Population growth, the housing market and changing demographics will be among the many areas of interest when the Town of View Royal goes through the process of updating its Official Community Plan.
Town staff will be leading outdoor neighbourhood “walkshops” Sept. 21-29 to talk to residents about key issues. Sessions will be one hour and cover distances under two kilometres.
Ten adults are allowed per gathering.
View Royal has about 11,000 residents, and is expected to grow to 15,000 by 2040 — when one third of all households are projected to be led by adults 65 and over.
“The town is deeply interested in hearing residents’ insights and concerns, which affect where they live, work and play,” said View Royal Mayor David Screech. “In discussing the town’s future directions and adapting to change it is essential that we hear from residents.”
He said the updated plan will be “the overarching guide for all town business.”
The plan provides a long-term vision and policies that guide things like land-use decisions and investments. The last substantial update in View Royal was in 2011.
Council has said that the future direction of the plan will look at climate change. The town has already joined with 1,400 other jurisdictions around the globe in declaring a climate emergency.
“With other town master plans updated, we know what transportation, water, sewer, parks, housing needs, land economics and opportunities we have,” Screech said. “Now is the perfect time to review the OCP to examine land use to bring all these plans together.”
To take part in a “walkshop,” call Dawn Miles in the planning department at 250-708-2254 or email [email protected].
More events will be added if necessary. Community surveys and open houses will also be held.
