Overview
Once an Official Community Plan (OCP) is adopted by Council, staff begin work to implement the policies and work towards the plan’s goals. Through performance monitoring, the City measures progress towards the goals in the OCP to see how well the policies are working. Based on the results of performance monitoring, new Policy Directions may be added through OCP amendments or updates. These updates also enable the City to improve the tools used to implement the policies, such as Implementation Action Plans, zoning regulations and local community plans.
The key objectives of implementation and performance monitoring are to:
- advance OCP policies and goals through action plans, zoning regulations, and local community plans
- track and analyze progress on the goals and revise policies as needed
- keep the community and partners informed about the City’s progress on the OCP
- ensure there is ongoing communication and a robust referral process with host Nations
- meet provincial requirements, including regularly updating the OCP every five years and aligning with Housing Needs Reports
- identify funding sources to implement OCP policies
Implementation and Performance Monitoring Policy Directions
Policy directions
1. Develop Implementation Action Plans that prioritize short- and medium-term actions and identify which City department is responsible.
Why we are proposing these policies
Implementation Action Plans will help prioritize actions, identify clear steps for City staff and be more transparent with how taxes and other charges are used to achieve the goals of the OCP.
Policy directions
2. Regularly report on the City’s progress towards achieving the goals of the OCP, including on reconciliation, equity and climate change.
Why we are proposing these policies
Regular performance reports will help the City be accountable to the commitments and goals in the OCP and ensure community values are considered in decision-making.
Policy directions
3. Align the OCP performance reporting with other reports, including:
a) Housing Needs Reports
b) Regional Context Statement Updates
c) Provincial requirements for OCP updates
d) Statistics Canada Census of Population
Why we are proposing these policies
A regular reporting cycle will help hold the City accountable for continuous improvement and avoid inefficiencies.
Policy directions
4. Improve City data collection, analysis and reporting to support better decision-making by:
a) using a database to track development approval information
b) developing a tool to project population growth
c) exploring new digital tools to support planning
d) seeking feedback from host Nations and Indigenous people living in Burnaby
Why we are proposing these policies
- Better data means the City can make better decisions.
- Having a way to project population growth will make the City less reliant on external sources for new projection information.
Policy directions
5. Raise and manage funds to implement the OCP by using a variety of funding tools, such as new charges for developers, grants from the provincial and federal governments, sale of City property, user fees, utility fees, property taxes and more.
Why we are proposing these policies
By using all funding tools available, the City will be able to provide high-quality infrastructure and services to community members over the long-term.
Policy directions
6. Improve and clarify the OCP amendment process to include:
a) Opportunities to engage with host Nations
b) Opportunities for Metro Vancouver, TransLink, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, Vancouver Airport Authority, Burnaby School District and Fraser Health Authority to provide feedback
c) More accessible, informative and efficient public engagement processes
d) More accessible and efficient processes for Public Hearing notifications and public submissions
Why we are proposing these policies
Anyone who might be affected by an OCP amendment should be aware of it and have the opportunity to provide feedback.
Policy directions
7. Ensure consistency between the OCP and implementation tools such as the zoning bylaw and local community plans.
Why we are proposing these policies
The OCP is the overarching guiding document for all other City bylaws. Processes need to be in place to avoid inconsistency between the OCP and other bylaws.
Challenges and opportunities
Challenges and opportunities
Challenges
- Ensure the OCP continues to be relevant and up to date.
- Effectively monitor the City’s progress in achieving the goals in the OCP.
- Update the OCP regularly to be consistent with provincial requirements.
- Ensure the OCP is accessible and easy to understand for community members.
- Find sufficient funding to implement actions outlined in the OCP.
Opportunities
- Update the OCP amendment process to make it more accessible and meaningful.
- Find ways to continually improve the OCP by measuring progress on the Policy Directions.
- Improve communication and engagement with community members.
- Recognize that new provincial legislation has made OCPs more important because public hearings are no longer required for development projects that are consistent with the OCP.
- Strengthen relationships with host Nations and regional partners.
- Clarify OCP priorities to strengthen the City’s budgeting, decision-making and grant applications.
Engagement findings
Engagement findings
Community members want:
- the City to be more proactive in implementing policies and continue to be a leader in municipal innovation and advancement
- to be more involved in how the City makes decisions through more public engagement and communication
- the City to be more transparent and accountable on following through with commitments
This survey is administered by the City of Burnaby. Personal information collected and used for the purpose of receiving information regarding the Official Community Plan will be managed in accordance with s. 26 (c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. All personal information collected through this survey will remain confidential and de-identified when shared with the public. For questions regarding the collection of Personal Information and receipt of electronic messages please contact: Corporate Communications and Marketing at communications@burnaby.ca.
