City to review plans with public’s input

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: December 16, 2012 1:00 AM It’s time for Vernon residents to determine the  future of their community. A review of the official community plan and the transportation plan are being initiated. “It will be an opportunity for the community to say what’s working well and what aspects warrant further review,” said Rob Miles, long range planner. The OCP, which was last reviewed in 2008, outlines land use and where specific activities should occur. Consultation with the public will occur between January and May and it’s hoped there will be a draft OCP by June. There could be a draft transportation plan by September. The provincial government has also mandated municipalities to create integrated sustainability plans. Coun. Catherine Lord questions spending $110,000 on the OCP process. “We haven’t been in a high development era in the last five years so I am not sure why we need to do it,” she said. “Other than complaints of narrowing roads, I haven’t had any complaints about how the OCP is working.” But Lord’s colleagues insist there is a need to proceed with planning. “Because we are in an economy that is a challenge, it is a good time to do an OCP review,” said Coun. Brian Quiring. “Maybe there are things we can do to stimulate the economy. Hopefully we can turn the economy back on.