Council approves new Official Community Plan for Taylor

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — As the end of 2025 approaches, the District of Taylor is finalizing its latest Official Community Plan (OCP) bylaw. 

On December 1st, the District of Taylor held a public hearing for its 2025 OCP during its regular council meeting. 

The OCP replaces the most recent OCP, which was last updated in 2014. Staff noted an OCP should be re-examined and updated every five to 10 years, “depending on community circumstances,” to make sure it still reflects the long-term planning needs of the community.

“The Official Community Plan vision sets the framework for the entire community,” staff stated.

“All policy direction[s] outlined in the plan stems from the vision.” 

The Local Government Act requires OCPs to include plan statements, map designations, align with housing needs reports, designate land for future anticipated housing needs and conduct public engagement as part of the update and approval process. 

Taylor’s OCP encompasses several components in addition to the required content:

• Policies relating to social needs, social wellbeing and social development;
• A regional context statement;
• Policies respecting the enhancement and maintenance of farming on land in a farming area or in an area designated for agricultural use in the plan; 
• Policing relating to the preservation, protection, restoration and enhancement of the natural environment, its ecosystems and biological diversity.

Prior to the hearing, the district advertised the OCP for the community in order to go “above and beyond” to get all information and feedback from residents. 

Following the hearing, council voted to adopt the bylaw, which will “set out Taylor’s path” to 2040. 

To read the complete Official Community Plan for 2025, see below.