City hall is encouraging residents to provide feedback about changes to the Official Community Plan, a document designed to reflect a community’s values and desires for the future.
The provincial government recognizes the plan (OCP) as a statement about the City of Moose Jaw’s long-term vision — 10 to 20 years out — for growth and development.
Residents of all ages are also encouraged to offer input into the zoning bylaw, which implements the OCP’s policies. The bylaw aims to establish permitted, prohibited or discretionary land uses by assigning zoning districts, outline development standards, and identify permit requirements.
Moose Javians will have plenty of time to provide input since this will be a year-long process.
The initial steps include background research and collection of data and insights from stakeholders. This is followed by an interim report about the issues and analyses, a review of preliminary policies, and a project wrap-up that includes recommendations and the new OCP and zoning bylaw.
The official approvals will include a public hearing, council’s adoption and then the province’s approval.
City administration started working in 2022 on renewing the OCP and zoning bylaw — adopted in 2011 — by looking for a contractor who could pursue the project, explained Michelle Sanson, director of planning and development.
City hall eventually hired Wallace Insights to acquire public feedback and Crosby Hanna and Associates to update the OCP and zoning bylaw.
“It’s (OCP) definitely outdated, it has older language, and the future land-use map is outdated and needs to be updated,” she said. “We’re excited to get going on this project and this is the starting point.”
The main idea with updating the OCP is determining what residents want to see in their community, which means engaging with as many people as possible to determine a clear vision, Sanson continued.
The original goal was to have council adopt the new OCP and zoning bylaw by December 2023, however, that will likely happen in January 2024 because of city hall’s desire to hear from as many stakeholders as possible, she added.
There are many ways residents can give feedback.
There will be interactive project displays at Saskatchewan Polytechnic on Wednesday, Feb. 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and at the Wakamow Winter Festival on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 1 to 4 p.m.
There will also be six stakeholder workshops focusing on different aspects of the OCP.
A housing workshop occurs in the Macoun Room at Sask. Polytech on Wednesday, Feb. 8, from 9 to 10:30 a.m.
A workshop about shops, services, and tourism happens on Wednesday, Feb. 8, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Grant Hall Hotel.
A green infrastructure workshop occurs Thursday, Feb. 9, from 10:30 a.m. to noon in city council chambers.
A workshop about employment happens Thursday, Feb. 9, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Grant Hall Hotel.
A workshop about community connections and quality of life occurs on Friday, Feb. 10, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the library’s south room.
A virtual open topic session happens Wednesday, Feb. 15, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. via Zoom. Pre-registration is encouraged.
One large comprehensive session will be on Wednesday, April 5, at the Cultural Centre.
The project webpage — www.moosejaw.ca/OCP — also provides videos to explain the project, a list of the workshops, an online survey and monthly project updates. The first survey asks the community to help establish or confirm the vision for Moose Jaw.
Residents can also contact city hall’s planning and development department at 306-694-4443 or planning@moosejaw.ca, or planning@wallaceinsights.com to offer comments.
