The City of Abbotsford is encouraging residents and businesses to help shape the future growth of our City by participating in the Abbotsforward 2050 update of the Official Community Plan (OCP) through a series of engagement opportunities.
As the City’s key municipal land use management and development plan, the updated OCP will be used to address the needs of current and future residents and businesses, by guiding how growth and new development takes place in Abbotsford over the next 25 years. Through the community engagement process, the City wants to hear from residents and business owners to better understand the opportunities and challenges facing Abbotsford today to ensure the updated OCP reflects and represents key goals for the future of the City.
The community is invited to share its perspective on a variety of long-term planning considerations, like increasing housing supply; encouraging investment in Abbotsford’s residential and commercial mixed-use centres; and, opportunities to coordinate transportation and parks with residential growth, through in-person information sessions and an online survey. Throughout May, project events will provide an opportunity for community members to give feedback on some of the City’s early ideas for improving the OCP.
City staff will be on hand to hear feedback, discuss ideas, and answer questions at the open-house style information sessions, which will be held:
- Saturday, May 11, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm – Seven Oaks Mall (near Purdy’s Chocolates)
- Thursday, May 16, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm – Mountain Elementary School
- Saturday, May 25, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Open Space Gallery in Historic Downtown (33765 Essendene Ave – previously Hemingway’s Books)
- Friday, May 31, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Highstreet Mall, main plaza near Cineplex Cinemas
Feedback received through the in-person events and online survey will be used to inform high-level new directions for improving the OCP, and to draft new and updated policies for further community feedback.
The online survey will run from May 11 to June 7, 2024. Everyone who lives and works in Abbotsford is encouraged to learn more about the OCP update process, take the survey and share their feedback at letstalkabbotsford.ca/ocp.
For more information contact:
Aletta Vanderheyden
Communications and Public Relations Manager
City of Abbotsford
E: media@abbotsford.ca