April 6, 2010
COLDSTREAM, BC - The Regional District of North Okanagan, in partnership with its
member municipalities, has been undertaking a Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) that
will guide how development will occur over the next 20 years. The North Okanagan is
expected to grow by 25,000 people by 2031 and we will need to think about what this
region should look like in the future.
The North Okanagan Regional Growth Strategy is a long-term regional vision that
promotes compact complete communities while protecting our rural areas and natural
assets from sprawling development. Regional Growth Strategy policies, once adopted,
will be reflected in Official Community Plans through Regional Context Statements.
The planning process is currently exploring options and beginning the discussion on
what the direction of the Regional Growth Strategy should be. Environment, water
stewardship, agriculture, affordable housing, governance and service delivery, economic
development, transportation, infrastructure and rural protection were explored by
working groups that were made up of community members, key stakeholders, and local,
regional and provincial government representation. The result was over 100
recommendations that will be considered by the Board of Directors and our member
municipalities for inclusion in the Regional Growth Strategy.
Through public participation activities, the Regional District has received over 575 public
comments so far. All this public input has been put to good use, assisting the Regional
District and the eight working groups during the development of Regional Growth
Strategy recommendations, which will be presented to municipal councils for comment in
the near future.
The Regional District is looking for your opinion and what options should be included in
the Regional Growth Strategy. Surveys and open houses will be held later on in 2010,
and all residents of the North Okanagan are encouraged to get involved in the Regional
Growth Strategy discussion. If you have an opinion or would like more information,
check out the Regional Growth Strategy website for updates. We
want to hear your opinion – write a letter to the RGS Coordinator or send an e-mail , fill out the on-line comment form or request a RGS presentation for your
community group.
For more information:
Anthony Kittel
Regional Growth Strategy Coordinator
Regional District of North Okanagan
9848 Aberdeen Road
Coldstream, BC V1B 2K9
Tel: 250-550-3750
Cell: 250-309-2159
Fax: 250-550-3701
anthony.kittel@rdno.ca
