The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) is pleased to announce the adoption of the Electoral Area “E” Official Community Plan (OCP) Bylaw No. 3010, 2023, which applies to the community of Naramata. The OCP was adopted at the regular meeting of the Regional District Board Directors on March 21, 2024. 

The OCP is a planning document that provides guidance on the future growth and development of the community. It sets the long-term vision, providing goals and policies to guide decision-making related to land use and development. The community vision, objectives, policies, and Development Permit Areas are the core elements of the OCP. 

“The adoption of the Electoral Area “E” OCP marks the culmination of many months of work by Regional District staff, contractors, and residents,” said Adrienne Fedrigo, Electoral Area “E” Director. “The new OCP provides policies and strategic guidance as the region continues to grow.” 

New additions to the Electoral Area “E” OCP include:

• An updated “Community Profile” (Section 3.0) that includes an expanded section on the Penticton Indian Band (PIB) that stemmed from an assessment completed by PIB titled TL NPƏNYAʕTNITKʷ UŁ TANʔ YAʕCISCUT, which can be interpreted as “From the mouth of Ellis Creek Canyon to Chute Lake”
• The introduction of a “Growth Containment Boundary” for Naramata in order to ensure compliance with the requirements of the South Okanagan Sub-Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) Bylaw and current designation of Naramata as a “Rural Growth Area”
• The addition of a new Local Area Policies (Section 7.0) for the various communities in Naramata, including Lower Naramata (the Village area), Upper Naramata, Falcon Ridge and Indian Rock
• Policy support for the introduction of new zoning to protect provincially designated Community Watersheds, being the Chute, Robinson, Naramata and Penticton Community Watersheds
• Support for further studies and projects related to regulatory options for hillside development, a housing strategy, and designation of Electoral Area “E” as an international “DarkSky Community” 

The Electoral Area “E” OCP was the subject of significant public engagement completed between 2021 and 2024, including:

• The completion of three (3) community surveys with more than 500 participants
• The establishment of a non-Board-appointed Community Advisory Group, which held nine (9) meetings
• The creation of a Regional Connections web page with background information and up-to-date material
• A final community engagement survey seeking input on the draft OCP strategic directions. There were approximately 373 respondents
• Engagement with external agencies, such as the Okanagan Basin Water Board, Interior Health, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, the Agricultural Land Commission, and adjacent local governments 

The Regional District appreciates the efforts of all residents who participated in this project and provided feedback at the various stages of drafting the new OCP. 

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Mark Pendergraft, Chair
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen 

Contacts: 

Christopher Garrish
RDOS Senior Manager of Planning
250-490-4108 

RDOS Communications
250-490-4148
Toll-Free 1-877-610-3737