Derelict farm buildings in the Thompson Nicola Regional District/via TNRD

The Official Community Plans of four electoral areas within the Thompson Nicola Regional District are set to undergo a revamp.

The four areas — “L” (Grasslands) and “P” (Rivers and the Peaks) around Kamloops and “M” (Beautiful Nicola Valley – North) and “N” (Beautiful Nicola Valley – South) around Merritt — are expected to see sizeable population growth in the coming years.

“There’s been so many changes in legislation, with Bill 44, etcetera, that affects local governments, that now’s a good time to really making sure that the OCP’s are up to date in these areas,” said Colton Davies with the TNRD in an interview with Radio NL.

Davies notes Official Community Plans are for high-level development planning.

“Developments have to align with what the OCP’s say,” noted Davies.  “This is usually pretty muted when developments come forward, unless there’s a request from a developer or private land owner to use their land or do some sort of development that’s outside of what the OCP recommends.”

Davies says the TNRD is looking for public feedback through newly-launched surveys, which will remain open until the end of August.

“What changes, compared to what exists now in the OCP’s… not sure. It will really depend on community input,” said Davies.  “There might be very minor, or no changes, really, depending on what we hear from the community.”

The OCP’s for the Electoral Areas around Kamloops were last adjusted in 2011, while the OCP for the Merritt area was last tinkered with in 1996.