The Comox Valley Regional District is creating a Local Area Plan to guide the future of the Saratoga Beach area — a unique and beautiful coastal community. The plan will support land use and development that respects local ecosystems, addresses climate change, and reflects the values and vision of the community.

Saratoga Beach is known for its rural charm and tourism appeal. However, it also faces some key challenges, such as limited water supply in the summer, too much water in the winter, and risks from river and coastal flooding. Its location between the Comox Valley and Campbell River brings both transportation opportunities and pressures.

With your input, the Saratoga Beach Local Area Plan will include a shared community vision, planning goals, and land use directions that reflect what makes Saratoga Beach special.

Your input matters. Share your ideas and help create a plan that supports a healthy, resilient future for Saratoga Beach.

A Local Area Plan (LAP) is a detailed land use and development guide for a specific community or area within a municipality or regional district. It tailors policies to local needs while aligning with broader planning frameworks.

Relationship to Other Planning Instruments:

• Regional Growth Strategy (RGS): A long-term plan (minimum 20 years) guiding regional growth in areas such as housing, transportation, and environmental protection. All local plans, including OCPs and LAPs, must align with the RGS. The Comox Valley RGS, adopted in 2011, includes the City of Courtenay, Town of Comox, Village of Cumberland, and the CVRD Electoral Areas (excluding Denman and Hornby Islands).
• Official Community Plan (OCP): A long-term vision for land use and development, guiding decisions on zoning and infrastructure. The CVRD has an OCP for all Electoral Areas A, B, and C (excluding Denman and Hornby Islands), while each municipality has its own. All OCPs must align with the RGS.
• Local Area Plan (LAP): An LAP is developed for specific communities, such as the three Settlement Nodes in the Comox Valley: Mount Washington, Union Bay, and Saratoga Beach. Each LAP addresses unique local characteristics and priorities. (Note: The Mount Washington LAP is Appendix D of the OCP. This is the project page for the Saratoga Beach.)
• Zoning Bylaw: Implements OCP and LAP policies through detailed regulations for land use and building requirements. It governs aspects such as permitted uses (e.g., agricultural, residential, commercial, and industrial), minimum setbacks, and maximum building height.

An LAP translates the broad objectives of the RGS into specific strategies for local development, ensuring alignment with regional goals.

Saratoga Beach is identified as a Settlement Node in the Comox Valley Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) and the Rural Comox Valley Official Community Plan (OCP). It is recognized as a location for planned growth supported by infrastructure, walkability, local services, and housing diversity.

2011 – The Comox Valley RGS was adopted, outlining a regional vision for sustainable growth supported by the CVRD, Courtenay, Comox, and Cumberland.

2014 – The Rural Comox Valley OCP was adopted, providing long-term direction for land use, community character, and environmental protection. The Mount Washington Local Area Plan was also adopted.

2015 – Work on a Saratoga Beach LAP began but was paused to complete technical studies and meet new provincial requirements, including a Regional Housing Needs Assessment.

2024 – With studies complete, a LAP scope was presented to the CVRD Electoral Areas Services Committee on June 17, 2024. The scope includes assessing infrastructure capacity, environmental risks, natural assets, and alignment with recent housing, planning, and climate legislation.

2025 – The CVRD is working with Urban Systems to launch this project. Public input will be gathered through the project page, CVRD website, surveys, open houses, and focus groups.

Phase 1 –Project Initiation and Existing Conditions

The consultant begins by working with CVRD staff to confirm the project scope and timelines. Project team members visit the Saratoga area to document current conditions and gather background information. This phase includes developing a strategy to inform and involve the public throughout the project. Community members may learn about the project through the CVRD website, newsletters, or public notices. Local First Nations are also contacted to confirm their level of involvement.

Phase 2 – Visioning (Current Phase)
Community members have their first opportunity to participate through a community survey. The survey asks about priorities such as housing, transportation, the environment, and climate change. This feedback helps shape the overall vision for the area. Later in this phase, community members are invited to an open house to review early ideas, including land use concepts and draft policies. Community input helps guide which ideas move forward.

Phase 3 – Plan Development
The project team uses feedback from the open house and survey to prepare a draft plan. The draft includes maps, land use guidance, and development policies. A second survey provides another opportunity for community members to share their thoughts. The draft plan is posted online, and the project team works with CVRD staff to ensure it reflects community values and addresses local needs.

Phase 4 – Plan Finalization
The plan is updated to reflect feedback from community members, rightsholders, and other interested parties. The final version is shared publicly and presented to the CVRD Electoral Area Services Committee. Community members are informed when the plan is ready for consideration by the CVRD Board. Once adopted, the plan will help guide future growth and development in the Saratoga area.