The public is invited to attend a hearing for the proposed Rocky View County and Calgary Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP), Sept. 6.
The hearing will take place at 1:30 p.m. at the County administration office, located at 911- 32 Ave. N.E., Calgary.
“If there are things you like in the plan… or if there is something that really bugs you about it, it is a chance for council to hear directly,” said Neil Younger, City of Calgary senior planner.
The proposed plan, which has been more than three years in the making, provides an opportunity for coordination and collaboration on projects within a defined area on either side of the municipal borders. It also provides a process for dispute resolution.
However, it won’t take precedence over area structure plans or the County’s Municipal Development Plan.
“It will be a good companion plan to use to ensure we are creating the best communities we can,” said county planner Kyra McCardle.
Calgary and Rocky View share nearly 116 kilometres of borders, and the IDP addresses about 1.6 kilometres of the land immediately adjacent to those borders, according to McCardle.
That area does extend further in a couple of potential growth areas in both the southeast and northwest portions of the county, where it is possible Calgary may grow in the future, added McCardle.
The plan, which replaces the existing, approximately 13-year-old IDP, had input from Rocky View and Calgary staff members, landowners, developers and special interest groups.
In addition, two open houses were held last November to gain public input.
Public sentiment on the proposed plan, only the third Calgary has undertaken, has been generally positive, said Younger.
“People are very happy with the plan,” he said. “They really want to see… Calgary and Rocky View continuing to get along. The plan is intended to build on some existing strengths we already have as well as identify some areas where we can (better) work together.”
The IDP’s goals are to ensure development makes sense for residents on both sides of the borders, limit conflicts in land use and ensure road and other infrastructure works for both municipalities.
More importantly, said McCardle, the plan will help open the lines of communication between the municipalities and ensure they stay open.
Younger agreed.
“It is a working plan… it focuses as much on the relationship of the municipalities as opposed to (merely) physical infrastructure,” he said. “This isn’t the end of a conversation, this is the beginning of a lot of new conversations.”
Calgary council will consider the plan for approval on Sept. 12.
For more information, or to view the proposed plan, visit www.municipalink.ca
