Creating additional housing in Qualicum Beach will be discussed at length in the coming months. (file photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

OCP review

Housing to dominate Qualicum Beach OCP process

Feb 8, 2025 | 6:51 AM

QUALICUM BEACH — Creating more housing units for anticipated growth factors heavily into an ongoing public engagement campaign in Qualicum Beach.

A Quality of Life Survey in effect since mid-January and running through Sunday, Feb. 16 allows residents to expand on how they feel about a variety of Town-supplied services.

Luke Sales, director of community planning and approving officer for the Town of Qualicum Beach, said the second portion of the survey focuses on accommodating for future growth.

“The key policy issues for this particular OCP (Official Community Plan) review are all about housing,” Sales told NanaimoNewsNOW.

A recent B.C. government Housing Needs Report showed nearly 730 housing units will be needed within Town of Qualicum Beach boundaries by 2030.

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The report found 60 per cent of Qualicum Beach’s projected housing needs are for larger units with three or more bedrooms, while expanded rental supply are among other key priorities.

“It’s a really important OCP review that we’re doing this year because we’re taking the province’s requirements and adapting them to the local situation and trying to do it in a way that really reflects the needs and wants of our residents,” Sales said.

Qualicum Beach Town Council is scheduled to receive an overview next week of the OCP work plan process.

“Most of the engagement where the public gets really heavily involved is likely be in the period of March through May and perhaps a bit into June,” Sales pointed out.

Sales expects an updated OCP will be adopted this fall.

The Town of Qualicum Beach is updating its Official Community Plan, which was last updated in 2018. (file photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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