Airdrie City council has approved a new tool to standardize the process of identifying environmentally-significant areas and how these features will affect development.
The new Biophysical Inventory and Biophysical Impact Assessment Framework, adopted by council at a meeting April 1, will be used by administration during long-range planning and development application processes.
“The framework provides clear and consistent guidelines for identifying and mitigating potential environmental impacts associated with development,” said Jessica Sleeman, parks development co-ordinator with the City. “It also increases transparency and efficiency relating to the City’s review and approval process for biophysical reports.”
According to Sleeman’s report, the framework will help reduce the impact of development on the natural environment, ensuring these features are protected and sensitively integrated into the City’s open space system.