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WCEL
> Issues > Urban Growth and
Development > Smart Bylaws Guide > Part
8 > Gain Community Support >
Neighbourhood Planning
Smart Bylaws Guide – Gain Community Support – Neighbourhood
Planning
Neighbourhood plans help municipalities to gain community support
by incorporating citizen’s vision into a more detailed plan that
is a sub-plan of the OCP. Where an OCP is general in nature,
neighbourhood plans can address more detailed and unique issues.
Neighbourhood planning processes also help citizens to better
understand land development and what constitutes a healthy
sustainable neighbourhood. Informed citizens are more likely
to accept smart growth strategies, such as the legalization of
secondary suites, when they have been involved in a planning
process.
The
long-term benefits of neighbourhood planning include:
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A
detailed land use context and vision that provides guidance for
developers, staff and the municipal council about growth;
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A
process that brings residents, businesses, community
organizations, and others together to learn about smart growth
and find collaborative solutions to neighbourhood issues;
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Creating
trust between citizens and the local government;
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Building
a common vision and partnerships to implement the vision; and
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Directing
municipal infrastructure investment and priorities for the
neighbourhood.
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“For
residents, it is important that you remain actively involved in
the maintenance of your Neighbourhood Plan. Many aspects of
the plan, namely the development of the gateway, implementing
a historic site signage program or implementing a Town Centre
banner program can occur through volunteerism. How much effort
Chase River residents put into the implementation of the plan
will ultimately determine its success. It is also important to
remember that developers take risks in building your
neighbourhood and the greater community. Working with
developers, seeking common ground and looking for solutions
where both parties gain, can be very productive.
For
developers, it is important that consultation with area
residents occurs early and often during the development
process. Poor quality developments are more often remembered
than well designed projects. Trust and respect are imperative
in developing property in this area. Most commercial and
higher density residential development in Chase River will
require a rezoning, as land in Chase River is generally zoned
for single family housing. City Staff support for your project
can only help you to a certain point; public participation is
the key to successful development in Chase River.”
Chase
River Neighbourhood Plan (City of Nanaimo, p.4) |
For example, the City of Burnaby commits in the OCP to
"community-driven approaches to planning". The City makes
extensive use of Area Advisory Committees involving citizens for the
preparation of local plans (such as the Lougheed, Brentwood and
Edmonds Town Centre Plans).
Examples of Neighbourhood Plans & Planning Processes
Include:
For More Information
A
Guide for Developing Neighbourhood Plans (City of Winnipeg &
Province of Manitoba)
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