REGIONAL GROWTH STRATEGY Q&A

What is a Regional Growth Strategy? The Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) is a vision of the region, adopted by the Board of Directors of the RDNO, to establish the economic, social and environmental objectives that promote healthy communities. The objectives of the strategy provide guidance to the member municipalities, electoral areas and the Regional District in the development of local Official Community Plans and other bylaws.

What is the purpose of a Regional Growth Strategy? The purpose of a Regional Growth Strategy is to promote human settlement that is socially, economically and environmentally healthy and that makes efficient use of public facilities and services, land and other resources. The regional growth strategy aims to establish a more sustainable pattern of population growth and development in the region over a twenty year period, keeping urban settlement compact, protecting the integrity of rural and resource areas, protecting the environment, and increasing servicing efficiency.

What does a Regional Growth Strategy do? The Regional Growth Strategy provides direction in the development of policy for Official Community Plans and bylaws of the member municipalities, electoral areas, and the Regional District. The Regional Growth strategy commits all local governments to a shared vision, and requires the consent of all member municipalities for implementation. Subsequent Official Community Plans must include Regional Context Statements to confirm how the plan conforms to the objectives of the Regional Growth Strategy.

What does the Regional Growth Strategy not do? A Regional Growth Strategy cannot regulate land use within member municipalities and electoral areas. The intent of the Regional Growth Strategy is to provide for a common vision for the entire region, in terms of growth management, housing, the environment, and transportation. The Regional Growth Strategy allows municipalities flexibility in the implementation of the objectives of the plan, and only specifies the content to be included in local bylaws.

Where does the Regional Growth Strategy apply? The geographical extent for the Regional Growth Strategy coincides with the boundaries of the Regional District of North Okanagan, covering an area of 787,190 hectares with a population of 77,301 (est. 2006). Other jurisdictions affected by the Regional Growth Strategy include the City of Armstrong, City of Enderby, Village of Lumby, City of Vernon, District of Coldstream, Township of Spallumcheen, and Electoral Areas B, C, D, E, and F.

Why do we need a Regional Growth Strategy? Rapid population growth had raised concerns about worsening traffic, loss of open space,  natural areas and agricultural lands, increased costs of services, and changing neighbourhoods. Since the impacts of growth cross jurisdictional boundaries, the Regional Growth Strategy coordinates the policy between the Regional District, member municipalities and electoral areas to ensure consistency in the direction of different jurisdictions.

How long will the Regional Growth Strategy take? Regional Growth Strategies are complex documents that require the consensus of all local jurisdictions in their development and adoption, with emphasis on public engagement and participation. The Regional Growth Strategy process is expected to take 4 years to complete and is expected to be adopted in the summer of 2012.

Why is a growth strategy important for achieving goals related to sustainability? The Regional Growth Strategy does not just have implications for environmental objectives, but also must address economic and social issues. Each environmental, social and economic objective are important facets of sustainability. Managing the growth of communities has implications for the efficient provisions of services, economic development of communities, providing affordable housing and providing for the stewardship of land and resources.