City of Enderby Integrated Sustainability Plan

MAYOR'S MESSAGE:

The City of Enderby was successful in obtaining a $180,000 Gas Tax Grant from the Provincial and Federal governments which will be used to complete the City of Enderby Integrated Sustainability Plan.  The Plan will be undertaken over approximately 12 to 16 months, beginning in March of 2012.

The goal of the City of Enderby Integrated Sustainability Plan is to develop a vision for a land use, servicing concept and development guidelines based on the principles of sustainability.  This in turn will guide local government decisions for the community which will:

    1.    Meet the needs and expectations of a broad cross-section of citizens;
    2.    Have a strong sense of community;
    3.    Promote healthy lifestyles; and
    4.    Be an asset to the community as a whole.

The Plan will serve as an example of how the visions and desired outcomes of the North Okanagan Regional Growth Strategy, particularly with regards to sustainability, may be achieved.

The planning process for completing the Integrated Sustainability Plan is one which aims to meet the sustainability goals of the City through community leadership and public input.  This progressive planning process is based upon "Smart Growth" principles and ultimately will lead to a Plan that addresses the sustainability needs of the City of Enderby.  A set of Working Committees will research community sustainability topics to identify goals, objectives and tools to achieve the desired outcomes.  The Committees will then provide recommendations for consideration by Council which support sustainability through Smart Growth principles at the building, site, neighbourhood, and community level.  The Working Committees will include City Council members, representatives from the public, and student representatives.  The five community sustainability topics to be researched by the Working Committees include:

    1.    Infill/re-development within existing developed areas of Enderby;
    2.    Affordable, attainable, and special needs housing;
    3.    LEEDS criteria for sustainable neighbourhood, site, and building design;
    4.    Infrastructure design and alternate development standards;
    5.    Mixed use development, clustering, density and urban design.

The City of Enderby Integrated Sustainability Plan is based around Smart Growth Principles and therefore intends to address the three pillars of sustainability:  Economic, Social, and Environmental.  Each of these three realms of sustainability is vitally important to creating healthy neighbourhoods and communities, which fosters healthy lifestyles and a sense of community.  The Plan will consider impacts to the environment to insure that growth and development is coordinated to mitigate ecological impacts.  The Plan will also consider social factors to strengthen our community and to promote it as a safe and diverse place for a broad cross-section of residents to live.  Finally, the Plan will consider economic factors to ensure that the financial and economic needs of the City, its businesses, and its residents are prominently considered in future planning.  By considering the three pillars of sustainability, the Plan will promote a complete, healthy community which builds on the success of the past and creates a dynamic, vibrant future for the City of Enderby.

The City of Enderby Integrated Sustainability Plan incorporates several other initiatives which augment the broad goals of sustainability, including:

    • The Knoll Neighbourhood Plan;
    • The City's "Regional Context Statement" which sets forth the relationship between the City of Enderby and the Regional District of North Okanagan;
    • The Climate Action & Sustainability Plan;
    • The Water Consservation Program; and
    • The Asset Management Plan.

The information obtained from these initiatives will be the basis for updates and amendments to be made to the City's Official Community Plan, Zoning Bylaw, Subdivision Servicing and Development Bylaw, and Development Cost Charge Bylaw.  Another outcome of the Plan is its support for the objectives of the North Okanagan Regional Growth Strategy, specifically the establishment of a Rural Protection Boundary.

Public input and community leadership are essential elements to the success of the planning process for the Integrated Sustainability Plan.  Participants will be the catalyst for creating a vision for the City of Enderby which reflects the sustainability values of its residents, which will establish the City of Enderby as a leader in community sustainability.  Public engagement will include updates to the City's website, a Facebook page to foster discussion of ideas and thoughts, public representation within the Working Committees, and Consultation with student and seniors groups and the public at large.

This is a terrific opportunity for the citizens of Enderby to demonstrate leadership in community sustainability in a way that reflects the values, uniqueness, history, and culture of Enderby.

Mayor Howie Cyr