City Seeks Community Input on Proposed OCP Amendment for New Fire Hall

November 14, 2025

The City of Fernie is proposing amendments to the Official Community Plan (OCP) to change the designation of a portion of Prentice Park (1500–5th Ave) from “Park” to “Institutional,” and to add “Fernie Fire Hall” as a key use under “Institutional” to enable construction of the new Fernie Fire Hall on this site.

The City of Fernie’s current Official Community Plan was adopted in 2014. While work is underway on a new, updated OCP to guide Fernie’s long-term future, any land use or zoning amendments to the existing OCP must follow legislated public notice requirements and include opportunities for consultation.

The selected site for the new Fire Hall (a portion of 1500–5th Ave) is currently designated as “Park” in Schedule B: Land Use Designations and recognized as “Park” in Schedule D: Parks, Trails, Facilities and Open Space Network. As a result, amendments to both the OCP and Zoning Bylaw are required before construction can proceed.

While the OCP is largely silent on fire halls, Section 4-B states that the City should “maintain and improve fire and life safety.” This direction supports the need for a modern fire hall, despite the OCP’s age and the changing standards since its adoption.

Public Input Opportunity

As part of the required early consultation, residents are invited to review the proposed OCP amendments and provide feedback through a comment form.

2025-11-12 RFD Early and Ongoing Consultation for OCP Amendments RE Prentice Park Fire Hall

Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2231, Amendment Bylaw No. 2535, 2025

Zoning Bylaw No. 1750, Amendment Bylaw 2536, 2025

The form is available from November 14 to November 24, 2025, on Let’s Talk Fernie, with paper copies also available at City Hall. All submissions (including the participant’s name, community of residence, and comment) will be accepted online or in person at City Hall and be made available to the public for review upon request.

What’s Next

A summary of all input received will be presented for Council’s consideration at the December 9, 2025 Regular Council Meeting.
If the amendment bylaws receive first and second readings at that meeting, a Public Hearing will be held in January 2026.