The Swanson Lumber Road Area Plan is a key initiative that will help shape the future of one of Fort St. John’s designated urban development areas. This Area Plan acts as a more detailed extension of the City’s Official Community Plan (OCP), focusing specifically on the Swanson Lumber Road area, identified as Urban Development Area #8 in the OCP.

On June 22, 2024, City staff presented the draft Area Plan to Council at a Regular Council meeting. City Council read “Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 2597, 2024” for the first time and directed staff to forward the draft Area Plan to the Agricultural Land Commission for review and endorsement. This was done following the Council meeting.

In September 2024, upon invitation from the Agricultural Land Commission, City staff presented the draft Area Plan to the Agricultural Land Commission’s Executive for their consideration. The future vision for the Area Plan, developed with landowner input, was for an industrial park with a mix of heavy industrial, light industrial, and supporting commercial uses.

In late November 2024, the Agricultural Land Commission provided a written response to the Swanson Lumber Road Area Plan, stating that they will not endorse the Area Plan as presented to their Executive. This means that the Swanson Lumber Road Area Plan cannot proceed with adoption into the Official Community Plan and will remain in DRAFT form only. City staff presented the Agricultural Land Commission's response to Council in January 2025 for their information.

Next Steps

Currently, staff are updating Fort St. John’s Official Community Plan, which provides broad guidance for future land use planning and policy. As per the Local Government Act, the City must refer the Official Community Plan to the Agricultural Land Commission for review. No changes will be made to the DRAFT Area Plan during the Official Community Plan update. Further, the Area Plan will NOT be incorporated into the Official Community Plan at this time. Should there be any future work on the proposed DRAFT Swanson Lumber Road Area Plan, that will be conducted through a separate process.

Between March and November 2022, the City held 10 consultation meetings, including an open house, one-on-one meetings with landowners, and meetings with key partners, including First Nations, the Agricultural Land Commission, utility providers, transportation agencies, and the Peace River Regional District.

In mid-2023, City staff conducted meetings with the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) and land owners to continue shaping the vision for the Area Plan. These conversations led to revisions to the draft Swanson Lumber Road Area Plan that are consistent with the direction of the Official Community Plan and Industrial Land Strategy while also ensuring that it generally meets the supported direction of the ALC and land owners.

Staff have been working towards a revised area plan using the original Draft Swanson Lumber Road Area Plan and the feedback received during the referral period that is consistent with the direction of the Official Community Plan and Industrial Land Strategy while also ensuring that it generally meets the supported direction of the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC).

The City has refined the plan to ensure it reflects our city’s future growth needs while respecting the concerns and requirements of landowners. The plan sets a long-term vision for possible future development without immediate impact on properties. Landowners will remain unaffected in the coming years, though zoning bylaws may be adjusted to accommodate future growth, and growth may occur in the area.

The updated DRAFT Swanson Lumber Road Area Plan was presented to Council for information at the Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, June 10, 2024. On June 22, 2024, City staff presented the draft Swanson Lumber Road Area Plan to Council at a Regular Council meeting. City Council read the Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 2597, 2024, for the first time and directed staff to forward the draft Swanson Lumber Road Area Plan to the ALC for comment.