City staff are in the final stretch of Official Community Plan (OCP) community consultation, and while some feedback has been positive, others are shooting down the plan for focusing too much on the downtown.
Among the objectives and priorities outlined in the plan are revitalization of the downtown core and strategic buying and selling land to generate revenue.
But former city councillor Steve Sintich said the city's focus on the downtown core is denying prospective developers the "right of initiative." He decries the city's continual protection of the central business district.
"It's a reverse pyramid that detracts from investment in our community," said Sintich.
The city's new director of planning and development, Dan Milburn, contends the revenue from OCP objectives for the downtown will play an important part in the city's growth, while taxpayers are responsible for the costs of infill projects and maintaining existing infrastructure.
"Costs aren't going away," Milburn, who was acting director for four months before being promoted to the permanent spot on Tuesday. "What we heard was the community's voice around sustainability and land use issues. The public is very interested in seeing renewal and development in existing neighbourhoods."
The OCP, which drives the city's decisions on land use, and which all B.C. municipalities are required to update every five to 10 years, has been under review since February.
When it was first presented to the public for consultation, it became contentious when people believed it to be the final draft.
"It developed a lot of rancour," said Milburn.
Now, the draft OCP - which will be presented to council before a public hearing in the fall - has been whittled down to almost half of its original 300 pages.
"We're trying to distill it into something readable for every audience," said Milburn.
This third round of public consultation has entered its last month, with comments being accepted until Aug. 24.
The review process is different than those of previous OCPs because there is more information coming in about community elements, said Milburn.
The full draft Official Community Plan is available on the city's website, princegeorge.ca, at the public library or for purchase at City Hall for a cost of $30.
