Community Plans are used as a policy tool by local governments for land use planning. Community Plans provide certainty regarding the location and nature of community change to residents and land owners, and serve to guide Municipal Councils when making decisions about development, zoning, and services to accommodate growth. Community Plans can improve local commercial, industrial and residential areas, and provide the assurance neighbourhoods need to retain attractive and stable living environments.
Official Community Plans (OCP) are prepared and adopted within the statutory provisions of the Local Government Act. The Local Government Act prescribes the general content of the Official Community Plans and sets out the process for adopting a Plan.