Abbotsford launches process to update Official Community Plan
ABBOTSFORD — In a step to responsibly plan for the growth of the community in the coming decades, the City of Abbotsford has unveiled Abbotsforward 2050, a comprehensive update to the city’s Official Community Plan (OCP). In a news release Wednesday (Jan. 31), the City says it will begin the 18-month process to update the OCP this year.
The OCP, a provincially recommended municipal planning document, outlines the long-term vision for a community, establishing objectives and policies that guide decisions on planning and land use management. Given the rapid growth of Abbotsford since the last OCP update in 2016, Abbotsforward 2050 will help to guide decision-makers when planning future development while addressing the needs of the present and future residents and businesses. The document is a key strategic tool that will be used to steer the city’s development for the next 25 years.
Mayor Ross Siemens emphasized the importance of aligning the growth plan with the community’s vision. “Abbotsford is a rapidly growing city, and with this growth comes a stronger economy and the opportunity to enhance our neighbourhoods, amenities, and infrastructure,” said Siemens. He highlighted the significance of community input in updating the OCP. “Together we can build and improve on what’s working, address some of the big challenges residents and businesses are facing, and keep Abbotsford moving forward as the cultural and economic Hub of the Fraser Valley.”
With housing being a central focus, recent changes to provincial legislation have influenced the OCP update to prioritize increasing the housing supply and diversifying housing options. This necessitates a comprehensive evaluation of the city’s infrastructure, parks, amenities, and other support systems in light of Abbotsford’s expanding population.
