AREA I APC Local Area Plan Recommendations

Local Area Plans — Schedule B of the OCP

Local Area Plans under Schedule B of the OCP have been years in the making, with multiple rounds of community engagement since 2022. Given that history, it’s difficult to understand why the process continues to take so long. The most recent CVRD staff project plan now indicates a final draft may not be adopted until 2027.

Another round of engagement is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19 2026 at the Cowichan Lake Recreation Centre for Areas F and I — an important opportunity for residents to be heard and to help shape the outcome.

Current 2026 Draft Local Area Plan:
AREA I LAP

Area I APC — 10 Key Recommendations (July 19, 2024 Minutes) with Original March 13 2025 LAP Presentation 

This 2 documents provide a transparent account of both the LAP Presentation as well as a Summary of the Commission’s input on a previous version of the Local Area Plan 

1. 1. Support a thriving community with more affordable housing, including rental and family housing.
   2. Support Scenario 1 growth and an overall increase in development.
   3. Recognize the Youbou Lands PDA as a positive contributor — providing greenspace, diverse housing, and infrastructure. If it lapses, ensure land use is reviewed with community input.
   4. Acknowledge that in a rural area, transportation relies primarily on personal vehicles; large-scale public transit investment is not currently justified.
   5. Support active transportation routes to better connect the community.
   6. Encourage cooperation with Ts’uubaa-asatx First Nation and the Town of Lake Cowichan.
   7. Recognize that population growth supports access to daily needs, including childcare and schools.
   8. Support attracting private schools, arts, and cultural opportunities to strengthen the community.
   9. Encourage the development of the Youbou Lands PDA.
   10. Revise the LAP vision to include: housing diversity- thriving families- aging in place- arts & culture