Official Community Plan

On December 8 2025, at a regular council meeting, Sooke adopted a new Official Community Plan (OCP). The OCP is a policy framework that informs future decisions including zoning, subdivision, and development approvals. Included in it are 9 categories of what are called Development Permit Areas (DPA). They are described as guidelines for those seeking to develop property "in sensitive or strategic areas such as environmental contexts, steep slopes, and the town core".

More information about the OCP and DPAs is available here:

https://www.sooke.ca/programs-services/planning-and-development/information-bulletins

The adoption of the document was the culmination of years of a consultation, technical, and review process that was initiated in 2020 as "Picture Sooke". 

As the process drew to close, Many community members who felt their property rights were being eroded continued to speak out, including but not limited to objections to specified foreshore setbacks for waterfront properties and questions how land for an “aspirational” waterfront trail would be acquired. This refers to a dotted line that runs along the shore from Whiffen spit to the Sooke River and beyond on a map of the “Future Walking + Rolling Network” in the, again, “aspirational” Transportation Master Plan.

To be clear though, this is not just about and aspirational trail. Lack of clarity as to when and where DPA's apply and the sheer number of them were also real concerns that were raised. The District website has put out an online GIS map called the DPA Viewer where you can see where the various DPAs and how they affect properties all around Sooke. In many locations particularly environmentally sensitive ones it makes total sense - but landowners need to understand how and when their property would be affected, and citizens deserve to know if those lines on the map are just aspirational or if there’s actually a plan in place to make it happen. Better information around what kind of land alteration would require a DPA is also needed.

Noah is open to reviewing of any aspects of our OCP that are consistently not working for landowners. Recent provincial changes have weakened our ability to influence much of what gets built and where. How we continue to adapt to these legislative changes and work with developers and senior government to get the critical infrastructure in place to support growth is a key item for this next council. The OCP is no longer merely an aspirational document but an important tool that must be clear, precise, and able to adapt to meet the moment. Previous OCP's were amended dozens of times. Amending this OCP to further clarify the DPA's role, effects on how you can use your property, or changing the number of them is not only entirely the council's prerogative but also its responsibility. Noah wants to ensure that this process, which will be ongoing, is well informed and transparent - with a fair result that protects your property rights as well the environmentally sensitive areas that help make Sooke an amazing place.