The Town of Comox has adopted a new Official Community Plan following nearly a year and a half of public engagement.

The OCP will guide how Comox grows and develops over the next 20 years.

The Town says it is shaped by a guiding vision that frames growth and development in Comox.

The OCP guides municipal land use, housing, and infrastructure planning, recognizing that more ground-oriented multi-unit housing will be needed to accommodate families as Comox grows.

The 2024 Housing Needs Report identifies a need for 1,037 housing units between 2021 and 2026, and 3,358 units between 2021 and 2041.

Mayor Nicole Minions thanked the community for their participation in developing the document and sharing feedback, noting that no plan can represent every viewpoint or scenario.

She calls it a living document, with changing needs of the community being considered between now and the 5-year mandatory review.

In British Columbia, municipalities are required to adopt an OCP and update it at least every five years.

While an OCP does not commit a municipality to proceed with any specific project identified in the plan, all bylaws enacted and work undertaken by the local government must be consistent with it.

Alongside the new OCP, the Town also completed an update to its Zoning Bylaw to support provincial housing requirements.

It’s been modernized and reformatted for ease of use and includes pre-zoned areas to help meet the Town’s housing targets.

For more information, visit Town of Comox.