The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce (GVCC) wants to make sure that the needs of their local businesses will be met when the next Official Community Plan (OCP) is set in the city.
The OCP is a long-range plan that sets out policies for how a community will accommodate population growth. By 2045, it is expected that 20,000 additional residents will call Vernon home.
The plan set out by the city will deal with housing, transportation, recreation, climate and economic development.
A comprehensive set of recommendations has been submitted to council from the GVCC that outlines Vernon's growth which "supports sustainable development while safeguarding the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises."
"We believe that a vibrant and resilient Vernon must be rooted in policies that recognize today鈥檚 economic realities and the essential role our business community plays in driving future prosperity,鈥� said Kirndeep Nahal, president of the GVCC. "We can build a sustainable and prosperous future that benefits businesses, residents and visitors alike."
Among the recommendations are:
- Supporting business and workforce needs - Expansion of mixed-use commercial and residential developments to reduce commuting and stimulate local spending. Continued streamlining of permit and development processes to reduce barriers for new housing and business growth, along with a Community Amenity Contribution Policy and Redevelopment Policy that ensure equitable growth and preserve community assets and an implementation of the Housing Action Plan to increase the availability of affordable housing, particularly for seasonal and skilled workers.
- Empowering local business and tourism - Expanded funding for the city's economic development department, a renewed commitment to buy local and transparent, accessible procurement practices to ensure local businesses can compete for contracts.
- Prioritizing flexibility, balance and community input - A call for the city to adopt an incremental approach to land use and transportation planning, emphasizing the need for ongoing data collection and community engagement before implementing major changes.
The list comes from an extensive member engagement process, including a survey that generated 153 responses.
鈥淲e are committed to building a Vernon that is vibrant, inclusive and economically resilient,鈥� said Nahal. 鈥淭his means ensuring businesses have a seat at the table as we shape the city鈥檚 future together.鈥�
The full recommendation letter can be found at vernonchamber.ca. The city is currently in phase three of the OCP plan, which will be available to view in the late spring.
