Downtown Local Area Plan

The Downtown/Downtown Waterfront Local Area Plan (LAP) was part of Sidney's previous 2007 Official Community Plan (OCP) Bylaw No. 1920, which was repealed in June 2022. The LAP was a plan for the revitalization of Sidney’s downtown core and waterfront and contained specific goals and guidelines for how the neighbourhood would develop, with a strong focus on a high level of design for buildings and public space and the enhancement of connections for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles. Many of the uncompleted aspects of the LAP were incorporated into Sidney's current OCP, Bylaw No. 2240.

The development of the LAP included an extensive public process, including a Public Open House, a Design Workshop and a Design Charrette. The workshop focused on three key themes - Land Use, Movement, and Built Form. Under these three themes, a total of nine sub-topics were explored through focus group discussions and urban design exercises, facilitated by LAP Steering Committee members, Town staff, and community members. "Charrette" is a term used to describe an intensive planning and design session. The purpose of the charrette was to generate a range of ideas, rather than a single "correct" solution to a challenge. A total of 35 people consisting of Steering Committee members, local urban design professionals, Town staff and community representatives participated in the all-day event. Urban design consultants from Hotson Bakker Boniface Haden facilitated the charrette.

The Local Area Plan was originally adopted by Council on October 15, 2008. Community input and involvement in the Local Area Plan process were fundamental to developing a successful plan, and the Town wishes to thank everyone who participated and provided their input throughout the process.