White Rock council defeats revised 2026 Official Community Plan amendment

In a chaotic meeting, White Rock city council rejected a revised 2026 Official Community Plan (OCP) amendment at third reading after a two‑hour public hearing. Councillor Anthony Manning, the author of the revision, had introduced changes after residents voiced concerns about increased density along North Bluff Road, west of High Street to Nichol Road, and east of Maccaud Park to Stayte Road.

Councillors Elaine Cheung, Christopher Trevelyan and Manning participated remotely, and the debate featured accusations of “flip‑flopping.” The provincial government continues to press the city to meet 20‑year housing targets; White Rock missed its deadline by seven months, raising fears of provincial intervention. Mayor Megan Knight warned that any alteration to form or density would require a new OCP amendment and another public hearing.

The council majority—Manning, Trevelyan, David Chesney and Susan Bains—voted to prepare a new version of the 2026 plan that omits the contested North Bluff areas, concentrating instead on the uptown district and transitional zones. The excluded areas will not be reconsidered during the forthcoming Marine Drive study.