Area C - Official Community Plan Update

In May, the FVRD Board will consider a revised engagement strategy for the Area C OCP. The FVRD has undertaken extensive and ongoing public consultation to support the development of the Area C Official Community Plan, including the integration of the Lake Errock and Harrison Mills Neighbourhood Plans. Considering the developer's withdrawal of the Harrison Rise zoning amendment application, staff have revised the engagement strategy to reflect the current project needs while continuing to ensure meaningful, productive, and accessible public participation.

The updated strategy reflects the evolving scope of the OCP update. It aims to streamline communication efforts where appropriate, particularly around the Servicing Feasibility Study, while keeping consultation focused on actionable components of the Plan. The revised sequence maintains transparency and ensures meaningful opportunities for input from residents, Indigenous communities, stakeholders, and agencies to provide input at key milestones. It also responds to the growing engagement fatigue in the community and acknowledges the extended timeline of the OCP and neighbourhood plan update process.

Together, the original and revised engagement activities constitute a comprehensive and adaptable consultation strategy that meets legislated requirements and reflects best practices in public engagement. Endorsing the revised strategy ensures the planning process can move forward in a timely and responsive manner.

BC Transit and the FVRD are seeking public feedback on future transit service along Highway 7 between Mission and Agassiz. Fill out the online survey to contribute your thoughts by following the link or scanning the QR Code here: https://engage.bctransit.com/nof2025/surveys/survey.

There will also be a chance for you to share your opinion in-person at the following locations:

• Monday, May 5, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m., Deroche Community Hall
• Tuesday, May 6, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m., Harrison Mills Community Hall
• Wednesday, May 7, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m., Kent Community Recreation and Cultural Centre

For more information about trip planning, schedules and to sign up for customer alerts, please visit bctransit.com/central-fraser-valley/

What is the status of the zoning amendment application for the proposed Harrison Rise development?

GWEB Holdings Ltd. (the proponent) has withdrawn their zoning amendment application for the Harrison Rise development at 43837 and 43873 Lougheed Highway in Electoral Area C. This decision reflects current economic challenges and uncertainties associated with servicing costs, infrastructure requirements, and overall development feasibility. As of March 7, 2025, the FVRD no longer has an active rezoning application for this proposal.

What does this mean for the OCP amendment application and Lake Errock Neighbourhood Plan?

The proponent continues to advance their application to amend the Official Community Plan (OCP) as part of the broader Area C OCP update, which includes the Lake Errock Neighbourhood Plan. The Neighbourhood Plan has been shaped in part by the Harrison Rise proposal and establishes robust policy and servicing requirements necessary to support any future redevelopment of the gravel pit.

While the OCP itself does not permit development to proceed, it provides the policy foundation for future zoning decisions. If the OCP amendment is approved, any future zoning application must align with the policies and servicing expectations laid out in the updated plan.

It’s important to note that OCP amendments do not guarantee future development; they set the vision and policy context. Zoning bylaws remain the legal mechanism that permit land use.

Although the zoning amendment application has been withdrawn, the developer’s pursuit of an OCP amendment signals their continued interest in pursuing a future development. Board Directors should be aware that a new zoning amendment application could be submitted at any time. Any future application would be subject to the updated OCP and Neighbourhood Plan policies, including servicing and community benefit requirements.

More information can be found in the Staff Report dated April 10, 2025.

The FVRD Board gave first reading to the draft Area C Official Community Plan, including Neighbourhood Plans for Harrison Mills and Lake Errock on July 25, 2024. A mailout will be sent to all residents in late January 2025 inviting feedback on the draft Plan to be posted in the discussion forum. The FVRD Board also endorsed the updated consultation strategy on November 28, 2024 which outlined the proposed activities and opportunities for public and stakeholder engagement on the draft Plan. Those opportunities are shown below.

A draft of the Area C Official Community Plan, including Neighbourhood Plans for Harrison Mills and Lake Errock, is now ready for consideration of first reading by the Regional Board. The draft plan will be considered by the Electoral Area Services Committee on July 11, 2024 and the Regional Board on July 25, 2024. A copy of the draft can be reviewed here.

An updated consultation strategy will be brought to the Board in Fall 2024 which will outline in detail proposed activities and opportunities for public and stakeholder engagement on the draft Plan.

The FVRD is updating the OCP for Electoral Area C. An OCP is a statement of objectives and policies that guide planning and land use management. The OCP area spans from the Harrison River to the east of Deroche and includes Morris Valley, Harrison Mills, Lake Errock, and eastern portions of the Deroche Bench. The existing OCP was adopted in 2000, and the community’s vision has largely been realized. The OCP update will:

• Include two (2) Neighbourhood Plans (Lake Errock & Harrison Mills)
• Identify the overall land use plan for Area C
• Include priorities raised by the community; including environmental protection, short-term rentals, parks and trails
• Updated Geohazard information
• Updated Environmental policies

Come out, review the progress of the OCP update, and chat with us about the Neighbourhood Plans. Your input is essential to guide future growth in Area C.

Open House – Lake Errock Neighbourhood Plan + OCP

Date: Monday, April 22 2024

Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Location: Scowlitz Community Hall, 12892 Moses Drive Google Map

Open House – Harrison Mills Neighbourhood Plan + OCP

Date: Wednesday, April 24 2024

Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Location: Harrison Mills Hall, 1995 School Road Google Map

Unable to attend either meeting?

Review open house materials here and participate in the discussion forum on this page.

Come chat with us! The Area C OCP team will be attending the ATNP Community Meeting on February 26 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Our goals are to understand active transportation priorities and to talk with residents about the Official Community Plan.

We have been working on the draft OCP and are almost ready to share the initial draft. Stay tuned for an update.

Meeting Details:

• February 26, 2024 6 - 8 p.m.
• Deroche Community Hall, 41555 N. Nicomen Rd, Deroche

Thank you to everyone that participated in Public Information Meeting #2! We found the discussions productive and have reviewed all the comments and notes taken from the meeting.

You can review the meeting summary, staff presentation, and display boards by clicking the links or by navigating to 'Documents', Public Information Meeting #2 in the side bar.

Oops! Our mailout noted the incorrect day and we don't want to miss you!

Join us at the next public information meeting where discussion topics will include the impact of growth, parks & trails, the environment, and short term rentals.

Thursday Wednesday, May 24, 2023 @ 6:30 pm

Deroche Community Hall

41555 North Nicomen Road, Google Link

Questions?

Call 604-702-5000 or email areacocp@fvrd.ca

Survey results are now available! We asked for input to help us understand priorities for the Area C OCP update. This input has been summarized and will be used to guide future policy discussions for the OCP.

Survey responses can be found here.