To accommodate and plan for the growth of our community over the next several decades, the City of Abbotsford will be updating its key community planning document, the Official Community Plan (OCP) starting in 2024. The project will be branded as Abbotsforward 2050.
An OCP sets out and describes the long-term vision of a community. It is a statement of objectives and policies that guide decisions on municipal planning and land use management, and these decisions impact a communities' sustainability and resilience. As the City’s key municipal planning tool, the OCP, which was last updated in 2016, will be used to address the needs of current and future residents and business, as well as guide change and new development in Abbotsford for the next 25 years.
The Abbotsforward 2050 OCP update will build on the successes of the existing OCP, while addressing the challenges and needs of today and tomorrow. Updating the plan provides the perfect opportunity to affirm the City vision and strengthen Abbotsford’s growth and development plan for the future. As part of the update, the City will be seeking community input as the process moves forward.
“Abbotsford is a rapidly growing city and with this growth comes a stronger economy and the opportunity to enhance our neighborhoods, amenities and infrastructure,” said Ross Siemens, Mayor of Abbotsford. “With input from the community, we’ll be able to update our strategic growth plan in alignment with the community’s vison. 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.”
Following recent changes to provincial housing legislation, increasing the housing supply and broadening housing options will be a big part of the OCP update, making it important to explore changes in the context of the City’s infrastructure, parks, amenities, and other supports for Abbotsford’s growing population.
Updating the OCP was identified as one of Council’s priority actions in their 2022-2026 Strategic Plan and is a multi-stage, 18-month process. Residents will have a variety of ways to get involved and provide input over the course of the project, with engagement opportunities beginning in the spring.
Residents and business owners are encouraged to visit the Abbotsforward 2050 Let’s Talk page at https://letstalkabbotsford.ca/ocp to learn more about the process, read the background research report and subscribe for notifications for future engagement opportunities.
For more information contact:
Aletta Vanderheyden
Communications and Public Relations Manager
City of Abbotsford
E: media@abbotsford.ca