
lot
6-month GM Depth GM Depth
GM Depth
style
lot
lot
component
impervious
pervious
coverage
lot size
lot size
rainfall
Required
Provided
Check
width
depth
component
width
area
area
(%)
(sq.m)
(sq.ft.)
vol. (cu.m.)
(mm)
(mm)
?
triplex
8
8 set back
3
24
40
241
350
OK
(x 3)
4 house - front
8
32
0
8 house - back
8
64
0
10 backyard
3
30
50
0 garage
0
0
0
30
150
90
63%
240
2583
7.46
312
350
OK
duplex
16.5
8 set back
7
56
76
272
350
OK
4 house - front
16.5
66
0
8 house - back
16.5
132
0
10 backyard
4.5
45
120
0 garage
0
0
0
30
299
196
60%
495
5328
15.40
252
350
OK
duplex c/w carriage
16.5
4 set back
0
0
66
478
350
12 house - front
16.5
198
0
0 house - back
16.5
0
0
11 backyard
4.5
49.5
132
13 garage
16.5
214.5
0
40
462
198
70%
660
7104
20.53
330
350
OK
RS1 c/w 1 carport
15
4 set back
0
0
60
182
350
OK
small lots
4 house - front
15
60
0
8 house - back
15
120
0
6 backyard
2
12
78
8 carport
4
32
88
30
224
226
50%
450
4844
14.00
180
350
OK
RS2 c/w carriage
16.5
4 set back
0
0
66
478
350
12 house - front
16.5
198
0
0 house - back
16.5
0
0
11 backyard
4.5
49.5
132
13 garage
16.5
214.5
0
40
462
198
70%
660
7104
20.53
330
350
OK
apartment
100
20 set back
30
600
1400
203
350
OK
10 house - front
40
400
600
building:
40 x 25
15 house - back
40
600
900
17 backyard
80
1360
340
8 garage
80
640
160
70
70
3600
3400
51%
7000
75347
217.73
309
350
OK
rain garden
16.5
1.5 sidewalk
16.5
24.75
0
3.5 snow area
0
0
57.75
12 road
16.5
198
0
3.5 rain garden
0
0
57.75
1.5 sidewalk
16.5
24.75
0
22
247.5
115.5
68%
363
3907
11.29
-183
350
OK
(negative denotes that rock pit could be smaller)
rain garden
16.5
1.5 sidewalk
16.5
24.75
0
c/w Duplex extra area
3.5 snow area
0
0
57.75
12 road
16.5
198
0
3.5 rain garden
0
0
57.75
13.5 sidewalk/house
16.5
222.75
0
34
445.5
115.5
79%
561
6039
17.45
325
350
OK
Error, too shallow or
needs more pervious
area
solution: use 2m of the
rain garden out front
(rain garden is 4.5
metres wide)
Error, too shallow or
needs more pervious
area
solution: use 2m of the
rain garden out front
(rain garden is 4.5
metres wide)
Table 4. Recommended stormwater parameters for each housing typology.
APPENDIX B
Preliminary List of tree Species Suitable for Street Tree and Park Planting
Acer negundo 'Sensation'
Fraxinus 'Northern Gem'
Fraxinus 'Northern Treasure'
Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'Patmore'
Malus 'Makamik'
Malus 'Pink Spires'
Malus 'Rudolph'
Malus baccata
Picea pungens 'Glauca'
Picea glauca
Sorbus aucuparia 'Rossica'
Ulnus americana
Tillia x flavescens 'Dropmore'
Please note that street tree considerations should not be limited to these suggestions.
The suggestions provided are in the early stages of tree trials with the City of Dawson
Creek but have so far proven to be suitable for the city's climate. Other species of
Fraxinus, Malus, Sorbus, Ulnus, and Tillia may also be considered. Also of note, Prunus
species are known to be disease prone and are not recommended.
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South Dawson Creek
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E
E
E
E
H
w
y
49 (Spirit River Hwy)
221 R
d
9A St
109 Ave
210 Rd
119 Ave
116 Ave
112 Ave
E
l
w
ood
D
r
121 Ave
95 Ave
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110 Ave
13 St
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1
5
St
W
i
llowbrook Cres
Hwy 97 N (Alaska Hwy)
5 St
108 Ave
27 St
Mc
K
e
llar Ave
92 Ave
85
Ave
17 St
Hwy 97 S (John Hart Hwy)
83
Ave
2 St
88 Ave
20
St
Cotton
w
o
o
d
Cres
19 St
20A St
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120 Ave
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ve
1
8 St
Forest Park Dr
3 S
t
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6
St
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19
A S
t
124 Ave
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111 Ave
113 Ave
1
0
S
t
8
St
11 St
S
pinney Dr
82 Ave
97 Ave
16
St
118 Ave
R
a
vin
e
D
r
9 St
102 Ave
105A Ave
94 Ave
14 St
P
o
p
l
a
r Cres
101A Ave
101 Ave
87
Av
e
87A Ave
89 Ave
93 Ave
100 Ave
Vic Turner Air
port Rd
99 Ave
105 Ave
7
S
t
98 Ave
Turgeon Dr
115 Ave
104 Ave
13A St
117 Ave
L
y
m
an Dr
122 Ave
Rose
lla
Borek
Road
Wils
o
n
Rd
114 Ave
Collins Rd
97A Ave
14
A
St
100A Ave
96 Ave
Calverl
e
y
C
re
s
91A Ave
107
Ave
Ben Hep
p
ne
r
Way
28 St
Alaska Ave
106 Ave
Chamberlain Dr
Re
a
s
b
ec
k Cres
103 Ave
C
y
pr
us Crt
Ceda
r
w
o
od Crt
100B Ave
Loran Dr
1
S
t
Watson
Cre
s
Corn
wal
l
Cres
Soccer Field Road
Hwy 2 (Dawson Creek-Tupper Hwy)
Dangerous Goods Route
D
angero
u
s
G
oods
R
oute
219 Rd
D
a
ngerous Goods Route
223 Rd
221 Rd
221 Rd
211 Rd
McKin
n
on
W
ay
L
e
er Sub
Adams Rd
Har
p
er Way
210 Rd
213 Rd
Hwy
97 N (Alaska Hwy)
57 Ave
Ha
r
per Sub
221 Rd
219 Rd
Haddow
S
ub
McKinn
o
n Sub
223 Rd
223 Rd
Micro Sub
Imperial
S
u
b
215 Rd
210 Rd
210 Rd
P
e
tr
ick
Dr
Christopher Estates
206 Rd
206 Rd
Pederson Sub
Hwy 49 (Spirit River Hw
y)
Rolla Rd
Rolla Rd
206 Rd
Friesen Sub
Hwy 97 S (John Hart Hwy)
208 Rd
Chilton Sub
Harper Dr
217 Rd
Water Treatment Rd
Lois
e
lle
Sub
215 Rd
213 Rd
217 Rd
³
SCHEDULE C
DISCLAIMER: This map is for information purposes only.
For confirmation of the up-to-date land use designation on any specific
property, please contact the City of Dawson Creek.
City of Dawson Creek
Official Community Plan
Bylaw No. 4ϲϮϬ, 2025
Transportation
0
1
2
0.5
km
Legend
Municipal Boundary
Waterbody
Railway
Proposed Transportation Infrastructure
Collector Roads
!(
Crosswalks
Sidewalks
Bike Lanes
Existing Transportation Infrastructure
Highways
Arterial Roads
Collector Roads
Local Roads
Roads Maintained by Others
!(
Crosswalks
Sidewalks
Trails
Dawson Trail
Bike Lanes
SOURCE:
Municipal boundary, water features and Digital Road Atlas from Data BC.
Legal Boundaries from Parcel Map BC - Integrated Cadastral Information Society.
Date of data access: Nov. 2024
NOTE:
For clarity purposes. The land use designation in the areas of the approximate edge of
water boundaries has been shown only up to the high water mark and may not
include the fulI extent of the parcel under the water.
Landuse extend to the centrelines of adjacent streets.
Dangerous Goods Route
South Dawson Creek
Dawson Creek
Dawson Creek
Dangerous Goods Route
Loran Park
Grandview
Park
Tremblay
Park
Dawson Creek
Golf Course
Parkhill
Park
Elwood Park
Motocross
Park
Kitchen
Park
Rotary
& Mile 0
Campsite
Crescent
Park
Kin Park
Walter Wright
Pioneer
Village
Newby Park
Leoppky Park
NAR Park
Hillcrest
Park
Chamberlain
Nature Park
Ken
Haverland
Park
Chamberlain
Memorial
Pioneer
Harry
Morrow
Ball Park
Paul
Loiselle
Soccer
Park
South Peace
Community
Multiplex
Sport Arenas
Hw
y
4
9
(Spirit River Hwy)
221 R
d
9A St
109 Ave
210 Rd
119 Ave
116 Ave
112 Ave
E
l
w
o
o
d Dr
121 Ave
95 Ave
Airport Rd
110 Ave
13 St
21 St
1
5
St
Hwy 97 N (Alaska Hwy)
5 St
108 Ave
27 St
McK
e
l
l
a
r Ave
92 Ave
17 St
Hwy 97 S (John Hart Hwy)
83
Ave
2 St
88 Ave
Sam Wil
son Way
20
St
19 St
Cotto
n
w
o
o
d
Cres
20A St
Willow
v
i
e
w
Dr
Aspen Dr
17A St
17B St
120 Ave
8A St
86 Ave
85 Ave
91 Ave
96A A
ve
1
8 S
t
Forest Park Dr
3 S
t
90 Ave
6
St
4 St
19
A S
t
124 Ave
12 St
111 Ave
113 Ave
1
0 S
t
8
St
11 St
S
p
inney Dr
82 Ave
97 Ave
16
St
118 Ave
Rav
ine D
r
9 St
102 Ave
105A Ave
18A St
94 Ave
1
4
St
101A Ave
101 Ave
87 Ave
87A Ave
89 Ave
93 Ave
100 Ave
Vic Turner Airp
ort Rd
99 Ave
105 Ave
7
S
t
98 Ave
Turgeon Dr
115 Ave
104 Ave
13A St
117 Ave
Lyman
D
r
122 Ave
Rosella B
o
re
k
Road
P
ar
k
View Dr
W
ils
o
n Rd
114 Ave
C
ollins Rd
97A Ave
1
4
A St
100A Ave
96 Ave
Calverle
y
C
re
s
91A Ave
107
Ave
Ben Heppn
e
r W
a
y
28 St
Alaska Ave
106 Ave
Parkhill
Dr
Chamberlain Dr
R
e
asb
e
ck Cres
103 Ave
Cy
p
ru
s
Crt
Ceda
rwo
o
d Crt
100B Ave
Loran Dr
1
St
Wats
on C
r
es
Cornw
all
C
res
Soccer Field Road
Hwy 2 (Dawson Creek-Tupper Hwy)
Dangerous Goods Route
D
a
ngerou
s
G
o
od
s
R
o
ut
e
219 Rd
D
angerous Goods Route
221 Rd
221 Rd
211 Rd
McK
i
nnon
W
ay
L
eer Sub
Adams Rd
Ha
rper Way
210 Rd
213 Rd
Hwy 97 N (Alaska Hwy)
H
arper Sub
219 Rd
Haddow Sub
223 Rd
McKi
n
non Sub
Micro Sub
210 Rd
Im
p
e
rial Sub
215 Rd
P
e
t
ri
c
k D
r
Christopher Estates
206 Rd
Pederson Sub
57 Ave
Hwy 49 (Spirit River Hw
y)
Rolla Rd
Friesen Sub
Chilton Sub
Harper Dr
Hwy 97 S (John Hart Hwy)
208 Rd
206 Rd
217 Rd
Water Treatment Rd
223 Rd
Lois
e
l
le S
u
b
217 Rd
215 Rd
213 Rd
³
City of Dawson Creek
Official Community Plan
Bylaw No. 4620, 2025
SCHEDULE D
Legend
Municipal Boundary
Waterbody
Railway
Proposed Parks, Natural Areas, Recreation and Trails
Trails
Green Street
Future Park
Existing Parks, Natural Areas, Recreation and Trails
Trails
Mid-Block Crossing
Natural Area
Park
School Fields and Community Centres
Recreational Buildings
!(
City-Wide
!(
Nature Retreats
!(
Neighbouthood Hub
Trail Routes
Dawson Trail (Existing and Proposed)
City Trail Loop (Proposed)
DISCLAIMER: This map is for information purposes only.
For confirmation of the up-to-date land use designation on any specific
property, please contact the City of Dawson Creek
Parks, Natural Areas,
Recreation and Trails
0
1
2
0.5
km
SOURCE:
Municipal boundary, water features and Digital Road Atlas from Data BC.
Legal Boundaries from Parcel Map BC - Integrated Cadastral Information Society.
Date of data access: Nov. 2024
NOTE:
For clarity purposes. The land use designation in the areas of the approximate edge of
water boundaries has been shown only up to the high water mark and may not
include the fulI extent of the parcel under the water.
Landuse extend to the centre lines of adjacent streets.
City Loop Trail
Dawson Trail
U
T
U
T
U
T
[
Q
4M
U
T
4M
!(
!(
South Dawson Creek
Dawson Creek
Dawson Creek
E
Parkhill
Reservior
Loran
Reservior
Pouce Coupe
Pummphouse
Hwy 97 S (John Hart Hwy)
Pouce Coupe
Reservoir
116 Avenue
Water Sales
Alaska Highway
Water Sales
Hwy
49 (Spirit River Hwy)
221 Rd
210 Rd
116 Ave
112 Ave
E
lw
ood D
r
121 Ave
18 St
4 St
6 St
95 Ave
Airport Rd
10 St
110 Ave
13 St
15 St
21 St
15 St
17 St
3 St
90 Ave
Hwy 97 N (Alaska Hwy)
92 Ave
20 St
Hwy 97 S (John Hart Hwy)
5 St
108 Ave
98 Ave
8 St
100 Ave
27 St
McKellar
Ave
4 St
13 St
92
Ave
7 St
17 St
Dangerous Goods Route
88 Ave
20
St
Co
tt
o
n
w
o
od Cres
Will
o
wvi
ew
D
r
Aspen Dr
8 St
85 Ave
106 Ave
91 Ave
20 St
3 S
t
90 Ave
4 St
19
A St
96 Ave
12 St
10 St
11 St
9 St
111 Ave
113 Ave
10 St
13 St
11 St
S
p
inney Dr
16
St
118 Ave
9 St
102 Ave
104 Ave
87 Ave
93 Ave
100 Ave
Vic Turner Airp
ort Rd
105 Ave
7 St
Turgeon Dr
116 Ave
122 Ave
Rose
l
la Borek
Road
W
i
lson R
d
Alaska A
v
e
Collins Rd
97A Ave
1
4
A St
96 Ave
107
Ave
28 St
106 Ave
Parkhill
Dr
103 Ave
108 Ave
Loran Dr
1 St
95 Ave
1 St
Soccer Field Road
Hwy 2 (Dawson Creek-Tupper Hwy)
Dangerous Goods Route
Will
owbrook Cres
219 Rd
Hwy 2
221 Rd
221 Rd
r
211 Rd
215 Rd
Leer Sub
Ha
rper Way
213 Rd
H
wy 97N (Alaska Hwy)
H
arper Sub
Haddow Sub
non W
a
y
H
w
y 49 (Spirit River Hwy)
McKin
n
o
n Sub
Micro Sub
Imp
e
rial Sub
21
5
Rd
Pe
t
ri
c
k D
r
Christopher Estates
206 Rd
Pederson Sub
Friesen Sub
Chilton Sub
Harper Dr
Water Treatment Rd
217 Rd
223 Rd
210 Rd
223 Rd
³
SCHEDULE E
DISCLAIMER: This map is for information purposes only.
For confirmation of the up-to-date land use designation on any specific
property, please contact the City of Dawson Creek
City of Dawson Creek
Official Community Plan
Bylaw No. 4ϲϮϬ, 2025
Water Servicing
0
1
2
0.5
km
SOURCE:
Municipal boundary, water features and Digital Road Atlas from Data BC.
Legal Boundaries from Parcel Map BC - Integrated Cadastral Information Society.
Date of data access: Nov. 2024
NOTE:
For clarity purposes. The land use designation in the areas of the approximate edge of
water boundaries has been shown only up to the high water mark and may not
include the fulI extent of the parcel under the water.
Landuse extend to the centre lines of adjacent streets.
Legend
Water System Infrastructure
4M
Booster Station
Raw Water Main
Municipal Boundary
Waterbody
Railway
U
T
Water Reservoir
[
Q
Water Treatment Plant
Treated Water Main
U
T
[
Q
4M
4M
4M
K
J
K
J
K
J
K
J
!.
South D
Dawson
Kiskatinaw
River Intake
and Arras
Pump Station
Harald Hansen
Storage Reservoir
Hart Reservoir
Trail Reservoir
Devereaux
Booster
Station
Hansen Pump
Station
South Dawson Reservoir
Kiskatinaw River
Dawson
Creek
South
Dawson
Creek
Frondizi
Creek
¬«
97
³
SCHEDULE F
DISCLAIMER: This map is for information purposes only.
For confirmation of the up-to-date land use designation on any specific
property, please contact the City of Dawson Creek
City of Dawson Creek
Official Community Plan
Bylaw No. 4ϲϮϬ͕ 2025
Raw Water Servicing
0
1
2
3
4
0.5
km
SOURCE:
Municipal boundary, water features and Digital Road Atlas from Data BC.
Legal Boundaries from Parcel Map BC - Integrated Cadastral Information Society.
Date of data access: Nov. 2024
NOTE:
For clarity purposes. The land use designation in the areas of the approximate edge of
water boundaries has been shown only up to the high water mark and may not
include the fulI extent of the parcel under the water.
Landuse extend to the centre lines of adjacent streets.
Legend
Water System Infrastructure
Municipal Boundary
Waterbody
Railway
4M
Booster Station
U
T
Water Reservoir
Raw Water Reservoir
K
J
[
Q
Water Treatment Plant
!.
River Intake
Treated Water Main
Raw Water Main
[
ä
[
ä
[
ä
[
ä
[
ä
[
ä
[
ä
[
ä
[
ä
[
ä
[
ä
[
ä
!( !(
!(
Trucked Waste
Receiving Facility
RV
Sani-Dump
RV Sani-Dump
118 Ave
Harper Sub
103 Ave
Hwy 49 (Spirit River Hwy)
215 Rd
217 Rd
Water Treatment Rd
208 Rd
219 Rd
South Dawson Creek
Dawson Creek
Dawson Creek
221 Rd
13 St
98 Ave
210 Rd
116 Ave
112 Ave
E
lw
ood D
r
121 Ave
95 Ave
Airport Rd
110 Ave
13 St
21 St
15 St
Hwy 97 N (Alsaka Hwy)
Hwy 97S (John Hart Hwy)
5 St
108 Ave
27 St
McKellar
Ave
92
Ave
17 St
Dangerous Goods Route
20 St
88 Ave
20
S
t
Co
tt
o
n
w
o
od Cres
20 St
W
illo
wv
i
e
w
Dr
Aspen Dr
17
St
11 St
85 Ave
91 Ave
7St
3 S
t
90 Ave
4 St
19A
St
12 St
111 Ave
113 Ave
10 St
8
S
t
11 St
Spinney Dr
82 Ave
96 Ave
16
St
102 Ave
13 St
100 Ave
87 Ave
90 Ave
93 Ave
100 Ave
Vic Turner Airp
ort Rd
105 Ave
7 St
Turgeon Dr
116 Ave
15 St
122 Ave
Rose
l
la Borek
Road
W
i
lson R
d
Alaska A
v
e
1 St
Collins Rd
97A Ave
1
4
A St
96 Ave
95 Ave
107
Ave
28 St
106 Ave
Parkhill
Dr
Loran Dr
1 St
Hwy 2 (Dawson Creek-Tupper Hwy)
Dangerous Goods Route
9
St
Will
owbrook Cres
Soccer Field Road
8 St
92 Ave
219 Rd
221 Rd
221 Rd
r
211 Rd
215 Rd
Leer Sub
Ha
rper Way
213 Rd
Hwy 97 N (Alaska Hwy)
Haddow Sub
non W
a
y
H
w
y 49 (Spirit River Hwy)
McKin
n
o
n Sub
Micro Sub
Imp
e
rial Sub
21
5
Rd
Pe
t
ri
c
k D
r
Christopher Estates
206 Rd
Pederson Sub
Hwy 97 S (John Hart Hwy)
Friesen Sub
Chilton Sub
Harper Dr
217 Rd
223 Rd
210 Rd
223 Rd
³
City of Dawson Creek
Official Community Plan
Bylaw No. 4ϲϮϬ, 2025
SCHEDULE G
DISCLAIMER: This map is for information purposes only.
For confirmation of the up-to-date land use designation on any specific
property, please contact the City of Dawson Creek
Sanitary Sewer Servicing
0
1
2
0.5
km
SOURCE:
Municipal boundary, water features and Digital Road Atlas from Data BC.
Legal Boundaries from Parcel Map BC - Integrated Cadastral Information Society.
Date of data access: Nov. 2024
NOTE:
For clarity purposes. The land use designation in the areas of the approximate edge of
water boundaries has been shown only up to the high water mark and may not
include the fulI extent of the parcel under the water.
Landuse extend to the centre lines of adjacent streets.
Rolla Rd
Legend
Sanitary System Infrastructure
Municipal Boundary
Waterbody
Railway
Gravity Main
Pressure Main
Lagoon and Storage
[
ä
Lift Station
South Dawson Creek
Dawson Creek
Dawson Creek
105 Ave
Hwy 49 (Spirit River Hwy)
221 Rd
8 St
210 Rd
116 Ave
112 Ave
E
lw
ood D
r
121 Ave
18 St
4 St
6 St
95 Ave
Airport Rd
10 St
110 Ave
13 St
15 St
21 St
15 St
3 St
90 Ave
Hwy 97 N (Alaska Hwy)
92 Ave
20 St
Hwy 97 S (John Hart Hwy)
5 St
108 Ave
98 Ave
8 St
100 Ave
27 St
4 St
13 St
92
Ave
7 St
17 St
Dangerous Goods Route
2 St
88 Ave
20
St
C
o
tt
o
n
w
o
o
d
19 St
W
illo
wv
i
e
w
Dr
Aspen Dr
9 St
17
St
85 Ave
106 Ave
Willowbrook Cres
20 St
4 St
3 S
t
90 Ave
19
A St
96 Ave
12 St
10 St
11 St
9 St
111 Ave
113 Ave
10 St
8
S
t
13 St
S
p
inney Dr
16
St
118 Ave
9 St
102 Ave
104 Ave
87 Ave
93 Ave
100 Ave
Vic Turner Airp
ort Rd
7 St
Turgeon Dr
116 Ave
17 St
122 Ave
Rose
l
la Borek
Road
W
i
lson R
d
Alaska A
v
e
Collins Rd
97A Ave
1
4
A St
96 Ave
28 St
106 Ave
Parkhill
Dr
107 Ave
103 Ave
108 Ave
Loran Dr
1 St
95 Ave
1 St
Soccer Field Road
Hwy 2 (Dawson Creek-Tupper Hwy)
Dangerous Goods Route
Cres
D
a
ngerous G
o
od
s
Rout
e
219 Rd
Dangerous Goods Route
223 Rd
221 Rd
221 Rd
57 Ave
211 Rd
215 Rd
L
eer Sub
Adams Rd
Ha
rper Way
213 Rd
Hwy 97 N (Alaska Hwy)
H
a
rper Sub
219 Rd
Haddow Sub
Mc
K
in
n
o
n W
a
y
Hwy 49 (Spirit River Hwy
)
223 Rd
Micro Sub
Imp
e
rial Sub
215
R
d
McK
i
n
non Sub
210 Rd
Pe
t
ri
c
k D
r
Christopher Estates
206 Rd
Pederson Sub
Rolla Rd
206 Rd
Friesen Sub
Chilton Sub
210 Rd
Hwy 97 S (John Hart Hwy)
208 Rd
Harper Dr
217 Rd
Water Treatment Rd
Loise
l
l
e Su
b
217 Rd
213 Rd
³
City of Dawson Creek
Official Community Plan
Bylaw No. 4ϲϮϬ, 2025
SCHEDULE H
Legend
Municipal Boundary
Waterbody
Railway
Storm System Infrastructure
Storm Main
DISCLAIMER: This map is for information purposes only.
For confirmation of the up-to-date land use designation on any specific
property, please contact the City of Dawson Creek
Storm Servicing
0
1
2
0.5
km
SOURCE:
Municipal boundary, water features and Digital Road Atlas from Data BC.
Legal Boundaries from Parcel Map BC - Integrated Cadastral Information Society.
Date of data access: Nov. 2024
NOTE:
For clarity purposes. The land use designation in the areas of the approximate edge of
water boundaries has been shown only up to the high water mark and may not
include the fulI extent of the parcel under the water.
Landuse extend to the centre lines of adjacent streets.
South Dawson Creek
Dawson Creek
Dawson Creek
Hw
y 4
9
(Spirit River Hwy)
221 Rd
9A St
109 Ave
210 Rd
119 Ave
116 Ave
112 Ave
E
lw
ood D
r
121 Ave
95 Ave
Airport Rd
110 Ave
13 St
21 St
15 St
Hwy 97 N (Alaska Hwy)
5 St
108 Ave
27 St
McKellar
Ave
92
Ave
85 Ave
17 St
Hwy 97 S (John Hart Hwy)
83
A
ve
Sam Wilson Way
2 St
88 Ave
20
St
Cott
o
n
w
o
o
d Cres
19 St
20A St
W
illo
wv
i
e
w
Dr
Aspen Dr
17A St
17B St
120 Ave
8A St
86 Ave
84 Ave
91 Ave
96A A
ve
1
8 St
Forest Park Dr
3 S
t
90 Ave
6
St
4 St
19
A St
124 Ave
12 St
111 Ave
113 Ave
10 St
8
S
t
11 St
Spinney Dr
82 Ave
97 Ave
16
St
118 Ave
Ravine D
r
9 St
102 Ave
105A Ave
94 Ave
14
St
101A Ave
101 Ave
87 Ave
87A Ave
89 Ave
93 Ave
100 Ave
Vic Turner Airp
ort Rd
99 Ave
105 Ave
7 St
98 Ave
Turgeon Dr
115 Ave
104 Ave
13A St
117 Ave
L
y
m
an Dr
122 Ave
P
ark View Dr
Rose
l
la Borek
Road
W
i
lson R
d
114 Ave
Collins Rd
97A Ave
1
4
A St
100A Ave
C
alv
e
rley Cres
96 Ave
91A Ave
107
Ave
Ben H
ep
pn
e
r
Way
28 St
Alaska Ave
106 Ave
Parkhi
l
l Dr
Chamberlain Dr
Re
a
sbe
ck Cres
103 Ave
Cy
p
ru
s
Crt
Ceda
rwo
o
d Crt
100B Ave
Loran Dr
1 St
Watson
Cres
Cornwall Cr
es
Soccer Field Road
Hwy 2 (Dawson Creek-Tupper Hwy)
Dangerous Goods Route
D
angerous
G
oo
ds Ro
u
te
219 Rd
Dangerous Goods Route
223 Rd
221 Rd
221 Rd
211 Rd
Leer Sub
Adams Rd
210 Rd
213 Rd
Hwy 97 N (Alaska Hwy)
McKi
n
non Sub
H
a
rper Sub
219 Rd
Haddow Sub
Hwy 49 (Spirit River Hwy)
223 Rd
Micro Sub
Imp
e
rial Sub
2
15
R
d
210 Rd
Pe
t
ri
c
k D
r
Christopher Estates
206 Rd
57 Ave
Rolla Rd
206 Rd
Friesen Sub
Chilton Sub
Hwy 97 S (John Hart Hwy)
208 Rd
Harper Dr
217 Rd
Water Treatment Rd
Loise
l
l
e S
u
b
215 Rd
213 Rd
217 Rd
³
City of Dawson Creek
Official Community Plan
Bylaw No. 4620, 2025
SCHEDULE I
Legend
Municipal Boundary
Waterbody
Railway
Dawson Creek Watershed
Wetland
Areas of Steep Slope (>25%)
Agricultural Land Reserve
Floodplain
Flood Fringe
Floodway
Freeboard Area
DISCLAIMER: This map is for information purposes only.
For confirmation of the up-to-date land use designation on any specific
property, please contact the City of Dawson Creek.
Natural Assets
0
1
2
0.5
km
NOTE:
Floodplain data does not extend east of 6th Street.
SOURCE:
Municipal boundary, water features and Digital Road Atlas from Data BC.
Legal Boundaries from Parcel Map BC - Integrated Cadastral Information Society.
Date of data access: Nov. 2024
NOTE:
For clarity purposes. The land use designation in the areas of the approximate edge of
water boundaries has been shown only up to the high water mark and may not
include the fulI extent of the parcel under the water.
Landuse extend to the centre lines of adjacent streets.
Dangerous Goods Route
South Dawson Creek
Dawson Creek
Dawson Creek
H
wy 49 (Spirit River Hwy)
221 R
d
9A St
109 Ave
210 Rd
119 Ave
116 Ave
112 Ave
El
w
o
o
d Dr
121 Ave
95 Ave
Airport Rd
110 Ave
13 St
21 St
1
5 St
Willowbrook Cres
Hwy 97 N (Alaska Hwy)
5 St
108 Ave
27 St
McKellar
Ave
92
Ave
8
5 Ave
17 St
Hwy 97 S (John Hart Hwy)
83
A
ve
Sam Wilson Way
2 St
88 Ave
20
St
Cott
o
n
w
o
o
d Cres
19 St
20A St
17A St
17B St
120 Ave
8A St
86 Ave
84 Ave
91 Ave
96A A
ve
18 St
Forest Park Dr
3 S
t
90 Ave
6
St
4 St
19
A S
t
124 Ave
12 St
111 Ave
113 Ave
10 St
8 St
11 St
S
pi
nney Dr
82 Ave
97 Ave
16
St
118 Ave
Ravin
e
D
r
9 St
102 Ave
105A Ave
94 Ave
14
St
P
o
p
l
a
r Cres
101A Ave
101 Ave
8
7 Av
e
89 Ave
93 Ave
100 Ave
Vic Turner Airp
ort Rd
99 Ave
105 Ave
7 St
98 Ave
Turgeon Dr
115 Ave
104 Ave
13A St
117 Ave
L
y
m
an Dr
122 Ave
P
ark View Dr
Rosella
B
orek R
o
ad
W
ilson
Rd
114 Ave
Collins Rd
97A Ave
14
A
St
100A Ave
Calverl
ey
C
res
96 A
ve
91A Ave
107 Av
e
Ben H
e
p
pn
e
r
Way
28 St
Alaska Ave
106 Ave
Parkhi
l
l D
r
Chamberlain Dr
Reasbeck
Cre
s
103 Ave
Cy
p
ru
s Crt
Cedar
w
o
o
d Crt
100B Ave
Loran Dr
1
St
Watson
Cres
Cornwall C
res
Soccer Field Road
Hwy 2 (Dawson Creek-Tupper Hwy)
Dangerous Goods Route
D
a
ngerous
G
o
o
ds R
o
ut
e
219 Rd
55 Ave
Dangerous Goods Route
221 Rd
221 Rd
211 Rd
215 Rd
Leer Su
b
Adams Rd
210 Rd
52 St
213 Rd
Hwy 97 N (Alaska Hwy
)
H
a
rper Sub
Loiselle Sub
219 Rd
Elevator Rd
Haddow Sub
McKinnon
W
ay
Carling Rd
Hwy 49 (Spirit River Hwy)
223 Rd
51 St
M
cKinn
o
n Sub
56 Ave
206 Rd
Micro Sub
57 Ave
Imp
e
rial Sub
2
15
R
d
46
St
49 St
P
e
tr
ick
Dr
Christopher Estates
206 Rd
Hwy 2
52 Ave
51 Ave
Hwy 97 S (John Hart Hwy)
54 Ave
Rolla Rd
56 Ave
50 Ave
206 Rd
Friesen Sub
Chilton Sub
208 Rd
Harper Dr
217 Rd
Water Treatment Rd
217 Rd
223 Rd
210 Rd
221 Rd
213 Rd
³
City of Dawson Creek
Official Community Plan
Bylaw No. 4620, 2025
SCHEDULE J
Legend
Municipal Boundary
Waterbody
Railway
Development Permit Area
Downtown Core
Commercial
Medium and High Density Residential
Intensive Residential
Major Corridor
Natural Hazards
DISCLAIMER: This map is for information purposes only.
For confirmation of the up-to-date land use designation on any specific
property, please contact the City of Dawson Creek
Development Permit Areas
0
1
2
0.5
km
SOURCE:
Municipal boundary, water features and Digital Road Atlas from Data BC.
Legal Boundaries from Parcel Map BC - Integrated Cadastral Information Society.
Date of data access: Nov. 2024
NOTE:
For clarity purposes. The land use designation in the areas of the approximate edge of
water boundaries has been shown only up to the high water mark and may not
include the fulI extent of the parcel under the water.
Landuse extend to the centrelines of adjacent streets.
Dangerous Goods Route