The Village of Ashcroft has sent out a survey to all residents, seeking community input as council and staff work to review and update many of the village’s core bylaws.
Over the next year, council will be working on updating the village’s community planning framework. This includes the Official Community Plan (OCP), zoning bylaw, and subdivision and development control bylaw. In order to better understand what the key issues facing the village are, and address them as part of the review process, council is looking for input from residents.
“It’s all to do with economic development,” says Ashcroft mayor Jack Jeyes, “so that the Village of Ashcroft can make sure we’re moving forward with economic development with input from citizens. We’re asking for this input from residents to incorporate their wishes in what the village does going forward.”
Last week a community planning survey was placed in the mailbox of every Ashcroft residence, and council is asking respondents to answer honestly. The questions cover everything from what people think of Ashcroft as a place to raise a family or retire to how they rate various services and amenities.
The survey will only take a few minutes to complete, and every resident aged 18 or older is encouraged to fill it out and drop it off at the village office on Bancroft Street or in a drop-box at the post office. Copies can be obtained at the village office or on the village website at www.ashcroftbc.ca. The surveys are due back by 4 p.m. on Monday, October 24.
Anyone who completes the survey will be given a ballot enabling them to take part in a draw. In order to promote “shopping at home”, council is offering a prize of gift certificates for local businesses with a total value of $250. Members of Ashcroft council, employees of the village, and their immediate families are not eligible for the draw.
“We want to begin determining the key issues Ashcroft faces in the future, and how they can be resolved,” says Jeyes. Ashcroft recently received a rural dividend grant of $9,975, which will go towards plans to overhaul and rewrite the OCP and relevant bylaws, which were last rewritten in 2005.
“Several legislative changes have come into effect [since 2005],” says Ashcroft chief administrative officer Michelle Allen. “And the wants and needs of residents have changed.”