Council developing OCP policies

This afternoon, Merritt City Council is holding a committee of the whole meeting to further discuss the ongoing Official Community Plan (OCP) update.

In February of 2020, Council approved a motion to have the OCP fully updated with assistance from a hired consultant group.

“The current Official Community Plan was adopted by City Council in 2011. Nearing a decade in force, the City has shifted and grown under the direction of this plan. In reviewing and refreshing the Official Community Plan, the project team, in coordination with the City of Merritt, can identify the achievements of the past 9 years, while developing a vision for growth over the next 20. Through this exercise, key themes will be engaged upon and supportive direction provided to the community,” said WSP’s Bob Evans.

“The Official Community Plan is the overall City document which will help guide our community forward,” said Mayor Linda Brown. “During the 2018 election, I, and Council members, ran on a platform of Growth and Sustainability. This Plan will assist us to meet that goal for the community.” 

This afternoon City Council will be debating policy development for seven different categories;

• Building relationships of trust
• Land use and development
• Economic prosperity
• Sound government practices
• An active and thriving Merritt
• Infrastructure for the future
• Safe and resilient city

City staff will use the brainstorming session with Council to then draft the policies ahead of the next OCP meeting scheduled for March.

The meeting is set for 2 pm, and can be viewed online.