Sproat Lake and Area (Area "D") Official Community Plan Update

Hi there,

Thanks for your question. Knowing when to apply for a Development Permit or when to notify the Provincial Archaeology Branch can sometimes be confusing. DPA I includes exemptions for the repair or maintenance of, or renovations to, existing lawfully constructed buildings, maintenance and repair of driveways, maintenance of existing landscaped spaces, and the removal of hazardous trees and invasive species.

DPA I areas include all lands within 30.0 metres of the natural boundary, measured horizontally in both upland and foreshore directions, from all major streams including Sproat Lake, Great Central Lake, Boot Lagoon, Taylor River, Ash River, Stamp River, Somass River, Sproat River, Nook Creek, Demens Creek, Heath Creek, McCoy Creek, Santu Creek, and the Alberni Inlet.

The residents and property owners of Sproat Lake and Area indicated that protecting water quality and the natural environment is really important to them. The DPA is meant to protect the environment during new development or ground disturbance. Including 30 m from the present natural boundary of the waterbody toward the foreshore, and 30 m into the lake (surface only) is one way we can do this. If someone is completing ordinary maintenance within an existing footprint, I can see why getting a Development Permit might be inconvenient. We often advise property owners to request the biologist to include direction for ongoing maintenance of the structure/dock/driveway etc. in the original Development Permit application. Regardless, we always encourage property owners to speak with us directly to answer their questions and advise on the process. Development Permit applications are delegated to staff and there would be no Committee or Board of Director meetings required for approval.

Regarding potential or known archaeological sites, it is the property owner’s responsibility to advise the Provincial Archaeology Branch in accordance with the BC Heritage Conservation Act. I can understand how there could be confusion here. We can update the wording to make the Provincial responsibility for archaeological heritage more clear.

Thank you for your comments and feedback on this.

The OCP Team

Thanks for your question, Christine!

The Sproat Lake OCP has been developed by local ACRD staff, with input and guidance provided by the Sproat Lake Advisory Planning Commission (APC) and Electoral Area Director. The APC is a group of Sproat Lake and Area residents who have worked closely with staff throughout the planning process. They provide advice to the Director to help ensure the Plan reflects the needs and values of the Sproat Lake community.

The proposed OCP is available on the Let's Connect project page under "Document Library." You can also view it on the ACRD website by using the following link: https://www.acrd.bc.ca/events/10-6-2026/ 

Thanks again,

The OCP Team

Hello Christine,

Thanks for your question!

The OCP Team consists of Kylie Pettifer (Community Projects and Engagement Manager), Brooke Eschuk (Planner 1), Serena Manhas (Planner 1), and Charlene Harrison (Planning Assistant).

This information is also available on the project page under "Who's Listening."

Thanks again!

OCP Project Team

Thanks for your feedback, JC!

Development Permit Areas (DPAs) are designated areas where special guidelines must be met before development can occur. This helps ensure development aligns with community goals, such as protecting the natural environment or maintaining safety standards (for example, in areas with steep slopes). You can view the locations of Development Permit Areas in the project page’s Document Library by clicking “Draft Sproat Lake and Area OCP Maps.”

Regarding agricultural exemptions, a policy will be included under general exemptions stating that “Farming activities on land within the Agricultural Land Reserve are exempt from requiring a development permit.” As a result, agricultural activities on these lands such as tree cutting or pasture creation would not require a permit.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any more questions or comments.

Thank you again,

The OCP Team

Thanks for your question!

Regarding the Official Community Plan (OCP) Update Project, we have been engaging with community members to better understand where they would like to see future commercial and industrial lands. This can lead to more land supporting economic activity within the region. The OCP update will also expand permitted uses for home businesses to support the economy further.

Within the OCP area, the lands surrounding the Alberni Valley Regional Airport have already seen employment growth and continue to hold strong potential for future economic activity. The updated OCP will include policies that support economic growth around these lands.

We are also happy to hear any suggestions that community members have regarding economic growth in the OCP area. Please reach out again if you have any questions or comments!

Thanks again,

The OCP Team

Thank you for your comments. The current Sproat Lake Official Community Plan (OCP) was adopted in 2014. The OCP is a foundational community planning document that guides future planning and development within the Sproat Lake community. The Plan sets the long-term vision for the community based on the goals and values shared by community members and addresses topics such as land use, housing, employment and economy, growth management, and environmental protection. The 2014 OCP is over ten years old and is likely not representative of the community’s present-day needs. The ACRD Board has directed that the Regional District undertake comprehensive updates to all six of the Electoral Area OCPs in the region, and the ACRD is now asking the Sproat Lake community and working directly with residents to establish an updated community vision and to set goals that are representative of current needs. The Province has legislated requirements that must be met within an OCP, but the focus is on the Sproat Lake community to provide the direction for their community, to highlight the challenges and opportunities that are unique to Sproat Lake and the surrounding areas, and to shape a vision for how the residents of the community will live, work, and play over the next 5-20 years. 

The OCP staff team is based locally in the Alberni Valley and they are working to engage directly with Sproat Lake residents and property owners to update the community vision and goals. All of this work is guided by the Communications and Engagement Plan endorsed by the ACRD Board in January 2025. There is an online survey to share your input on the future of the community; the survey is open until June 1^st. The next in-person event will be a pop-up event held on Saturday, May 24^th, at Della’s Café from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. A Background Research Report from March 2025 is an additional document linked to the ACRD Let's Connect project page. The OCP team would encourage you to review the information on this page and provide your input on what a vision for Sproat Lake and Area looks like to you. We are looking forward to continuing the conversation.

Thanks again!

OCP Project Team

Hello Bev,

Thanks for your question!

Upcoming engagement activities, including an OCP visioning process, will provide an opportunity for community members to identify areas that are important to them. This includes locations for potential parks and trails. Most of Mosaic’s land is private managed forest, and trail networks developed on these lands are informal with no existing protections.

The ACRD can secure parks and trails through agreements and parkland dedication during land development. Additionally, the OCP can introduce a new initiative to expand ACRD owned and managed trail networks to include wilderness trails on private lands.

Thanks again for your question!

OCP Project Team