The City’s sustainability plan, AirdrieONE has made it to the two-year mark and City staff are looking to the next steps to implement strategies and principles to maintain a sustainable community.
The AirdrieONE Sustainability Plan was implemented in 2012 and is a set of guiding principles developed by citizens and community leaders to establish the shared vision of what Airdrie should look like in the future.
Amanda Ginn, Airdrie sustainability coordinator, presented the findings from the past two years, while highlighting some successes and shortcomings, and asked for council’s endorsement of the implementation of the plan.
According to Ginn’s report, residents still place a high priority on Airdrie maintaining its small-town feel, having a walkable community, high-quality recreation facilities and protecting Nose Creek and green spaces.
“We’ve introduced a number of sustainability initiatives in the past two years,” said Ginn.
“From our stormwater and drainage plan, to solar light fixtures in Chinook Winds Park and the soon-to-be rolled out curbside organics pick-up.”
Leaving room for nature is a high priority in the AirdrieONE Sustainability Plan and must be kept in mind with respect to future development, according to Ginn.
“When planning for our newly annexed lands, we have to be making sure that our Municipal Development Plan is aligning with AirdrieONE,” said Ginn.
2015 has been slated as the kick off of a community engagement process that will take the implementation of AirdrieONE to its next step by having City staff and residents sharing in the responsibility of the plan.
“We want to invite groups and members of the public to be a part of this process,” said Ginn. “This will allow us to stay in tune with emerging trends and I’d recommend shifting from updates every two years to yearly meetings.”
Alderman Kelly Hegg spoke in support of AirdrieONE and suggested an amendment to have City staff and council meet to discuss the sustainability plan twice a year.
“This plan is really the Bible of our organization,” said Hegg.
“I would ask that our Economic Development department to prepare a report and maybe we establish a schedule for bi-annual progress reports.”
Council voted unanimously in favour of Hegg’s motion for bi-annual meetings, while agreeing with Ginn’s recommendations to conduct internal reviews and ensure that AirdrieONE is adhered to in City and council decisions.
