The regional district is about to begin an almost two-year process to put together an official community plan (OCP) that would encompass Wardner, Mayook, Fort Steele and Bull River.
While an OCP for Fort Steele and Bull River was adopted in 2005, there is not an OCP or zoning bylaw for Wardner and Mayook.
The new OCP will reconfirm and update planning for Fort Steele and Bull River, while focusing on crafting the first overarching planning document for Wardner and Mayook.
The process is expected to take about 20 months and will contain a public engagement process including questionnaires, information meetings and workshops.
This year, the Regional District of East Kootenay will begin stakeholder consultation with the Ktunaxa Nation, Agricultural Land Commission and provincial ministries.
An advisory committee made up of residents and stakeholders is expected to be formed to assist in the process.
The RDEK board of directors gave staff the go-ahead to start work on the OCP at its Friday, November 1 meeting.