For Immediate Release
December 16, 2013

Oak Bay resident survey results released

OAK BAY – Survey results from residents on Oak Bay’s Official Community Plan Renewal Project show that residents of the municipality appear to want change.

Close to 78% per cent of residents who participated in the Official Community Plan (OCP) survey expressed a desire to see the new OCP address issues such as housing for seniors, heritage and regulated secondary suites.

“We are very encouraged by the preliminary results of the OCP Survey, which appear to show that Oak Bay residents want a new and revitalized mandate in the municipality,” said Councillor and OCP Advisory Committee Chair, Pam Copley. “When we started the review of the OCP, we were committed to public engagement and these results show that it was a key component to renewal of our official community plan.”

A sample of other results show that a majority of residents are in favour of seeing more multi-family housing options such as allowing living units above businesses, encouraging more housing for seniors, young families and those with disabilities. There was also support for updated policies for home-based businesses and more neighbourhood commercial establishments. Other issues that found support included protecting and managing Oak Bay’s shoreline and expanding community facilities, programs and services for older adults, seniors and people with disabilities.

The results of the OCP survey will be presented to Council at its regular Monday evening meeting on December 16, 2013 in Council chambers. The survey results will be posted on Oak Bay website.

The OCP survey saw a participation rate of close to 33 per cent of Oak Bay households in a final sampling of 2,650 residents. The survey is an important element of a comprehensive community consultation strategy for a renewed OCP along with public input from previous open-houses and workshops. All input will now be compiled for further public input at the next OCP Open House early in the New Year.

For more information contact:
Pam Copley, Oak Bay Councillor and Committee Chair
250-592-1643
Cell: 250-888-4164