Barriers & Breakthroughs
Although the 2008 charrette was successful, previous attempts at citizen engagement were not as productive. In 2004 the Downtown Revitalization Committee, a group comprised of local volunteers, District staff, councillors, and the Mayor, made numerous attempts at engaging Sooke residents to envision a new Town Centre. Initial attempts at gaining feedback through a public survey received only minimal response.
However, later initiatives, such as information booths at local events proved more successful in developing a citizen led vision for the Town Centre, as seen in the 2006 District Design Guidelines. The citizen engagement strategy during the creation of the 2009 Town Centre Plan opted to use the charrette model. This model has proven to be very effective for many local governments. (See below for further information on using charrettes.)
New Challenges
A central challenge in developing the Town Centre plan is working with current land-use patterns in Sooke. Like many areas, no long-term plan existed to guide the Town’s growth, and this led to piecemeal development. Specific ramifications include: diminished public access to the waterfront due to private development; a main road, the West Coast Road that is unsafe for pedestrians; and a low population and commercial density, that makes it difficult to support a vibrant Town Centre.
The Zoning Bylaw is integral to the realization of the Town Centre revitalization. As mentioned, the Bylaw needs updates. Completed in 2006, it does not incorporate key policies developed since then, such as those contained in the Town Centre Plan. As part of the Strategic Plan 2009-2011, a new Town Centre Zone is to be created upon the completion of the 2010 Official Community Plan. The Town Centre Zone will allow for high density development and a broad range of land uses. While this update is still underway, the recent Mariner’s Village Comprehensive Development Zone (Bylaw No. 405, 2009) is serving as the model zoning template for the Town Centre.