Land Use (OCP & Zoning)

The Official Community Plan (OCP) is a comprehensive plan to guide future land use and address related needs for amenities, services, and infrastructure support. The OCP guides the Zoning Bylaw and other municipal bylaws, and guides Council as they consider development applications.

Our Vision (excerpt from the OCP)

In 2035, Sparwood will be a caring, neighbourly and sustainable community with pride in our natural environment. A unique and vibrant downtown will be the social, cultural and economic heart of our community, with opportunities to live, work, learn, shop, and play in close proximity. A diverse economy will provide a range of jobs and services to supplement the mining industry, which will continue to be our economic lifeblood. A diversity of housing options will allow residents with a range of ages, income levels and lifestyles to live comfortably in Sparwood through all stages of their lives. A world-class multi-purpose network of trails, parks, and recreational areas will support an active, healthy, and highly livable community. You can read the full Official Community Plan here. 

Our Goals (excerpt from the OCP)

To achieve this vision, Sparwood has set the following goals to guide implementation of this Official Community Plan (OCP). These goals provide the framework for the policies in Part II.

1. Promote compact development and mixed use as the means to achieve a walkable community that provides efficient and sustainable infrastructure, minimizing negative impacts on the environment.
2. Enhance the downtown by promoting high quality design and construction that reinforces Sparwood’s unique sense of place and become the social, cultural, and economic centre of the community with opportunities to live, work, learn, shop, and play.
3. Support a diverse economy that provides a wide range of jobs and services to supplement the mining industry.
4. Protect, manage and enhance rural, agricultural and forestry lands, balancing competing interests.
5. Encourage, promote, and celebrate local heritage, culture, and arts.
6. Encourage the provision of diverse housing options that allow residents with a range of ages, income levels, and lifestyles to live comfortably in the community through all stages of their lives.
7. Support a healthy, safe and engaged community through social development, community services and civic engagement.
8. Provide and manage infrastructure and services, including potable water, sewage, stormwater and roads in a cost effective and sustainable manner.
9. Provide a safe and efficient multi-modal transportation system that balances vehicular traffic with active transportation.
10. Encourage an active and healthy community through the development, maintenance, and enhancement of high-quality parks, passive and active recreational facilities and programs, and active transportation infrastructure.
11. Promote environmental conservation best practices.
12. Protect sand and gravel resource extraction areas in the community.
13. Provide flexibility in land use to promote business development and diversification.

Achieving our Vision and Goals (excerpt from the OCP)

The following directions represent this OCP’s priorities and summarize the objectives and policies in Part II:

• Focus and integrate compatible future development within Sparwood’s downtown area and existing developed and serviced areas;
• Locate the majority of future offices within the downtown area;
• Enhance the downtown as an economically and socially vibrant community centre that is pedestrian-friendly and accessible to all residents;
• Encourage diverse housing options for current and future residents that accommodate a broad range of ages, income levels, and lifestyles; and,
• Identify Sparwood’s key natural areas, including the riparian areas around the Elk River and local creeks, and protect them through policy, regulation, and enforcement.

The purpose of the Zoning Bylaw is to control the use of land in accordance with the OCP. This document sets out the rules and regulations respecting land uses within the community, such as setbacks, building size and property uses. Zoning is typically designed to create compatibility between different land uses. The Zoning Bylaw can be amended as a Council-led initiative, or by application.