The Town of View Royal approved the draft strategic plan for 2023 to 2026, which has the goal of promoting sustainable development, pedestrian-friendly streets and maintaining a diversified economy.
At a committee of the whole meeting on Tuesday, March 12, the draft plan, a document which sets out the vision and priorities of the town, was unanimously passed and referred to a later council meeting.
The plan outlines six priorities: enhancing livability, sustainable development, climate action and stewardship, financial sustainability, community engagement, and health and security. Each priority has a series of goals attached and an associated staff work plan.
Among the goals, the town hopes to shift the primary transport mode away from vehicles, to support climate change mitigation and reduce greenhouse gasses, anticipate property tax and user fee increases and stay prepared for emergency situations.
Councillors John Rogers and Alison Mackenzie liked the plan, but both said they hoped to see more details in the document, and a more “reader-friendly” appearance to the document.
“There’s no strategic plan we can open up that really stands the test of time, we’ve done things this year as a council that was not on our strategic plan, and that’s okay, but does this cover most of the bases we want to communicate the budget for, I think that’s it” said Mayor Sid Tobias.
The town will hear further opinions and comments from council members and the public before the final decision is made at a later council meeting. Chief administration officer Scott Sommerville said staff may have another session to improve the document and add “pizzazz” before the plan is approved “in principle” at a March 19 council meeting.
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