What is an OCP?
- An OCP is a statement of objectives and policies to guide decisions on planning and land use management within the City.
- As a general rule, it is reviewed annually and completely revised every 5 to 10 years.
- Although the OCP does not commit or authorize a municipality to proceed with any project specified in the plan and does not have an immediate effect on property rights (eg. existing zoning regulations will continue to apply), the OCP can have consequences that may increase the regulatory burden of developing a property (eg. Designation of development permit areas).
- In addition, all bylaws enacted or works undertaken by Council after adoption of an OCP must be consistent with the plan.
Below is a comparison between the two plans, an OCP and Sustainability Plan (ICSP):
| City Plan |
Community Plan |
| Limited in Scope (Land Use & Planning) |
Broad in Scope (Environment, Economic, Social) |
| City’s Jurisdiction (Limited by Local Government Act) |
Multi-jurisdictional |
| Medium Term (5-25 years) |
Long Term (20- 100+ years) |
| Approval by Council (Bylaw) |
Approval by Council and Community Partners |
An OCP must address many important topics for the community:
ü land use and anticipated growth (residential development required to meet anticipated housing needs over a period of at least 5 years and present and proposed commercial, industrial, institutional, agricultural, recreational and public utility land uses);
ü approximate location and area of sand and gravel deposits suitable for future sand and gravel extraction;
ü restrictions on the use of land subject to hazardous conditions or that is environmentally sensitive to development;
ü approximate location and phasing of any major road, sewer and water systems;
ü location and type of present and proposed public facilities, including schools, parks and waste treatment and disposal sites;
ü housing policies respecting affordable housing, rental housing and special needs housing;
ü targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and policies and actions of the local government in achieving those targets.
Optionally, OCPs may address:
ü social needs, social well-being and social development;
ü a regional context statement (established from the Regional District’s regional growth strategy) of how matters from the regional growth strategy and OCP apply in a regional context;
ü maintenance and enhancement of farming on land in a farming area or designated agricultural use; and
ü preservation, protection, restoration and enhancement of the natural environment, its ecosystems and biological diversity.
However, it is still limited by what the City has the power to do, and it can only set general objectives for the optional content listed above, or other topics not listed.
Prince George’s new OCP will map out how Prince George plans to become more sustainable over the next 30 years. View the current City of Prince George’s Official Community Plan (OCP) to see what we will be working with.