SILVERDALE NEIGHBOURHOOD ONE PLAN - District of Mission

2.0 SITE CONTEXT AND DESCRIPTION2.1 Community and Regional ContextThe District of Mission is located in the Fraser Valley RegionalDistrict, which also includes the Cities of Abbotsford and Chilliwack,the Districts of Kent and Hope, the Village of Harrison Hot Springs,and eight electoral areas. Historically, the FVRD has beencharacterised by rural life and farming; however, increasingpopulations throughout the Lower Mainland have resulted in rapidlygrowing urban centres. FVRD populations are forecasted to doublein the next 20 – 30 years. The FVRD aims to find a balance betweenprotecting green space, preserving agriculture land and heritage,and sustainable urban growth.Mission is situated on the slopes overlooking the Fraser River,bordered by the Coast Mountains to the north. The community isknown for its rich history, natural beauty, and rural living inproximity to Vancouver.The Urban Reserve contains a number of existing estate residentiallots as well as the existing Silverdale community which is designatedas suburban residential in the OCP. There is an existing activeschool, the Silverdale Community Hall, and the smaller Silverhill Hall.Three gas stations on Highway 7 (Lougheed Highway) provide theonly existing commercial outlets.Map 5: Fraser Valley Regional DistrictGreat views are common from the areaFVRDRegional Growth Strategy Goals1. Increase Transportation Choiceand Efficiency.2. Support and Enhance theAgricultural Sector.3. Manage Urban LandResponsibly.4. Develop a Network ofSustainable Communities.5. Protect the Natural Environmentand Promote EnvironmentalStewardship.6. Protect and Manage Rural andRecreational Lands.7. Achieve Sustainable EconomicGrowth.8. Manage Water, EnergyResources and WasteResponsibly.Source: Choices for our Future, FVRDRegional Growth Strategy, 2004Source: Choices for our Future, FVRD Regional Growth Strategy, 2004Silverdale Neighbourhood One Plan | DRAFT July 15, 2008 | 13