City staff is beginning work on three neighbourhood plans that will shape the future development of the McKee Peak area of Sumas Mountain.
Last year, the city adopted its new official community plan (OCP), which envisioned how Abbotsford would add 60,000 people over the ensuing decades.
While the OCP plans for the bulk of those incoming people to live in more-dense established neighbourhoods, one-quarter of newcomers – around 15,000 people – will reside in not-yet built areas, primarily on Sumas Mountain.
Neighbourhood plans to direct that growth will begin early in 2017, council heard Monday. Planning work will continue throughout the year, with a completion date for the plans set for the end of June 2018.
Three different plans are being crafted for the area, with the Auguston subdivision, Ledgeview golf course and surrounding housing, and McKee Peak proper each getting separate planning documents.
Plans for the City Centre area along South Fraser Way and the Historic Downtown will follow a similar timeline, while a neighbourhood plan for the UDistrict is slated for completion this June.
The city is also undertaking work on nine new master plans, including for the city’s water, transportation and transit systems, as well as for Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service and the parks, recreation and culture division.
The plans are part of what the city is calling its “HubCity Program.” Public consultations – including community events, online resources and a social media campaign – will take place throughout the process, according to a staff report.