Community Development is deeply connected with economic development, regional planning and social and environmental challenges in an interdependent, complex and ever-changing relationship to improve local well-being. Community Development includes projects related (but not limited) to: Walkability and pedestrian walkways; Community service organizations;  Transportation routes and networks; Parks, trails and recreational areas; Social opportunities and connectedness; Essential utilities; Communications connectivity throughout the entire region; Health resources in the community; Land-use planning

 

Official Community Plan

The Northern Rockies Official Community Plan (OCP) was adopted on October 24, 2011. Other than changes resulting from incidental amendments, a fulsome review and update of the OCP has not been undertaken. Since development of the OCP, the NRRM has experienced significant changes in economy, industry, and demographics. As the OCP is foundational to most planning projects and regulatory, land-use bylaws, it is essential that policies and objectives contained within, are reflective of the community's vision and are based on a current and practical outlook concerning the future state of the community over the next 20 years.

Recent Updates:

 

“In Fort Nelson we stand at the gateway of the Northern Rockies, located in the hearty of a prosperous and diverse economic region that strives to preserve the integrity of the natural environment.

We are a welcoming, self-reliant and healthy community. We proudly embrace life in our unique northern community and we work to create innovative solutions that enhance our quality of life.

Our Community is beautiful, well-planned and safe. Our unique environment provides us with diverse choices and ample opportunities for employment, education, recreation, housing and health and wellness.

As residents of British Columbia's first Regional Municipality, we are responsive to the needs of our residents, we encourage active public involvement and we proactively support inclusive and family-oriented decision making that balances cultural, social, environmental and economic needs in a collaborative and transparent manner.”

- Official Community Plan: Community Vision

image

 

Regional Council approved the Downtown Revitalization Plan at the October 10, 2023 Council meeting with the expectation that future projects and initiatives stemming from this plan come back to council for review prior to implementing. 

This plan intends to support long-range goal-setting, visioning and planning to improve the downtown’s livability and increase its attractiveness to new businesses, residents, and tourists. The Fort Nelson Downtown Revitalization plan breaks recommendations into three overarching concept objectives:

  • Non-Motorized Circulation including multi-use paths, pedestrian crossings, connectivity and downtown sidewalks.
  • Public Realm Enhancements including developing a community theme/identity, community gathering space, trees and landscaping, way-finding and interpretive signage, public art, and development and maintenance.
  • Vehicular Circular including intersection improvements, downtown streets, parking and vehicular way-finding signage.

Interim Housing Needs Report

In November 2023, new provincial housing legislation required local governments to update housing needs assessments with 5-year and 20-year projections. The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (NRRM) has met these requirements through the Interim Housing Needs Report, which outline current and future housing needs under the Local Government Act and Housing Needs Report Regulations.

The report includes:

  • HNR Data Tables: Housing needs calculations.
  • Housing Analysis Sheet: Detailed data insights.
  • Housing Needs Requirements: Provincial assessment methodology.

While NRRM has adequate overall housing, specific gaps remain. The documents identify the types and number of housing units needed by 2041, based on provincial guidelines, to address issues like homelessness, rental shortages, and suppressed household formation.

Through the Housing Needs Report, NRRM will guide housing planning over the next five years to meet the evolving needs of the community.

 

Complete Community Needs Strategy 

In late 2023, the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality launched the Complete Community Needs Strategy for Fort Nelson with UBCM support. The project assessed housing, daily needs, transportation, and infrastructure, identifying strategies to strengthen livability, resilience, and equity across the community. Findings highlighted strong service concentration north of the Alaska Highway and outlined actions to improve service distribution, transit options, and infrastructure. The resulting recommendations provide a roadmap for NRRM and partners to advance projects, respond to community priorities, and support a more complete community.

Complete Community Needs Strategy Document Cover page

Fort Nelson State of the Community Report

A document made in 2017 for residents, businesses, investors, non-for-profits, governments and more designed to help make decisions that would lead to greater regional well-being.

Fort Nelson State of the Community Report Cover page

Permissive Tax Exemptions

The Northern Rockies has the authority to exempt eligible properties from property taxation for a specified period of time. Permissive exemptions must be provided by bylaw, and are different from statutory exemptions, which are automatic and not at the discretion of Council.

Permissive Tax Exemption

A permissive tax exemption may be provided to an eligible property by bylaw, at the discretion of Council, and is a means for Council to support organizations within the community, that further Council’s objectives of enhancing quality of life and delivering services economically.

Property owners approved for exemption through submission of a Permissive Tax Exemption application will be eligible for exemption to a maximum of 3 years, if there is no change in use or other disqualifier as stated in the application. In each of the 2 years following approval of an application for permissive tax exemption, applicants must submit a Permissive Tax Exemption Renewal application. Completed application and renewal forms must be submitted to the Director of Finance at Finance@NorthernRockies.ca by August 31st each year.

NRRM Permissive Tax Exemption Policy: for instructions

Permissive Tax Exemption Application: Completed application must be submitted in year 1

Permissive Tax Exemption Renewal: Renewal application must be submitted in years 2 and 3.

For more information please contact the Director of Finance at E: Finance@NorthernRockies.ca or P: 250.774.2541 extension 2061

Industrial Revitalization Property Tax Exemption

The Industrial Revitalization Tax Exemption Program was developed to encourage investment and attract new industrial development as a way to increase economic activity and diversify Fort Nelson and the region’s economy and create permanent, local jobs. The exemption is available to individuals or companies who:

Projects meeting the above three minimum criteria, and fulfilling the conditions outlined within the NRRM Industrial Revitalization Tax Exemption Program Bylaw (section 6) may be eligible for a revitalization tax exemption on municipal property taxes of ten (10) years, at a rate of 100% of the revitalized value of the property in years 1-5, and at a gradually reducing rate of 80%,60%, 40%, 20%, and 10% in years 6 through 10. The revitalized value refers to the difference in assessed value of improvements pre- and post-construction.

 

To qualify for a revitalization tax exemption in the calendar year following a project’s completion, a property must be issued a Tax Exemption Certificate prior to October 31st of the current year. In order to meet this deadline, applications must be received by the Municipality no later than August 31st.

NRRM Industrial Revitalization Tax Exemption Program Bylaw with sample agreement and tax exemption certificate

Industrial Revitalization Tax Exemption (RTE) Program Guide

Industrial Revitalization Tax Exemption Application Form and Checklist

For more information, please contact Regional Development and Planning.

 

Guiding Principles

Cultural Principles

This principle looks at the informal relationships, behaviours, history and shared traditions of the community. Culture includes knowledge, attitudes, feelings, ideas and values as well as the community's way of living.

Social Principles

Social principles refer to the life, welfare and relationships of residents in a community. Society is made up of people involved in formal groups for religious, educational, charitable, cultural, scientific, political, recreation, artistic or other interests.

Environmental Principles

Environmental principles are those related to the health, diversity and vitality of the community's ecology. The environment is the air, water, organisms and natural surroundings of a community. The principles describe how people interact with, and understand, the natural world.

Economic Principles

Economic principles are related to the careful management of the resources, finances, income and expenditure of a community, especially with a view to productivity, as well as the avoidance of unnecessary expenditure or waste. Principles promote collaboration and diversification.