It is great to learn about the proposed alternative growth scenario. Part of being prepared for climate change is also about community resilience, and I like how this plan focuses on the human factors of a community, like creating better public spaces, and increasing walkability to services. I would like to see our town become less reliant on cars with better public transit, and more densification in areas that are already urban, such as uptown and north port. I hear over and over again about how the Port Alberni downtown used to be such a vibrant, community hub back in the heyday, and it would be amazing to see that vibrancy come back. One thing that is very important to me is that, as we restore vibrancy to this town, we don't just rapidly gentrify and push the cost of housing and living up so dramatically that only the most privileged people can live here - and I think the alternative growth scenario is much more likely to do that, versus business as usual. Densification is not always popular, but it's what we need to keep the spirit of Port Alberni alive.

Growing soccer community needs indoor and outdoor turf facilities. Our fields are extremely lacking compared to other island communities.

Canada is implementing Agenda2030 , United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The circle logo on the right is World Economic Forum who are the drivers of this global Agenda. We did not elect any of them. On gov. Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/agenda-2030.html Everything about the OCP is based on a human caused Climate emergency. But where is the evidence? Climate is and always has been changing. There have been extreme weather events throughout history long before the Industrial age. For example in Feb. 1898, the United States, Australia and New Zealand were all experiencing massive forest fires. Three million acres of the Carolinas burned in just a few hours – in the middle of winter. Later that year the northwest quadrant of Colorado was on fire. The Great Porcupine Fire of 1911 in Northern Ontario was devastating. There are so many examples. https://realclimate.science/#gsc.tab=0 This year many fires across Canada were human caused and a lot were arsons, yet the media called it all climate change. The push for electric vehicles is concerning as there is nothing clean about the manufacturing of these cars and the lithium batteries. In fact, none of the so-called renewable green energy is clean or efficient or recyclable, much worse than fossil fuels, which are still needed to build and run the renewables. Not to mention the cost, we are paying for all of this. The BC ferries are going electric, who asked us? The OCP is not mentioning any of these things will happen, but the language is the same as everywhere around the world where all this stuff is in progress. What China has is a social credit system. It really looks like that is where we are headed. We need to stop and think. Around the world smart cities are being implemented. Sometimes they’re called complete communities.

Incentivize retrofitting, modernizing, and densifying existing commercial and residential spaces, particularly in the uptown area, ahead of creating new residential & commercial space in the Somass lands. Use that land to create a climate resilient public space - a park with lots of shade, picnic and food truck areas, a restored estuary with access to swimming that provides cooling opportunities for all residents during inevitable heatwaves/domes, recreation opportunities (e.g. turf field, skateboard plaza, etc.). Let’s reimagine and reinvigorate the spaces that were the historic heart of Port, and use new opportunities like the somass lands for the public good rather than a money making opportunity for the highest bidder.

Look to capitalize on development within the city footprint before destroying more greenspace to build homes. Derelict buildings, empty homes and vacant parking lots exist side by side and we're actually considering destroying our local forests to increase our city's footprint? How can we even consider that path in the face of climate change? We need better use of our existing footprint including the greening of our drab and depressing cityscape.

It is possible that with the Burde street development, the city has simply gotten too excited and ahead of themselves over a project that people in the community very much disapprove of. It seems the community wants to be going in just about the exact *opposite* approach to this development, which makes this one seem utterly out of touch. Others have noticed that there is no scenario whose map shows the beaver pond area left alone. Even though feedback on this point has been consistent, there are signs the development keeps getting pushed along quietly, like there’s room for compromise or that that is an appropriate thing to expect in these particular circumstances. This is simply too audacious and nonsensical of a development to pursue, and the city needs to acknowledge that if the public wishes, the development will not be pursued further. Instead it is usually paternalistically framed as though citizens need to come to a compromise on a bad idea, that we are under some obligation to consent to at least some lower density development in the very same area we’ve recognized is grossly inappropriate for development. It seems we’re in this odd position where the people here in port have to keep repeating that, yes, indeed, we are serious about climate change, environmental and human wellbeing and we understand how these things are connected. Now we just need a city that will appreciate this and get to work creating truly exciting opportunities that align with our more authentic, healthy, and green community aspirations. Think climate corps community opportunities, supporting grassroots initiatives, green infrastructure programs at NIC, rewilding and restoring ecosystems to maximize our chance at climate resiliency. We should be a leading example for other communities wishing to break from the same old unsustainable, uninspiring, disconnecting, top-down approach to development.

There does not seem to be a choice that prevents further forest removal. There is a lot of space within the community that could be repurposed without more urban sprawl. Houses into could be updated or redeveloped. Old buildings could be replaced with condos or townhouses in the downtown core. There are a lot of empty parking lots that would be great for multi residence.

The beaver ponds are an amazing example of biodiversity in an urban environment. Any development near the ponds needs to be far enough away to preserve this area.

The social, recreational, and health benefits of the green spaces located within City boundaries at the periphery of existing neighborhoods should not be overlooked. These easily accessible areas are important and utilized by all demographics of the community at all times of the year. Development of these areas should not occur until all other urban growth options within the City's already developed areas are exhausted.

Remodel the existing skateboard park and surrounding area into an all-wheel adventure facility. Renovate or rebuild the skatepark to be more accessible and promote skill development and advancement for all types of 'action' sports (skateboarding, bmx, scooters, etc.). Provide shade and cover for all-season use. Utilize the surrounding area to build a mountain bike skills/pump track. Numerous BC communities have recently invested in these new kinds of facilities (Cumberland, Nanaimo, Gabriola, Colwood, Victoria, Revelstoke, Fernie, Castlegar, Powell River, etc.) and they have been huge successes promoting active lifestyles, safe & inclusive spaces for all, and creating additional tourism opportunities.

Business as usual, with development of green space does not make sense when considering the emphasis on climate change adaptability throughout these documents. Preservation of greenspace and the environmental features within is critical to support existing neighborhoods both socially and environmentally. Developing greenspace further contributes to effects of climate change, whereas retention of urban forests, waterways and wetlands will help buffer effects of climate change. The OCP process should emphasize infill and redevelopment of the existing urban space.

Active Living and Sports/Recreation are an important part of Children's Development, How is the City going to support this? Currently our sports fields are neglected and poorly maintained.

Update bylaws and zoning to to allow for more small-scale urban/backyard agriculture. Create community garden spaces and support organizations that promote cooperative models of food production and distribution.

The city should adopt RAPR to ensure adequate measures are in place to protect sensitive aquatic habitats when considering development applications. RAPR has been adopted by many other municipalities in BC that are facing increasing development and population growth pressures (e.g. RDN, Langford, Sooke). As it seems the city is casually trying to move ahead with the Pacific Mayfair Estates development (seemingly contrary to public support for the project), they should do so in a way that lessens their blatant conflict of interest with taking action on the climate crisis and at least meets the provincial standard for protecting riparian and aquatic ecosystems in the face of impending development.

It's a terrible option for heating as it releases massive amounts of carbon compared to the energy gained and microparticles have a major impact on the health of the whole community. Most municipalities have already banned or limited wood heat. We need to catch up on this.

-Better transit -Better bike lanes -Incentives for E-Bike purchase -Plant more native species on our boulevards and parks -Better side walks for walking -Do not build more on Burde St -Support small/local business in our downtown core -More recycling/garbage containers downtown -Better support services for vulnerable population will lead to less folks living rough, will lead to less trash, less arson and more reason to feel good about living in Port Alberni and will overall make a better case for folks to care about their environment both close to home and far away.

We should fully engage with ways to become a resilient and climate friendly city. As others have pointed out, we need to be choosey; not every proposed development will be appropriately aligned with the community goals, and it is going to be okay to seek better options. We will waste resources and leave our community feeling disempowered, disregarded and precarious if we continue with a reckless, unsustainable status quo growth/development. Keep engaging with the community after the OCP so that we can build connections to each other and demonstrate our beautiful community identity— We want opportunities to be involved in making our community better, and we want to identify with changes made in our community. Without this, people in Port Alberni can feel taken advantage of, ignored, and ultimately resentful because of an intentional disconnect between their good-faith, consistently expressed public will and what is ultimately and disjointedly implemented in practice.