OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN
A closer look at the assumptions, public consultation and potential consequences.
MY POSITION
The Official Community Plan contains useful ideas, but important parts rely on assumptions about population growth, housing and redevelopment that do not reflect Radium’s recent history or current market realities. Public consultation results and comments at the public hearing also showed significant reservations about parts of the plan. Despite the concerns raised during public consultation, the current Council unanimously adopted the new OCP and accompanying Zoning Bylaw on February 9, 2026.
I would not discard the entire OCP. As Mayor, I would review it provision by provision, retain what works and propose changes where policies could harm housing, local businesses or taxpayers.
WHAT THE RECORD SHOWS
Population growth is central to the new OCP. The plan states that Radium’s permanent population could double by 2046 and uses that projection to support major changes to housing and land-use policy.
However, the Housing Needs Report cautions that projections are not predictions. It notes that Radium’s population grew from 776 residents in 2016 to 1,339 in 2021, an unusually sharp increase of approximately 73 percent. The report also warns that major events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, can rapidly change population trends.
Before policies are built around continued growth at that pace, residents deserve to see the assumptions tested against more recent information and realistic alternative scenarios.
PUBLIC CONSULTATION RAISED SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS
The February 3, 2026 public hearing attracted substantial participation. Village staff estimated that 60 to 75 people attended in person, with another 36 participants joining through Zoom.
Speakers raised concerns about short-term rental regulations, restrictions on long-term accommodation in hotels, housing data, residential zoning and home-business rules. Eight additional written submissions were received after the meeting agenda was published and before the hearing closed.
That level of participation and the range of concerns raised should have prompted a careful review of the disputed provisions before the bylaws were adopted.
CURRENT COUNCIL APPROVED BOTH BYLAWS UNANIMOUSLY
On February 9, 2026, the current Mayor and all four councillors voted to adopt Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 527 and the accompanying Zoning Bylaw No. 528. Both decisions were unanimous.
Council made that decision after receiving the public-engagement results, written submissions and comments presented at the February 3 public hearing. Most speakers addressing the disputed provisions raised concerns about short-term rentals, housing data, residential zoning, home-business rules and restrictions affecting long-term accommodation in hotels.
A unanimous vote means responsibility for the decision rests with the entire current Council. It also means residents should understand that these policies were deliberately approved, rather than being recommendations imposed by Village staff or consultants.
The OCP does not have to be discarded in its entirety. A future Council can review it provision by provision, retain policies that serve the community and propose amendments where the evidence shows that changes are needed.
HOUSING POLICY SHOULD PRESERVE EXISTING OPTIONS
The OCP identifies a need for 406 additional homes over 20 years and outlines possible capacity for 505 homes through infill development, greater housing diversity, higher minimum densities, future residential areas and regulation of short-term rentals.
At the same time, the accompanying zoning bylaw prohibits tourist accommodations from being used as dwelling units. That could remove existing lower-cost accommodation being used by local workers and other long-term residents.
Radium needs more housing, but new policy should not eliminate existing housing options without carefully considering who will be displaced and where they will go.
MAJOR PROJECTS REQUIRE CLEAR PRIORITIES
The consultant-produced Main Street strategy proposes four phases with estimated costs of $2.9 million, $2 million, $5.4 million and $6.7 million, for a total of approximately $17 million.
Some infrastructure will eventually require repair or replacement. However, a long-term concept should not become a spending commitment before the Village determines what work is necessary, what residents want and what the community can realistically afford.
Each phase should be evaluated independently, supported by current financial information and considered alongside other community priorities.