Home > Municipal Hall > Departments & Services > Development Services & Planning > Official Community Plan Update

Official Community Plan Update

Official Community Plan Review

The 2010 Official Community Plan (OCP) is an update of its predecessor, approved in 2000. Many of the statements have their foundations in earlier versions, while others have been added or reworded to respond to changing circumstances and emerging issues. In addition to a techincal analysis of exisiting policies, community input was a central focus of the update process and is outlined below.

Process & Timeline

The OCP review process was laid out in 4 broad phases. These included:

  • Phase 1: Project Kick-off & Community Survey of Key Issues
  • Phase 2: Public Launch & Community Visioning Workshop
  • Phase 3: Technical Analysis and Draft OCP Development
  • Phase 4: Public Forum, Revisions & Final OCP

Steering Committee. The Town of Smithers Council established an OCP Steering Committee whose task it was to guide the OCP review process and provide advice to Council, Town staff and HB Lanarc Consultants. The Committee members, made up of community volunteers, brought different perspectives and knowledge of community issues to the OCP process.

Community Survey. From April 9th to May 9th, 2008, members of the community were invited to take an on-line survey (paper formats were also available). Approximately 400 people completed the survey.The survey was designed to:

  • Identify key issues in the community (present and future).
  • Take the first steps towards creating a strong community vision.
  • Scan for thoughts on how Smithers will/should look in the next 15-20 years.

Community Dialogue. A community-visioning session was held on the afternoon of May 3rd at Smithers Secondary School. This workshop marked the launch of the OCP review process with the community and the beginning stages for the development of a strong community vision.

Poster Display
Visioning Questions


Downtown Charrette. The Downtown Charrette, held at the Smithers Legion on June 25, 26, and 27, 2008, focused on revitalization strategies and future planning initiatives for the downtown core - how to build on its assets and address its challenges. This intensive & highly collaborative design workshop pulled together a charrette team made up of design professionals and community members to collectively design a detailed concept plan for the downtown and to develop necessary policy recommendations and strategies to work towards achieving that plan. Everyone from the community was invited to take part in the workshop at evening sessions. Ideas, insights & feedback were collected and assisted in the development of a plan and policy recommendations to shape the future of downtown Smithers.

Charrette Design Brief
Final Charrette Report

Public Forum. Held on October 25th, 2008, at the Old Church, the first draft of the OCP was presented to the community for comment. This was an important opportunity for the residents of Smithers to provide feedback on the revised OCP. The first draft was based on public input and feedback gathered to date along with direction provided by the OCP Team (Steering Committee, Town Staff, and HBLanarc Consultants).

The community was invited to provide comments on Draft One during the month of November. This was a key opportunity for the public to provide feedback on what they liked, felt was missing, or would like changed. 

OCP Draft One

OCP Draft One Feedback:

Town Council Review (Committe of the Whole Minutes):

Public Open House. Held on December 8th, 2009, at the Town Office, the second draft of the OCP was available for review and comment.

OCP Draft Two:

Map 1 
Map 2  
Map 3
Map 4
Map 5 
Schedule A
Schedule B
Schedule C

Public Hearing:  A Public Hearing took place at the Municipal Hall (1027 Aldous Street) on March 23, 2010. The Public Hearing was the final opportunity for the community to provide comments to Council on the final OCP. 

Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1614 (final OCP)

Related Documents: