(File photo/northeastNOW)

By Cam Lee

Nipawin Community Plan

Council in Nipawin gives first reading to the new Official Community Plan

Apr 30, 2025 | 4:00 PM

The final review of Nipawin’s Official Community Plan (OCP) has been reviewed by town council.

They gave it first reading at their latest council meeting on April 28.

“An Official Community Plan is a comprehensive policy document adopted by council that outlines the long-term vision, goals, and strategies for land use, development, and community growth,” explained Chief Administrative Officer Michele Sorensen.

The document also guides future planning in the community, and must also align with provincial legislation, The Planning and Development Act, 2007.

Sorensen said the plan is important because it provides a clear framework for community growth, land use, and development that fits its long-term priorities and vision.

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“The plan will set out clear goals and policies for land use, development and growth of the Town that Council can work towards through their strategic planning and budget adoption,” Sorensen said.

She added that goals of the plan include a diversity in housing choices, to attract and retain youth, to keep and expand health services, increasing agri-tourism, minimizing infrastructure costs, developing an inventory of serviced lots, attracting more residential development and providing incentives for development, better use of the Fairgrounds, maintaining core services, increasing safety and addressing safety concerns, increasing opportunities and leading more dialogue with Indigenous people and organizations, and maintaining strong finances.

Other priorities outlined in the document include maintaining a clean appearance, improving communication and cooperation with its partners, and becoming more of an all-season tourist area, among others.

The scope of the plan it ten years.

There will now be four weeks of public notice, including an advertisement in the Rural Roots newspaper. At the June 9 council meeting, there will be a public hearing when community members can give feedback in favour or in opposition of the community plan. At that time, if there are no changes coming out of the public hearing, the second and third reading will occur June 9.

“During the time the OCP is being advertised, the plan will be reviewed by the Twin Lakes District Planning Commission,” said Sorensen.

Should the bylaw be approved, it would be sent to the provincial government for approval.

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Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com