We all love our city (or at least, I hope we do!).
But even the most beloved places have room for improvement. While recently gathering feedback on the city's draft active transportation network plan, I was struck by how important it is for residents to be involved in shaping our community.
But perhaps some don't know they can be.
And the timing couldn't be better, because the city is about to embark on developing a new official community plan (OCP). Think of the OCP as the rulebook for our city's future. It sets the guiding principles and policies that influence decisions about everything from land use to resource management. It's how we steer our city towards the future we hope for and want.
In nature, uncontrolled growth without design plans or controls is called cancer. Unplanned growth can be chaotic, like a weed patch overtaking a garden.
In British Columbia, we've seen examples of this – and I'll refrain from naming names, but more big box stores and sprawling parking lots aren't the future I dream of for Williams Lake. They don't build a sustainable city where people are drawn when they have their choice of where to live.
To create the kind of community we all want – one that supports residents and visitors of all ages and abilities, and in turn, supports local businesses – we need a solid plan. And to create that plan, the city needs your input.
I'm not talking about reactive comments on social media. Those are hard to track and verify. Meaningful input means attending meetings, filling out surveys, and maybe even volunteering to connect with other residents.
But before we can give valuable input, we need to be informed.
One way to do this is of course to go to those meetings, read your local media (shameless self-promotional plug), and finding out what is already in the works.
This could likely give you a lot more information to take home and share with others at your next social event as well. It might even make you more popular (no promises).
North America hasn't always been great at planning for sustainable growth. But there are resources out there to help. I recommend strongtowns.org, a website with lots of information on urban planning and policy. It can provide a fresh perspective on how we can do things better than the current North American models, which have often led to financial challenges.
Giving input and getting informed aren't enough. We also need to hold our city accountable. Back in 2011, Williams Lake won a national award for a vision developed with extensive community input. People shared their dreams for a more sustainable city. But after a new council was elected and staff changes occurred, much of that plan was never implemented.
Instead of spending the last 14 years building on the award-winning plan, diversifying our economy, and attracting professionals, we're still largely resource-dependent, deferring infrastructure projects, and struggling to keep up with inflation. We missed an opportunity. While there have been challenges like fires and floods, following a solid, long-term plan would have put us in a much better position.
As we face potential trade wars, the possibility of losing our largest taxpayer, and a reduction in timber supply, we can't let future councils ignore the next plan we create.
We need to work together to build a sustainable city – one that improves livability for everyone.
"It takes a village to raise a child" is an old adage heard time and time again.
Maybe we should also remember it takes many citizens to build a city.
Let's build our city, our future, together, with intention.
