Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2429, 2025
Williams Lake, British Columbia
· adopted 2025-12-16
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OFFICIAL
COMMUNITY
PLAN BYLAW
NO. 2429
City of Williams Lake | December 2025
CITY OF WILLIAMS LAKE
BYLAW NO. 2429
BEING A BYLAW OF THE CITY OF WILLIAMS LAKE TO ADOPT AN OFFICIAL
COMMUNITY PLAN FOR THE MUNICIPALITY.
WHEREAS the Council of the City of Williams Lake wishes to adopt a new official community
plan, by bylaw;
AND WHEREAS Council has considered providing consultation opportunities in accordance with
Section 475 of the Local Government Act, and has provided the opportunities it considers
appropriate;
AND WHEREAS Council has, in the course of preparing the new official community plan,
consulted with the boards of education for those school districts included within the area covered
by the official community plan, pursuant to Section 476 of the Local Government Act;
AND WHEREAS after first reading of the bylaw Council considered the official community plan in
conjunction with its most recent financial plan and any waste management plans, and referred
the official community plan to the Provincial Agricultural Land Commission for comment;
AND WHEREAS before third reading Council held a public hearing on the proposed official
community plan;
NOW THEREFORE the Council of the City of Williams Lake, in open meeting assembled, hereby
enacts as follows:
Title:
1.
That this Bylaw shall be cited as "City of Williams Lake Official Community Plan Bylaw
No. 2429, 2025".
Repeals:
2.
That "Creating Our Future - The City of Williams Lake Official Community Plan Bylaw
No. 2140, 2011" and all amendments thereto are hereby repealed.
Schedules:
3.
That the "Williams Lake 2050, Planning the Future Together - Official Community Plan",
attached hereto as Schedule "A" and forming an integral part of this Bylaw, is hereby
adopted as the official community plan of the City of Williams Lake.
Bylaw No. 2430
Page 2
Severability:
4.
If any statement, section, sub-section, clause, sub-clause or phrase of this bylaw or the
official community plan adopted by this bylaw is for any reason held to be invalid by a
decision of a court of competent jurisdiction, the decision shall not affect the validity of
the remaining portions of the bylaw and official community plan.
Adoption:
5.
That this Bylaw shall come into force and take effect upon the date of final adoption by
the Council of the City of Williams Lake.
READ A FIRST TIME THIS
2nd
DAY OF
December , 2025
READ A SECOND TIME THIS
2nd
DAY OF
December , 2025
ADVERTISED THESE
11th & 18th DAYS OF
December
, 2025
A PUBLIC HEARING HELD ON
16th DAY OF
December , 2025
READ A THIRD TIME THIS
16th DAY OF
December
, 2025
RECONSIDERED AND ADOPTED THIS
16th DAY OF
December , 2025
_________________________________
MAYOR
__________________________________
CORPORATE OFFICER
*original signed by
*original signed by
OFFICIAL
COMMUNITY
PLAN
City of Williams Lake | December 2025
I, ROSS COUPÉ, CORPORATE OFFICER FOR THE
CITY OF WILLIAMS LAKE, DO HEREBY CERTIFY
THIS TO BE SCHEDULE "A" TO BYLAW NO. 2429
OF THE CITY OF WILLIAMS LAKE.
___________________________________________
CORPORATE OFFICER
*original signed by
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Pl
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 1
ENGAGEMENT PROCESS ............................................................................................. 17
VISION + GUIDING PRINCIPLES ................................................................................... 20
4.
LAND USE PLANNING + DEVELOPMENT ........................................................... 22
Objectives + Policies ............................................................................................................. 29
5.
HOUSING ............................................... ................................................. 50
Objectives + Policies ............................................................................................................. 54
6.
ECONOMY + JOBS ............................................................................................ 57
Objectives + Policies ............................................................................................................. 62
7.
HERITAGE, ARCHAEOLOGY, + CULTURE .......................................................... 67
Objectives + Policies ............................................................................................................. 72
8.
SOCIAL WELL-BEING + INCLUSION .................................................................. 76
Objectives + Policies ............................................................................................................. 78
9.
PARKS + RECREATION ....................................................................................... 83
Objectives + Policies ............................................................................................................. 91
10.
ECOSYSTEM PROTECTION + CLIMATE ACTION ................................................ 96
Objectives + Policies ........................................................................................................... 102
11.
NATURAL HAZARDS ......................................................................................... 106
Objectives + Policies ........................................................................................................... 111
12.
TRANSPORTATION ........................................................................................... 115
Objectives + Policies ........................................................................................................... 116
13.
MUNICIPAL SERVICES, INFRASTRUCTURE, + EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT .. 124
Objectives + Policies ........................................................................................................... 130
14.
IMPLEMENTATION + MONITORING ................................................................. 137
Objectives + Policies ........................................................................................................... 138
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
SCHEDULE 1
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS MAP ................................................... 141
SCHEDULE 2
DEVELOPMENT PERMIT AREAS ..................................................... 142
SCHEDULE 2.1
DPA 1: DOWNTOWN AND MIXED-USE ........................................ 144
SCHEDULE 2.2
DPA 2: MULTI-UNIT RESIDENTIAL .................................................. 153
SCHEDULE 2.3
DPA 3: COMMERCIAL AND LIGHT INDUSTRIAL CORRIDOR ....... 160
SCHEDULE 2.4
DPA 4: STEEP SLOPES, LANDSLIDE, + ESCARPMENT HAZARDS .... 167
SCHEDULE 2.5
DPA 5: WILDFIRE HAZARD ............................................................ 173
SCHEDULE 3
AGRICULTURAL LAND RESERVE MAP ........................................... 179
SCHEDULE 4
MAJOR ROAD NETWORK MAP .................................................... 180
SCHEDULE 5
ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION NETWORK MAP ................................. 181
SCHEDULE 6
POTABLE WATER SYSTEM MAP ..................................................... 182
SCHEDULE 7
STORMWATER NETWORK MAP ..................................................... 183
SCHEDULE 8
SANITARY SEWER MAP ................................................................. 184
SCHEDULE 9
TEMPORARY USE PERMITS ............................................................ 185
SCHEDULE 10
DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL INFORMATION ................................. 187
SCHEDULE 11
FIRE + DROUGHT RESISTANT PLANT LIST ....................................... 189
One of the many spectacular
views of Williams Lake.
© Eco Tours BC
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
1
Introduction
Purpose of an Official Community Plan
Municipalities in British Columbia are obligated under the Local Government Act (LGA)
to adopt an Official Community Plan (OCP). The LGA stipulates the mandatory and
discretionary elements of an OCP, as well as the procedural requirements that must be
fulfilled prior to its adoption. The City of Williams Lake Official Community Plan has been
prepared in full accordance with the provisions of the LGA.
In broad terms, an OCP serves as a long-term vision and physical framework for guiding
the future development of a community. This OCP outlines a planning horizon of 25-years;
however, it will be reviewed and updated every five years in accordance with the Local
Government Act. Regular updates help maintain alignment with the community's vision
and respond to evolving conditions. This OCP applies to all lands within the municipal
boundaries of the City of Williams Lake, as illustrated and designated on the Schedule 1:
Land Use Designation Map.
While land use plans and policies are central to an OCP, the document also outlines the
community's broader objectives across a range of policy areas. An OCP integrates land
use planning with objectives related to social, cultural, economic, and environmental
sustainability. It establishes a strategic framework to guide growth and development
while protecting and enhancing community liveability.
This OCP reflects the ideas and input gathered throughout the planning process.
Contributions were received from residents, businesses, community organizations, First
Nations, senior levels of government, and City of Williams Lake staff and Council.
KEY POLICY AREAS
The OCP addresses a wide array of topics, including:
-
Economic development;
-
Environmental protection
+ natural hazards;
-
Heritage + culture;
-
Infrastructure + emergency
management planning;
-
Land use, building form
+ design guidelines;
-
Present + future housing needs;
-
Parks, trails, + open spaces;
-
Social well-being + inclusion; and
-
Transportation networks.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
2
POLICY IMPLEMENTATION
Given that conditions evolve,
new
challenges
and
opportunities
arise,
and
resources are limited, the
Local Government Act does
not obligate municipalities to
implement
every
policy
outlined in an OCP. However,
any
bylaws
enacted
or
projects initiated by Council
following the adoption of the
OCP must be consistent with
its overarching direction and
intent.
HOUSING NEEDS REPORT REQUIREMENTS
Since 2019, local governments in British Columbia have been legally required to prepare
a Housing Needs Report (HNR) every five years; this process includes estimating the
number of additional housing units required over five- and 20-year periods.
MANDATORY OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN UPDATES
In 2023, the Province of BC introduced new legislation requiring every municipality to
update its OCP(s) every five years to incorporate findings from housing needs report to
ensure that OCPs remain responsive to the projected housing needs of the community.
CHANGES TO THE PUBLIC HEARING PROCESS
A further legislative change prohibits municipalities from holding public hearings during
rezoning processes for residential developments that align with the OCP. As a result,
meaningful public engagement during the development of the OCP itself has become
even more critical, ensuring residents have the opportunity to help shape the future of
their community over the next 25 years.
Photo gallery at City Hall featuring
photography by community residents.
© City of Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
3
Reconciliation: Legislative Context
Truth + Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) was established in 2008
through the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement to listen to survivors, their
families, and communities, and educate Canadians about the legacy of residential
schools. In 2015, the TRC published Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls
to Action to address this legacy and advance reconciliation.
-
TRC Calls to Action #57: "We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal
governments to provide education to public servants on the history of Aboriginal
Peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights,
Indigenous law, and Aboriginal-Crown relations. This will require skills-based training in
intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism."1
The Commission calls upon federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to
adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) as
the framework for reconciliation and implement it within their jurisdictions.
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
INDIGENOUS RIGHTS + MUNICIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was
adopted by the United Nations in 2007 as a legally non-binding resolution. In 2021, the
Government of Canada enacted UNDRIP into federal law and released the UNDRIP
Action Plan (UNDA), which outlines 181 priority actions2 the federal government will
undertake to advance Indigenous rights. UNDRIP is structured around four core pillars3 of
Indigenous rights:
1. The Right to Self-Determination;
2. The Right to be Recognized as Distinct Peoples;
3. The Right to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent; and
4. The Right to be Free from Discrimination.
1. Government of Canada, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, "Professional development and
training for public servants" (2018). Webpage.
2. Government of Canada, Department of Justice. "United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
Action Plan" (2023).
3. Federation of Canadian Municipalities. "The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: A Guide
for Municipalities" (2024).
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
4
In British Columbia, the provincial government passed the Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) in 2019. As part of its implementation, the Declaration
Act Action Plan 2022-2027 was introduced, establishing specific obligations for provincial
ministries - including the Ministry of Municipal Affairs - related to Indigenous self-
determination, cultural and social well-being, addressing systemic discrimination and
inequality, and recognizing the inherent rights and title of Indigenous Peoples. 4
Municipal governments also have responsibilities in advancing reconciliation, including
aligning with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action, UNDRIP, the
federal UNDRIP Action Plan (UNDA), and DRIPA5. Municipalities operate on traditional
Indigenous territories and often benefit from the use of Indigenous lands and resources,
both past and present. As such, municipal decisions and policies can have significant
implications for the rights outlined in UNDRIP.
MUNICIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES + ALIGNMENT WITH UNDRIP
Municipal governments hold a wide range of responsibilities, including land use planning
and development, public safety, community services, and more. Within these areas,
municipalities have the opportunity to align their planning, policies, and service delivery
with Indigenous rights and the obligations set out in UNDRIP. In support of this alignment,
municipalities may consider the following strategic actions:
-
Policy + Plan Review: Conduct comprehensive reviews of municipal policies and
departmental plans to ensure consistency with the principles and goals of UNDRIP;
-
Meaningful Engagement: Engage with Indigenous rights-holders whose traditional
and treaty territories overlap with municipal boundaries, as well as with Indigenous
individuals and communities residing within the municipality. This may include forming
partnerships through advisory committees, working groups, task forces, or other
structures that ensure Indigenous representation and input; and
-
Accountability + Monitoring: Establish mechanisms for monitoring, reporting, and
evaluating progress on UNDRIP implementation, including the development of clear
accountability frameworks and performance indicators.
4. Government of British Columbia. "Declaration on the Right of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan: 2022 to 2027"
(2022).
5. Federation of Canadian Municipalities. "The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: A Guide
for Municipalities" (2024).
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
5
The City of Williams Lake Council 2022-26 Strategic Plan highlights a focus on Indigenous
Relations and commits to establishing a framework in accordance with UNDRIP. City of
Williams Lake staff and Council commit to training and professional development
participation annually in accordance with UNDRIP.
Williams Lake History + Context
Williams Lake is situated in the Cariboo Chilcotin region of central British Columbia,
located on the traditional territory of the T'exelcemc Peoples (Williams Lake First Nation),
part of the Secwepemc Nation. T'exelcemc Peoples have lived in this area for millennia,
maintaining vibrant communities and rich cultural traditions. The site where the City now
stands was once two villages, one at the foot of the lake and the other where Glendale
is now located.
In the early 1800s, European fur traders arrived in the region, using two Indigenous trails
that crossed at what is now Williams Lake. These trails became key routes for the fur
brigades. In 1840, Roman Catholic Bishop Modeste Demers visited the village of Chief
William, located in what is now Glendale, and built a chapel there. During this visit, the
area began to be referred to as "William's Lake."
With the discovery of gold in the Cariboo in the late 1850s, the established trails evolved
into major travel corridors for prospectors and merchants. As the gold rush grew, Williams
Lake became a natural stopping point for those heading toward the goldfields. By 1860,
the area experienced a significant influx of miners, and by 1861, it had become a central
hub for the Cariboo gold rush.
20TH CENTURY
In 1919, the arrival of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway sparked significant growth in
Williams Lake. A site was surveyed, and the settlement of Borland was renamed Williams
Lake. The railway greatly benefited the local cattle industry, turning Williams Lake into a
major supply depot for ranchers. The community was incorporated as a village in 1929.
By the early 1950s, the region was home to about 150 portable sawmills. The
modernization of logging equipment, the introduction of diesel trucks, and the
implementation of annual allowable cuts allowed for the establishment of permanent
sawmills in Williams Lake, contributing to substantial growth. In 1965, Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
6
achieved town status, and by 1981, it became a city, fueled by the economic boom
from the opening of the Gibraltar Mine in the 1970s.
Between 1971 and 1976, Williams Lake experienced rapid growth, with its population
increasing by 48%, making it one of the fastest-growing communities in the region.
However, in recent years, growth has slowed, with a modest population increase of 0.7%
between 1991 and 1996, and a slight decrease of 0.7% between 1996 and 2001.
Nevertheless, the city's population increased significantly, growing by 11.1% from 1991 to
1996 and 0.5% from 1996 to 2001. Between 2001 and 2006, there was a decrease of 3.6%;
however, the population of Williams Lake has since increased by 1.8% as of 2021.
Williams Lake has a diversified economy, with key sectors including cattle ranching,
forestry, wood manufacturing, mining, tourism, the service industry, and government
services. Forestry remains the dominant industry, with a wide variety of associated
businesses, including logging contractors, wood manufacturers, value-added facilities,
log home builders, equipment sales and repairs, industrial suppliers, and welding and
machining contractors.
Williams Lake is home to the annual Williams Lake Stampede, which takes place over the
Canada Day long weekend. The city is also the hometown of Rick Hansen, the Canadian
paraplegic athlete and advocate for individuals with spinal cord injuries, who is best
known for his global fundraising Man in Motion world tour.
Williams Lake is home to Phyllis Webstad, founder of the Orange Shirt Society; Phyllis is
Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) from Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First
Nation (Canoe Creek Band) and attended St. Joseph's Mission
Residential School. Phyllis shared her story in May 2013 at the unveiling
of a monument at the old school site and at Boitanio Park in Williams
Lake; the event was part of the Commemoration Project, made
possible by Kukpi7 Fred Robbins of Esk'etemc. Orange Shirt Day, started in 2013 and
observed across Canada and beyond, focuses on commemorating the residential
school experience, witnessing and honouring the healing journey of the survivors and
their families, and illustrating a collective commitment to ensure that Every Child Matters.
The initiative calls for every Canadian to wear an orange shirt on September 30 in the
spirit of healing and reconciliation; she was instrumental in establishing the National Day
for Truth and Reconciliation in 2021.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
7
Regional Importance
As the primary centre in the Cariboo Chilcotin region, Williams Lake serves as a hub
for
transportation,
trade,
finance,
education,
healthcare,
tourism,
and
administrative services. Williams Lake is a regional hub for 15 First Nations across three
Nations as many residents from surrounding communities commute to Williams Lake
daily to access these services or for employment. As a result, the City's market area
spans approximately 12,500 square kilometres and includes a population of
approximately 25,000 people.
CARIBOO REGIONAL DISTRICT
The City of Williams Lake is situated within the Cariboo Regional District (CRD), which spans
80,252 square kilometres of land. Established in 1968, the CRD includes 12 electoral areas and
four incorporated municipalities: Quesnel, Williams Lake, 100 Mile House, and Wells. The region
lies within the traditional territories of the Dakelh, Secwépemc, and Tŝilhqot'in peoples.
The Regional District operates local libraries, including one in Williams Lake, and owns the
Cariboo Memorial Complex. Additionally, the CRD manages Solid Waste Services for the entire
region, overseeing two landfill sites (Frizzi Road and Gibraltar Mine) and several transfer stations.
Williams Lake has an agreement with the Regional District to utilize these landfill sites and the
Frizzi Road transfer station, contributing a percentage of the operating costs.
Williams Lake First Nation
HISTORY + CONTEXT
Williams Lake First Nation (WILLIAMS LAKE FIRST NATION) and the T'exelcemc peoples' history
extend for over 6,500 years.6 Today, WILLIAMS LAKE FIRST NATION has a growing community of
more than 1,000 members living both on and off reserve and is a member of the Northern
Secwepemc te Qelmucw (NStQ).
WILLIAMS LAKE FIRST NATION and other Secwepemc Nations have lived in the region since time
immemorial, occupying Secwepemcul'ecw. They established temporary camps and villages in
spring, summer, and fall, centered around a permanent winter village. Their movements
spanned vast areas, including key hunting, fishing, harvesting, ceremonial, and trading sites.
One significant winter village was located at the west end of present-day Williams Lake.7
6. Williams Lake First Nation. "About Wiliams Lake First Nation - History" (2025). Webpage.
7. Ibid.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
8
Village Claim
When settlers first made contact in the 19th century, both the city and the lake were
named after Chief William. In June 1861, the colonial government ordered that an Indian
Reserve be established on the Village Lands; however, this order was never implemented,
and the lands were not protected for Williams Lake First Nation. By November 1861,
settlers had taken possession of the Village Lands, driving the Indigenous Peoples out. The
displaced community sought refuge in the San Jose River Valley.
When British Columbia joined Confederation in 1871, the Government of Canada
assumed responsibility for Indigenous Peoples and reserves. Chief William advocated for
the protection of the Village Lands, but his request was denied, as it would have
interfered with the settlers who had already established themselves on the lands.
Chief Willie Sellars dipnetting with Williams Lake First
Nation youth
Williams Lake First Nation Powwow
© Williams Lake First Nation
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
9
Figure 1: Historical Timeline
© Williams Lake First Nation
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
10
In 2018, Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN) won a case in the Supreme Court of Canada,
which confirmed Canada had violated its legal obligations by failing to protect the
Village Lands in accordance with colonial law. Williams Lake First Nation accepted the
proposed settlement and established the Williams Lake First Nation Community Trust,
which works to serve the best interests of the community, including its current, past, and
future members. 8
Currently in Stage 5 of the British Columbia Treaty Commission (BCTC) Treaty Process,
Wiliams Lake First Nation is transitioning away from governance under the Indian Act. The
Nation has developed its own governance structures, including a Membership Code
(1991) and Custom Election Code (2007). Williams Lake First Nation is now governed by
the Williams Lake First Nation Land Management Code (2016) and the Williams Lake First
Nation Financial Administration Law (2018). Since 2008, Williams Lake First Nation has also
maintained International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification. The Nation
is focused on expanding and delivering comprehensive services to both its members and
the broader community. 9
St. Joseph's Mission Residential School
St. Joseph's Mission (SJM) Residential School and Onward Ranch located just a few
kilometres from Williams Lake First Nation's T'exelc (Sugar Cane) community, operated
from 1886 to 1981. Thousands of Indigenous children were forcibly enrolled as part of
Canada's residential school system.
In 2021, Williams Lake First Nation initiated an investigation into the disappeared and
deceased Indigenous children who attended SJM. This investigation involves geophysical
8. Wiliams Lake First Nation. "Wiliams Lake First Nation Village Claim Information Package" (2022). Webpage.
9. Williams Lake First Nation. "About Wiliams Lake First Nation" (2025). Webpage.
I am an Indian Chief and my people are threatened by starvation.
The white men have taken all the land and all the fish.
A vast country was ours. It is all gone.
- excerpt from Chief William's 1879 statement
on the impact from settlers
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
11
search techniques such as Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), survivor interviews, and
archival research. Over four phases of research, over 150 reflections in the GPR were
identified that indicate the potential presence of unmarked graves. In 2023, Williams Lake
First Nation acquired a portion of the former SJM grounds, with the goal of transforming it
into a space for reflection, preservation, remembrance, truth-telling, and public
education.10
Northern Secwépemc te Qelmúcw
The Northern Secwépemc te Qelmúcw (NStQ), originally formed as the Cariboo Tribal
Council in 1971 and later renamed the Northern Shuswap Tribal Council (NSTC) in 2006, is
composed of four communities: Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN), Xatśūll First Nation
(XFN), Stswecem'c Xget'tem First Nation (SXFN), and Tsq'escen First Nation (TFN). NStQ
provides advisory services to its member communities and works collaboratively on issues
of mutual interest.
NStQ is currently in Stage Five of the British Columbia Treaty process, negotiating Self-
Governance. An Agreement in Principle was reached in 2019, and the Final Agreement
will fully settle aboriginal rights and title.11 Three NStQ communities have formed a
regional government through the Northern Shuswap Tribal Council, which also houses the
Northern Shuswap Treaty Society. Both organizations are governed by a Board of
Directors comprised of NStQ chiefs. A fifth level of government will be created and shared
by all four NStQ communities, with authority over areas of mutual interest, enabling
collaboration for cost savings and enhanced political influence at the provincial and
national levels. 12
10. Williams Lake First Nation. "About Wiliams Lake First Nation" (2025). Webpage.
11. Northern Secwepemc te Qelmucw. "The BC Treaty Process" (2025). Webpage.
12. Northern Secwepemc te Qelmucw. "Governance" (2025). Webpage.
The award-winning documentary Sugarcane premiered
at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, highlighting the ongoing
investigation at St. Joseph's Mission Residential School.
Since its release, the film has won multiple awards and was nominated
for Best Documentary Feature at the 2025 Academy Awards.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
12
Currently, NStQ manages several areas, including Victim Services, Skills Development,
Fisheries, Natural Resources, Indian Registry, Child and Family Jurisdiction Transition, and
Treaty Negotiations. The organization also supports the communities in building
governance structures, managing Human Resources, and providing training and
capacity development for the NStQ member Nations' staff, councils, and members.
Regional + Urban Indigenous Context
Williams Lake is a hub for business, education and health services for neighbouring First Nations.
While there are many different First Nation communities represented in Williams Lake, the city sits
entirely on the territory of the Williams Lake First Nation. The City also recognizes territory overlap
with Xat'súll First Nation on the airport lands.
Uniquely positioned, Williams Lake has four directions of community members who participate
in programs, services and activities. To the West of Williams Lake along Highway 20 the Tsilhqot'in
people have several established communities under the historic self-governance agreement of
the Tsilhqot'in National Government (TNG). Established in 1989, the TNG represents six Tŝilhqot'in
communities: Tl'etinqox (Anaham), Tŝideldel (Redstone), Yuneŝit'in (Stone), Xeni Gwet'in
(Nemiah), ʔEsdilagh (Alexandria), and Tl'esqox (Toosey). Following along Hwy 20 to the Coast is
the traditional unceded lands of the Nuxalk Nation in the Bella Coola Valley. To the north, the
Cariboo Region is home to the Lhoosk'kuz Dene Nation, Lhatako Dene Nation, Ndazkoh/Nazko
First Nation, and Ulkatcho Dakelh Dene Nation. The Tsq'escenemc have lands in the South
Cariboo found around Canim Lake and have Indian Reserve (IR) land along the shores of Lac
La Hache, and Christopher Lake13. Understanding the regional context and the ways
Indigenous peoples access services in Williams Lake can support more inclusive and equitable
policies and provide opportunities to align policies and planning with the United Nations
Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission of Canada: Calls to Action.
In 2021, there were 1,090,240 Indigenous people living in urban areas across Canada (Census
Metropolitan Area (CMA) and Census Agglomeration (CA)), reflecting an 11.5% increase since
2016. 14 The 2021 Census reported 2,615 Indigenous people residing in the City of Williams Lake,
comprising 24.4% of the population. Williams Lake acts as a central hub for commerce,
education, and services, supporting both on- and off-reserve Indigenous populations from the
13 Cariboo Regional District (2025). Webpage.
14. Statistics Canada. "Census of Population" (2021) and "Guide to the Census of Population" (2021).
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
13
Chilcotin and Cariboo regions. Many Indigenous individuals from across the region live off-
reserve or away from their home communities.
Several Indigenous groups have offices, services, and businesses in the city, including the First
Nations Tribal Council Offices (Williams Lake First Nation, Carrier Chilcotin, Northern Shuswap,
Tsilhqot'in) and various Indigenous organizations. Local groups such as the Three Corners Health
Society, Cariboo Friendship Society, Knucwentwecw Family Services, Cariboo Chilcotin Métis
Association, Denisiqi, Nenqayni Wellness Centre, Tŝideldel First Nation, and Orange Shirt Society
provide vital services to the urban Indigenous community.
Geography, Population Projections, + Demographics
GEOGRAPHY + CLIMATE
The City of Williams Lake
covers a land area of 33
square
kilometres,
or
approximately
2,500
hectares. It is strategically
located at the junction of
Highway 97, the primary
north-south route in the
province, and Highway
20, which provides the only road access to the central coast and Bella Coola. This central
location makes Williams Lake a hub for people across the region and a destination for visitors.
The city lies at the western end of the 11-kilometre-long Williams Lake, which flows into the Fraser
River via the Williams Lake River to the south of the Downtown Core.
Nestled in a sheltered valley on British Columbia's Interior Plateau, Williams Lake has a northwest-
southeast orientation within the valley. The surrounding plateaus rise 300 to 400 metres above
the valley floor. The area is encircled by evergreen forests, with the valley sitting at an average
elevation of 610 metres. To the east, the Cariboo Mountains form the foothills of the Rockies,
while to the west lies the Fraser River and the Chilcotin ranching region. The iconic "Hoodoos"--
natural rock columns shaped by centuries of wind and rain--can be seen from Sheep Creek
Ridge along Highway 20, adding to the dramatic landscape that borders the Fraser River. The
region experiences a semi-arid climate, with warm summers, cold winters, and significant
snowfall that supports winter sports.
View from above Signal Point looking toward
Williams Lake. © City of Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
14
POPULATION
According to the 2021 Census, the City of Williams Lake has a population of
approximately 10,947 residents. The broader regional population that relies on services in
the city is estimated at around 25,000.15 From 2016 to 2021, the city experienced a modest
population increase of 1.8%. However, future projections suggest a slight population
decline by 2046, reflecting a potential shift of residents from Williams Lake to other areas.
This trend aligns with broader forecasts indicating a population decrease across the
Cariboo Region by 2046.
Table 1: Population Projections, City of Williams Lake, 2011-2046
Source: Population Projections - Province of British Columbia
Community
2021
2026
2036
2046
City of Williams Lake
10,947
10,903
10,593
10,702
Like many communities across Canada,
Williams Lake is experiencing an aging
population. Since 2016, the number of
residents aged 65 and older has grown by
8% (from 2,055 to 2,225 people), while the
population aged 15 and under has seen
a modest increase of just 1.6%.
For those aged 15 to 64 - the working-age
population - there was a slight decline of
0.1% between 2016 and 2021.
In Williams Lake, over 24% of the
population identifies as Indigenous -
significantly higher than the 6% provincial
average.
This represents a 28% increase since the 2016 Census, with the Indigenous identifying
population rising from 2,045 to 2,615. This increase highlights the critical role of Indigenous
services and supports in the city.
15. City of Williams Lake. "About Williams Lake - Facts and Figures" (2025). Webpage.
Figure 2: Population Age, City of Williams Lake, 2021
Source: Statistics Canada, Census Data
Age
0 - 14
17%
Age
15 - 64
63%
Age
65 - 84
20%
Age 85+
3%
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
15
It also underscores the importance of meaningful engagement and collaboration
with the urban Indigenous population, Williams Lake First Nation and other
Indigenous communities that rely on services in Williams Lake.
Additionally, approximately 9% of residents identify as part of a visible minority group,
reflecting a 45% increase since 2016 (660 to 955 people). These demographic shifts
reinforce the City's commitment to fostering an inclusive, safe, and welcoming
environment for people of all cultures and backgrounds.
How the Official Community Plan is Organized
VISION 2050 + GUIDING PRINCIPLES (CHAPTER 3)
The vision for Williams Lake outlines a long-term aspiration that shapes the
objectives and policies of the Official Community Plan (OCP). It builds upon
the
current
Council's
vision
statement,
refined
through
community
engagement.
The vision and guiding principles are grounded in the shared values identified
through community input; the principles ensure that decisions and actions
reflect the community's values. They guide the planning process and shape
the approach to achieving the goals. These principles are crucial for steering
the development of policies, programs, and actions within the Plan.
The Williams Lake Library on Third Avenue in downtown
Williams Lake. © City of Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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TOPIC AREAS: GUIDING QUESTIONS, BACKGROUND, OBJECTIVES, + POLICIES
(CHAPTERS 4 - 13)
The topic area chapters are shaped by legislative requirements, best practice research,
technical studies, community engagement, and input from staff, First Nations, and
Council.
Each topic area follows a consistent structure:s
-
Guiding Question: Frames the desired outcomes for the topic area, reflecting the
community's values, vision, and priorities for Williams Lake 2050;
-
Background: Provides context for the topic area;
-
Objectives: Outline the broad direction and summarize the associated policies; and
-
Policies: Guide the City in achieving the desired outcomes. Policies may 'require'
actions through bylaws or procedures, or 'encourage/consider' actions where
discretion is involved. They may be the direct responsibility of the City or require
collaboration with developers, land owners, government agencies, community
groups or First Nations.
City Responsibility: Some policies fall under the City's direct responsibility, for current
and/or future Councils to prioritize. While the municipality is not required to implement
any specific projects or policies, these guide funding, capacity, and resource
allocation. Councils cannot enact bylaws or take actions that contradict the OCP.
Working with Landowners or Developers: Certain policies are directed at landowners
and developers within the city. Municipalities typically engage the development
community through regulatory requirements, negotiated solutions, and voluntary
incentives.
Collaborating with Others: Policies targeting partnerships with senior governments,
First Nations, and community groups: these actions address areas where municipal
and development efforts alone are insufficient and may require collaboration and/or
leadership from other agencies (with potential municipal support) or advocacy to
higher levels of government for change.
The policies are measurable, enabling the City to track progress. The priorities and timeline
for implementation are detailed in Chapter 14 Implementation and Monitoring.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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Engagement Process
Spring 2025 - Vision, Values, + Priorities
The first phase of engagement focused on gathering input on the community's vision for
Williams Lake, identifying community values, and outlining priorities for the OCP topic
areas. City staff and the consulting team engaged with more than 700 people in April
and May 2025 with targeted outreach to youth, seniors, businesses, community
organizations, and First Nations. Mayor Surinderpal Rathor and Chief Willie Sellars
welcomed participants at the City Hall engagement launch on April 24, 2025. The Williams
Lake First Nation Cultural Team shared traditional songs, drumming, and a story about
porcupine and eagle to represent forging a path forward together to create a bright
future.
Overall, participants expressed a strong connection to the Williams Lake community and
a shared desire for a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive future.
Consultants and City staff also met regularly with representatives from Williams Lake First
Nation to determine the most meaningful ways to incorporate their perspectives. Williams
Lake First Nation staff provided ongoing feedback on the content of the OCP and shared
the engagement opportunities with their members.
The project team reached out to neighbouring First Nations and urban Indigenous groups
offering invitations to participate in the process.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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The graphic below highlights key themes related to vision, values, and priorities that
emerged from the engagement events, survey, meetings with First Nations, City staff, and
Council.
Community engagement plays a crucial role in creating a draft OCP. Other sources of
input are equally important in creating a comprehensive, evidence-driven, and
balanced plan. The project team worked hard through the summer of 2025 to create a
draft OCP and Zoning Bylaw including contributions from community feedback,
technical studies, First Nations, municipal staff, and Council.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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Fall 2025 Engagement
The second round of engagement in September 2025 focused on gathering feedback
on the draft OCP and Zoning Bylaw. Input was gathered from over 570 community
members through a mix of in-person and virtual events including an online survey.
The majority of participants expressed strong positive support for the draft Official
Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw, with significant levels of support across the various
sections of the OCP and Zoning Bylaw.
Major themes from the comments collected during both in-person engagement events
and the survey included a strong emphasis on improving liveability to enhance the
quality of life, attracting and retaining community members, boosting community safety,
and fostering a diversified economy with support for local businesses. Reconciliation also
emerged as a consistent and crucial theme throughout the process.
Throughout the process, the project team met regularly with representatives from Williams
Lake First Nation (WLFN). Williams Lake First Nation staff provided ongoing feedback on
the draft OCP and helped share engagement opportunities with their members.
The project team also reached out to neighbouring First Nations and urban Indigenous
organizations, extending invitations to participate in the process.
The input from the community has shaped the final version of the OCP and updated
Zoning Bylaw.
Fall Engagement Events
© City of Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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Vision + Guiding Principles
The vision for Williams Lake outlines a long-term aspiration that shapes the objectives and
policies of the Official Community Plan (OCP). It builds upon the current Council's vision
statement, refined through community engagement.
Vision
Guiding Principles
These guiding principles provide overarching direction for all areas of the OCP. They are
grounded in the shared values identified through community input and will help guide
decisions and actions. They are critical in guiding all policy development, programs and
actions pursued under the OCP.
-
Reconciliation:
Strengthen
cooperation
and
mutual
support
by
working
collaboratively with First Nations towards respective community goals and
objectives. Revisit and create government-to-government protocols, policies, and
processes based on meaningful consultation respecting matters of mutual interest,
and
establishing
accountability
and
monitoring
mechanisms
for
UNDRIP
implementation, towards the collective journey of reconciliation.
-
Relationship Building, Partnerships, + Collaboration: Collaborate and partner with the
Williams Lake First Nation, Regional Indigenous Organizations, Cariboo Regional
By 2050, Williams Lake will be an inclusive, safe, accessible,
healthy, and both an economic and climate resilient community
that honours diversity and champions environmental stewardship.
The community will continue its commitment to reconciliation with
Williams Lake First Nation, urban Indigenous populations, and
neighbouring First Nation communities.
Williams Lake will offer opportunities to grow, thrive, and
be active.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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District, senior government, community partners and non-profit organizations to
implement the OCP's objectives and policies.
-
Small-Town Liveability: Maintain the small-town feel, close connections, and overall
friendliness of Williams Lake while continuing to foster a sense of belonging, optimism,
connection, and social and physical well-being for all who live, work, and play in the
community and to attract new residents.
-
Sound Governance + Operations: Foster transparent, accountable, financially
responsible decision-making, and effective and timely communications to support
an informed and involved community.
-
Accessibility: Incorporate accessibility and barrier-free experiences for all ages and
abilities in municipal processes, parks and other public spaces, and the built
environment such as housing, community amenities, and recreational facilities. This
ensures that all residents and community members, including those with disabilities
and the elderly can access and benefit from all that Williams Lake has to offer.
-
Safety: Promote and ensure safety of all residents, community members, and
businesses in Williams Lake through proactive actions. Decision making, built
environment, and public spaces prioritizes the protection of the physical and
emotional well-being of all residents and community members of Williams Lake.
-
Resiliency: Adapt to new conditions and issues in the global, provincial, regional, and
local context including social, environmental, technological, or economic, and
operate as an effective, thriving, and welcoming community. Incorporate proactive
and responsive approaches to the climate crisis, natural hazards, emergency
planning, and the local economy.
-
Regional Hub: Fully consider the needs of regional community members and
promote equitable access to amenities, services and supports, and opportunities.
Encourage collaboration, network-building, and partnerships among various
government organizations, non-profits, businesses, and communities to help
strengthen the collective capacity.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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4. Land Use Planning +
Development
Guiding Question
How can we ensure the community's needs are met through a land
use plan that effectively meets the demand for residential,
employment, and institutional uses?
General Background
Williams Lake will continue to promote a strong Downtown Core and attractive
neighbourhoods while preserving parks, conservation areas and employment lands with
flexible uses, including Heavy Industrial. In the future, the City will have more complete,
compact neighbourhoods with neighbourhood centres providing basic commercial and
service needs with higher residential densities to support local businesses and increase
walking, cycling, and transit use within the City. Rural residential areas should remain low
density and most multi-unit residential development should be directed into downtown,
Westridge Lake View
© City of Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
23
neighbourhood centres, and along main transportation routes. There will be ample
opportunities for both redevelopment and densification in the existing urban area, and
for new greenfield subdivisions or neighbourhoods on vacant lands.
Bill 44 - Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act, 2023 established
new requirements for Official Community Plans. Key changes include a requirement to
designate sufficient residential land to meet the results of the unit needs estimates
established in Housing Needs Reports and housing policies addressing a range of issues
and considerations. The land use framework described in this plan well exceeds the
required unit capacity with housing policies covering all the required topics.
Industrial Railyard
© City of Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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Land Use Designation Summary
Mixed-Use + Residential Land Uses
Land Use
Intent
Building Form
Typical Uses
Downtown Core
- Central core area and heart
of the city
- Highest density part of town
- Greatest mixing of uses with
residential, commercial,
cultural, and institutional
activities
- Pedestrian-oriented and
walkable rather than
automobile serving
businesses
- Mix of low- and mid-rise
buildings with ground floor
commercial uses
- Up to eight (8) storeys
- Up to 4.5 Floor Space Ratio
(FSR)
- Urban setbacks with high site
coverage
- Mixed uses with focus on
commercial, employment
and residential
- Residential uses in urban
apartments above stores,
offices, or restaurants
- Cultural and entertainment
- Plazas and open space
Neighbourhood Mixed-
use
- Moderate density mixed use
to transition from downtown
or for neighbourhood
centres
- Second highest density land
use designation
- Residential with opportunities
for neighbourhood serving
businesses
- Mix of low-rise and mid-rise
residential buildings with
commercial uses
- Apartments, townhouses or
stacked townhouses
- Up to six (6) storeys
- Up to 2 FSR
- Suburban setbacks
- Residential uses
- Neighbourhood serving
commercial uses
Neighbourhood
Multi-unit
- Multi-unit residential
development outside the
core area and along
arterials in neighbourhoods
- Low-rise medium density
- Apartments and townhouses
- Up to four (4) storeys
- Up to 1.5 FSR
- Multi-unit residential uses only
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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Land Use
Intent
Building Form
Typical Uses
- The third highest density
residential land use
designation
- Larger, suburban setbacks
Small-scale
Residential
- Small-scale multi-unit of 1 to
4 units
- The second density
residential land use
designation
- Low-rise low density
residential
- Townhouses, duplex, triplex,
multiplexes and accessory
dwellings
- Up to three (3) storeys
- Up to 1.2 FSR
- Larger, suburban setbacks
- Small scale multi-unit
residential (single detached,
duplex, triplex, fourplex,
townhouse, accessory
dwellings)
South Lakeside
Residential
- Small-scale multi-unit of 1 to
4 units on larger lots
- Hobby farms
- The lowest density residential
land use designation
- Low-rise low density
residential
- Townhouses, duplex, triplex,
multiplexes and accessory
dwellings
- Up to three (3) storeys
- Up to 1.2 FSR
- Larger lots
- Small scale multi-unit
residential (single detached,
duplex, triplex, fourplex,
townhouse, accessory
dwellings)
- Manufactured homes
- Small-scale agricultural
activities and hobby farms
Rural Residential
- Low density rural residential
homes
- Up to two (2) storeys
- Single detached homes
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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Employment + Economic Land Uses
Land Use
Intent
Building Form
Typical Uses
Commercial
- Commercial uses outside the
Downtown Core
- Up to four (4) storeys
- Automobile-oriented
- Retail, office and service
commercial
Highway Commercial
- Commercial activities outside
the downtown to serve
highway users, tourists, and
automobile-related services
- Up to four (4) storeys
- Automobile-oriented
- Automobile service, retail uses,
tourism and accommodation
Light Industrial
- Moderate impact industrial
- Up to three (3) storeys
- Processing or storage of goods,
light manufacturing, assembly,
warehousing, distribution, service
industrial, construction and trades
support, technology,
limited/accessory commercial
Industrial
- Heavy impact industrial
- Up to three (3) storeys
- Resource processing,
manufacturing, waste
management and recycling,
transportation and logistics,
energy and utilities, construction,
extraction support
Airport Industrial
- Commercial and Light
Industrial specific to aviation
related activities
- Up to two (2) storeys
- Aviation-related businesses,
tourism, Light Industrial,
commercial, couriers, trucking
companies, charter services
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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Institutional, Parks, Recreational, + Natural Areas Land Uses
Land Use
Intent
Building Form
Typical Uses
Institutional
- Community services and
facilities typically operated by
a government agency or non-
profit organization.
- Up to four (4) storeys
- Civic, public service, personal
and community care, schools,
hospitals and major health care
facilities, public indoor recreation
facilities, and cemeteries
Parks and Recreation
- Public parks and private
recreational and cultural
amenities, with limited
complementary commercial
or institutional uses
- Up to two (2) storeys
- Parks, golf courses, public and
private outdoor recreation,
Natural and
Conservation Areas
- Maintain natural state to
protect wetlands, hillsides,
ravines, riparian areas and
other environmentally sensitive
lands; low impact activities
(such as hiking) are permitted
- Not applicable
- Natural open space and
conservation areas, and low-
impact recreational activities
(hiking/biking trails)
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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Large Site Opportunities
Land Use
Intent
Building Form
Typical Uses
University Village
- Opportunity for master
planned post-secondary
district with a mix of uses
- Up to six storeys
- Post-secondary education,
commercial, indoor and outdoor
recreation, and residential
Lakeside Industrial Park - Unique opportunity to blend
Light Industrial uses with a
tourism district and connect
the waterfront enhancement
area to the Downtown Core
and Stampede Grounds
- Up to three storeys
- Commercial, Light Industrial,
parks and outdoor recreation
Prosperity Ridge
- Opportunity for master
planned developments and
new subdivisions around the
Prosperity way
neighbourhood centre
- Up to six storeys
- Mixed use, residential and
commercial uses, with a diversity
of multi-unit residential forms
Westside Crown Lands
- Opportunity for master
planned developments and
new subdivisions below the
Westridge neighbourhood
- Up to six storeys
- Predominantly residential with
mixed forms, and future potential
for neighbourhood serving
commercial uses
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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OBJECTIVES + POLICIES
Objective 4.1.
Reinforce a natural hierarchy of land uses with
downtown as the heart of the community, daily
needs accessible in neighbourhood centres and
opportunities for higher density development near
amenities and along key transportation routes.
Policy 4.1.1.
Attract residents and employees to the downtown,
increasing the 'eyes of the street' throughout the day and
evening, to encourage liveliness, sociability, and a sense of
place and safety.
Policy 4.1.2.
Create an outstanding public realm throughout the
Downtown Core, with specific attention paid to key
intersections and main streets.
Policy 4.1.3.
Protect residential areas from the potential impacts of
intensive commercial and industrial land uses through
physical separation and other mitigation measures.
Policy 4.1.4.
Establish a safe, accessible, and comfortable environment
for pedestrians of all ages and abilities in the Downtown
Core.
Policy 4.1.5.
Identify and preserve green space and connections for
pedestrian and bike corridors linking each neighbourhood
centre and the downtown.
Policy 4.1.6.
Ensure new subdivisions include a mandatory dedication of
park land in the development or collect a cash-in-lieu
payment for future park land acquisition.
Policy 4.1.7.
Promote infill in existing neighbourhoods to effectively use
services
and
amenities
and
reduce
the
need
for
infrastructure expansion.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
30
Policy 4.1.8.
Focus multi-unit development along arterial and collector
roads,
around
downtown,
key
intersections
and
neighbourhood centres.
Policy 4.1.9.
Discourage multi-unit residential development directly
adjacent to highways.
Policy 4.1.10.
Support transit and active transportation connections
along key corridors and between neighbourhood centres,
parks and downtown to connect residential areas, services,
and amenities.
Policy 4.1.11.
Multi-unit and mixed-use development should maintain
back lanes where they exist and seek to establish them
where they do not.
Policy 4.1.12.
Consider developing a bylaw to establish site-level
infrastructure and transportation demand management
authorities pursuant to Bill 16 (2024): Housing Statutes
Amendment Act, 2024.
Objective 4.2.
Ensure all land use needs are met throughout the city.
Policy 4.2.1.
Encourage a diversity of residential home types, locations,
densities, tenures, and prices to accommodate various age
groups and household types in all neighbourhoods.
Policy 4.2.2.
Ensure an adequate supply of land is designated for
residential development for at least the next 20 years, as
required by the Local Government Act, with opportunities
for diverse housing forms throughout the community.
Policy 4.2.3.
Maintain a sufficient supply of employment lands with
flexible uses to ensure the city's economic sustainability
now and in the future.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
31
Policy 4.2.4.
Improve access to land use information to support
development through public GIS mapping, and ongoing
maintenance of relevant datasets.
Policy 4.2.5.
Prioritize
multi-unit
housing
near
transportation
infrastructure that supports walking, bicycling, public
transit, and alternative forms of transportation.
Policy 4.2.6.
Discourage shared driveways between fee simple lots.
Policy 4.2.7.
When new subdivisions or master planned developments
are proposed, ensure:
4.2.7.1.
Integration
with
and
connectivity
to
adjacent
neighbourhoods, including active transportation options;
4.2.7.2.
A diverse range of housing options are available to
accommodate all life stages, and family types, and
affordable to a range of income levels;
4.2.7.3.
Access to daily needs through mixed use development and
thoughtful
connections
to
adjacent
services
and
amenities;
4.2.7.4.
Access to parks or open space within a 10-minute walk of
most homes (300-metre walk);
4.2.7.5.
Adequate connections to municipal services with sufficient
capacity for the build-out of the new area; and
4.2.7.6.
Incorporation of community amenities and facilities such as
community
gardens
and
gathering
spaces
into
neighbourhoods and new developments.
Policy 4.2.8.
Consider opportunities to pre-zone multi-unit development
opportunities in key locations such as downtown and
around neighbourhood centres.
Policy 4.2.9.
Panhandle subdivision is generally discouraged and may
only be considered where:
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
32
4.2.9.1.
Topographical
or
other
physical
constraints
prevent
conventional subdivision, and a panhandle lot appears to
be the best solution to allow further subdivision while
maintaining physical access to the lot and a conventional
road could not be constructed to eliminate the need for
panhandle subdivision.
4.2.9.2.
The subject lands are part of a land assembly with the
panhandle being required to provide temporary access
until a time where it can be replaced by conventional
access.
4.2.9.3.
The proposed lot will result in no adverse impacts on the
use, privacy, and enjoyment of surrounding property
owners or City services and emergency services.
Mixed-use + Residential Land Uses
Objective 4.3.
Ensure the community's need for housing is met and
allow mixed use buildings in the downtown and
neighbourhood centres.
DOWNTOWN CORE
Downtown is intended to be the highest density area, with mixed residential, commercial,
cultural and institutional uses. It should be pedestrian oriented with a generally urban
form of development, high-quality urban design, and storefronts facing the street rather
than parking lots.
Policy 4.3.1.
Maintain and strengthen the Downtown Core as the hub of
activity in the city.
Policy 4.3.2.
Support the development of mixed uses with residential,
commercial, office and cultural uses throughout the
Downtown Core.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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Policy 4.3.3.
Discourage new large areas of surface parking, strip malls,
drive-thru, or service stations in the Downtown Core, with
preference for under-building or underground parking
where possible.
Policy 4.3.4.
Encourage financial institutions, government offices, small-
format retail, personal services, recreation, arts and
culture, restaurants and entertainment to locate in the
Downtown Core.
Policy 4.3.5.
Encourage professional and medical services that do not
rely on foot traffic to locate above the first floor where
possible, to activate the street and support the viability of
retail businesses and restaurants.
Policy 4.3.6.
Permit the rezoning of existing residential use properties to
commercial uses.
Policy 4.3.7.
Encourage the retention and revitalization of heritage
character buildings.
Policy 4.3.8.
Improve walkability and accessibility downtown with
sidewalk and crossing improvements, additional seating,
wayfinding,
and
lighting
to
create
an
attractive,
comfortable and safe pedestrian environment.
Policy 4.3.9.
Limit heights to eight (8) storeys.
NEIGHBOURHOOD MIXED-USE
Neighbourhood mixed-use areas predominantly feature multi-unit housing, with
opportunities for neighbourhood serving commercial for neighbourhood centres, in
strategic locations and to transition from downtown to the surrounding neighbourhoods.
Any non-residential activities should be low impact, and highly compatible with
residential areas.
Policy 4.3.10.
Encourage commercial spaces to face outward to the
street rather than to interior parking areas.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
34
Policy 4.3.11.
Encourage step-backs of upper storeys to reduce building
bulk and maintain a strong sense of street enclosure at the
pedestrian scale when buildings are more than four (4)
storeys.
Policy 4.3.12.
Limit heights to six (6) storeys.
NEIGHBOURHOOD MULTI-UNIT RESIDENTIAL
Neighbourhood Multi-Unit Residential areas feature medium density townhouses and
apartments along main streets, at key intersections, and to transition between the
Residential Mixed-Use and Small-Scale Residential areas. These areas will offer
opportunities for lot consolidation and slightly higher density but will have a similar overall
scale to Small-Scale Residential.
Policy 4.3.13.
Maintain the use of minimum lot sizes to require lot
consolidation of existing detached lots to achieve the floor
area density permitted by the Neighborhood Multi-Unit
designation.
Policy 4.3.14.
Limit heights to three (3) storeys.
SMALL-SCALE RESIDENTIAL + SOUTH LAKESIDE RESIDENTIAL
This is the lowest density residential designation where active development is expected,
providing flexible opportunities for a wide range of ground-oriented multi-unit forms, such
as detached houses, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhouses, secondary suites and
accessory dwellings. The overall intent of the Small-Scale Residential and South Lakeside
Small-Scale residential designations are similar: South Lakeside contemplates larger lots
and hobby farms, but the residential uses, maximum height, density, and structure types
are otherwise the same.
Neighbourhood centres are established by designating commercial and
mixed-use opportunities in strategic locations with existing commercial uses
outside the downtown. These areas offer opportunities for denser housing
development, and low impact commercial opportunities to meet the daily
needs of residents, such as corner stores, personal services, or cafes.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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Policy 4.3.15.
Develop guidelines to support the development of a wide
range of Small-Scale Residential forms with up to four units,
including:
-
Single-detached with secondary suites and up to two
detached accessory dwelling units;
-
Two duplexes;
-
Duplex with secondary suites;
-
Triplex with a detached accessory dwelling;
-
Fourplex;
-
Four attached townhouses (row housing); and
-
Cottage Courts (four small, detached houses).
Policy 4.3.16.
Monitor the uptake of secondary suite, accessory dwelling
unit, and Small-Scale Residential and revise policies if
necessary to support their development.
Policy 4.3.17.
Limit heights to three (3) storeys.
RURAL RESIDENTIAL
The Rural Residential designation supports a rural lifestyle where municipal servicing is not
available. These areas are characterized by large lots, low-density development,
typically on the outskirts of the city. These areas provide a buffer between natural areas
and denser development and may offer a supply of land for future development if
servicing is expanded. No further subdivision is permitted without connections to
municipal services.
Policy 4.3.18.
Maintain a minimum parcel size of 1 acre.
Policy 4.3.19.
Encourage maintaining a significant amount of natural
areas on each lot, particularly near environmentally
sensitive areas.
Policy 4.3.20.
Limit the site coverage by buildings and structures to 20%.
Policy 4.3.21.
Limit the site coverage of all buildings, structures and
impermeable surfaces to 40%.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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Policy 4.3.22.
Discourage higher density developments of lands designated Rural
Residential unless all other areas of the city have been considered
for the type of development proposed and require municipal
servicing as a condition of development.
Policy 4.3.23.
Limit heights to two (2) storeys.
Employment + Economic Land Uses
Objective 4.4.
Provide opportunities for commercial and industrial
enterprises to support employment and economic
development.
COMMERCIAL
Uses intended for Commercial land use include: office, small and medium-format retail,
personal services, food and beverage, health services, financial institutions, community and
tourism services, artisan or maker spaces.
Policy 4.4.1.
Limit the impact of commercial uses not compatible with residential
areas.
Policy 4.4.2.
Support infill development, façade improvements and adaptive
reuse of existing buildings before permitting significant new
greenfield commercial development.
Policy 4.4.3.
Encourage mixed-use buildings to provide more space options for
businesses and to enhance block vibrancy.
Policy 4.4.4.
Create and protect spaces for small, independent and culturally
diverse businesses through flexible zoning, pop-up markets, and
temporary uses (programs, activities, pilot projects, etc.).
Policy 4.4.5.
Support service commercial uses along the east side of Mackenzie
Avenue, and north of Comer Street, that are compatible with
nearby Light Industrial operations.
Policy 4.4.6.
Limit height to four (4) storeys.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL
Uses intended for Highway Commercial include: large format retail, auto-oriented
services, tourism services, and service commercial.
Policy 4.4.7.
Direct large format retail and car-dependent commercial
activities to commercial highway land to provide easy
access to regional vehicle traffic.
Policy 4.4.8.
Concentrate highway commercial development within
specific areas rather than dispersing along the highway
corridor.
Policy 4.4.9.
Discourage new commercial storage facilities in and near
the downtown and promote their location in highway
commercial areas or fringe areas.
Policy 4.4.10.
Support the intensification of existing large format retail
and car-oriented sites by increasing the scale of existing
buildings or by adding new commercial space on
underutilized land, such as surface parking lots.
Policy 4.4.11.
Allow for light manufacturing, crafts and food processing
within highway commercial areas where compatible and
especially if they activate storefronts or generate foot
traffic, such as microbreweries, coffee roasters, and
commercial kitchens.
Policy 4.4.12.
Allow for warehousing, logistics, or trucking support services
that align with regional trade or forestry, agriculture and
mining supply chains.
Policy 4.4.13.
Encourage highway commercial amenities that service the
industrial and transportation workforce such as clean and
safe truck stops, overnight parking and food options.
Policy 4.4.14.
Limit height to four (4) storeys.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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ALL INDUSTRIAL LAND USES
Policy 4.4.15.
Identify and monitor the industrial lands inventory to
identify
existing
industrial
lands
to
protect,
and
opportunities for land to be added to the inventory to
support relocation and expansion of industrial activities.
Policy 4.4.16.
Increase employment density of industrial land in close
proximity to the downtown by supporting industrial uses
that are compatible with the downtown and that make
efficient use of underutilized land.
Policy 4.4.17.
Separate industrial and residential uses and, where
proximity is unavoidable, minimize impacts through buffers,
screening, landscaping, murals and site design.
Policy 4.4.18.
Minimize the impacts of industrial uses on surrounding areas
by addressing noise, vibrations, odours, emissions, visual
intrusion, and light.
Policy 4.4.19.
Ensure industrial properties with rail access are developed
for rail-dependent uses.
Policy 4.4.20.
Strategize industrial land development in the North End,
focusing on immediate and future land use, infrastructure
improvements, and rail development.
Policy 4.4.21.
Consider swapping designated park land in the North End
with the Light Industrial land located only within the defined
hazard slope area west of Mackenzie Avenue.
LIGHT INDUSTRIAL
Uses intended for Light Industrial should have moderate impacts and could include:
industrial processes or storage of goods, light manufacturing, assembly, warehousing,
distribution, service industrial, construction and trades support, technology, and
limited/accessory commercial.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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Policy 4.4.22.
Consider opportunities to utilize land for data centres or
digital mining, especially when complemented by an
adjacent power generating land use.
Policy 4.4.23.
Discourage encroachment of retail commercial and
general office uses into industrial areas to preserve this land
for Light Industrial development.
Policy 4.4.24.
Limit Light Industrial lands to low-impact industrial processes
or goods storage conducted indoors or with minimal effects
on adjacent areas.
Policy 4.4.25.
Gradually transition the properties located on the south
side of Mackenzie Avenue from Light Industrial use to
parkland due to concerns related to slope stability and
hazard risk. Encourage industrial enterprises to relocate to
appropriate locations.
Policy 4.4.26.
Increase the ecological buffer along the top of the River
Valley Escarpment ensuring green space and encourage
the planting of native species to strengthen the slope and
ecosystem.
Policy 4.4.27.
Limit height to three (3) storeys.
HEAVY INDUSTRIAL
Uses intended for Heavy Industrial anticipate heavy impacts and include: resource
processing and manufacturing, waste management and recycling, transportation and
logistics, energy and utilities, and construction and extraction support.
Policy 4.4.28.
Address environmental constraints and hazards in Heavy
Industrial areas, including sensitive areas, slope stability,
water and the airshed. Require measures to mitigate risks
from accidental contamination or emergency events.
Policy 4.4.29.
Allow industrial processes or storage of goods with
moderate to heavy impacts.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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Policy 4.4.30.
Support Light Industrial uses, provided it does not lead to a
shortage of land needed to meet current or future
demands for Heavy Industrial activities.
Policy 4.4.31.
Encourage industrial expansion within the airshed using
advanced technology inline with provincial guidelines and
assess new proposals with the latest modelling tools.
Policy 4.4.32.
Encourage industrial development to include climate
action
strategies
and
green
infrastructure
such
as
advanced stormwater management, green roofs, and the
installation of solar panels.
Policy 4.4.33.
Limit height to three (3) storeys.
AIRPORT INDUSTRIAL
Uses intended for Airport Industrial include aviation-related businesses, tourism, Light
Industrial, commercial, couriers, trucking companies, and charter services.
Policy 4.4.34.
Promote the airport as a hub for aviation-related
businesses, tourism, and Light Industrial activities.
Policy 4.4.35.
Support airside lands for aviation services and compatible
businesses.
Policy 4.4.36.
Designate groundside lands for commercial and Light
Industrial businesses that do not require airfield access,
such as couriers, trucking companies, construction services,
and tourism-related businesses.
Policy 4.4.37.
Ensure future industrial uses have adequate servicing,
protect Airport Reserve lands for long-term development,
and align development with aviation and operational
needs.
Policy 4.4.38.
Support flexible lot sizing for diverse businesses and prioritize
aviation-related
development,
including
fire-fighting
operations, charter services, and private hangars.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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Policy 4.4.39.
Restrict Heavy Industrial uses on adjacent properties to
prevent conflicts with airport operations.
Policy 4.4.40.
Limit height to two (2) storeys.
Institutional, Parks, Recreational, + Natural Areas Land Uses
Objective 4.5.
Ensure the community's need for services, amenities,
parks and recreation are met, while conserving
natural areas.
INSTITUTIONAL
Institutional land uses provide important supports and amenities for local and regional
residents with community services and facilities typically operated by the government or
non-profits. These uses provide economic benefits, create a more lively and diverse
community, and support a higher quality of life in the city. Institutional uses include major
health care facilities, post-secondary institutions and primary schools, fire halls and police
stations, government buildings and civic infrastructure, public recreation complexes and
the Stampede Grounds, cemeteries, and other similar uses.
In Williams Lake, education is a key component of institutional land use. School District
No. 27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) and three (3) independent schools provide comprehensive K-
12 programs, including six (6) elementary schools (three within municipal boundary), one
(1) junior secondary (Columneetza), one (1) senior secondary (Lake City Secondary), and
one alternate program (Skyline Alternate School), for a total of twelve (12) schools that
support community growth and livability.
Policy 4.5.1.
Ensure
adequate
lands
are
maintained
to
support
institutional uses throughout the city.
Policy 4.5.2.
Limit heights to four (4) storeys.
PARKS AND RECREATION
This designation serves to maintain areas for public and private outdoor recreation and
cultural amenities with parks, golf courses, and other outdoor activities. Parks play a
central role in providing a high quality of life and offer opportunities for residents to
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
42
recreate and gather outdoors, while increasing the attractiveness and desirability of the
community. With active play, these areas may see high levels of activity and frequent
use.
Policy 4.5.3.
Primarily maintain outdoor open space in parks, with limited
opportunities
for
complementary
commercial
or
institutional uses to support the use of the park (such as
bathrooms or concessions).
Policy 4.5.4.
Ensure all new neighbourhoods and subdivisions include
adequate park space throughout the area to allow all
residents to access this amenity.
Policy 4.5.5.
Limit heights buildings to three (3) storeys.
NATURAL AND CONSERVATION AREAS
This designation serves to protect and conserve natural areas and open spaces from
change and development, and includes steep hillsides, ravines, wetlands and riparian
and other environmentally sensitive areas. Natural areas provide important functions,
such as absorbing and slowing to flow of rain and melt water, supporting slope stability
and providing opportunities for low impact recreation.
Policy 4.5.6.
Discourage the construction of significant permanent
structures in natural areas.
Policy 4.5.7.
Allow low impact recreational activities such as hiking and
cycling, where appropriate.
Policy 4.5.8.
Minimize recreational activities in areas with poor slope
stability that may threaten safety, and where sensitive
ecosystems may be at risk.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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Large Site Opportunities
Objective 4.6.
Guide the development of large sites opportunities to
ensure strategic outcomes.
There were three (3) areas previously identified as potential locations for major,
coordinated, master planned developments within the municipal boundary of the City.
University Village is a new addition to this list. While conceptual plans for these areas have
been explored over the years, important unknown factors still need to be assessed or
updated to understand the true development potential, manage risk, and ensure the
long-term sustainability and stability of these new neighbourhoods. The areas include the
University Village, Lakeside Industrial Park, Prosperity Ridge, and Westside Crown Lands.
UNIVERSITY VILLAGE
The Thompson Rivers University
(TRU) campus offers a unique
opportunity to develop on and
around
post-secondary
uses
adjacent to a neighbourhood
centre with existing commercial
space. Being one of the city's
largest undeveloped parcels in
an established neighbourhood,
there is high potential to bring
vibrancy and renewal to this
area of town with improved services and amenities for existing neighbours. Recognizing
the long-term benefits of supporting a stronger post-secondary hub in the city, a flexible
mixed-use designation will allow for future development of post-secondary, commercial,
residential, and recreational uses.
Key considerations for the University Village include:
-
Desire for increasing the University Campus lands and drawing people to study and
live in Williams Lake after graduating;
Thompson Rivers University Williams
Lake Campus © City of Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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-
Approximately half of the property is forested and may be perceived as park space
by the public;
-
TRU has no current plans to expand academic facilities but is exploring the potential
for residential development;
-
Increasing the residential population around the campus would support the viability
of businesses in the neighbourhood centre; and
-
Presence of, and high potential for archaeological resources.
Policy 4.6.1.
Any development of the northern end of the property
should consider establishing a road connection from 11th
Ave
to
Midnight
Drive
to
improve
neighbourhood
connectivity and eliminate cul-de-sacs where possible.
Policy 4.6.2.
Establish
connections
for
accessing
the
Active
Transportation
Network
as
outlined
in
the
Active
Transportation Network Plan (2025).
Policy 4.6.3.
A mix of housing types should be considered with a
preference for rental housing and housing to meet the
needs of the broader community.
Policy 4.6.4.
Protection of potential cultural sites or findings based on
best
legislative
practice
and
future
archaeological
protocols created with Williams Lake First Nation.
Policy 4.6.5.
The impact of tree removal on slope stability should be
considered when developing the forested area of the
property.
Policy 4.6.6.
Limit heights to six (6) storeys.
LAKESIDE INDUSTRIAL PARK
This area offers a unique opportunity for a coordinated development in a prominent and
accessible location. It is the most significant parcel of land with a direct, at-grade
interface with the lake, and offers an opportunity to connect this natural resource, Scout
Island, and the Downtown Core through a new active transportation connection through
the Stampede Grounds. With active and ongoing industrial use, and the adjacency of
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
45
the railway, this area should maintain a cohesive mix of natural, tourist, and Light Industrial
activities.
Key considerations for the Lakeside Industrial Park include:
-
High likelihood of significant contamination adjacent to a waterbody;
-
Presence of, and high potential for archaeological and cultural resources;
-
Potential for flooding with low land elevations and adjacency to the lake and
headwaters of the Williams Lake River;
-
Adjacency of the railway and the valuable utility it provides for industrial and
commercial activities;
-
The presence of intensive industrial and commercial uses nearby may conflict with
residential development and therefore residential is not recommended; and
-
Low land availability for employment uses in the city.
Policy 4.6.7.
Recognize the Lakeside Industrial Park as a prime
waterfront
development
opportunity
and
work
collaboratively with the relevant landowners, rights-
holders, and partners to realize necessary infrastructure
upgrades to support development.
Policy 4.6.8.
The
waterfront
should
be
maintained
for
public
recreational use in as natural a state as possible, with
improved access provided through implementing the
Waterfront Enhancement Plan.
Policy 4.6.9.
A
continuous
pedestrian
or
active
transportation
connection should be made between the waterfront
enhancement area and boardwalk through to the
downtown area.
Policy 4.6.10.
A consistent design style complementary to the natural and
industrial setting should be encouraged.
Policy 4.6.11.
Careful consideration of land and water contamination
must be taken when redeveloping this area.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
46
Policy 4.6.12.
To protect the environmentally sensitive riparian areas
along the lake and river, all new development must
demonstrate sufficient riparian protection and restoration
efforts.
Policy 4.6.13.
Protection of potential cultural sites or findings based on
best
legislative
practice
and
future
archaeological
protocols created with Williams Lake First Nation.
Policy 4.6.14.
New roads and infrastructure on private land will be the
responsibility of the developer.
Policy 4.6.15.
Limit heights to three (3) storeys.
PROSPERITY RIDGE DISTRICT
This area includes two large, privately-owned parcels forming most of the open space
surrounding the Prosperity Way Shopping Mall (approximately 96.4 hectares). Prior to
developing this area there are a range of concerns to explore.
Key considerations for Prosperity Ridge include:
-
Presence of, and high potential for archaeological resources;
-
Existing geotechnical hazard, particularly the Hodgson Road/Dog Creek Road
landslides;
-
Slope stability changes and the impacts of tree removal and earthworks;
-
Need for alternative road connections for emergency access and evacuation other
than South Lakeside Drive; and
-
Infrastructure capacity and cost.
Policy 4.6.16.
Any future development of this area should be preceded
by thorough geotechnical and hydrological assessment by
a qualified professional.
Policy 4.6.17.
Protection of potential cultural sites or findings based on
best
legislative
practice
and
future
archaeological
protocols created with Williams Lake First Nation.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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Policy 4.6.18.
The first phase of any major development of the Prosperity
Ridge District must include a secondary road connection
to create a route through the neighbourhood from
Prosperity Way to Highway 20 or Dog Creek Road (or
equivalent route to establish two exits).
Policy 4.6.19.
Future development of the Prosperity Ridge District should
be preceded by a servicing capacity assessment to
understand both the ability of current infrastructure to carry
additional capacity and the long-term financial impact of
servicing expansion.
Policy 4.6.20.
Waterway diversion should be avoided, and stormwater
management must carefully consider how to eliminate the
creation of slope stability risks arising from water flows. Care
should be taken to not unnecessarily increase flows into the
area affected by the Hodgson Road/Dog Creek Road
landslide.
Policy 4.6.21.
Development should not be contemplated in the Hodgson
Road/Dog Creek Road landslide area, with the creek
running
through
the
ravine
to
the
east
of
Terra
Ridge/Wotzke Drive presenting a natural boundary.
Policy 4.6.22.
With increased impermeable surfaces resulting from
development, onsite stormwater management should be
encouraged to reduce land stability risks related to sudden
water
flows
with
qualified
professionals
providing
geotechnical and hydrological assessment to support the
design of these systems and determine their necessity.
Policy 4.6.23.
Limit heights to six (6) storeys.
WESTSIDE CROWN LANDS
This area includes a large parcel of Crown land directly east of the Westridge
neighbourhood. This large area, estimated to be approximately 82.5 hectares, presents
a significant opportunity for new development. However, there are a range of concerns
to explore.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
48
Key considerations for the Westside Crown Lands include:
-
Presence of, and high potential for archaeological resources;
-
Slope stability and the impacts of tree removal and earthworks;
-
Need for alternative road connections for emergency access and evacuation; and
-
Need to meet requirements for the Provincial process for Crown land disposition.
Policy 4.6.24.
Any future development of this area should be preceded
by thorough geotechnical and hydrological assessment by
a qualified professional.
Policy 4.6.25.
The first phase of any major development of the Westside
Crown Lands must establish a secondary route out of the
neighbourhood other than Westridge Drive, such as a road
connection to Country Club Boulevard, via a Westside
Connector over the river, or other another acceptable
solution.
Policy 4.6.26.
Future development of the Westside Crown Lands should
be preceded by a servicing capacity assessment to
understand both the ability of current infrastructure to carry
additional capacity and the long-term financial impact of
servicing expansion.
Policy 4.6.27.
The impact of tree removal on slope stability should be
studied, particularly for the southern half of the area with
heavy tree cover, and around the creek running under
both Westridge Drive and Country Club Boulevard through
the golf course to the Williams Lake River.
Policy 4.6.28.
Waterway diversion should be avoided and stormwater
management must carefully consider how to eliminate the
creation of slope stability risks arising from modified water
flows and impermeable surfaces.
Policy 4.6.29.
An
archaeological
overview
assessment
should
be
completed prior to developing specific neighbourhood
concepts, with more detailed investigation by phase as
development proceeds.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
49
Policy 4.6.30.
Due to current access constraints and a low population in
the
neighbourhood,
commercial
uses
should
be
discouraged unless:
-
A viable, relatively high-capacity secondary access is
established to support the sustainability of businesses, and
-
Sufficient residential development has already occurred to
support those businesses.
Policy 4.6.31.
Development of new roads and infrastructure shall be the
responsibility of the developer.
Policy 4.6.32.
Adequate institutional space for schools should be planned
in consultation with School District No. 27 to accommodate
the future population.
Policy 4.6.33.
A park and trail network aligning with the Parks, Trails, and
Outdoor Recreation Master Plan will be established for any
redevelopment of the area.
Policy 4.6.34.
Limit heights to six (6) storeys.
The view from the City's west side overlooking Williams Lake. © City of Williams
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
50
5.
Housing
Guiding Question
How can we meet the community's need for affordable, safe, and
suitable housing for all people through every stage of life?
Background
Access to suitable and affordable housing is
essential
for
community
liveability,
economic
stability, and social well-being. Housing is a key
consideration in official community plans and a
main factor affecting where households decide
where to live. Having access to affordable housing
significantly impacts overall well-being and enables
participation in daily life and the local economy.
When housing costs are high, households have less
to spend on other needs, which affects the viability
of local businesses and their employees' ability to
afford housing. A balanced housing system is crucial
to maintain affordable prices, provide a diversity of
housing types to meet the needs of all households,
and reduce the experience of homelessness. Emergency housing and support services
are vital for people experiencing homelessness to make sure the experience is brief.
Addressing housing needs requires more than just building a certain number of homes
- different households have varied and evolving needs throughout their lifetime.
Every Household Has Unique
Affordability Needs
Housing is considered
affordable when it costs no
more than 30% of a
household's income - since
every household is different,
this means there is no one
price where housing is
affordable.
Achieving affordability for all
requires a range of housing
types at different prices.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
51
The total 5-year and 20-year housing need table is a compilation of the data identified
through the required HNR Method used in the Housing Needs Assessment Report (2024),
summarized in table:
This shows the types of housing need and the projected 5- and 20-year requirements. For
Williams Lake it shows a need for 508 units within the next 5 years and 1547 units over the
next 20 years. The City has identified several policies in the OCP to facilitate the
development of housing in Williams Lake. This shows a summary of the many policies
addressing the identified classes of housing referenced by LGA Part 14 Section 473.
A diverse mix of housing types, sizes, and price points is essential to support a healthy,
inclusive community. For instance, young adults moving out on their own often need
smaller, more affordable homes. Yet in Williams Lake, over half of the housing stock
consists of detached houses, which are larger and more expensive than many young
people need or can afford. This underscores the growing need for compact, affordable
apartments, multi-unit homes, and purpose-built rental housing to better support younger
households.
Families with children have different needs, often requiring larger homes with more
bedrooms, private or semi-private outdoor space, and fewer shared walls to minimize
noise. While detached homes have traditionally met these needs well, today's high
housing and development costs make this option less affordable.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
52
As a result, many families must consider alternatives to detached houses to find the space
and features they need.
Fortunately, with recent legislative changes requiring
communities
to
permit
Small-Scale
Residential
housing throughout all neighbourhoods, there are
now many new family-friendly housing options
available for development in Williams Lake. Housing
types like duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, detached
accessory dwellings (garden suites), townhouses, and
rowhomes can offer the space, outdoor access, and
privacy families want and often at a more attainable
price than new single-family homes.
On the opposite end of the housing spectrum, seniors often seek to downsize as their
mobility declines and household sizes shrink. Many prefer to stay in their communities,
close to friends, services, and familiar routines. However, a shortage of suitable housing
options in their area can force them to either remain in homes that no longer suit their
needs or relocate entirely. This lack of housing choice can hinder older adults' ability to
age in place and maintain their independence within their community.
Households vary widely in shape, size, and needs, with each one having its own set of
preferences. Several key factors determine what kind of housing a household may
require or desire, including:
-
Household income and affordability;
-
Number of people living in the
household;
-
Age and relationships of household
members;
-
Presence of children;
-
Storage needs, additional
bedrooms, or specific types of
spaces;
-
Accessibility needs, which may
evolve over time; and
-
Other personal needs or lifestyle
preferences.
Feedback during the
engagement process
indicated the desire to build
housing that is affordable,
near services and the
downtown with a mix of
uses.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
53
While many people may aspire to live in a large, detached home, that
option isn't always practical or necessary for everyone. Other housing
types may better suit a household's specific needs, and often at a
more affordable cost.
It is important to distinguish between housing wants and housing
needs, and to recognize that secure, comfortable housing does not look the same for
everyone. What is ideal for one household may be very different from what works best
for another, and this diversity should be reflected in the housing options available in
Wiliams Lake.
Land use plan designations related to housing include:
Residential (detached homes, multi-plexes, apartments) and Mixed-
use (buildings with commercial and residential).
KEY HOUSING CHALLENGES
-
The Housing Needs Report Method calculation estimates a need for 1,547
new housing units between 2021-2041;
-
Only 570 homes have been added to the community over the last 20 years;
-
40% of households can afford to spend no more than $1,500 per month on
housing;
-
One-person households are seeing the largest increase of all household
types;
-
Over half of all homes are the most expensive housing form - single
detached houses;
-
The housing stock is aging - 63% of homes in Williams Lake were built before
1980; and
-
An aging population indicates a need for smaller, one-level, and accessible
homes for seniors to downsize into as their needs change.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
54
OBJECTIVES + POLICIES
Objective 5.1.
Improve housing affordability by reducing the number
of households spending more than 30% of their
income on housing.
Policy 5.1.1.
Support, partner and advocate for affordable housing
development including:
-
Seniors' housing;
-
Family housing;
-
Low-income housing; and
-
Rental housing.
Policy 5.1.2.
Create or update the Housing Strategy after each
legislatively required Housing Needs Report to support the
development of market and affordable housing with up-to-
date information and programs.
Policy 5.1.3.
Consider establishing a policy to incentivize a percentage
of affordable units in larger multi-unit developments.
Policy 5.1.4.
Explore opportunities to leverage City-owned land for
affordable housing.
Policy 5.1.5.
Explore opportunities to co-locate senior government-
funded affordable housing with new municipal services
and amenities when they are built.
Policy 5.1.6.
Work with community organizations to maintain a registry
of affordable and safe rental housing.
Policy 5.1.7.
Support the continuation of the Rent Bank by ensuring
funds are available to continue providing affordable rental
housing.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
55
Objective 5.2.
Diversify the housing stock by expanding the range of
home types, price-points, and features.
Policy 5.2.1.
Encourage a range of housing forms and tenures--such as ground-
oriented, modular, manufactured, and apartment homes--across
major developments, subdivisions, and neighbourhoods to create
complete and inclusive communities.
Policy 5.2.2.
Monitor the uptake of secondary suites, accessory dwelling units,
and small-scale residential housing and revise regulations if
necessary to support their development.
Policy 5.2.3.
Consider establishing policies to incentivize rental housing.
Policy 5.2.4.
Review the Revitalization Tax Exemption Bylaw to support uptake
and encourage and incentivize mixed-use and multi-unit housing
development in the Downtown Core.
Policy 5.2.5.
Consider establishing a large household and family-friendly housing
policy requiring a share of homes in multi-unit developments of five
or more units to have a minimum share of 2+ and/or 3+ bedroom
units.
Policy 5.2.6.
Encourage the inclusion of amenities in multi-unit housing that reflect
Williams Lake's active lifestyle and enhance livability, such as secure
storage for bicycles, canoes, and other recreational equipment.
Objective 5.3.
Increase access to emergency and supportive housing,
long-term care, and special needs housing.
Policy 5.3.1.
Continue to advocate to senior levels of government for additional
services, emergency shelters, transitional housing, and long-term
supportive housing for those experiencing poverty, substance use
challenges, and homelessness.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
56
Policy 5.3.2.
Use housing agreements to secure different types of
affordable and supportive units for the long term, including
seniors, accessible, and adaptable units.
Policy 5.3.3.
Support development of housing options to rapidly re-
house those experiencing homelessness including shelters,
transitional housing, and supportive housing.
Policy 5.3.4.
Allow supportive housing, long-term care, and special
needs housing in all core and mixed-use land use
designations and zones.
Policy 5.3.5.
Encourage housing developments to include universal
design and aging in place features in the units.
Objective 5.4.
Establish protections for renters, rental housing, and
affordable housing to reduce experiences of
homelessness and housing unaffordability.
Policy 5.4.1.
Adequately enforce the Good Neighbour (Standards of
Maintenance) Bylaw to ensure basic levels of maintenance
for rental housing to maintain minimum standards of
comfort and safety.
Policy 5.4.2.
Review and modernize the City's Strata Conversion Policy
to ensure conversions do not reduce the affordable rental
housing stock in Williams Lake.
Policy 5.4.3.
Update the City's Mobile Home Park Bylaw to encourage a
high
standard
of
design
in
manufactured
home
developments.
Policy 5.4.4.
When funding is available, work with non-profit partners to
encourage and facilitate the acquisition of existing market
rental units to convert to non-profit management.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
57
6. Economy + Jobs
Guiding Question
How can we build on our community's strengths to create a thriving,
inclusive economy - one that reduces income inequality, supports
workforce participation, promotes agriculture and sustainable
practices for long-term prosperity?
Background
Williams Lake's economy is a fundamental driver of the community's development and
sustainability. A thorough understanding of its historical context, current conditions, and
future objectives is crucial for informed and effective decision-making.
PATTERNS + CONTEXT
Williams Lake has long served as the central hub for business, industry, and services in
the Cariboo Chilcotin region. Residents from surrounding communities frequently depend
on the city for employment opportunities and essential services. The local economy is
primarily driven by key sectors such as mining, agriculture (particularly cattle ranching),
and forestry. These resource-based industries are complemented by a diverse range of
Downtown © City of Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
58
service sectors including retail, professional services, government agencies, healthcare,
transportation, tourism, recreation, and cultural activities.
However, the economy's heavy reliance on resource industries, especially forestry and
mining, makes it vulnerable to global market fluctuations. The forestry sector, in particular,
has faced significant challenges, including mill closures and international trade disputes.
Declining timber supplies, market volatility, and high operational costs have contributed
to the closure of mills, leading to job losses and economic uncertainty in communities
that depend on forestry. Additionally, trade issues such as tariffs on Canadian lumber
exports to the United States have undermined the sector's profitability, limiting
competitiveness and hindering growth.
CURRENT ECONOMIC LANDSCAPE
Williams Lake's workforce participation rate stands at 61%, a decline from 65% recorded
in 2016.
As of 2021, the median individual income in Williams Lake is $40,800, and the median
household income is $76,500. Both individual and household incomes have grown since
the 2016 Census, with median individual income rising by nearly 20%.
Between 2016 and 2021, inflation increased by 11%. During the same period, median
household income also rose by approximately 11%, indicating that household incomes
have essentially kept pace with inflation, maintaining stable purchasing power.
Figure 3: Median Individual and Household Income, City of Williams Lake, 2016-2021
Source: Statistics Canada, Census Data
INDIVIDUAL INCOME
HOUSEHOLD INCOME
$34,093
$30,494
$33,012
$40,800
$36,800
$40,800
City of Williams Lake
Cariboo Chilcotin Region
British Columbia
2016
2021
$68,831
$63,638
$69,995
$76,500
$72,000
$85,000
City of Williams Lake
Cariboo Chilcotin Region
British Columbia
2016
2021
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
59
Economic pressures, alongside workforce and labour challenges, highlight the urgent
need for diversification and innovation within the forestry sector, as well as strategic efforts
to secure fair trade agreements that protect local businesses and workers.
Williams Lake has made it a priority to diversify its economy and create sustainable, long-
term employment opportunities to boost resilience and stability, enabling the community
to better withstand and recover from external shocks.
Key priorities for the coming years include:
-
Attracting and retaining skilled professionals;
-
Promoting well-paying jobs that align with residents' needs; and
-
Supporting local businesses and services to foster economic growth.
Supporting businesses of all sizes is essential, as each plays a vital role in job creation and
economic stability.
Concerns remain about the impact of regulatory restrictions on resource extraction,
particularly given the reduced timber supply caused by wildfires and provincial policies.
Delays in approvals for mining and logging projects continue to present significant
challenges.
There is a clear need for a more diverse and resilient economy to secure Williams Lake's
long-term future.
Power plant in the City of Williams Lake.
© City of Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
60
ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTORS
The City of Williams Lake plays a key role in economic development, focusing on industrial
and commercial growth. It provides infrastructure and services to support current
businesses and future expansion, ensuring access to major transportation networks like
highways and airports.
The City promotes diverse economic activities by
creating zones for low-impact industries and
encouraging value-added manufacturing and
creative enterprises. These efforts align with
strategic plans such as the Thrive Poverty Reduction
Strategy and the Regional Airport Investment
Master Plan.
Effective land use planning balances commercial
and
industrial
growth
with
environmental
preservation to support sustainable development.
Commercial growth enhances the local economy
by
revitalizing
downtown,
supporting
diverse
businesses, aiding entrepreneurs, and attracting
tourists. Industrial development attracts investment, creates jobs, drives innovation, and
diversifies the economy for greater resilience and competitiveness.
Through these efforts, the City is committed to nurturing a vibrant commercial and
industrial sector, contributing to the overall economic prosperity and long-term growth
of Williams Lake. But the City cannot enhance the economic conditions alone, and
requires other contributors to achieve the collective aspirations:
-
Developers invest in property and infrastructure, transforming plans into functional,
attractive developments that enhance the city's economic appeal while ensuring
regulatory compliance;
-
Non-profit organizations provide essential support services, advocate for sustainable
practices, and work alongside the City to address socio-economic challenges and
promote inclusive growth;
Engagement feedback
indicated the importance
of attracting and retaining
skilled workers. Retention
of healthcare professionals
was identified as a critical
focus area, underscoring
the need for strategic
workforce solutions and
stronger support for local
businesses.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
61
- First Nations offer cultural insights and perspectives, ensuring projects respect
Indigenous heritage and create equitable opportunities through partnerships and
traditional knowledge integration;
-
Investors and funders supply critical financial resources, enabling large-scale projects,
innovation, and job creation to sustain long-term economic stability; and
-
Other interest-holders, including community groups, contribute advocacy, public
engagement, and local insights, helping align development with community needs.
Together, these different groups work together to support Williams Lake's economic
growth. Their combined efforts help build a strong, thriving, and sustainable industrial and
commercial sector that benefits everyone in the community.
AGRICULTURE
Agriculture
is
an
important
sector
of
the
regional
economy. Although there are
very
few
large
tracts
of
agricultural land within the City
limits, the City of Williams Lake is
surrounded by Agriculture Land
Reserve (ALR) lands in the
Cariboo
Regional
District
(CRD). The City supports agriculture by encouraging local and regional agricultural -
related enterprises and plays an important role as the agricultural service center for the
region. The City will continue to support the Agricultural Land Commission and its policies
while exploring opportunities to support local food systems and urban agriculture
throughout the city.
Land use plan designations related to the economy include:
Commercial (stores, restaurants, hair salons, car dealerships),
Light and Heavy Industrial (storage units, saw mills and cement plants)
and Mixed-Use (residential and commercial buildings).
Regenerative Agriculture © TRU Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
62
OBJECTIVES + POLICIES
Objective 6.1.
Create places to work and provide support for
businesses.
Policy 6.1.1.
Diversify the economy by supporting a broad range of
industries,
including
resource
extraction,
tourism,
cleantech, high-tech, utilities, manufacturing (general and
value-added),
agriculture
and
food
processing,
transportation and logistics, communications and digital
industries,
artificial
intelligence
(AI),
craft
industries,
commercial services, and retail.
Policy 6.1.2.
Support
remote
work,
live-work
and
home-based
businesses.
Policy 6.1.3.
Support small-scale co-working spaces and remote work
hubs in the downtown to attract professionals, freelancers
and newcomers seeking lifestyle migration.
Policy 6.1.4.
Support startups and businesses going through transition
with workspace, mentorship, and networking programs.
Policy 6.1.5.
Allocate land for institutions and facilities that train in-
demand jobs such as healthcare, trades and emerging
technologies.
Policy 6.1.6.
Promote land use initiatives to extend the growing season,
establish food storage facilities, and create a local food
production network to ensure sustained availability.
Policy 6.1.7.
Encourage and facilitate the development of both year-
round and seasonal farmers' markets to provide access to
healthy food options.
Policy 6.1.8.
Support community groups assisting producers to increase
the shelf space for local products at commercial food
retailers.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
63
Policy 6.1.9.
Encourage businesses to locally source and contribute to
the circular economy (e.g. repair shops, reuse centres,
upcycled products).
Policy 6.1.10.
Create opportunities for energy generating facilities to
support the energy demand for Artificial Intelligence (AI)
technology for business use, such as biomass energy
production from forestry waste.
Policy 6.1.11.
Foster
collaboration
with
Indigenous
Peoples
by
implementing Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to
Action #92 into economic development.
Policy 6.1.12.
Promote
Indigenous
economic
participation
through
procurement, employment, and business opportunities.
Policy 6.1.13.
Support Indigenous-led, partnered, or owned commercial
and industrial businesses.
Policy 6.1.14.
Foster an inclusive business environment for diverse
entrepreneurs and owners.
Policy 6.1.15.
Encourage
accessible
workspaces
and
employment
opportunities for people with disabilities.
Policy 6.1.16.
Encourage local businesses to implement living wage
policies and explore updating the municipal purchasing
policy to prioritize suppliers and contractors in compliance
with living wage.
Policy 6.1.17.
Establish a Business Improvement Area for the North End
Industrial Lands.
Policy 6.1.18.
Promote the airport as a hub for aviation-related
businesses, tourism, and Light Industrial activities.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
64
Objective 6.2.
Enhance the image of Williams Lake to attract
investment, promote economic development and
support downtown vibrancy.
Policy 6.2.1.
Create a new Economic Development Strategy.
Policy 6.2.2.
Create a modern branding strategy for the City to guide
the built environment and economic marketing materials.
Policy 6.2.3.
Collaborate with local tourism associations to promote
local food production and products, the airport, and local
businesses as destination attractions.
Policy 6.2.4.
Strengthen tourism infrastructure and cultural appeal by
creating year-round venues, promoting public art, sports
and event tourism.
Policy 6.2.5.
Support
the
Business
Improvement
Association
on
downtown
enhancement
programs,
including
beautification and the programming of events that
animate the downtown for residents and visitors.
Policy 6.2.6.
Extend downtown business hours and offer incentives to
attract and support local businesses and services.
Policy 6.2.7.
Promote off-hour activation in commercial areas such as
events,
festivals,
evening
markets
and
cultural
programming to increase downtown vitality after business
hours.
Policy 6.2.8.
Consider repurposing industrial lands on unstable slopes
south of Mackenzie Avenue into an industrial heritage park.
Policy 6.2.9.
Collect data, conduct research and track economic
impacts. Circulate information to businesses to promote
resilient economic development.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
65
Policy 6.2.10.
Strengthen partnerships to get local products to market
such as working with Indigenous partners, Chamber of
Commerce, Community Futures, Downtown Williams Lake
Business Improvement Association, Export Development
Canada,
Northern
Development
Initiatives
Trust,
BC
Business Council, Rail and Port Authorities and business
networks across trade corridors.
Objective 6.3.
Recognize and support the importance of agricultural
activities to the economy of Williams Lake and the
surrounding area.
Policy 6.3.1.
Support
the
Cariboo
Regional
District
with
the
implementation of applicable recommendations from the
2022 Cariboo Agricultural Plan.
Policy 6.3.2.
Recognize that land located in the Agricultural Land
Reserve designation is subject to the Agricultural Land
Commission Act.
Policy 6.3.3.
Preserve lands that have agricultural capability for farming.
Policy 6.3.4.
Encourage active farming on lands within the Agricultural
Land Reserve within and adjacent to the City boundary.
Policy 6.3.5.
Recognize that fill placement, soil removal and aggregate
removal within the Agricultural Land Reserve is subject to
the Agricultural Land Commission Act.
Policy 6.3.6.
Permit agriculture in all land use designations including
Light Industrial, Heavy Industrial, and Airport Industrial.
Policy 6.3.7.
Ensure that any boundary extension requests have minimal
impact on agricultural lands.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
66
Objective 6.4.
Support agricultural activities in the Agricultural Land
Reserve and the mandate of the Agricultural Land
Commission.
Policy 6.4.1.
Direct uses that may interfere with agricultural activities
away from land that has high agricultural capability.
Policy 6.4.2.
Work closely with the Agricultural Land Commission in
addressing future exclusions from the Agricultural Land
Reserve in areas designated for non-agricultural use.
Policy 6.4.3.
Create a policy establishing a procedure and a set of
criteria for the City to follow when responding to requests
from private landowners to exclude their property from the
Agricultural Land Reserve.
Industrial Lands © City of Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
67
7. Heritage, Archaeology,
+ Culture
Guiding Question
How can we more effectively recognize, celebrate and preserve the
diverse heritage and cultures that shape the Williams Lake
community?
Background
The City of Williams Lake is situated on the
traditional territory of Williams Lake First
Nation (T'exelc) and bordered to the north by
Xatśūll First Nation. Nearly 25% of Williams
Lake's population is Indigenous, emphasising
the city's role as a central hub for Indigenous
services and culture in the Cariboo-Chilcotin
region. The rest of the population includes
people from regions and cultures across the
globe.
Integrating the heritage of all peoples and
communities into the arts and culture sector
of Williams Lake involves not only promoting
local artists and cultural events but also
preserving
cultural
resources
and
archaeological sites. This includes fostering a
sense of the past and vision for our future
through recognition of, and appreciation for, pre- and post-contact natural and built
heritage, including the City's rich fishing, hunting, agricultural, railroad and logging
history.
Moose Statue at the Williams Lake
First Nation office at Quigli Drive.
© Williams Lake First Nation
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
68
ARCHAEOLOGY
The pre-colonial history of Williams Lake is deeply rooted in the longstanding presence of
First Nations people on the landscape. The Secwepemc peoples' connection to the land
predates the settlement of Williams Lake by thousands of years. The land is home to
significant expressions of First Nations heritage, including the remains of villages, hunting
and food processing areas, tool-making sites, burial locations, and other cultural
belongings that reflect generations of knowledge, stewardship, and cultural continuity.
As of 2025, the Official Community Plan (OCP) area contains many documented and
undocumented archaeological sites. These sites are not merely historical resources, they
are the cultural heritage, ancestral belongings, and intellectual property of Williams Lake
First Nation (WLFN). Their protection, management, and interpretation are integral to
upholding Aboriginal rights, laws, and responsibilities.
In British Columbia, all archaeological sites, both known and unknown, are protected
under the Heritage Conservation Act, which applies to land under both public and
private ownership. As archaeological sites are found, they are recorded in the Provincial
Heritage Register (PHR), which can be referenced by municipal staff in making planning
and development-based decisions.
Any land-altering activity within an archaeological site requires a provincial heritage
permit issued under the Heritage Conservation Act. However, it is important to recognize
Sugar Cane Archaeology Conducting an Assessment on
Pinchbeck Hill © Monica Lamb-Yorski
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
69
that many archaeological sites are not visible on the surface, have not been the subject
of research or survey, and therefore may not be recorded in the PHR. The PHR database
only reflects those that have been formally identified and recorded. It is important to
integrate Williams Lake First Nation engagement into these processes, so that the risk of
inadvertent damage to sites and belongings is lessened.
The OCP also recognizes that in
alignment with the United Nations
Declaration
on
the
Rights
of
Indigenous
Peoples
(UNDRIP),
Particularly Articles 11, 12, and 31,
Indigenous Peoples have the right to
maintain,
control,
protect,
and
develop
their
cultural
heritage,
traditional knowledge, and cultural
expressions, as well as the right to
protect
their
sacred
and
archaeological sites. The municipal
and
provincial
commitment
to
upholding
UNDRIP,
through
the
Declaration
Act,
is
of
critical
importance when planning or developing land in Williams Lake.
The City of Williams Lake has a key responsibility to support landowners and developers
in protecting archaeological resources and complying with provincial legislation. As the
central coordinator of development applications, the City must ensure applicants are
made aware that an archaeological assessment may be required before any land-
altering activity can proceed. This includes providing clear guidance on the Heritage
Conservation Act and referring applications to the Provincial Archaeology Branch where
needed.
Through the creation of a protocol, the City will work closely with Williams Lake First Nation
to ensure archaeological and cultural heritage sites are identified, respected, and
managed appropriately. This includes informing landowners and developers of their
responsibilities early in the process, facilitating timely communication with Williams Lake
First Nation, and supporting compliance with both legal and ethical obligations.
Nesikip Traditional Projectile Point, ~6,500 Years Before
Present © Williams Lake First Nation
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
70
In addition, the City has a direct responsibility to
safeguard archaeological sites and artifacts during
the planning and execution of its own public works
and
capital
projects.
Depending
on
the
archaeological findings the City must work directly
with a professionally qualified archaeologist, the
Archaeology Branch, and First Nations to develop
culturally appropriate mitigation management, and
preservation strategies.
By embedding these principles into planning and development processes, the City can
support responsible land use and development, reduce landowner and developer risk,
and ensure First Nations cultural heritage is respectfully protected and meaningfully
acknowledged.
CELEBRATION OF ARTS + CULTURAL DIVERSITY
Williams Lake boasts a diverse population, with residents from various backgrounds and
cultures. Celebrating these vibrant cultures not only enhances the overall well-being of
the community but also strengthens the arts and culture sector. Additionally, the tourism
generated by cultural events can have a positive impact on the local economy. There
are both economic and social benefits for the municipality in continually supporting and
promoting heritage, arts, and culture within the community.
Supporting all community members, is an important way that Williams Lake can continue
to grow and advance reconciliation efforts. Providing the space for all cultures in the
What is the Heritage Conservation Act?
A provincial law that enables the identification, protection, and management
of about 60,000 heritage sites in B.C. The provincial Archaeology Branch is
responsible for maintaining and distributing archaeological information,
overseeing archaeology assessments, and issuing permits to allow
development within or near known protected sites.
The Act is currently under review to align more closely with the Declaration on
the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, through the Heritage Conservation Act
Transformation Project.
Engagement feedback
indicated more could be
done to recognize the
local First Nations history
and heritage in the
community.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
71
community to be celebrated can help everyone feel a sense of belonging and allow for
all residents to gain an appreciation for different cultures. There are many ways a
municipality can do this, including public art and murals, supporting or hosting cultural
events and festivals, supporting cultural institutions, and promoting diverse cuisine in
public markets and city events.
Creating and showcasing spaces for local artisans adds vibrancy to communities,
encouraging social interaction and a sense of belonging. These spaces also strengthen
cultural resilience by helping preserve local history, traditions, languages, and civic
identity.
Honouring the community's diverse heritage, culture, and art fosters civic pride by
supporting community events, showcasing local artists through public art, and raising
awareness and education about cultural diversity. Embracing cultural diversity benefits
municipalities in many ways, including enhancing social well-being, driving economic
growth and tourism, enriching education, and promoting active civic participation.
Land use plan designations related to heritage and culture include:
Institutional (museums, visual and performing arts facilities, and cultural
centres).
Station House Gallery © City of Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
72
OBJECTIVES + POLICIES
Objective 7.1.
Celebrate, support, and respect the traditional
knowledge, heritage, language and culture of local
First Nations in the community.
Policy 7.1.1.
Establish a framework for Indigenous relationship building
including partnership opportunities with Wiliams Lake First Nation
and neighbouring First Nations to support Indigenous-led events,
language and culture revitalization, education and inclusion in
accordance with United Nations Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the Provincial Declaration on
the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019).
Policy 7.1.2.
Increase awareness and education for residents and visitors of
traditional culture, language and heritage through initiatives such
as interpretive signage, place naming and cultural information.
Policy 7.1.3.
Work with the local First Nations communities to preserve, protect,
and celebrate local First Nations art, culture, heritage and festivals
and incorporate those within the community.
Policy 7.1.4.
Establish a framework with Williams Lake First Nation for key trails
and recreation areas ensuring cultural values, language, stories,
and markings are incorporated
Objective 7.2.
Identify, protect, and maintain significant cultural and
natural heritage sites and resources.
Policy 7.2.1.
In close collaboration and partnership with Williams Lake First
Nation, the City of Williams Lake will proactively develop and
implement a meaningful process to identify, protect, and
respectfully manage archaeological, cultural, and heritage
resources. Developed through ongoing process, this includes:
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
73
Early
Planning,
Desktop
Review,
Proactive
Engagement,
Legislative Compliance, and First Nations Participation.
7.2.1.1.
The City will work with proponents, landowners and developers
to promote early and proactive planning processes. Proactive
planning, and early identification of potential conflicts with
archaeological sites helps prevent unintentional violations of the
Heritage Conservation Act (HCA), minimizes development delays,
and safeguards cultural heritage resources that are intrinsically
valuable to First Nations.
7.2.1.2.
The City of Williams Lake will review proposed developments to
identify conflicts with protected archaeological sites by accessing
the Remote Access to Archaeological Data (RAAD) system. While
RAAD can offer initial insights into archaeological site locations
and data, it is not a comprehensive, or exhaustive, source. RAAD
is limited to existing records and is not reflective of unrecorded or
undiscovered sites.
7.2.1.3.
The City of Williams Lake currently utilizes the existing provincial
Archaeological Overview Assessment (AOA) model in its Desktop
Review process. To ensure a more accurate and locally relevant
approach, the City will co-develop a new AOA in partnership with
Williams Lake First Nation, specific to the municipal area and
surrounding lands.
7.2.1.4.
Work
towards
establishing
a
protocol
for
coordinated
engagement with Williams Lake First Nation to collaboratively
manage
and
mitigate
development-related
impacts
on
archaeological sites.
If a potential conflict with an archaeological site is identified
during a development or planning process, the City of Williams
Lake will proactively engage with landowners and developers to
ensure a Registered Professional Consulting Archaeologist (RPCA)
is involved in developing and implementing appropriate
management and mitigation recommendations in accordance
with the Heritage Conservation Act. This process will be carried out
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
74
in conjunction with the future engagement protocol with Williams
Lake First Nation noted in Policy 7.2.5.
7.2.1.5.
The City of Williams Lake will utilize the Heritage Conservation Act
(HCA) to help ensure the protection of archaeological sites, which
are legally protected under the Act and cannot be altered or
disturbed without a permit issued by the BC Archaeology Branch.
The City will proactively report any contraventions of the HCA to
the BC Archaeology Branch.
7.2.1.6.
The City of Williams Lake will apply all relevant legislation in
relation to heritage management, including the requirements of
the Heritage Conservation Act (HCA). The City will also work to
incorporate relevant heritage policies and protocols of Williams
Lake First Nation, as applicable, in the identification, protection,
and management of cultural heritage resources.
Policy 7.2.2.
The City of Williams Lake will safeguard archaeological sites
during the planning and execution of its public works and capital
projects through implementation of Archaeological Impact
Assessments (AIAs) at project locations, as appropriate, to identify
and mitigate potential impacts to archaeological sites in
advance of land-altering activities.
Objective 7.3.
Promote and support arts and culture programs, events,
and facilities.
Policy 7.3.1.
Work with the arts community to incorporate additional art in
public spaces and community facilities, such as street
beautification, placemaking, and public art displays.
Policy 7.3.2.
Continue to support the preservation of all Williams Lake history
and heritage through the museum, education, interpretive
initiatives and celebration of all cultures, including the support for
relevant First Nations exhibits in the museum and other spaces.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
75
Policy 7.3.3.
Continue to support the Central
Cariboo Arts and Culture Society
and its affiliates for arts and culture
programs, events and initiatives.
Policy 7.3.4.
Celebrate agricultural heritage by
supporting agricultural events and festivals.
Objective 7.4.
Promote multiculturalism and diversity.
Policy 7.4.1.
Continue to develop initiatives to support multiculturalism and diversity
in the City.
Policy 7.4.2.
Look for opportunities to celebrate Williams Lake's growing diversity
through promotion of festivals, cultural events, and public awareness
campaigns.
Policy 7.4.3.
Collaborate with community organizations and businesses to host
community events, festivals, and cultural programs.
Policy 7.4.4.
Work with community organizations to ensure that there are
adequate settlement services for newcomers to Williams Lake.
Policy 7.4.5.
Ensure place of worship and cultural gathering spaces are prioritized
in land use planning.
Williams Lake Stampede Grounds © City of Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
76
8. Social Well-being +
Inclusion
Guiding Question
How do we improve social well-being, inclusion, and health for all
community members?
Background
Social well-being and inclusion are essential
foundations for a healthy and thriving
community. Social well-being is influenced by
a wide range of factors, including economic
stability and employment, access to social
services and supports, food security, housing,
parks and recreation, health care, and the
reduction of racism, health inequities, and
barriers to public and cultural safety.
As Williams Lake continues to grow and
change, it is vital to address the evolving needs of
community members. Factors such as population
migration, limited economic opportunities,
discrimination, racism, health issues, public safety
and rising living costs can all significantly affect
social well-being.
To address these challenges, the City takes a
holistic approach to planning for all ages and
abilities and collaborates with others such as the
Accessibility Advisory Committee, the Williams Lake
& Area Social Planning Council, Cariboo Regional
District Library and health care organizations to
After my injury at age 15,
I received assistance, support and
guidance from the amazing
community of Williams Lake. I am so
grateful to the teachers, coaches,
mentors, friends. and family who
embraced the notion of what I
could be.
From the Rick Hansen,
Man in Motion Statue
Rick Hansen Man in Motion Tour Statue
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
77
develop strategies to respond to community needs. The City supports local nonprofits
through funding, grants and facility/land leases and actively advocates for the
community's social needs.
Williams Lake functions as a regional hub for the Cariboo-Chilcotin area, offering essential
social services to residents and those from surrounding communities.
To build a more liveable community, the City has developed comprehensive strategic
plans and policies in partnership with government agencies, First Nations and community
groups. These plans target a range of social well-being priorities, including accessibility,
poverty reduction, public safety, and childcare support, including:
-
Williams Lake Childcare Needs Assessment
and Action Plan (2020);
-
Thrive: Poverty Reduction Strategy (2021);
-
Accessibility and Inclusion Plan (2023); and
-
Seniors Home-Sharing Planning Project Final
Report (2023).
Recognizing the region's diverse population, the City remains committed to advancing
equity, inclusion, and diversity in all aspects of social well-being.
Social equity is defined by the American Planning Association as a collective aspiration
that refers to the "just and fair inclusion in a society so that all can participate, prosper,
and reach their full potential."
Every Child Matters Crosswalk - Opening Ceremony
© City of Williams Lake
Engagement feedback
indicated a desire to support
community members of all
ages, abilities and
backgrounds.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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Local government can consider equity in the social, economic, environmental, and
cultural realms within a municipality. By engaging with the community, the City can get
a better picture of the lived experiences of residents to better support and understand
the challenges and opportunities that concern the community.
OBJECTVIES + POLICIES
Objective 8.1.
Support an accessible community that provides
opportunities for all ages and abilities.
Policy 8.1.1.
Support the implementation of the Accessibility and Inclusion
Plan in collaboration with the Accessibility Advisory Committee.
Policy 8.1.2.
Work with Interior Health, senior advocacy groups, the Cariboo
Regional District, and local First Nations to advocate for
increased programs for seniors and subsidized seniors assisted
living.
Land use plan designations related to social well-being include:
Institutional (seniors centres, schools, child care, libraries, social
services and hospitals).
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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Policy 8.1.3.
Refer to the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification
Guidelines
(RHFAC)
when
planning
or
implementing
improvements to enhance accessibility.
Objective 8.2.
Encourage the advancement of social planning
programs, health partnerships, library services and
support for non-profit organizations.
Policy 8.2.1.
Support local community organizations and non-profits to
develop and implement plans, policies, and programs related
to
community
and
social
well-being
and
encourage
volunteerism within the community.
Policy 8.2.2.
Work
with
the
Cariboo
Regional District, Williams Lake
First Nation, Social Planning
Council of Williams Lake and
Area,
and
other
local
organizations
to
reduce
poverty
using
the
pillars
identified
in
the
THRIVE:
Poverty Reduction Strategy.
Policy 8.2.3.
Continue to build relationships with health care partners to
leverage funding and partnerships to develop health care
facilities, services, emergency response, healthcare worker
attraction and retention plan, and local training opportunities
for the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Policy 8.2.4.
Support non-profit organizations by providing City land or City-
owned facility leases at a nominal rate.
Policy 8.2.5.
Continue to support and grow the City of Williams Lake
Endowment Fund.
Policy 8.2.6.
Continue financial support for non-profit organizations through
the City's grant programs or property tax exemptions.
The City supports programs
that help children, youth
and families thrive - from
affordable childcare and
family services to recreation
and youth engagement
opportunities.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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Policy 8.2.7.
Work with the Cariboo Regional District to provide accessible
library services and resources to facilitate lifelong learning for
residents of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
Objective 8.3.
Support mental health, substance use programs and
services for the unhoused population.
Policy 8.3.1.
Continue to support substance use treatment programs and
facilities in appropriate locations.
Policy 8.3.2.
Continue
to
support
mental health services
for
individuals
and
families.
Policy 8.3.3.
Continue
to
support
agencies in the provision
of services for people
experiencing
homelessness and those at risk.
Policy 8.3.4.
Continue to work with local community partners to ensure
adequate access to warming and cooling stations in Williams
Lake for people experiencing homelessness, and vulnerable
populations.
Objective 8.4.
Support programs for children, youth, and families.
Policy 8.4.1.
Continue to advocate for the provision of quality, affordable
childcare, early childhood development programs and family
support programs that are accessible to all families.
Policy 8.4.2.
Support organizations that provide services to youth in the
community and continue to provide services to youth and
families through the recreation complex.
The City works with
community partners to
support mental health,
substance use services, and
safe spaces for those
experiencing homelessness
in Williams Lake.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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Policy 8.4.3.
Create targets for youth participation in recreation, climate
action, and community infrastructure projects that include
opportunities for engagement, education, employment, and
training.
Objective 8.5.
Support programs that provide services for the senior
population.
Policy 8.5.1.
Continue to support programs that allow seniors to age-in-
place, such as better at-home programs.
Policy 8.5.2.
Advocate for garden and amenity spaces for seniors to
participate and enjoy an active lifestyle.
Policy 8.5.3.
Continue
to
promote
senior-focused
activities
through
recreation
programming
and
community
organization
partnerships.
Policy 8.5.4.
Maintain the senior's outdoor fitness park.
Objective 8.6.
Foster a resilient, locally focused food system that
enhances ecosystems and community health.
Policy 8.6.1.
Identify sites for community gardens on public or private land.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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Policy 8.6.2.
Support urban agriculture that uses integrated pest
management practices.
Policy 8.6.3.
Encourage the use of locally sourced food and agricultural
products in food services at the local Farmers' Market and
other City-sponsored events.
Policy 8.6.4.
Support the expansion of garden spaces for children in
education programs such as childcare facilities and within
the school district.
Policy 8.6.5.
Support low-cost healthy food programs that include fresh
local agricultural products and make available to low-
income residents.
Policy 8.6.6.
Promote public awareness of the health and economic
benefits of eating local and seasonal food and collaborate
with community groups to share expertise in food
production and processing.
Metis Flag Raising
© City of Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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9. Parks + Recreation
Background
Parks and recreation play a role in
fostering the health and well-being of
individuals and communities, and our
natural environments are critical to the
liveability of Williams Lake.
Community members benefit from the
city's many recreational facilities, parks,
and trails, as well as access to a wide
range
of
outdoor
recreational
opportunities in the region such as
mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, dirt biking, rock climbing, cross-country skiing,
boating, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and organized sports, such as pickleball, rugby,
soccer, baseball, hockey, and rodeo events.
In addition to parks, public spaces and gathering areas serve functional and community-
building purposes. These spaces should be inviting, safe, comfortable, and accessible to
people of all ages and abilities. Public art that doubles as street furniture or a play area for
children can enhance their appeal.
In 2011, the City created a Parks, Trails, Outdoor Recreation Master Plan - Imagine Our
Parks 2020. Since then, many of the goals outlined in the Plan have been accomplished or
are in progress. Any future updates to the Parks, Trails, Outdoor Recreation Master Plan
should align with the guidance provided in this Plan. The 2025 Active Transportation
Network Plan provides helpful direction regarding trail connections and improvements
throughout the City.
Guiding Question
How can we provide accessible and affordable parks and recreation
opportunities that promote public health, social connection, cultural
inclusivity, and environmental stewardship?
Public Realm Example: Bear Chairs in North Vancouver
Artist: Dam De Nogales
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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Figure 4: Benefits of Parks + Recreation
Indoor + Outdoor Recreation Facilities
Indoor recreation facilities, including the Cariboo
Memorial Recreation Complex, are highly valued
and heavily used by the community. Owned by the
Cariboo Regional District and operated under
contract by the City of Williams Lake, the Complex
includes:
-
Twin ice arenas;
-
West Fraser Aquatic Centre including the Fitness
Center, and Sam Ketcham Memorial Pool; and
-
Gibraltar Room multi-purpose banquet/theatre space.
Engagement feedback
indicated a desire for more
indoor recreation options
such as an indoor soccer
field to support year-round
physical activity, and more
spaces for youth.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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During the Canada Day weekend, the Williams Lake Stampede draws spectators and
participants from across the globe to enjoy the celebrations.
As the second-largest rodeo in Canada, after the Calgary Stampede, it has been a
cherished tradition for over 100 years. The Stampede Grounds property is busy throughout
the year and is home to 5 different user groups that each own and maintain the buildings
on site, with an agreement for shared common areas. These groups include the Williams
Lake Stampede Association, which also provides management of the Williams Lake
Stampede Campgrounds; Long House, which is owned by the Cariboo Friendship
Society; Williams Lake Curling Club; Williams Lake Trail Riders Association; and Gavin Lake
Forest Education Society. The property includes the rodeo grounds and grandstand, an
indoor riding arena, equestrian racetrack, cattle penning arena, and stables.
The Gwen Pharis Ringwood Outdoor Theatre in Boitanio Park was named after the founder
of the Williams Lake Studio Theatre Society.
The outdoor theatre is an impressive timber-framed entrance to the many outdoor
recreation opportunities in the park, including a skatepark, mountain bike skills park, disc
golf course, climbing wall, dog park, and youth play structures.
The Gwen Pharis Ringwood
Outdoor Theatre in Boitanio Park
is well used throughout the year.
© City of Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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Kiwanis Park provides the community with a spray park, outdoor fitness equipment, youth
play structures, tennis, and pickleball courts. Partnerships between the City, School
District, and Thompson Rivers University, allows for broader recreation access for the
community to play indoor sports during the winter months, with user agreements for
gymnasium space. Located in the CRD outside of Williams Lake, the Esler Soccer
Complex offers four grass fields and a clubhouse for the Williams Lake Youth Soccer
Association. This also includes the Williams Lake Rugby Club and several baseballs fields.
The City also works with Williams Lake Seniors Activity Centre to provide recreational
programming for seniors at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex.
Ensuring accessibility to recreation remains a key priority to accommodate people of all
ages, abilities and income levels.
Parks + Trails
Williams Lake features a variety of neighborhood
parks, and an impressive array of trail systems. Scout
Island provides a nature lovers' paradise with some
of the best bird watching in B.C. Williams Lake is
home to the Williams Lake Cycle Club, with more
than 200 kilometres of single-track mountain bike
trails that connect to the city. Williams Lake values
fitness, social interaction, preserving environmental
values,
and
protecting
wildlife
habitats. Trails
connect the community and offer recreational
opportunities.
Balancing the demand for increased parks and
recreation services with the need to maintain
existing parks and open spaces is a challenge for
the City. While maintenance and improvement of existing parks is funded through
the City, new parks and trails are often supported through land development,
partnerships, and amenity contributions.
Fox Mountain Trail Sign
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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Lake and River Access
Enhancing public access to the lake and
river is key to the liveability of residents
and enjoyment of Williams Lake. There is
opportunity for the City to continue to
work towards creating public lake access
points
through
agreements
with
developers or landowners, as well as
investing in access to public beaches and
waterfront
areas.
The
Waterfront
Enhancement Plan is a strategic initiative
aimed at improving the public access to the lakefront and establishing a new active
transportation network along the RC Cotton and South Lakeside Drive area.
River Valley Trail
© City of Williams Lake
Beach Access at Scout Island
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
88
Reconciliation
Fostering collaboration and partnerships with local First Nations is essential to inclusive
parks and recreational services. Reconciliation efforts can include:
-
Recognizing and incorporating Indigenous knowledge and cultural values into parks
and recreation;
-
Supporting shared stewardship of land and resources;
-
Advancing public education on Indigenous history and culture;
-
Indigenous place naming for parks and trails;
-
Cultural celebrations; and
-
Integration of Indigenous heritage, language, and art into public spaces.
This may involve features like interpretive signage that shares traditional histories and
stories of the land.
Williams Lake First Nation Pow Wow Arbor
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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Programming may focus on specific groups, such as
youth or Elders, or offer broader public education
through Indigenous-led initiatives related to traditional
land use and outdoor activities, such as fishing,
gathering, and ceremonial practices.
Sp'akw'us Feather Park, formerly known as Nexen
Beach, in Squamish is an example of cultural
integration in the parks setting.
The new playground was designed by local Indigenous
youth and celebrates Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw culture and history through art, stories
and active play.
Our Williams Lake First Nation community is vibrant, proud, and strong. Our
Elders have given us knowledge and wisdom which continues to guide us on a
path of prosperity, while being grounded in our traditions and culture.
- Chief Willie Sellars,
Williams Lake First Nation
Indigenous Peoples Day © City of Williams Lake
Sp'akw'us Feather Park in
Squamish
Kiwanis Park Communication Board Sign
© City of Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
90
ECOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
The parks and trail systems are part of a broader ecological
network, linking urban green spaces with regional corridors.
These areas play a vital role in conserving biodiversity,
protecting
habitats,
supporting
carbon
capture,
and
maintaining essential ecological connections between larger
regional and provincial protected areas. They also deliver
critical ecosystem services such as stormwater management,
and mitigation of climate change impacts. The urban tree
canopy offers shade, while the lake and river contribute natural
cooling during hot weather.
The Scout Island Nature Centre is a community centre for people and
wildlife. It is a nature sanctuary where living things and their habitat
are protected. Considered an important wildlife viewing area in the
province of BC, it is a place where people can enjoy and learn about
nature in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region. The land and waters of the
Nature Centre, owned mostly by the Nature Trust of British Columbia,
are designated as a public nature education facility
- Scout Island Nature Centre Website
Turtle Habitat at
Scout Island
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
91
OBJECTIVES + POLICIES
Objective 9.1.
Provide accessible indoor and outdoor recreation
facilities.
Policy 9.1.1.
Provide a range of diverse recreational opportunities for
people of all ages and abilities, including low-barrier and
low-cost recreational activities, and programs for an aging
population.
Policy 9.1.2.
Continue to implement and expand community recreation
facilities including:
1. indoor community centres such as community spaces,
arenas, aquatic facilities, youth space, soccer and
gymnasiums; and
2. outdoor recreation amenities such as courts, sport fields,
spray parks, playgrounds, bike parks, and skateparks
and include covered spaces and sheltered areas for use
during inclement weather.
Policy 9.1.3.
Increase recreational opportunities in community parks,
including Comer Park, Boitanio Park, and the Stampede
Grounds.
Policy 9.1.4.
Collaborate and partner with all levels of government, First
Nations,
and
local
organizations
to
strengthen
the
recreational and natural assets in Williams Lake.
Land use plan designations related to parks and recreation include
Parks, Recreation and Natural Areas, and Institutional (Cariboo
Memorial Recreation Centre).
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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Policy 9.1.5.
Update the Parks, Trails, Outdoor Recreation Master Plan -
Imagine Our Parks 2020 (2011) to align with the OCP's goals
and objectives, and engage residents, neighbourhood and
community groups, and other local interest holders.
PARKS + TRAILS
Objective 9.2.
Maintain and improve trails and parks, ensuring
sufficient land is available to support a connected
system of outdoor spaces.
Policy 9.2.1.
Designate, develop, and expand public access to Williams
Lake.
Policy 9.2.2.
Implement the Waterfront Enhancement Plan.
Policy 9.2.3.
Expand connected trail system as identified in in the City's
Active Transportation Network Plan and encourage multi-
use pathways to connect park and recreation spaces with
neighbourhoods and the Downtown Core.
Policy 9.2.4.
Develop a parkland inventory and set provision targets for
parks to ensure that demographic and geographic needs
of the community is being met.
Policy 9.2.5.
Continue to support initiatives that enhance the public's
awareness of the Williams Lake and Area Trail Network and
promote Williams Lake as a destination for outdoor
recreation.
Policy 9.2.6.
Ensure no net loss of park or trail amenities in development
proposals and applications.
Policy 9.2.7.
Encourage developers or landowners to integrate new
parks and trails, where appropriate, as part of land use
development applications.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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Policy 9.2.8.
Add improvements to local neighbourhood parks to
improve access for nearby residents.
Policy 9.2.9.
Prioritize the protection, connection, and maintenance of
key mountain biking areas and recreational trails through
public access to Crown lands, trail corridors and rights-of-
way, within the City and surrounding areas.
Policy 9.2.10.
Increase signage visibility along major transportation
corridors, highlighting key traits, points of interest, and
heritage sites within the community
Objective 9.3.
Provide safe, clean parks, trails, and gathering
spaces.
Policy 9.3.1.
Maintain and design parks and trails to promote community
pride, discourage vandalism, and support a wide range of
activities.
Policy 9.3.2.
Consider appropriate signage and separation on multi-use
paths to protect multiple users such as pedestrians and
bikes.
Policy 9.3.3.
Include features in parks and public spaces such as picnic
tables, benches, drinking water access, and public art to
enhance comfort and accessibility.
The Boitanio Bike Park in Boitanio Park
is a popular stop for riders as they
navigate Williams Lake's trail network.
© City of Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
94
Policy 9.3.4.
Work to provide access to year-round public toilets in
Downtown Williams Lake.
Policy 9.3.5.
Improve
Courthouse
Square
for
community
events,
celebrations, and gatherings in the downtown.
Objective 9.4.
Collaborate with Williams Lake First Nation, urban Indigenous,
and regional Indigenous communities to support
reconciliation efforts through parks and recreation initiatives.
Policy 9.4.1.
Foster positive collaboration and partnerships with Williams Lake
First Nation to build greater understanding, opportunities for
education, and celebrating culture.
Policy 9.4.2.
Provide opportunities for Williams Lake First Nation, local
Indigenous organizations and regional First Nation communities to
engage in meaningful dialogue to contribute and expand the
delivery of culturally safe community recreation services.
Ride Your Ride Ladies Bike Fest
© Julie Doerfling
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
95
Policy 9.4.3.
Through collaboration with Williams Lake First Nation and other
local First Nations, support the development and implementation
of naming policies and signage for parks, trails and recreational
facilities that reflect and consider First Nations culture, historical
significance, and language.
Objective 9.5.
Balance recreation use within ecologically sensitive
areas.
Policy 9.5.1.
Provide recreation opportunities within parks that do not
unduly impact natural areas and ecosystems.
Policy 9.5.2.
Support responsible recreation tourism in designated areas
to minimize environmental impact.
Policy 9.5.3.
Encourage the protection and growth of native flora and
fauna.
Policy 9.5.4.
Consider
sustainable
design,
construction,
and
maintenance best practices throughout parks, trails, and
recreational facilities to address climate change.
View from Scout Island
© City of Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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10. Ecosystem
Protection + Climate
Action
Guiding Question
How can we preserve local ecosystems, support biodiversity, adapt to
the effects of climate change, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
Background
The health of the community is closely linked to the condition of the natural environment,
including the lands and water bodies within and surrounding the City of Williams Lake.
Clean air, soil, water, and vibrant local ecosystems are vital to well-being and contribute
significantly to attracting people to live, work, visit, and invest in Williams Lake.
Responsible environmental stewardship ensures that nature's ability to provide essential
resources and ecosystem services is preserved for future generations. Safeguarding these
natural areas also contributes to economic, spiritual, and physical health and well-being.
The City of Williams Lake plays a leading role in
protecting local ecosystems through land use planning
and water management and developing local climate
adaptation
and
environmental
plans.
However,
responsibility of local governments extends beyond
local stewardship. The City has a shared responsibility
to tackle climate change by adopting targets and
effective measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions that support the health of the planet.
Engagement feedback
indicated support for
protection against
climate change and
conversation of sensitive
ecosystems.
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ECOSYSTEMS
The City of Williams Lake is nestled around a sensitive riparian wetland, where the Williams
Lake River flows into the lake. This area includes marshes, small islands, and shrubland
that together provide rich natural habitats for birds, amphibians, and aquatic life.
Protecting the long-term health of these riparian areas requires a clear understanding of
their ecological value, potential threats, and effective conservation strategies. By
documenting these habitats, assessing vulnerabilities, and identifying protective
measures, the City can better preserve their biodiversity and ecological functions.
One important tool available to municipalities is the use of Development Permit Areas
(DPAs), designated in the OCP to require special consideration in development planning,
especially for the protection of local ecosystems.
Support from other levels of government strengthens these efforts.
-
The Province of British Columbia plays a key role by enacting environmental
legislation, managing natural resources, providing policy guidance, and offering
funding for hazard mitigation and climate adaptation. The Riparian Areas Protection
Regulation (RAPR), enabled by Section 12 of the Riparian Areas Protection Act,
requires applicable local governments to mandate environmental assessments for
new developments within 30 metres of a water body to protect riparian ecosystems.
Wildlife at City Hall
© City of Williams Lake
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Although these regulations do not currently apply to Williams Lake, the regulations
may serve as a reference framework for guiding new development and protecting
local riparian areas.
-
The federal government complements these actions by setting national
environmental policies, coordinating disaster response, conducting research, and
funding climate-related initiatives.
Through collaboration among municipal, provincial, and federal governments, a more
coordinated and comprehensive approach to environmental protection and climate
adaptation can be achieved.
CLIMATE RESILIENCY
Mitigating and adapting to climate change is increasingly recognized as one of the most
urgent challenges of our time.
In Williams Lake, the effects of a rapidly changing climate are already visible. The
community is experiencing more frequent heatwaves, prolonged droughts, forest
degradation from pest infestations, increased wildfires, and a greater risk of flooding and
landslides.
Greenhouse gas emissions from continued reliance on fossil fuels are driving profound
changes in both global and local ecosystems that have lasting consequences for future
generations.
Community Garden Planting
© City of Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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Building a climate-resilient community capable of withstanding and adapting to these
impacts requires close collaboration between the City of Williams Lake, local First Nations,
businesses, and regional and provincial partners. Together, these groups must work to
implement the following key climate resilience principles:
-
Community awareness and education:
Ensure
residents
and
businesses
understand the local impacts of
climate change and how to prepare
for extreme weather events.
-
Contingency
funding:
Maintain
adequate emergency reserves in the
municipal budget
to
respond
to
unexpected damage to infrastructure.
-
Smart urban design: Incorporate
features such as stormwater retention
systems, urban tree canopy for
carbon capture and shading, and
clear emergency signage.
-
Emergency preparedness:
Develop and regularly practice a
coordinated emergency response
plan involving all interest-holders.
-
Social connection: Foster strong community networks that can provide mutual
support during emergencies.
One example of proactive planning is the Heat Alert Response Plan, which addresses the
growing threat of extreme heat events and their social and economic impacts. This policy
is aligned with the Cariboo Climate Change Adaptation Program, a provincial initiative
aimed at building resilience to climate impacts across the region.
GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION TARGETS
To address the growing challenges of climate change and meet provincial requirements
under the Local Government Act, the City of Williams Lake must take a proactive role in
Misting Station Set Up
© City of Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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reducing its carbon footprint and helping the community adapt to the increasing impacts
of climate change. This includes responding to more frequent and severe climate-related
events such as heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires.
Local governments are key players in climate action, with both the authority and a
shared responsibility to reduce GHG emissions. The City has demonstrated its
commitment to climate action by participating in two voluntary greenhouse gas (GHG)
reduction frameworks: the BC Climate Action Charter and the Partners for Climate
Protection (PCP) program.
While broader goals are set at the federal and provincial levels, municipalities like
Williams Lake have significant influence over local sustainability, especially through
decisions related to land use, development, and transportation planning. These
everyday planning tools directly affect how residents and businesses interact with their
environment and contribute to building a more climate-resilient and sustainable
community.
Table 2: Climate Action Roles and Responsibilities
Federal
Government
-
National policies and targets
-
Incentives and taxes
-
Funding for projects reducing carbon footprint
Provincial
Government
-
Building Code, energy efficiency standards
-
Industry regulations
-
Renewable energy management
-
Management of natural resources
Regional
Government
-
Regional public transportation projects
-
Solid waste management
-
Land use in rural areas
Municipality
-
Active transportation
-
Community energy systems
-
Education and awareness
-
Energy efficient public buildings
-
Land use and development
-
Public transportation
First Nations
-
Self-determination of First Nations in climate in climate governance
Agencies,
Households,
Businesses
-
Individual day-to-day decisions to reduce GHG emissions
-
Implementation of federal and provincial policies
-
Green innovations, resources
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The City of Williams Lake has aligned with provincial and federal climate goals by
committing to an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 for all users,
relative to 2007 levels. To achieve this long-term goal, the municipality has adopted the
following GHG reduction milestones by 40% reduction by 2030, 60% reduction by 2040,
and 80% reduction by 2050.
These targets reflect the City's recognition of its role in influencing transportation choices,
guiding sustainable land use, and supporting energy-efficient solutions across the
community. These targets will be pursued through actions and policies within the City's
jurisdiction and influence, reinforcing its commitment to climate leadership and local
sustainability.
Land use plan designations related to ecosystems protection include:
Parks and Natural Areas.
EV Charging Stations at City Hall
© City of Williams Lake
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OBJECTIVES + POLICIES
Objective 10.1.
Map, protect, and enhance natural areas to ensure
their long-term conservation and to protect them from
development.
Policy 10.1.1.
Work towards the development of an Ecosystem and
Waterbody Protection Strategy to identify environmentally
sensitive areas, establish protective and rehabilitative
measures,
and
define
targeted
actions
for
their
conservation.
Policy 10.1.2.
Identify environmentally sensitive areas affected by City
projects and establish mitigation measures to ensure
continued conservation.
Policy 10.1.3.
Use the provincial Riparian Areas Protection Regulation
(RAPR) as a guide, to protect riparian ecosystems.
Policy 10.1.4.
Partner with Williams Lake First Nation on ecosystem
protection and explore developing Indigenous Forest
gardens that focus on the cultivation of native and
culturally important species of plants for food and
medicine.
Policy 10.1.5.
Partner with the Cariboo Regional District to identify
strategies and management practices for Invasive Plants
(Schedule 11).
Policy 10.1.6.
Ensure all new development along the lakefront or other
watercourses integrates riparian area setback.
Policy 10.1.7.
Work to develop and implement an integrated invasive
species management strategy, with partners, to reduce the
spread of invasive species.
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Objective 10.2.
Strengthen resilience and adapt to impacts of climate
change.
Policy 10.2.1.
Encourage the use of low-water landscaping methods such
as xeriscaping by planting native species on private land.
Policy 10.2.2.
Continue to incorporate xeriscaping into City-maintained
parks, boulevards, and green spaces.
Policy 10.2.3.
Explore options for the use of residential water storage and
capture technologies and grey water diversions for
irrigating gardens.
Policy 10.2.4.
Ensure the City has sufficient contingency reserve to cover
the damage to infrastructure caused by extreme weather
events.
Policy 10.2.5.
Develop a communication and education strategy to
educate residents about effective GHG reduction and
climate change adaptation measures.
Policy 10.2.6.
Pilot climate change adaptation projects such as water
retention features, community gardens, and enhanced
tree canopy.
Policy 10.2.7.
Encourage extensive, indigenous, fire-resistant and non-
intrusive landscaping, such as xeriscaping, and the
preservation of existing vegetation, such as significant trees
or significant vegetation corridors along streams, steep
slopes and ravines, to green the neighbourhood while
reducing environmental impacts of new developments.
Policy 10.2.8.
Provide leadership by designing water-wise/xeriscape
landscaping for City-owned lands and facilities, to
conserve water while ensuring proper maintenance and
function.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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Policy 10.2.9.
Continue to increase tree canopy on City lands, especially
in areas with vulnerable residents as identified in the Heat
Alert Response Plan (2023).
Policy 10.2.10.
Update the Tree Protection Bylaw to include tree canopy
protection within the City especially in areas with
vulnerable residents as identified in the Heat Alert Response
Plan (2023).
Policy 10.2.11.
Ensure bids, tenders, and contracts for planning or
infrastructure
projects
make
reference
to
climate
adaptation and resiliency.
Objective 10.3.
Work toward meeting greenhouse gas emissions
reduction targets.
Policy 10.3.1.
Continue to make progress on climate action through
mitigation and adaption efforts such as tracking energy
use, sources of greenhouse gas emissions and
opportunities for efficient solutions to enhance resiliency
of the community.
Policy 10.3.2.
Monitor and report progress towards greenhouse gas
reduction targets on an annual basis.
Policy 10.3.3.
Actively work towards interim greenhouse gas reduction
targets for 2030, 2040, and 2050.
Policy 10.3.4.
Support upgrades of existing buildings to achieve net-zero
emissions by 2060.
Policy 10.3.5.
Prioritize active transportation modes such as cycling and
walking through enhancement of the pedestrian and
cycling infrastructure.
Policy 10.3.6.
Adopt a reconciliation lens to the assessment of climate
change impacts as well as mitigation and adaptation
strategies.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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Policy 10.3.7.
Collaborate and coordinate with First Nations, federal and
provincial agencies and businesses on climate change
mitigation and adaptation.
Policy 10.3.8.
Establish a comprehensive Climate Action Plan aimed at
reducing the City's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while
enhancing resilience to the impacts of climate change.
Policy 10.3.9.
Consider
energy
consumption
and
greenhouse
gas
emissions in municipal maintenance and operations and
before the purchase of City equipment, vehicles, and tools.
The Scout Island Nature Centre is a nature
conservatory teeming with birds and other wildlife
located in the core of the city. © City of Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
106
11.
Natural Hazards
Guiding Question
How do we protect life and property from natural hazards such as
slope instability, wildfire, and flooding?
Background
Natural events such as wildfires, earthquakes, floods, and landslides pose significant
threats to both life and property. Although these phenomena are part of the earth's
natural geophysical and biological systems, their frequency and intensity are increasing
due to ongoing climate change. These events become hazardous when they negatively
affect people, infrastructure, or ecosystems. Proper planning can help reduce the
associated risks, though avoiding development in high-risk areas is the most effective
strategy, although not always feasible. Schedule 2.4 identifies natural hazard areas where
development may be restricted or require an assessment by a qualified professional to
accommodate new development.
Hazardous areas include:
-
Flooding of the Williams Lake River and Lake;
-
Landslides within the Williams Lake River escarpment;
-
Landslides, both historical and active, with known earth movement;
-
Rockfall and falling hazards;
-
Slopes with gradients exceeding 30%; and
-
Wildfire risks.
GEOTECHNICAL HAZARDS
In 2022, the City retained Palmer Environmental Consulting Group (PECG) to prepare a
desktop Geotechnical Hazard Area Mapping and Assessment (2023) ("Palmer Report")
to map and characterize past, current, and potential geotechnical hazard areas within
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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and surrounding the city. The report identifies an elevated risk of landslides due to projected
increases in temperature and precipitation in central British Columbia, and notes that climate-
induced changes may increase the likelihood of erosion within the river valley. The report has
identified some areas where development should be prohibited due to extreme risk to life and
property, such as the River Valley bottom and escarpment areas and talus slopes. Schedule
2.4 identifies properties with potential hazards as discussed in the Palmer Report.
Authorized under the Local Government Act, development permits regulate development in
hazard areas and require any proposed development to adhere to the guidelines set out in
Schedule 2.4.
Under Section 56 of the Community Charter allows a Building Inspector to require a geotechnical
report from a qualified professional certifying that land may be safely used in accordance with
specified conditions, if the Building Inspector considers that construction is located on land that
is, or is likely to be, affected by hazards such as flooding, mudflows, debris flows, debris torrents,
erosion,
landslides,
rockfalls,
subsidence,
or
avalanches.
Before a building permit may be issued, the owner
of the land must register a covenant in favour of the
City under which the land will only be used in the
manner certified as enabling its safe use and the
owner will indemnify the City for any breach. The purpose of requiring a geotechnical report is
to assess whether the land is suitable for the proposed building or structure and to obtain expert
recommendations on the conditions needed to ensure its safe use.
If there are indications of slope instability either above or below the proposed development site,
the Building Inspector may determine that such a report is necessary. Additionally, in areas with
unstable soil or water that is prone to degradation, the installation of septic tanks, drainage
systems, disposal fields, irrigation systems, or water infrastructure will not be permitted.
Section 86 of the Land Title Act allows an Approving Officer to require, as a condition of consent
to an application for subdivision approval, a geotechnical report from a qualified professional
certifying that land may be safely used or registration of a covenant on the resulting parcels, if
the Approving Officer considers that the land is, or could reasonably be expected to be, subject
to flooding, erosion, land slip or avalanche.
Engagement feedback
indicated the need
to protect life and property
from natural hazards.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
108
WILDFIRE HAZARDS
Wildfires pose a threat to both natural ecosystems and urban areas in and around
Williams Lake. Williams Lake is particularly vulnerable to wildfires due to its dry summers
and forested landscape. Climate change, along with more frequent extreme heat
events, has contributed to drier conditions across the region and province. These
environmental changes are expected to intensify due to climate change, increasing
the likelihood and severity of wildfires in the area.
In the summer of 2017, the City of Williams Lake and the surrounding regions faced
unprecedented threat in the face of historic wildfires in B.C. forcing the City's
evacuation for almost two weeks. In 2024, a State of Local Emergency was declared
after a fire broke out in the Williams Lake River Valley.
While work to protect residents from the threat of a wildfire had already begun, the
City ramped up its efforts in the following years resulting in the completion of the
2019 Williams Lake and Area Community Wildfire Protection Plan - Strategic Wildfire
Prevention Initiative (CWPP).
The CWPP, created in cooperation with the CaribooRegional District, Williams Lake
Members from the Williams Lake Fire Department work
to battle a wildfire in the Williams Lake River Valley in
July of 2024. © City of Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
109
First Nation, and Xat'sull First Nation, was made possible through collaboration among
multiple organizations including the BC Government, several interest groups, BC
Wildfire Service, Fraser Basin Council, forestry consultants, Williams Lake Community
Forest, BC Timber Sales, woodlot licensees, and forest industry representatives.
Since the creation of the CWPP, significant progress has been made through the
FireSmart program.
Free FireSmart assessments are available through the City and tipping fees are waived
for any woody debris generated from FireSmart activities on residential properties to
encourage vegetation management among property owners.
In partnership with BC Wildfire, the City conducts prescribed burns to reduce wildfire risk
and improve ecosystem health.
Frequent low severity 'cultural burning' has long been used by Indigenous Peoples to
reduce fuels on the land, keep forests and grasslands healthy, and maintain a diverse
understory of important plants.
Wildfire Mitigation Project Fox Mountain
© City of Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
110
Recognizing the wisdom of traditional
ways, 'prescribed fires' are once again
seen as a critical tool to reduce the fuel
available to wildfires and promote
healthy ecosystems.
The City is in the process of developing a
new Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan,
which will examine the key factors
influencing wildfire preparedness and
response, guided by the seven FireSmart
disciplines:
education,
emergency
planning,
vegetation
management,
legislation, development, interagency
cooperation, and cross-training. Within
each discipline, the plan will identify
potential wildfire-related challenges and
outline the necessary actions to mitigate
or manage these risks.
As shown in Schedule 2.5, the Wildfire
Development Permit Area (DPA 5) applies to all new developments in areas at risk of
wildfire. Proposed developments must follow guidelines for landscaping, building
placement and design, and the types and locations of trees and vegetation near
buildings. The goal of DPA 5 is to plan proactively and reduce wildfire risk, helping to keep
the community safe.
FLOOD HAZARDS
In the spring of 2020, severe flooding in the Williams Lake River Valley triggered a State of
Local Emergency and led to the evacuation of 86 residences and 11 industrial properties.
The Tillion Indian Reserve #4 at the confluence of the Fraser River and Williams Lake Creek
was also flooded. The flood, considered the region's most significant in roughly 200-years,
was driven by unseasonably warm weather combined with an above-average mountain
snowpack. The event caused widespread destruction to natural habitats and severely
damaged River Valley Road and other City infrastructure, resulting in several million
dollars in damages.
WLFD Emergency Preparedness
© City of Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
111
When examining the causes of flooding, it is also important to consider the impact of
wildfires, industrial logging, and human development in floodplains. Wildfires can
drastically change how a landscape absorbs and manages water by reducing soil
permeability and increasing erosion, making the land more vulnerable to runoff and
flooding. Consideration should be given to appropriate mitigation measures to reduce
future flooding risk.
OBJECTIVES + POLICIES
Objective 11.1.
Minimize the risk to life and property within
geotechnical natural hazard areas.
Policy 11.1.1.
Require all development within the geotechnical natural hazard area
in Schedule 2.4 to proceed through a development permit application
process.
Policy 11.1.2.
Require a geotechnical report be prepared as part of the
development and building permit process if the construction is on land
Natural Hazards Development Permit Areas and Guidelines are found
in Schedule 2.5.
Fall flooding in the Williams Lake
River Valley in 2020.
© City of Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
112
that is subject to flooding, mud flows, debris flows, debris torrents,
erosion, landslide, rockfalls, subsidence or avalanche.
Policy 11.1.3.
Prohibit re-grading, excavation, or tree removal within designated
hazard areas unless supported by qualified professional advice
confirming that the proposed works will not adversely affect land
stability or increase erosion risk.
Policy 11.1.4.
Commission follow up geotechnical studies that include site visits and
testing of hazard areas and amend the Steep Slopes, Landslide, and
Escarpment Hazard Development Permit Area (DPA 4) and Guidelines
as appropriate.
Policy 11.1.5.
Consider amending the land use in high-risk geotechnical areas
identified in follow up geo-technical studies to Parks and Recreation, or
Natural Areas and Conservation after an engagement process with
property owners.
Policy 11.1.6.
Minimize the risk to life and property in the River Valley and Escarpment:
11.1.6.1.
Prohibit development of habitable buildings in the River Valley bottom
and escarpment areas.
11.1.6.2.
Discourage development within 110 metres of the escarpment crest
(geotechnical hazard assessment area in Schedule 2.4) as per the
Palmer Report (2023) and require a site-specific geotechnical report
documenting risks and mitigation strategies.
11.1.6.3.
Limit essential infrastructure in River Valley with proper geotechnical
design and regularly inspecting, maintaining, and enhancing
protections, when feasible or possible.
11.1.6.4.
Avoid or minimize new channel realignments to maintain channel
lengths and balance energy expenditure along the river.
11.1.6.5.
Preserve and restore riparian vegetation to contribute to riverbank
stability.
Policy 11.1.7.
Minimize the risk to life and property related to rockfall.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
113
11.1.7.1.
Prohibit development on talus slopes due to frequent rockfall risks.
11.1.7.2.
Follow current bylaws and best practices for tree removal or ground re-
grading as trees offer limited protection for smaller rockfall events.
11.1.7.3.
Require site-specific assessments by qualified professionals for any
development, including roads in runout zones, where habitable
dwellings are inadvisable.
Policy 11.1.8.
Minimize the risk to life and property related to landslides.
11.1.8.1.
Active or Inactive-Dormant: Generally unsuitable for development due
to risks to life, property, or infrastructure. Some passive uses, like parkland
or temporary storage, may be acceptable with a site-specific
geotechnical assessment.
11.1.8.2.
Inactive-Relict: May be suitable for certain types of development after
a site-specific geotechnical assessment.
Policy 11.1.9.
Ensure that all hazard assessments prepared by qualified professionals
are publicly accessible and available for reference within the
community
Policy 11.1.10.
Minimize the risk to life and property related to steep slopes.
11.1.10.1.
Prohibit development on slopes greater than 30% (16.7 degrees from
horizontal) unless a site-specific geo-technical assessment addresses
potential issues of land slippage, erosion and drainage issues, impacts
of buildings in the areas and certifies the use as acceptable with
mitigation measures such as extensive earthworks and/or retaining
walls.
11.1.10.2.
Erosion control to be designed by a qualified professional for any
concentrated surface runoff.
11.1.10.3.
No development should occur on talus slopes due to rockfall.
11.1.10.4.
Existing critical transportation corridors should be reviewed for
alternative egress routes in the event of rockfall blockage.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
114
Objective 11.2.
Minimize the risk to life and property within wildfire natural
hazard areas.
Policy 11.2.1.
Require all development within the Wildfire Development Permit Area
(Schedule 2.5) to proceed through a Development Permit application
process.
Policy 11.2.2.
Require proposed development within wildfire interface areas to be
located and constructed in a way that makes them resilient to wildfires
through use of FireSmart design and landscaping principles.
Policy 11.2.3.
Work with the Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society to update
existing plant guides every 5 years to ensure a cohesive Water Wise and
FireSmart plant guide.
Policy 11.2.4.
Continue to work in partnership with the BC Wildfire Service, to conduct
prescribed burns year-round to reduce wildfire risk and improve
ecosystem health.
Policy 11.2.5.
Promote FireSmart Guidelines on all municipal owned lands.
Objective 11.3.
Minimize the risk to life and property within flood hazard areas.
Policy 11.3.1.
Continue to follow and review the Cariboo Regional District Flood
Hazard Assessment (2021) and create a Flood Hazard Development
Permit Area to protect development and infrastructure from flooding.
Policy 11.3.2.
Consider naturalization of flood prone areas and include features like
vegetation and wetlands to enhance the floodplain's ability to absorb
floodwaters, improve water quality, and create healthier ecosystems
and reduce impact of flooding on people and property.
Policy 11.3.3.
Work with property owners and a qualified professional to ensure
proper stormwater management and flooding mitigation methods are
implemented.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
115
12.
Transportation
Guiding Question
What strategies can we implement to ensure the continued
development and maintenance of a transportation system that is safe,
accessible, sustainable, efficient, integrated, multi-modal, and
affordable for the benefit of residents, visitors, and the economy?
Background
The
city's
transportation
system
includes
municipal roadways, local transit services,
walkways, pathways, cycling infrastructure, rail,
and
air
transportation
facilities.
Effective
planning and management of this system should
ensure seamless integration with regional and
provincial
transportation
networks
and
agencies, including provincial highways and rail
lines,
to
support
efficient movement
of
people
and
goods beyond the
City's
boundaries.
This section outlines
a broad range of
transportation-
related policies and
objectives.
These
include support for active and convenient travel modes, infrastructure improvement
strategies, and recommendations for further studies, such as a Transportation Master Plan.
Engagement feedback
indicated a connected
transportation system with options
for transit and walking is
important.
Pedestrian Bridge
© City of Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
116
The City of Williams Lake does not have any identified deposits of sand and gravel
located within the City boundary. The community relies on active sand and gravel
extraction operations located outside of the City boundary which includes aggregate
deposits within the Cariboo Regional District.
OBJECTIVES + POLICIES
Objective 12.1.
Maintain and expand the municipal road network to
create a safe and efficient system, seamlessly
integrated with the regional highway network,
railways, and airport.
Policy 12.1.1.
Continue to maintain, rehabilitate, and manage winter
conditions on the City's roadway infrastructure as required to
extend the expected system life and keep roadway surfaces
safe and passable for vehicular traffic as envisioned in the
City's Access Management Strategy & Roadmap (2024).
Policy 12.1.2.
Continue to utilize gravel pits located outside City limits, as
reserve for future road improvement and infrastructure
improvement projects.
Policy 12.1.3.
Create a Transportation Master Plan and update the road
network (Schedule 4) to ensure the system can accommodate
the expected community growth. The Plan should include the
following initiatives:
-
Functional classifications for the designated major road
network.
The road and active transportation networks are found in Schedule 4
and Schedule 5.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
117
-
Arterial road corridor(s) in the Westside Lands, connecting
to Highway 20 at the Dog Creek Road intersection, if and
when the area develops.
-
Extension of Western Avenue to MacKenzie Avenue when
warranted by network benefits.
-
Proctor Street to Lakeview Avenue on the east side of
Highway 97 to facilitate neighbourhood circulation.
Policy 12.1.4.
Consider commissioning a feasibility study to determine if,
how, and where a second river crossing might connect the
City Centre to the Westside Lands, when warranted by travel
demand.
Policy 12.1.5.
Limit the lengths of new cul-de-sacs to 150 metres to avoid
large neighbourhoods with only one entry point.
Policy 12.1.6.
Monitor traffic flow through the community and commission
traffic studies (especially for new development) as required to
ensure road laning, geometry, and traffic control keep pace
with increasing traffic demand, thereby reducing unnecessary
congestion, delays, safety concerns and idling.
Policy 12.1.7.
Consider roundabouts as a safer and more efficient
alternative to the installation of new traffic signals, as and
where feasible.
Policy 12.1.8.
Continuously improve the safety of the transportation system
with the following:
12.1.8.1.
Consider road safety in all local transportation projects.
12.1.8.2.
Commission a "Network Screening" study with ICBC to identify
and
propose
improvements
to
address
collision-prone
locations.
12.1.8.3.
Implement traffic calming measures to reduce aggressive
driving behaviour and short cutting through residential
neighbourhoods, where appropriate.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
118
12.1.8.4.
Endorse "Vision Zero," a campaign that recognizes that traffic
collisions are generally preventable and that the City commits
to efforts to reduce the collision frequencies such as
infrastructure upgrades.
12.1.8.5.
Collaborate with ICBC as and where applicable.
Policy 12.1.9.
Collaborate with the Ministry of Transportation and Transit
(MoTT), and other interest-holders, on highway planning to
ensure Highway 97 and Highway 20 corridor integrity is
preserved for the safe and efficient flow of provincial traffic,
especially by discouraging direct property access onto
provincial highways.
Policy 12.1.10.
Encourage
and
facilitate
the
implementation
of
Transportation Demand Management (TDM) initiatives (e.g.
carpooling, vehicle sharing, use of sustainable modes, etc.) as
appropriate to reduce the vehicular demand on the
municipal road system.
Policy 12.1.11.
Ensure that developers pay for the extension of municipal
roads associated with their new developments.
View of Highway 97 from above the
Tourism Discovery Centre.
© City of Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
119
Objective 12.2.
Enhance and expand the existing active
transportation system to create a safe, accessible,
integrated, and convenient network of pathways for
users of all abilities.
Policy 12.2.1.
Continue to develop and expand the city's active
transportation pathway network (e.g. sidewalks, walkways,
bike lanes, trails) in accordance with the City of Williams
Lake Active Transportation Network Plan (2025) and track
the implementation of trail network projects, including
number of kilometers of trails added annually.
Policy 12.2.2.
Prioritize the Downtown and major neighbourhood centres
for accessible and convenient active transportation modes
and transit over vehicular traffic wherever, and to the
extent, possible.
Policy 12.2.3.
Provide sidewalks on both sides of arterial roadways and on
at least one side of collector and local roads.
Policy 12.2.4.
Improve and develop the pedestrian network, where
pedestrian traffic warrants, for persons of all abilities
through the provision of such devices as sidewalk ramps,
audible signals, and textured sidewalk surfaces consistent
with the city's Accessibility and Inclusion Plan (2023).
Policy 12.2.5.
Require all new development and redevelopment to have
accessible and convenient connections to the active
transportation system, as well as convenient end-of-trip
facilities for cyclists (secure storage, showers, etc.).
Policy 12.2.6.
Require
new
development
to
contribute
to
the
development and expansion of the municipal active
transportation system, as and where appropriate.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
120
Policy 12.2.7.
Continue to provide sweeping and winter snow and ice
management to active transportation facilities to improve
the safety for walking and cycling trips in all seasons.
Policy 12.2.8.
Use educational and social marketing initiatives to
encourage the use of active transportation modes, and to
teach people how to use and interact with cyclists and
pedestrians to improve safety and reduce frustration.
Policy 12.2.9.
Clearly include signage that supports wayfinding safety
and tourism.
Objective 12.3.
Revisit and expand the existing transit system to
improve the comfort and convenience for riders and
thereby encourage an increase in ridership.
Policy 12.3.1.
Provide a safe, reliable, and fully accessible conventional
transit service that offers an attractive and sustainable
alternative to the personal automobile.
Policy 12.3.2.
Provide convenient connections to key activity centres in
the community, strategically integrated with other active
transportation modes (e.g. walking, cycling) though
accessible pathways to bus stops and bicycle racks on
buses.
Policy 12.3.3.
Establish bus route coverage goals to provide transit
service to an appropriate walking distance to residential
developments, seniors' housing, and major centres. Transit
stops should be in accordance with these distance
objectives.
Policy 12.3.4.
Continue to improve on-street rider facilities (as required by
demand), including accessible sidewalks, bus benches,
shelters, lighting, waste receptacles, and route/schedule
information.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
121
Policy 12.3.5.
Continue to provide and expand (as required) the custom
transit (HandyDART) services for passengers requiring a
higher level of accessibility.
Policy 12.3.6.
Continue to work with BC Transit to monitor ridership
patterns
and
adjust
the
transit
service
delivery
(routes/schedules/service frequency) to increase ridership
and commission a Transit Future Plan.
Policy 12.3.7.
Encourage the establishment of public transportation
services between the city centre and airport.
Policy 12.3.8.
Collaborate with the Cariboo Regional District, Williams
Lake First Nation, School District No. 27, the provincial
government, and others to implement a regional transit
service.
Policy 12.3.9.
Invest in public transport vehicles that are powered by
renewable fuels from sustainable sources, as and when
possible.
Policy 12.3.10.
Support vehicle, ride sharing and carpooling within the
community and region.
Objective 12.4.
Ensure the transportation system, including rail and air
remains safe and effective for the efficient movement
of commercial and industrial goods within and
through the community.
Policy 12.4.1.
Continue to maintain and improve the major truck routes in
Williams
Lake
(including
Mackenzie
Avenue
and
connections to the rail terminal, airport, and major
industrial areas) to manage the safe and efficient
movement of truck traffic and minimize the risk and severity
of
incidents
involving
industrial
traffic,
especially
dangerous goods.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
122
Policy 12.4.2.
Incorporate dangerous goods incidents into the City's
Emergency Preparedness planning activities.
Policy 12.4.3.
Minimize
impacts
of
goods
movement
by
using
landscaping and other physical strategies to reduce
vibration and forms of pollution, including noise, light, and
fumes.
Policy 12.4.4.
Work with the rail authority to maintain and improve
passenger and freight rail service to the city.
Policy 12.4.5.
Encourage and support development of rail expansion in
the North Industrial end of Williams Lake.
Policy 12.4.6.
Work with the rail authority to enhance rail line pedestrian
crossings within the city, specifically on the South Lakeside
alignment with the Waterfront Enhancement Plan and
explore the possibility of implementing "Rails with Trails."
Policy 12.4.7.
Work
toward
maintaining
and
improving
regularly
scheduled passenger air service to and from Williams Lake.
Policy 12.4.8.
Support
and
provide
facilities
and
infrastructure
improvements that enhance the long-term viability of air
services to Williams Lake, including both public and private
operations for passenger and freight transport.
Objective 12.5.
Revisit the management and regulation of vehicle
parking, especially in areas of the community with
higher demand.
Policy 12.5.1.
Analyze parking supply and demand and review parking
regulations--including fees, time limits, and allocation--as
necessary to support local businesses while maintaining
accessibility for visitors.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
123
Policy 12.5.2.
Allow developers to provide improvements to pathway and
transit infrastructure in exchange for reduced off-street parking
provisions.
Policy 12.5.3.
Provide charging stations for electric vehicles at strategic
locations for residents and visitors.
Policy 12.5.4.
Encourage new developments to incorporate parking for a
variety of different vehicle types and bicycles.
Policy 12.5.5.
Ensure the provision of appropriate and convenient amounts of
accessible parking in public spaces, consistent with the city's
Accessibility and Inclusion Plan (2023).
Policy 12.5.6.
Encourage
the
safe
and
effective
accommodation
of
commercial and industrial vehicle parking, including strategically
located loading zones in urban areas, and convenient parking
and servicing facilities in industrial areas.
Policy 12.5.7.
Minimize parking areas between structures and the street, with
preference for parking off back lanes, where available, and
beside or behind structures elsewhere.
Policy 12.5.8.
Create a Downtown Parking Exemption Bylaw to support
development.
The 'Y' intersection at the junction of Highway 97
and Highway 20 is one of the busiest intersections
in Williams Lake. © City of Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
124
13. Municipal Services,
Infrastructure, +
Emergency Management
Guiding Question
How do we continue to maintain and develop safe, sustainable, and
effective infrastructure, emergency management, and solid waste
services?
Background
Infrastructure and municipal services refer to the essential public utilities, facilities, and
services that support daily life and community well-being. This includes not only core
infrastructure but also services such as policing, fire protection, and private utilities.
Infrastructure services provided by the city include:
-
Drinking water supply and distribution;
-
Wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal;
-
Stormwater management; and
-
Solid waste management.
Infrastructure systems must be thoughtfully planned
and managed to ensure reliable service delivery,
environmental sustainability, and resilience to the
impacts of climate change. The availability of
dependable, efficient, and adequate infrastructure is
a key factor in supporting housing and population
growth. To enable continued growth in Williams Lake,
regular upgrades and maintenance of all utility systems are essential. Without this,
development may become constrained or unsustainable. Therefore, it is crucial for the
city to account for both current and future infrastructure needs when planning for
growth, particularly considering the 20-year housing requirements outlined in the 2024
Housing Needs Report.
Engagement feedback
indicated the importance
of maintaining and
improving the existing
water and sewer systems.
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Key long-term considerations include:
-
Drinking water system capacity, to ensure continued supply as the population
grows;
-
Wastewater collection and treatment systems capacity, which discharge treated
effluent into the Fraser River; and
-
Solid waste facilities availability and lifespan, including the local demolition debris
landfill and the regional landfill at Gibraltar Mine.
WATER + SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM
Williams Lake's water system is supplied by four deep wells located on Scout Island and
Duncan Road for municipal use, and one located at the Williams Lake Regional Airport
for airport use. These wells draw from underground aquifers beneath the valley. Water is
treated using a sodium hypochlorite disinfection system, which produces enough treated
water to meet an average daily demand ranging from 10- to 36-million litres during peak
flow periods. The entire system is monitored electronically, with automated alerts in-place
to track and respond to all operational aspects.
Public Works Yard
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There is a need for increased investment in Williams Lake's water systems, with several key
areas for consideration:
-
Infrastructure Upgrades: Rural areas may require improvements to their existing water
infrastructure;
-
New Treatment Plant: The development of a new water treatment plant will help
improve water quality and help reduce manganese levels in drinking water; and
-
Climate Resilience: Implementing measures such as drought contingency planning
and monitoring aquifer recharge would strengthen the system's resilience to climate
change impacts.
Williams Lake community members should continue prioritizing water conservation efforts
due to its critical importance. In collaboration with the Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation
Society, the City organizes community outreach and educational programs, including
tours of the drinking water facility for local schools. Additionally, the Williams Lake Good
Neighbour Bylaw No. 2194, (Section 7.1) restricts lawn sprinkling to specific days,
supporting water conservation initiatives.
The sewer system in Williams Lake comprises 97,000 metres of piping, four lift stations, and
the recently completed Sewage Treatment Plant located in the river valley. The system is
currently in good condition and does not require any major upgrades.
Public Works Yard Open House
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STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
The City maintains a storm drainage system that
includes 35-kilometres of underground storm
sewer mains, complemented by a series of
swales, channels, grassed ditches, and other
stormwater
management
methods,
which
together serve as the primary drainage methods.
Due to the area's varied topography, the system
is divided into 11 stormwater catchment areas.
These drainage systems are standard municipal
infrastructure and discharge into the Williams Lake River.
In 2020, Williams Lake experienced significant flooding that caused erosion in the River
Valley. The flood prompted an evacuation order for 11 industrial properties and resulted
in costly repairs to utilities and transportation infrastructure. While this event was
particularly severe, the city also faces periodic flooding.
The storm sewer system's primary plan is outlined in the Williams Lake 10-Year Capital Plan
and highlights two key priorities for upgrades and maintenance.
The City of Williams Lake is well-positioned to coordinate future development with the
capacity of existing infrastructure and planned upgrades, promoting liveability and
sustainability for generations to come.
Emergency Services Examples
-
Fire
-
RCMP
-
Animal Control
-
Search + Rescue
-
Hazardous Material Response
Snow Removal
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SOLID WASTE
The City of Williams Lake is responsible for overseeing the curbside collection,
streetscape-related litter and waste management, educating the public on the services
provided, and liaising with the Cariboo Regional District regarding solid waste services
and issues. Currently, the City contracts residential garbage and recycling curbside
collection to Environmental 360 Solutions (E360).
The Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society is based in Williams Lake and runs the Waste
Wise Program, which focuses on educating and promoting waste reduction in schools
and the community.
The Potato House Project, also located in Williams Lake, is a compost site that hosts
educational events on composting, waste reduction, and a drive-through food scrap
drop-off for residents.
The Cariboo Regional District has 14 operational landfills, but Gibraltar Landfill is the only
engineered landfill in the region and has approximately 133 to 155 years left in its lifespan.
In comparison, the Central Cariboo Transfer Station in Williams Lake has only 12 to 20 years
of expected capacity remaining.
The Cariboo Regional District recently updated its Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP)
for the entire region, which was approved by the Ministry of Environment and Parks in
March 2025, and directs how solid waste will be managed in the region for the next
decade.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
As the primary regional hub of the Cariboo-Chilcotin Region, Williams Lake plays a critical
role in coordinating local and regional emergency response efforts.
The City's Protective Services Department oversees fire protection and prevention,
emergency planning, emergency support services, and bylaw enforcement: all with the
shared goal of ensuring residents feel safe in their homes, businesses, neighbourhoods,
and public spaces.
The water and sewer networks are found in Schedule 6: Potable
Water System Map, Schedule 7: Stormwater Network Map, and
Schedule 8: Sanitary Sewer Map.
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Emergency preparedness in Williams Lake focuses on minimizing environmental and
socio-economic impacts, enabling rapid response, and maintaining clear, reliable
communication. This includes communication channels such as phone alerts, radio
broadcasts, in-person notifications, news updates, electronic media, and loudspeaker
systems.
The current services such as fire hydrants and equipment are all maintained by the City;
this is an ongoing aspect of keeping resources for emergency services readily available.
Community members should be knowledgeable as to how to be best prepared for a
possible emergency when it comes to leaving utilities accessible for emergency services.
Being prepared is critical for community safety and resilience and emergency
management plans should include prevention, response, and recovery. Key local risks
include:
-
Wildfires;
-
Floods;
-
Landslides;
-
Extreme heat events; and
-
Environmental and technological hazards (e.g., chemical spills).
Effective emergency management relies on strong partnerships with the Cariboo
Regional District, Wildfire BC, neighbouring municipalities, Indigenous governments, and
community organizations. It also requires public education, inclusive strategies that
WLFD School Fire Preparedness
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account for vulnerable populations, and detailed hazard assessments to strengthen
community resilience and preparedness.
Having adequate funds set aside provides ways the municipality can provide effective
emergency preparedness. These funds can be used to support emergency responders'
vehicular fleet renewals, advancing community safety and emergency resilience, and
tracking and improving response strategies.
OBJECTIVES + POLICIES
Objective 13.1.
Focus development in areas where municipal
services and infrastructure are available and require
developers/landowners to pay for expansion of
infrastructure.
Policy 13.1.1.
Direct development to areas where municipal services,
infrastructure and facilities are available, unless such
services and facilities are provided at no cost to the City
and its taxpayers.
Policy 13.1.2.
Require developers to pay for servicing costs associated
with new developments.
Policy 13.1.3.
Regularly review and update the Development Cost
Charge Bylaw to align with provincial regulations.
Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Training
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Policy 13.1.4.
Provide
funding
for
capital
works
projects
using
development cost charges and grant funding, as well as
ensuring both the strategic needs and operational needs
of the City are met.
Policy 13.1.5.
Continue
to
develop
and
implement
the
Asset
Management Plan, which may include an infrastructure
capacity analysis.
Policy 13.1.6.
Continue to actively support asset management planning
process and prioritize projects (through the capital plan) to
ensure they are 'shovel ready' pending grant funding.
Policy 13.1.7.
Secure statutory rights-of-way for water, sanitary sewer,
and stormwater management to ensure access for
maintenance and provide for upgrades as required.
Policy 13.1.8.
Ensure that any expansion to municipal infrastructure takes
into consideration life-cycle costs and that these costs are
incorporated in any cost-recovery program.
Policy 13.1.9.
Discourage any increase in the capacity or extension of
municipal services and community infrastructure, such as
water and sewer, outside of the City's boundary.
Objective 13.2.
Continue to operate and maintain the municipal
water system and implement water conservation
methods.
Policy 13.2.1.
Provide quality water by continuing to engage in land use
and system management practices that protect the City's
water supply.
Policy 13.2.2.
Continue to support and promote conservation measures
including
programming,
educational
initiatives,
and
conservation initiatives.
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Policy 13.2.3.
Continue to work with
the Cariboo Chilcotin
Conservation Society
and the community to
adopt
methods
for
conserving water and
spreading awareness
of water usage such
as:
13.2.3.1.
Encourage the installation of water-smart appliances in all
forms of development (low-flow faucets, dual flush toilets,
water-efficient
dishwashers)
and
continue
rebate
programs help incentivize their installation.
13.2.3.2.
Plan
community
outreach
events
practicing
water
conservation and spread awareness to how members can
bring down water usage.
13.2.3.3.
Set measurable targets for water use reduction (e.g.,
percentage reduction over five years).
Policy 13.2.4.
Continue to require that all new developments install a
water
meter
and
backflow
prevention
device
in
conjunction with their municipal water service.
Policy 13.2.5.
Work toward implementing a Universal Metering Program
and subsequent changes to the rate structure for all
sectors
to
provide
a
direct
incentive
for
water
conservation and develop an equitable system that
recognizes
the
value
and
importance
of
water
management across all sectors.
Policy 13.2.6.
Ensure that developers pay for the extension of water
servicing associated with new developments.
Policy 13.2.7.
Recommend using water-efficient fixtures and solar-
powered lighting in new green spaces, as applicable.
Well water is pumped and
treated at several locations.
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Policy 13.2.8.
Ensure early coordination with utility providers during park
planning to avoid retrofits.
Policy 13.2.9.
Encourage the retrofitting of all buildings and properties
to include energy efficient retrofits such as solar panels,
rainwater collection systems, water-efficient toilets, and
rain gardens.
Objective 13.3.
Continue to operate and maintain the municipal
sanitary sewer and stormwater systems and integrate
green stormwater options.
Policy 13.3.1.
Ensure that developers pay for the extension of sanitary
sewer servicing associated with new developments.
Policy 13.3.2.
Continue to support conservation measures to reduce the
strain on the sanitary sewer collection and treatment
systems.
Policy 13.3.3.
Work with the appropriate provincial ministries to adapt to
future changes in regulations for sanitary sewer collection
and treatment.
Policy 13.3.4.
Create a City-wide Integrated Stormwater Management
Plan that will include guidelines for new developments
within the City of Williams Lake.
Policy 13.3.5.
Continue to implement the River Valley Storm Water
Outfall project.
Policy 13.3.6.
Ensure that developers pay for the extension of storm
sewer servicing associated with new developments.
Policy 13.3.7.
Continue routine inspection, maintenance schedules and
monitoring to prevent sewer system degradation.
Policy 13.3.8.
Regularly
inspect,
maintain,
and
enhance
existing
infrastructure
protection
methods,
such
as
the
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134
riparian/berms alongside the Sewage Treatment Plant, in
the River Valley.
Policy 13.3.9.
Recommend integrating green infrastructure such as
bioswales, rain gardens, or permeable surfaces to reduce
runoff.
Policy 13.3.10.
During street and streetscape development and renewal,
implement the means to reduce the re-occurring flooding
event that happens at the Comer/Mackenzie location.
Policy 13.3.11.
Pursue funding to implement Stormwater Management-
Phase 6 to protect the environment and maintain fish
habitats.
Policy 13.3.12.
Encourage on-site stormwater management.
Objective 13.4.
Promote effective and responsible solid waste,
composting, and recycling collection, management,
and disposal, in the community.
Policy 13.4.1.
Continue to work with the Cariboo Regional District,
Williams Lake First Nation, and other regional communities
to reduce the volume of solid waste entering landfills and
improve the capture of recyclables and organics.
Policy 13.4.2.
Extend the life of the Central Cariboo Transfer Station by
supporting local and regional programs and strategies to
reduce and divert waste.
Policy 13.4.3.
Support
the
Cariboo
Regional
District
Solid
Waste
Management Plan by educating the community on waste
management to help extend the expected life of existing
landfill facilities.
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Policy 13.4.4.
Promote the use of residential composting within the city
and explore the creation of a municipal composting
program.
Policy 13.4.5.
Work with partners to provide space and facilities for three
stream waste separation.
Objective 13.5.
Continue to provide strong coordination among all
levels of government and agencies in planning and
delivery of emergency management.
Policy 13.5.1.
Review current hydrant locations to ensure best practice
is maintained.
Policy 13.5.2.
Effectively
review
hydrant
locations
during
the
development
process
to
ensure
reliable,
readily
accessible, and capable delivery of adequate water flow.
Policy 13.5.3.
Foster a culture of preparedness and resilience in City
government, workplaces, households, and businesses
across the community.
Policy 13.5.4.
Use an equity lens to support all community members
when
developing
emergency
plans
and
providing
informational materials on emergency preparedness and
responses.
Policy 13.5.5.
Prepare to deal with known hazards and emerging threats,
both natural and human caused, to limit the adverse
impacts of events and effectively manage emergencies.
Policy 13.5.6.
Continue to work with Williams Lake First Nation to build
mutual resilience and collaboration on emergency
management preparedness and response.
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Policy 13.5.7.
Coordinate with Protective Services and incorporate the
Hazard, Risk, and Vulnerability Assessment (HRVA) and
implement the Disaster Risk Response Plan (DRRP).
Policy 13.5.8.
Require a coordinated five-year renewal cycle for the
City's Hazard, Risk, and Vulnerability Analysis, Emergency
Plan, and Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan (CWRP),
aligned under a unified Protective Services Master Plan.
Policy 13.5.9.
Invest
in
GIS-based
mapping
technologies
and
collaborative data platforms to support emergency
planning.
Policy 13.5.10.
Establish a dedicated, ongoing fund to support Protective
Services
involvement
in
strategic
planning,
risk
assessments, and services evaluations.
Policy 13.5.11.
Establish a permanent capital reserve fund for the renewal
of the Fire Department vehicle fleet.
The Williams Lake Fire Department
Fire Hall © City of Williams Lake
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137
14.
Implementation +
Monitoring
Guiding Question
How do we implement the actions outlined in the OCP in a sustainable
and fiscally responsible way, adhere to the provincial requirements
and achieve desired outcomes?
The Official Community Plan (OCP) is a living document that guides growth,
development, land use, infrastructure, and community amenities and services in Williams
Lake. It establishes the vision and goals for 2050 and provides a framework for decision-
making. The OCP's guiding principles, objectives, and policies are integrated with other
key municipal plans, policies, and bylaws to ensure coordinated community
development.
As a living document, updates are expected throughout the next 25- years to reflect the
ever-changing community context in Williams Lake. In accordance with provincial
legislation, Williams Lake is required to review and update the OCP every five years to
ensure:
-
There is enough capacity for 20 years of housing; and
-
The OCP aligns with key areas of current housing need.
This chapter outlines tools and strategies for the implementation and monitoring of
policies throughout the OCP. The implementation must be achieved in a sustainable,
fiscally efficient and effective manner as municipalities are required to keep their
expenditures within their adopted annual budgets. The City will monitor the financial
implications of the priorities and seek a variety of approaches and funding opportunities
to implement the OCP.
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OBJECTIVES + POLICIES
Objective 14.1.
When considering land use decisions, Williams Lake will
ensure consistency with the policies of the Official
Community Plan.
Policy 14.1.1.
In conjunction with the annual budget and capital plan, ensure that
the development and implementation of all future City plans,
policies, and bylaws are guided by, and remain consistent with, the
Official Community Plan.
Policy 14.1.2.
Evaluate applications for amendments to the Official Community
Plan based on consistency with the Vision, Guiding Principles and
Objectives.
Objective 14.2.
Support an effective monitoring and reporting system.
Policy 14.2.1.
Review and update the status of implementation actions (Table 3,
page 139) and greenhouse gas monitoring indicators in the Official
Community Plan yearly.
Policy 14.2.2.
Report
back
to
the
community
on
progress
made
on
implementation actions in the City of Williams Lake Annual Report.
Policy 14.2.3.
Review the OCP alongside the completion of the legislated Housing
Needs Report (HNR), to be completed every 5 years, to ensure:
1. Sufficient housing capacity for 20 years informed from HNR
requirements;
2. Alignment with key areas of current housing need;
3. Consistency with community values and guiding principles; and
4. Alignment with up-to-date research, technical studies, and best
practices.
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Table 3: Implementation Matrix
Policy Requiring Action
PRIORITY
1
2
3
4
YEARS
0 - 2
2 - 5
5 - 10
10+
4.2.4.
Create a public GIS Mapping interface
and support ongoing maintenance of
relevant data sets
4.3.15.
Development guidelines for Small-Scale
Residential housing forms
5.1.2.
Create a Housing Strategy based on the
Housing Need Report to implement key
areas for action
5.2.4.
Review Revitalization Tax Exemption Bylaw
5.4.2.
Review Strata Conversion Policy
5.4.3.
Update Mobile Home Park Bylaw
6.1.16.
Establish Business Improvement Area for
the North End Industrial Lands
6.2.1:
Create modern branding strategy for the
City of Williams Lake
6.2.1.
Create a new Economic Development
Strategy
7.1.1:
Develop Indigenous relationship building
framework
7.2.2:
In close collaboration and partnership
with Williams Lake First Nation, the City will
proactively develop and implement a
meaningful process to identify, protect,
and respectfully manage archaeological,
cultural, and heritage resources
8.1.1:
Work with Accessibility Committee to
implement key priorities of the Accessibility
and Inclusion Plan
8.2.2:
Work with Social Planning Council to
implement key priorities of the THRIVE:
Poverty Reduction Strategy
9.1.5.
Update 2011 Parks and Trails Master Plan &
develop a Parkland Inventory
9.2.2.
Implement the Waterfront Enhancement
Plan
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Policy Requiring Action
PRIORITY
1
2
3
4
YEARS
0 - 2
2 - 5
5 - 10
10+
10.1.1.
Develop an Ecosystem and Waterbody
Protection Strategy & identify
environmentally sensitive areas
10.1.7.
Develop an Invasive Species
Management Strategy
10.2.5.
Develop a GHG Reduction
Communication and Engagement
Strategy
10.2.10. Update the Tree Protection Bylaw
10.3.8.
Develop a Climate Action Plan
11.1.4.
Amend the Geotechnical DPA 4 every 5
years.
12.1.3.
Develop a Transportation Master Plan
12.1.4.
Conduct a feasibility study of second
bridge crossing
12.1.10. Implement transportation demand
management initiatives
12.2.1.
Implement key priorities of the Active
Transportation Network Plan
12.5.8.
Create Downtown Parking Exemption
Bylaw to support development
13.1.5.
Continue to develop and implement the
Asset Management Plan which may
include an infrastructure capacity
analysis.
13.3.4.
Create a City-wide Integrated Stormwater
Management Plan
13.4.2.
Extend the life of the Central Cariboo
Transfer Station by implementing strategies
to reduce and divert waste
13.5.8.
Establish a Protective Services Fund
13.5.11. Establish a Fire Department Fleet Renewal
Reserve Fund
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Schedule 1
Land Use Designations Map
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Schedule 2
Development Permit Areas
Local governments have the authority to designate development permit areas (DPAs) in an
official community plan (OCP). DPAs identify locations that require special treatment for
certain purposes including:
-
the form and character of commercial, industrial, and multi-family residential
development;
-
to promote energy conservation;
-
to promote water conservation; and
-
to promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
The OCP must describe the special conditions or objectives that justify the DPA designation.
Unless a development permit is obtained, development in such areas is restricted. If an OCP
designates DPAs, the local government must also specify guidelines for how proposed
development in the areas can address the special conditions and/or objectives.
Within a development permit area, a property owner must obtain a development permit
before:
-
land must not be subdivided;
-
construction of, addition to or alteration of a building or other structure must not be
started; and
-
land, or a building or other structure on that land, must not be altered.
Development permit applications are expected to comply with applicable guidelines and
regulations before a permit is issued and development proceeds. A local government may
issue a development permit that varies or supplements a subdivision or zoning bylaw, but it
must not vary the use or density permitted in the bylaw (except in relation to health, safety,
or protection of property from damage). Council or Council's delegate can issue a
development permit.
Where land is subject to more than one DPA designation, a single development permit is
required. The development permit application will, however, be subject to the requirements
of all applicable DPAs.
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Table 4: Development Permit Areas Overview
Development Permit Areas
Type
Name
Area
Local Government Act,
Section 488
FORM + CHARACTER
+ CLIMATE ACTION
DPA 1:
Downtown and
Mixed-Use
Downtown and
Mixed-Use Areas
-
Establishment of
objectives for the
form and character:
commercial, industrial
or multi-family
residential
development.
-
Promotion of energy
conservation, water
conservation, and
the reduction of
greenhouse gas.
DPA 2:
Multi-Unit Residential
Development
Multi-Unit
Residential Area
DPA 3:
Commercial and
Light Industrial
Corridor
Highway
Commercial +
Mackenzie Area + Light
Industrial Areas
NATURAL HAZARDS
DPA 4:
Steep Slopes,
Landslide, +
Escarpment Hazards
-
Steep Slopes
-
Rockfall Areas
-
Landslide
-
River Escarpment
-
Unstable Slopes
Protection of
development from
hazardous conditions.
DPA 5:
Wildfire Hazard
Entire City
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Schedule 2.1
DPA 1: Downtown and Mixed-Use
DESIGNATION
The Downtown and Mixed-Use Development Permit Area (DPA 1) is designated pursuant
to Section 488(1)(d), (f), (h), (i), and (j) of the Local Government Act for:
-
revitalization of an area in which a commercial use is permitted;
-
establishment of objectives for the form and character of commercial, industrial,
and multi-family residential development; and,
-
establishment of objectives to promote energy conservation, water conservation,
and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
JUSTIFICATION
The Land Use section of the Official Community Plan (Chapter 4) provides additional
context related to DPA 1. The intent of DPA 1 is to create a vibrant, welcoming downtown
and mixed-use areas, such as neighbourhood centres, where people live, work, and
meet for leisure and community events. By guiding the building design, parking
configuration, and landscape infrastructure of both new and existing downtown and
mixed-use developments, DPA 1 seeks to foster a complete community characterized by
people-centered design and vibrant, pedestrian-oriented spaces.
Unless an owner obtains a development permit, or an exemption applies, within DPA 1:
-
land must not be subdivided;
-
construction of, addition to or alteration of a building or other structure must not be
started; and
-
land, or a building or other structure on that land, must not be altered.
Downtown Williams Lake © City of Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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GUIDELINES
The following design guidelines will be used in reviewing development permit applications as
set out in this Official Community Plan.
It is important any plan submitted for a development permit demonstrate consideration of the
objectives and design guidelines.
Form + Character
1. Buildings should be located near the front property line for pedestrian friendliness.
AFFECTED PROPERTIES
The Downtown and Mixed-Use Development Permit Area (DPA 1) applies to:
-
Boundaries of the City's downtown and all areas designated for
residential and commercial mixed-use, as identified in Schedule 2.1;
EXEMPTIONS
A development permit is not required for the following activities in DPA 1 when:
-
Internal renovations that do not affect a building's exterior, increase the
floor area, or alter existing parking or landscaping;
-
Minor text, content changes or canopy fabric to existing signage only;
-
Construction, addition, or alteration to not exceed 30 metres squared
(323 sq. ft.) for a one- storey accessory structure (4.5 metres in height)
and where no variance(s) of the Zoning Bylaw is required;
-
Building
repairs
and/or
maintenance
including
"like
for
like"
replacement of roofing, windows and/or doors;
-
Emergency circumstances to remove any immediate danger from the
site or repair or maintenance of municipal works by the City or its
authorized agents or contractors.
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146
2. Architectural details and strategies such as the use of patterns, textures, colours,
secondary materials, landscaping and building form variation must be employed to break
up large blank walls.
3. Buildings must clearly identify main entrances with canopies, landscaping, lighting,
signage, or special paving features.
4. Provide transparent ground level windows to contribute to an engaging public realm and
overall wayfinding. Prioritize the use of large doors and windows that open to the street for
ground level commercial uses.
5. The use of high-quality timber, stone, hardi board and metal siding is recommended.
6. Weather protection devices, roof overhangs, canopies or awnings should be installed at
all points of building egress. The weather protection must be a minimum of 2.9 metres (9-
feet 6-inches) above the sidewalk grade to allow City maintenance equipment to pass.
7. Maintain and enhance buildings,
landmarks, public art, and landscapes
that contribute to the cultural and
heritage character of the area.
a. Incorporation of local First Nations
design, culture, language, and
artwork incorporated into building
and site designs is encouraged.
8. The general character of signs should positively relate to the architectural character of the
associated building, subject to the City's Sign Bylaw:
a. All entranceways should provide visible signage identifying building address.
b. Flush mounted fascia signs and hanging signs perpendicular to the building
façade are encouraged.
c. Freestanding signs should be integrated into the landscape.
9. Building sidewalls should be designed to be attractive and interesting when viewed from
adjacent buildings, streets, and sidewalks using materials, textures, articulation, murals,
and windows in combination with growing and/or mature plant material. Long expanses
of blank walls facing the roadway should be avoided.
One of many murals painted around
Williams Lake. © City of Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
147
10. Façade shall be stepped back for buildings with three or more storeys that are in the
Downtown, sited adjacent to buildings with two or fewer storeys, or when it is desirable to
preserve an important view or corner street space.
a. In general, the roof line or top of the building structure should be clearly
distinguished from its façade walls.
11. Large-format retail units shall minimize their street frontage by setting most floor area at the
rear of the building and behind other smaller retail units.
Site Design + Parking
12. Buildings must clearly identity main entrances with canopies, landscaping, lighting,
signage, or special paving features.
13. Maintain and enhance buildings, landmarks, public art, and landscapes that contribute
to the cultural and heritage character of the area.
14. All new development should be encouraged to continue the streetscape and common
building plane along commercial streets, with access at grade and required parking in
the rear of the parcel.
15. Buildings on corner sites or sites with double road frontage should be designed in
recognition of their visibility from each road and should present a continuity of design,
colours, details, materials, exterior finishes, and landscaping on all façades.
a. On corner sites, consider orienting plazas, interior lobbies, and prominent windows towards
the corner, and locate residential and office entrances away from street corners.
16. Where visitor or public parking spaces are provided, they shall be clearly identified through
wayfinding and signage within each development.
17. Site servicing, utilities, car parking, and access should be located and designed to
maximize pedestrian safety and minimize impacts on the attractiveness of the pedestrian
environment and adjacent properties.
Good urban design emphasizes attractive, pedestrian-friendly
buildings with clear entrances, consistent streetscapes, quality
materials, and well-planned parking and landscaping.
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18. Access to areas for garbage and recycling
storage and collection shall be located at the
side or rear of the property.
19. Parking should be at the side or rear of a
building and screened from well-used streets
and public spaces where possible. Shared
and underground parking is encouraged.
20. Outdoor storage areas, garbage and recycling receptacles and mechanical equipment
shall be enclosed and screened from view by incorporating screening that is
complementary to the buildings' design and materials.
21. Paths, parking areas, and entry areas should be sufficiently lighted to ensure pedestrian
comfort and security. All exterior lighting should be directed to the ground and oriented
so as not to create a direct glare on neighbouring properties or buildings.
22. Site design shall apply Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles to
reduce crime and nuisance opportunities and enhance safety where appropriate.
23. Sites must provide on-site pedestrian amenities such as bike racks, benches, displays,
public art, patios and sheltered public waiting areas.
24. Provide easy access to usable private or
common outdoor amenity space for all
dwelling
units.
This
may
include
courtyards, decks, patios, porches, sod,
or balconies. Private spaces must have
a 1.2 m minimum dimension; common
areas must have a 3.0 m minimum
dimension. These spaces shall:
a. balance vegetated, naturalized areas with permeable hardscapes;
b. maximize solar access;
c. minimize noise disruption; and
d. minimize "overlook" from adjacent residential units.
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149
Screening, Landscaping, + Lighting
25. A landscape plan certified by a member of the
British
Columbia
Society
of
Landscape
Architects may be required.
26. The site should be provided with a landscaped
strip composed of shrubs, grass, earth berms,
other vegetation, or a combination along the
property edge next to roadways and between
parking areas and buildings.
27. New development should minimize the removal
of existing significant trees and other vegetation.
If necessary, they should be replaced with new
trees and vegetation that is native or distinctive
and representative of the existing spacing of
street trees per the City Tree Bylaw.
a. The planting of one tree for every six parking spaces should be used as
a benchmark for commercial developments that require more than 20
parking spaces.
28. Landscaping should incorporate principles of 'xeriscaping' native drought
resistant plants to reduce irrigation needs. Schedule 11 lists municipally approved
Water Wise and Fire-Resistant plants for the region.
29. Paths, parking areas, and entry areas should be sufficiently lighted to ensure
pedestrian comfort and security.
a. All exterior lighting should be directed to the ground and oriented so as
not to create a direct glare on neighbouring properties or buildings.
30. Site design shall apply Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles
to reduce crime and nuisance opportunities and enhance safety where
appropriate.
Well-designed lighting helps
create safe and attractive
public spaces.
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Accessibility + Adaptability
31. Public streets, sidewalks, and open spaces
should be accessible, safe, comfortable,
and attractive to pedestrian activity
alongside a development.
a. Pedestrian
areas
shall
be
level,
smooth, and non-slip surfaced for
accessibility.
b. Public streetscape amenities including
benches, public art, planters, waste
receptacles, and bike racks with a
high quality of design should be
provided.
32. A portion of residential units in each
development shall be designed using Universal Design Principles to accommodate
owners, tenants, and visitors with accessibility challenges such as mobility, sensory, or
cognitive disabilities.
33. Commercial units shall have barrier-free entrances and good interior circulation.
34. Building design that allows for future adaptation or 'aging in place' unit configuration
and use is highly encouraged.
Sustainable Building + Infrastructure Design
35. Encourage the use of green-building guidelines and rating systems such as BuiltGreen
and LEED16;
36. Every parking lot should be electric vehicle (EV) Charger ready (i.e. lines in the
ground) and should provide at least 1 EV charger for every 10 units.
16. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ encourages and
accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation
and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria
Accessible, well-designed public spaces and
buildings promote inclusion, comfort, and
vibrant pedestrian activity.
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37. Explore
tools
for
incorporating
energy
efficiency
and
renewable,
low-impact energy
sources
through
new development,
major renovations,
and expansions of
existing buildings.
38. Energy-efficient
lighting should be
strongly
encouraged in all developments.
39. Promote multi-unit buildings with shared walls and high efficiency heating and
cooling systems that reduce energy losses and energy consumption.
40. Encourage hydronic (hot water heating) buildings in areas that have potential for
future district energy systems, such as new major development sites, near major
institutions, and the City Centre.
41. Rain gardens, bioswales, and permeable materials are strongly encouraged to
absorb stormwater runoff and reduce irrigation needs.
Energy-efficient design and green infrastructure help
reduce environmental impact, conserve resources
and build a more sustainable community.
Rooftop greenspaces enhance urban
sustainability by reducing heat, improving air
quality and creating welcoming outdoor areas.
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DPA 1: Downtown and Mixed-use Map
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Schedule 2.2
DPA 2: Multi-Unit Residential
DESIGNATION
The Multi-Unit Residential Development Permit Area (DPA 2) is designated pursuant to
Section 488(1)(e), (f), (h) (i), and (j) of the Local Government Act for:
-
establishment of objectives for the form and character of intensive residential or
multi-family residential development.
-
establishment of objectives to promote energy conservation, water
conservation, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
JUSTIFICATION
The Land Use section of the Official Community Plan (Chapter 4) provides additional
context related to DPA 2: Multi-Unit Residential Development Permit Area. Intensive
residential development with five or more units, such as multi-unit housing, offers
opportunities to support compact, complete, and walkable neighbourhoods.
DPA 2 is intended to guide the development of multiunit housing to ensure it contributes
to Williams Lake's liveability, sustainability, and visual quality.
It promotes high-quality design that responds to the city's built form, natural setting, and
local context, while integrating access, parking, landscaping, and storage to create
vibrant and functional streetscapes.
Unless an owner obtains a development permit, or
an exemption applies, within DPA-2:
-
land must not be subdivided;
-
construction of, addition to or alteration of a
building or other structure must not be started;
and
-
land, or a building or other structure on that
land, must not be altered.
Façade variation of multi-unit
residential development.
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GUIDELINES
The following Design Guidelines will be used in reviewing development permit
applications as set out in this Official Community Plan. It is important any plan submitted
for a development permit demonstrate consideration of the objectives and design
guidelines.
Form + Character
1. Building massing and orientation should be considerate of uses and minimize
overlook on adjacent properties.
AFFECTED PROPERTIES
The Multi-Unit Residential Development Permit Area (DPA 2) applies to:
-
All areas identified in the DPA 2: Multi-Unit Residential Map.
EXEMPTIONS
A development permit is not required for the following activities in DPA 2:
-
Internal renovations that do not affect a building's exterior, increase the
floor area, or alter existing parking or landscaping;
-
Minor text, content changes or canopy fabric to existing signage only;
-
Construction, addition, or alteration to not exceed 30 metres squared
(323 sq. ft.) for a one- storey accessory structure (4.5 metres in height)
and where no variance(s) of the Zoning Bylaw is required;
-
Building
repairs
and/or
maintenance
including
"like
for
like"
replacement of roofing, windows and/or doors;
-
Emergency circumstances to remove any immediate danger from the
site or repair or maintenance of municipal works by the City or its
authorized agents or contractors.
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2. Main entrances of townhouse
and
apartments
should
be
oriented
to
the
street
for
pedestrian friendliness.
3. Buildings on the same site shall
have complementary massing
and exterior finishes, including
accessory dwelling units.
4. Architectural
details
and
strategies such as the use of
patterns, textures, colours, secondary materials, landscaping and building form variation
must be employed to break up large blank walls.
a. Building walls, roof shapes and window size and location shall be varied to avoid boxy
building forms for all multiple-unit developments.
5. Façades shall be stepped back for buildings with three or more storeys situated adjacent
to buildings with two or fewer storeys, or in instances when it is desirable to preserve an
important view or corner street space.
6. Window placement should be offset between
buildings facing each other to maintain
privacy in residential units.
7. Large uninterrupted garage fronts shall be
avoided for townhouse and duplex housing
developments.
8. The use of high-quality timber, brick, stone,
Hardie board, or metal for exterior finishes is
encouraged.
9. Weather protection devices, roof overhangs, canopies or awnings should be installed at
all points of building egress.
10. Maintain and enhance buildings, landmarks, public art, and landscapes that contribute
to the cultural and heritage character of the area.
Multi-family developments play
a key role in creating complete
neighbourhoods.
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11. The general character of signs should positively relate to the architectural character of the
associated building, subject to the City's Sign Bylaw:
a. All entrance ways should provide visible signage identifying building address.
b. Flush mounted fascia signs and hanging signs perpendicular to the building façade are
encouraged.
c. Freestanding signs should be integrated into the landscape.
Site Planning + Landscaping
12. A landscape plan certified by a member of the British Columbia Society of Landscape
Architects may be required.
13. All new development should be encouraged to continue the streetscape and common
building plane along commercial streets, with access at grade and required parking in the
rear of the parcel.
14. Site servicing, utilities, car parking, and access should be located and designed to maximize
pedestrian safety and minimize impacts on the attractiveness of the pedestrian
environment and adjacent properties.
15. Access to areas for garbage and recycling storage and collection shall be located at the
side or rear of the property.
16. Parking should be at the side or rear of a building and screened from well-used streets and
public spaces where possible. Shared and underground parking is encouraged.
17. Outdoor storage areas, garbage and recycling
receptacles and mechanical equipment shall be
enclosed and screened from view by incorporating
screening that is complementary to the building's
design and materials.
18. Paths, parking areas, and entry areas should be
sufficiently lighted to ensure pedestrian comfort and
security.
a. All exterior lighting should be directed to the ground and oriented so as not to create a
direct glare on neighbouring properties or buildings.
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19. Site design shall apply Crime Prevention
Through Environmental Design principles to
reduce crime and nuisance opportunities and
enhance safety where appropriate.
20. Outdoor common amenities areas such as
courtyards, community gardens, off-leash dog
areas, and outdoor cooking areas are
encouraged.
21. The site should be provided with a landscaped strip composed of shrubs, grass, earth berms,
other vegetation, or a combination of these along the property edge next to roadways
and between parking areas.
22. New development should minimize the removal of existing significant trees and other
vegetation. If necessary, they should be replaced with new trees and vegetation that is
native or distinctive and representative of the existing spacing of street trees per the City's
Tree Bylaw.
23. Plant all non-paved areas with sod, ground
cover, perennials, shrubs, or trees. Large
expanses
of
rock
and
gravel
are
discouraged. Strategic use of river rock in rain
gardens, and under building overhangs is
acceptable.
24. Landscaping should incorporate principles
of 'xeriscaping' native drought resistant
plants to reduce irrigation needs. Schedule
11 lists municipally approved Water Wise and
Fire-Resistant plants for the region.
25. Public
streetscape
amenities
including
benches,
public
art,
planters,
waste
receptacles, and bike racks with a high
quality of design should be provided.
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Adaptability + Sustainable Building
26. Every parking lot must be electric vehicle (EV) ready (ex. lines in ground) and should provide
at least one (1) EV charger per site.
27. Encourage the use of green-building guidelines and rating systems such as BuiltGreen and
LEED17.
28. Energy-efficient lighting should be strongly encouraged in all developments.
29. A portion of residential units in each development shall be designed using Universal Design
Principles to accommodate owners, tenants, and visitors with accessibility challenges such
as mobility, sensory, and/or cognitive disabilities.
30. Building design that allows for future adaptation, or 'age-in-place' unit configuration and
use is highly encouraged.
31. Explore tools for incorporating energy efficiency and renewable, low-impact energy
sources through new development, major renovations, and expansion of existing buildings.
32. Promote multi-unit buildings with shared walls and high efficiency heating and cooling
systems that reduce energy losses and energy consumption.
33. Encourage hydronic (hot water heating) buildings in areas that have potential for future
district energy systems, such as new major development sites, near major institutions, and
the City Centre.
34. Parking lots and roof top patios should be heavily
landscaped for comfort and visual interest and
to minimize heat gain caused by large
contiguous paved surfaces.
35. Rain gardens, bioswales, and permeable
materials are strongly encouraged to absorb
stormwater runoff and reduce irrigation needs.
17. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ encourages and
accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and
implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria.
Multi-unit housing in Williams Lake is guided by design standards that
promote energy efficiency, accessibility, and vibrant, walkable
neighbourhoods.
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DPA 2: Multi-Unit Residential Map
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160
Schedule 2.3
DPA 3: Commercial and Light Industrial
Corridor
DESIGNATION
The Commercial and Light Industrial Corridor Development Permit Area (DPA 3) is
designated pursuant to Section 488(1)(f)(h)(i) and (j) of the Local Government Act for:
-
establishment of objectives for the
form and character of commercial
and industrial development; and
-
establishment of objectives to
promote energy conservation,
water conservation, and the
reduction of greenhouse gas
emissions.
JUSTIFICATION
The purpose of DPA 3: Commercial and Light Industrial Corridor is to encourage a high
standard of site design, building form, and landscaping to improve the appearance of
development within the highway corridor and lands along Mackenzie Avenue. The City
aims to enhance the visual appeal of the Commercial and Light Industrial corridors,
creating a more inviting transportation route through the community, while also improving
the aesthetics of industrial and service commercial areas to boost the area's
attractiveness and draw new businesses and visitors.
Unless an owner obtains a development permit, or an exemption applies, within DPA-3:
-
land must not be subdivided;
-
construction of, addition to or alteration of a building or other structure must not
be started; and
-
land, or a building or other structure on that land, must not be altered.
City of Williams Lake commercial and light
industrial corridor along Mackenzie Avenue.
© City of Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
161
GUIDELINES
The following Design Guidelines will be used in reviewing development permit
applications as set out in this Official Community Plan.
It is important any plan submitted for a development permit demonstrate
consideration of the objectives and design guidelines.
AFFECTED PROPERTIES
The Commercial and Light Industrial Corridor Development Permit Area (DPA 3)
applies to:
-
All areas identified in the DPA 3: Commercial and Light Industrial Corridor Map.
EXEMPTIONS
A development permit is not required for the following activities in DPA-3
when:
-
Internal renovations that do not affect a building's exterior, increase the
floor area, or alter existing parking or landscaping;
-
Minor text, content changes or canopy fabric to existing signage only;
-
Construction, addition, or alteration to not exceed 30 metres squared
(323 sq. ft.) for a one- storey accessory structure (4.5 metres in height)
and where no variance(s) of the Zoning Bylaw is required;
-
Building repairs and/or maintenance including "like for like" replacement
of roofing, windows and/or doors;
-
Emergency circumstances to remove any immediate danger from the site
or repair or maintenance of municipal works by the City or its authorized
agents or contractors.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
162
Form + Character
1. Building should be located near the front property line for pedestrian friendliness
2. Architectural details and strategies such as the use of patterns, textures, colours,
secondary materials, landscaping and building form variation must be employed to
break up large blank walls.
3. The use of high-quality timber, brick, stone, hardy-board, or metal for exterior finish is
encouraged.
4. Buildings must clearly identify main entrances with canopies, landscaping, lighting,
signage, or special paving features.
5. Commercial buildings should provide signage that identifies uses and shops clearly
and is scaled to the pedestrian rather than vehicle.
6. Building roofs and eaves must be
designed
to
prevent
snow
from
accumulating
and
sliding
onto
pedestrian areas below.
7. Buildings on the same site, including
principal and accessory buildings or
structures, shall have complementary
massing and exterior finishes.
8. The general character of signs should
positively relate to the architectural
character of the associated building,
subject to the City's Sign Bylaw:
a. All entranceways should provide
visible signage identifying building
address.
b. Flush mounted fascia signs; hanging signs perpendicular to the building façade
are encouraged.
c. Freestanding signs should be integrated into the landscape.
Oliver Street shopping centre in
downtown Williams Lake.
© City of Williams Lake
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163
Site Planning + Parking
9. All new development should be encouraged to
continue the streetscape and common building
plane along commercial streets, with access at-
grade.
10. Access and egress to the highway and other public
roadways should be provided from local roads in
locations that are safe and approved by the Ministry
responsible for highways. Direct access from the
highway shall be avoided wherever possible.
11. Pedestrian routes should be clearly defined by means of separate walkways,
sidewalks, or paths to encourage and accommodate safe pedestrian access on and
off site. On-site walkways should tie in with existing public sidewalks, pedestrian routes and
crosswalks, if any, and shall be level, smooth, non-slip surfaced and barrier free.
12. Ensure that Commercial and Light Industrial development with large parking areas makes
appropriate use of landscaping materials to soften the look of parking along the corridor.
13. Parking areas, storage and loading facilities shall be designed in the least visually
obstructive manner possible and should be situated at the side or rear of property not to
interfere with internal circulation.
14. Outdoor storage areas, garbage and
recycling receptacles and mechanical
equipment shall be enclosed and
screened from view by incorporating
screening that is complementary to the
buildings' design and materials.
15. Principles promoting personal safety, visibility, accessibility, and access to emergency
services, in conjunction with other agencies, should be applied to all new development.
16. Public streets, sidewalks, and open spaces should be accessible, safe, comfortable, and
attractive to pedestrian activity alongside a development.
17. On-site amenity areas for employees such as covered patios, benches, and outdoor
eating areas are encouraged.
© City of Williams Lake
© City of Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
164
Screening, Landscaping, + Lighting
18. A landscape plan certified by a member of the British Columbia Society of
Landscape Architects may be required.
19. New development should minimize the removal of existing significant trees and other
vegetation. Where tree or vegetation removal is necessary, they should be replaced
with new trees and vegetation that is native or distinctive and representative of the
existing spacing of street trees per the City's Tree Bylaw.
20. Landscaping should incorporate and
emphasize native landscape materials,
fire resistant plants and the use of drought
resistant plants to reduce irrigation needs.
The principles of 'xeriscaping' are helpful
for
encouraging
such
landscaping.
Schedule 11 lists municipally approved
Water Wise and Fire-Resistant plants for the
region.
21. Support service structures and facilities such as loading bays, refuse containers, and
storage areas should be located to minimize visibility from public areas and screened
with walls, fencing, hedging, planting, other screening materials or a combination of
these materials.
22. Parking lots should be heavily landscaped for comfort and visual interest and to
minimize heat gain caused by large contiguous paved surfaces.
a. The planting of one tree for every six parking spaces should be used as a
benchmark for commercial developments that require more than 20 parking
spaces.
23. Paths, parking areas, and entry areas should be sufficiently lighted to ensure
pedestrian comfort and security.
a. All exterior lighting should be directed to the ground and oriented so as not to
create a direct glare on neighbouring properties or buildings.
24. Site design shall apply Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles to
reduce crime and nuisance opportunities and enhance safety where appropriate.
© City of Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
165
Adaptability + Sustainable Building
25. Encourage the use of green-building guidelines and rating systems such as BuiltGreen
and LEED18.
26. Every parking lot must be electric vehicle (EV) charger ready (i.e., lines in the ground)
and should provide at least 1 EV charger per site.
27. Explore tools for incorporating energy efficiency and renewable, low-impact energy
sources through new development, major renovations, and expansions of existing
buildings.
28. Promote high efficiency heating and cooling systems that reduce energy losses and
energy consumption.
29. Encourage hydronic (hot water heating) buildings in areas that have potential for
future district energy systems, such as new major development sites, near major
institutions, and the City Centre.
30. Energy-efficient lighting should be strongly encouraged in all developments.
31. Rain gardens, bioswales, and permeable materials are strongly encouraged to
absorb stormwater runoff and reduce irrigation needs.
18 . The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ encourages and
accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and
implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria.
New development is encouraged to incorporate energy-efficient design, EV-ready parking, and low-impact
building systems that support long-term sustainability and reduced environmental impact.
City of Williams Lake | 2025 Official Community Plan
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DPA 3: Commercial and Light Industrial Corridor Map
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Schedule 2.4
DPA 4: Steep Slopes, Landslide, +
Escarpment Hazards
DESIGNATION
The Steep Slopes, Landslide, and Escarpment Hazards Development Permit Area (DPA 4)
is designated pursuant to Section 488(1)(b) of the Local Government Act for:
-
protection of development from hazardous conditions.
DPA-4 consists of three sub-areas:
-
DPA-4: Steep Slopes, in respect of steep slopes and rockfall hazards hazards;
-
DPA-4: Landslide, in respect of landslides; and
-
DPA-4: Escarpment Hazards, in respect of escarpment hazards.
A property may fall within more than one sub-area, in which case the guidelines for each
applicable sub-area shall apply to the property cumulatively, to the extent they differ.
JUSTIFICATION
The Natural Hazards section of the Official Community Plan (Chapter 11) provides
additional context on landslide and slope stability risk and whether development should
be restricted or prohibited. A Geotechnical Hazard Area Mapping and Assessment report
(2023) maps and characterizes past, current, and potential geotechnical hazard areas
within and around the City of Williams Lake. The DPA:4 Steep Slopes, Landslide, and
Escarpment Hazards Development Permit Area boundaries are reflected by features
identified by this assessment.
The report anticipates higher risk of landslides, rockfall, and other signs of land instability
due to projected increases in temperature and precipitation in Central British Columbia.
Climate-induced changes may impact the probability of erosion within the River Valley.
The report identified some areas in which development should be prohibited due to
extreme risk to life and property, such as the River Valley bottom and escarpment areas
and talus slopes. The purpose of DPA 4 is to reduce the risk to human life and property by
limiting or managing development within areas identified as having landslide hazards,
rock fall hazards or areas with slopes greater than 30%.
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Hazardous conditions may still occur outside the defined Steep Slopes, Landslide +
Escarpment Hazard DPA 4, and the City does not assume any liability by reason of its
failure to delineate areas on the area map. Responsibility for the safety of any
development and liability arising from such development continues to rest exclusively
with the property owner and not the City.
Unless an owner obtains a development permit, or an exemption applies, within DPA-4:
-
land must not be subdivided;
-
construction of, addition to or alteration of a building or other structure must not be
started; and
-
land must not be altered.
GUIDELINES
The following design guidelines will be used in reviewing development permit
applications as set out in this Official Community Plan. It is important that any plan
submitted for a development permit demonstrate consideration of the objectives and
design guidelines.
AFFECTED PROPERTIES
The Steep Slopes, Landslide, and Escarpment Development Permit Area (DPA-4)
applies to:
-
All areas identified as subject to steep slopes ("DPA 4: Steep Slopes"), landslides
& rockfall hazards ("DPA 4: Landslide"), or escarpment hazard ("DPA 4:
Escarpment Hazard") in the DPA-4: Steep Slopes, Landslide, and Escarpment
Hazards Map.
EXEMPTIONS
A development permit is not required for the following activities in DPA-4: Steep
Slopes, Landslide, and Escarpment Hazards:
-
Construction, addition, or alteration of accessory buildings or structures where
there is no human occupation.
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Steep Slope and Rockfall Hazards
Within DPA 4: Steep Slopes:
1. Development shall not occur on slopes greater than 30% without a geotechnical
report, prepared by a registered professional geotechnical engineer, which
confirms that the proposed development may be undertaken safely, and
specifies conditions, if any, for that to be achieved. These conditions may form
the conditions for the development permit. The report must adhere to the EGBC
Professional Practice Guidelines, and:
a. Native slope, depth of topsoil/depth to rock, soil type must be shown on a
Grading and Subdivision Development Plan.
b. Any slopes greater than 30% must be preserved as undisturbed unless roads
are required to access developments.
c. Significant or mass grading of hillsides for development is to be avoided.
2. Developments within rockfall hazard areas may require a geotechnical report,
prepared by a registered professional geotechnical engineer, which confirms that
the proposed development is permissible and specifies conditions or construction
practices that may be avoided, to mitigate the potential hazards to properties
below.
3. A stormwater management plan may be required by a qualified professional to
limit impervious surface and manage erosion, sediment, and run-off as per the
City's Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw for all developments.
4. Removal of vegetation is not permitted unless reviewed and supported by a
qualified environmental professional, who may make recommendations which
may become conditions of the development permit, to mitigate any negative
impacts to the natural environment.
a. Exposed slopes shall be re-vegetated as quickly as possible to prevent
erosion and slope stability problems, even for temporary topsoil stockpiles.
5. A Soil Removal and Deposit Permit may be required unless otherwise specifically
permitted under the most current Soil Removal and Deposit Bylaw for removal or
regrading of the site.
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Landslide Hazards
Within DPA 4: Landslide:
6. Development shall not occur without a geotechnical report, prepared by a
registered professional geotechnical engineer, which confirms that the proposed
development may be undertaken safely, and specifies conditions, if any, for that to
be achieved. The report must adhere to the EGBC Professional Practice Guidelines.
Recommendations from the geotechnical report may become conditions of the
development permit. A development permit may not be issued unless the report
clearly demonstrates and includes appropriate recommendations to mitigate any
potential risks.
7. Depending on the size, location, and complexity of the development site conditions,
a Storm Water/ Drainage Management Plan may be required for the entire site and
downstream drainage areas.
a. Services and utilities requiring underground piping should use alternative and
flexible piping materials to avoid leaks or cracking caused by gradual ground
movements.
8. Removal of vegetation is not permitted unless reviewed and supported by a qualified
environmental professional, who may make recommendations which may become
conditions of the development permit, to mitigate any negative impacts to the
natural environment.
a. Exposed slopes shall be re-vegetated as quickly as possible to prevent erosion
and slope stability problems, even for temporary topsoil stockpiles.
Escarpment Hazards
With in DPA 4: Escarpment Hazards:
9. A geotechnical report, prepared by a registered professional geotechnical
engineer, which confirms that the proposed development is permissible and specifies
conditions, if any, under which it may safely proceed, may be required for all new
developments. The report must adhere to the EGBC Professional Practice Guidelines.
Recommendations from the geotechnical report may become conditions of the
development permit, and identify:
a. Safe building setbacks from the escarpment crest should be shown.
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b. The proposed use of the property should be reviewed with respect to continued
slope stability.
c. Site grading and proposed land use impact on water infiltration into ground and
run off near the escarpment should be considered with the conditions or
recommendations included in the report to limit the impact.
d. Risks to persons and property downslope of the development due to foreseeable
future uses of the land should be considered.
10. New development may require ensure a 10 metre green space buffer between the
top of the escarpment with the addition or retention of native and xeric trees, shrubs,
grasses and ground covers to encourage the natural stabilization of the slope.
11. Removal of vegetation is not permitted unless reviewed and supported by a qualified
environmental professional, who may make recommendations which may become
conditions of the development permit, to mitigate any negative impacts to the
natural environment.
a. Exposed slopes shall be re-vegetated as quickly as possible to prevent erosion
and slope stability problems, even for temporary topsoil stockpiles.
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DPA 4: Steep Slopes, Landslide, and Escarpment Hazards Map
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Schedule 2.5
DPA 5: Wildfire Hazard
DESIGNATION
The Wildfire Hazard Development Permit Area (DPA 5) is designated pursuant to Section
488(1)(b) of the Local Government Act for:
-
protection of development from hazardous conditions
JUSTIFICATION
The Natural Hazards section of the Official
Community Plan (Chapter 11) provides
additional context on wildfire risk and ways
to protect life and property. Wildfires pose a
threat to both natural ecosystems and
urban areas in and around Williams Lake,
which is particularly vulnerable to wildfires
due to its dry summers and forested
landscape.
Williams Lake has faced serious wildfire
threats in the past, including evacuation
alerts and nearby fires. Given the city's
layout and surrounding forests, wind-driven
embers pose a risk to every property within
city limits.
To address these risks, the Wildfire Hazard Development Permit Area (DPA 5) and related
Development Approval Information Area have been established with the following
objectives:
-
Minimize wildfire risk to people, property, and nearby forests through responsible
development and mitigation measures that also consider environmental impacts.
-
Support fire suppression and containment by managing conditions that influence
fire behaviors.
-
Protect visual and ecological forest values for present and future generations.
-
Reduce post-wildfire hazards such as landslides, debris flows, and erosion.
A wildfire burns in the Williams Lake River Valley
during the summer of 2024.
© City of Williams Lake
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The DPA-5 promotes proactive, risk-aware planning for all future development. However,
property owners, not the City, remain fully responsible for the safety and liability of their
developments.
Hazardous conditions may still occur outside the defined Wildfire Hazard DPA 5, and the
City does not assume any liability by reason of the failure to delineate areas on this map.
Unless an owner obtains a development permit, or an exemption applies, within DPA 5:
-
Land must not be subdivided;
-
Construction of, addition to or alteration of a building or other structure must not
be started; and
-
Land must not be altered.
AFFECTED PROPERTIES
The Wildfire Hazard Development Permit Area (DPA-5) applies to:
-
All areas identified in the DPA 5: Wildfire Hazard Map
EXEMPTIONS
Development permits under DPA-5 are not required if any of the following apply:
-
After completion of a Wildfire Hazard Assessment prepared by a qualified
professional, providing recommendations and is registered on title;
-
Construction, addition, or alteration to not exceed 30 metres squared (323 sq. ft.)
for a one- storey accessory structure (4.5 metres in height) is proposed and
where no variance(s) of the Zoning Bylaw is required;
-
Any proposed structure is at least 250 metres from the forest; and/or
-
The property owner acknowledges wildfire risks as part of building permit
application process and a Wildfire Development Permit has been previously
issued, conditions continue to be met, and new construction meets the
guidelines.
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GUIDELINES
The following design guidelines will be used in reviewing Development Permit
applications as set out in this Official Community Plan. It is important that any plan
submitted for a Development Permit demonstrate consideration of the objectives and
design guidelines.
Building Materials
The following fire resistive materials and construction practices shall be required for all
subject development in the Wildfire Hazard DPA:
1. Building design and construction should be consistent with the highest current wildfire
protection standards published by the National Fire Protection Association or any
similar, successor or replacement body that may exist from time to time.
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2. Roof coverings shall conform to Class A or B fire resistance as defined in the BC Building
Code or be materials meeting CAN/ULC-S114, "test for determination of non-
combustibility in building materials".
3. Gutters shall be constructed out of non-combustible material.
4. All vents shall be screened with
corrosion
resistant,
minimum
3-
millimetre
non-combustible
wire
mesh (excluding dryer vents).
5. All eaves shall be enclosed with
properly fitted soffits and fascia.
Soffits should be non-combustible.
6. All material used for exterior wall
finishes shall be fire resistant, such as
stucco, metal siding, brick, cement
shingles, concrete block, poured
concrete, rock, logs, and heavy
timbers.
7. All windows shall be tempered,
double paned or greater.
8. Decks shall be constructed of non-combustible, Class A or B fire-rated materials.
9. Open areas under decks, porches and manufactured homes shall be skirted with a
fire-resistant material.
10. Fencing within 1.5 metres of a structure should be constructed with non-combustible
material. For any fencing, use a non-combustible material such as metal or a fire-
resistant composite material. If a wood fence is installed, ensure there is at least a 1.5-
metre non-combustible break between the wood portion of the fence and the home
(e.g., a metal gate).
Vegetation - Immediate Zone (0 - 1.5 metres)
-
A 1.5 metre non-combustible surface should extend around the structure and any
attachments such as decks. Vegetation and other flammable materials shall not be
present in this zone.
FireSmart building materials and landscaping
practices help protect homes and
neighbourhoods from the risk of wildfire while
helping to maintain a safe, resilient community.
© FireSmart
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-
Juniper and cedar hedges shall not be planted within this zone.
-
Bark mulch shall not be used within this zone.
Vegetation - Intermediate Zone (1.5 - 10 metres)
-
Coniferous
trees
can
be
present in this zone provided
they are limbed up to two
metres from branch to ground,
there are no shrubs or heavy
accumulation of vegetation
below the drip line, and the
siding of the home is non-
combustible. If this cannot be
accomplished,
coniferous
trees shall not be present in this
zone.
-
Juniper and cedar hedges shall not be planted within this zone.
-
Bark mulch shall not be used within this zone.
Vegetation - Extended Zone (10 - 30 metres)
-
Coniferous tree's can be present in this zone provided they are limbed up to two
metres from branch to ground, and crown spacing is greater than 3 metres (where
ecologically appropriate)
-
Juniper and cedar hedges shall not be planted within this zone
-
Bark mulch should be avoided
Slope Setback
-
Dwellings, decks, and any attached structures should not be in direct contact with
slopes exceeding a gradient of 10 degrees. Where such placement is unavoidable
due to site constraints, the required defensible space setbacks shall be modified as
follows: the Immediate Zone shall be increased from 0 - 1.5 metres to 0 - 3.0 metres,
the Intermediate Zone shall be increased from 1.5 - 10 metres to 3.0 - 20 metres, and
the Extended Zone shall be modified from 10 - 30 metres to 20 - 60 metres.
FireSmart practices in landscaping, such as
non-combustible zones, proper tree spacing
and slope setbacks, help protect homes from
wildfire spread. © FireSmart
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DPA 5: Wildfire Hazard Map
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Schedule 3
Agricultural Land Reserve Map
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Schedule 4
Major Road Network Map
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Schedule 5
Active Transportation Network Map
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Schedule 6
Potable Water System Map
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Schedule 7
Stormwater Network Map
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Schedule 8
Sanitary Sewer Map
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Schedule 9
Temporary Use Permits
DESIGNATION
Temporary Use Permits are included as an interim (short term) alternative for proposed
land uses that may not warrant a permanent change to the land use designation or
zoning of land. Temporary uses are typically of a trial/interim nature or are a
seasonal/occasional use.
Temporary Use Permits may be issued for new land uses on specific properties that are
not otherwise allowed by a land use designation in the OCP or in a zone in the Zoning
Bylaw. Conditions may be specified by Council or Council's delegate respecting any
required changes to the property to allow the temporary use, and any restoration to
the property following expiration of the permit. Pursuant to the Local Government Act,
a Temporary Use Permit can be issued for up to three years, with the possibility of one
renewal for up to an additional three years.
If a local government delegates the power to issue a Temporary Use Permit under
Section. 493 of the Local Government Act the owner of land that is subject to the
decision of the delegate is entitled to have the local government reconsider the
matter.
Pursuant to Sections 492 of the Local Government Act, all lands within the boundaries of
the City of Williams Lake, as shown in Schedule 1, are designated as areas in which
temporary uses may be permitted.
GENERAL CONDITIONS
On application by an owner of land, a local government may issue a Temporary Use
Permit as follows:
-
by resolution, in relation to land within an area designated in Schedule 1.
A Temporary Use Permit may do one or more of the following:
-
allow a use not permitted by a zoning bylaw;
-
specify conditions under which the temporary use may be carried on; and/or
-
allow and regulate the construction of buildings or structures in respect of the use for
which the permit is issued.
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The following matters must be considered when considering whether to approve an
application for a Temporary Use Permit:
-
Compatibility of the proposed temporary use with any existing uses on the property
and surrounding area, and the land use designation and OCP policies;
-
Potential impacts on adjacent properties, environmentally sensitive areas, and
existing servicing and transportation infrastructure;
-
Completion and incorporation of any public consultation with impacted community
members to address immediate concerns;
-
The ability of the use to generate economic activity and support OCP objectives;
-
Identified community need and market demand for the proposed use;
-
The proposed use is temporary, any associated site alterations -- including buildings,
structures, foundations, or other physical works -- should be temporary in nature and
capable of being removed or restored upon expiry of the Temporary Use Permit;
and
-
The proposed use does not result in any undesirable sights, sounds, odours, lighting,
or other impacts on adjacent and nearby residents, businesses, and properties.
The City may impose conditions as part of a Temporary Use Permit that include hours of
operation, gross floor area, site coverage, landscaping, site rehabilitation, screening
and fencing, and other matters deemed appropriate by the City.
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Schedule 10
Development Approval Information
The objective of Development Approval Information (DAI) is to ensure a development
proposal is consistent with the community's broader planning goals and policies as
outlined in the Official Community Plan.
The establishment of DAI authority, under Part 14 Division 6 in the Local Government Act,
means local government can require information about the potential impacts a
proposed land use or development may have on the environment, municipal
infrastructure, and public facilities before approval is considered.
A municipality establishing DAI authority must, by bylaw, establish procedures and
policies governing when it can require development approval information and the
information that may be required. The bylaw will also outline the process for requesting a
reconsideration of DAI requirements and specify situations where a public information
meeting may be necessary.
Development Approval Information may be required for the following circumstances:
-
Zoning Bylaw amendments;
-
Temporary Use Permits; and/or
-
Development Permits.
The Development Approval Information helps to ensure that future development
considers potential impacts to:
-
The natural environment;
-
Transportation patterns and networks;
-
Local infrastructure (sanitary sewer, water supply, stormwater management);
-
Public facilities (schools and parks and community services); and/or
-
Tenants who are or may be displaced by a redevelopment as defined in section
63.1 of the Community Charter.
All lands located within the boundaries of the city, as shown in Schedule 1, are
designated as the area within which Development Approval Information may be
required.
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Developed by CitySpaces Consulting Ltd.,
in close collaboration with City of Williams Lake staff:
Jessica Ball
Jeff Bernardy
Marie Whitehead
Beth Veenkamp