It's yet another tool in the consultation toolbox.
The online site PlaceSpeak is being used by the City of Chilliwack planning team to gather feedback about what's important to residents as its Official Community Plan review gets underway.
“We are very excited to be integrating online participation into our OCP review process,” said Mayor Sharon Gaetz.
“We know our residents have busy lives and we want to find as many ways as possible to seek input and gather information.
"This is one more tool in our toolbox.”
It allows residents to participate in online discussions and enter photo and video contests.
The OCP sets out how Chilliwack will grow and develop over time. It serves as a foundation for all policies, regulations, and decisions pertaining to land use and development to ensure present and future community needs are met.
Residents can also give their opinions in person. The first OCP review open house is at UFV Canada Education Park on Caen Avenue in the Atrium Room on Thursday, Nov. 22, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The second is at Evergreen Hall 9291 Corbould Street on Monday, November 26, 2012 from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm.
Or connect with the city planning team when it launches a survey on Nov. 15.
“We encourage everyone to find a way to get involved,” added Gaetz. “The OCP is our central planning document and we need to know what the community wants in the future.”
To find out more www.chilliwack.com/main/page.cfm?id=2155. Or more about Placespeak: http://blog.placespeak.com/topics/chilliwack-official-community-plan-update/.
jfeinberg@theprogress.com
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