Charlottetown council voted 9-1 to approve the city’s new official plan at a July special meeting. Photo by Logan MacLean /The GuardianArticle contentIt’s official. Charlottetown has a new official plan, the highest planning document for the city which sets out priorities and guides other bylaws and decisions.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentCouncil voted 9-1 at a July 22 special meeting to approve the plan, which now goes to Communities Minister Steven Myers for final sign-off.Article contentArticle contentThe 205 page document outlines how Charlottetown will grow while trying to maintain its essential character in the coming decades.Article contentArticle contentBut it’s just one piece in the evolving puzzle of city planning. Up next is the revised zoning and development bylaw, which gets into details about the numerous kinds of zoning and land use in the city.Article contentThe two documents work in tandem. While the official plan shows the broad sweeps of what can or should happen in the city, the zoning bylaw narrows things down for each zone and neighbourhood.Article contentThe official plan is also a living document that can be amended to align with the details of the zoning bylaw, which must fit into the overall official plan.Article contentYears of consultationArticle contentBefore the vote, Alanna Jankov, deputy mayor and planning chair, outlined the years of consultation that had gone into the new document.Article content“We connected with residents, organizations, community groups through workshops, open houses, townhalls, surveys, online platforms,” she said. “We had three phases of community consultation.Article contentArticle content“We engaged 2,000 participants, included 200 survey responses, 400 comments on the interactive map. We had dozens and dozens of written submissions and stakeholder interviews. We had 20 sessions with city staff and the development community.”Article contentArticle contentThe plan will never be perfect, but it is a framework for the city to move forward, she said.Article contentCoun. Justin Muttart thanked Jankov for explaining this, saying he heard from residents who believed there had not been enough discussion. Jankov’s report shows otherwise, he said.Article content“It gives me more comfort in also knowing that we did our due diligence and that we consulted across the city in various sectors and with the community.”Article contentCoun. Norman Beck asked several questions before the vote. One was about the changes to policy around alleyways.Article contentHe was told the city’s public works department keeps track of small alleyways that are public rights of way. While they sometimes end up being closed or developed into something else, the city is going to look into other projects that could benefit pedestrians.
New official plan tries to meet the moment in evolving Charlottetown
