Rocky View County (RVC) is set to release its updated Langdon Area Structure Plan (ASP) draft at an open house on Sept. 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Sarah Thompson School gym. According to RVC Planner Meghan Norman, the event will reveal the draft policies for the ASP as well as the draft design guidelines for Centre Street.
“We are looking to get more feedback from residents, and we will also have an online comment form so people can continue to provide input until the end of October,” Norman said.
“We are looking at putting the plan into formal circulation by the end of September, and it will be circulated for four weeks. We are hoping to collect feedback and comments throughout this time.”
The existing ASP in Langdon was written in 1999 and according to Norman, hasn’t been updated since 2005. She added since the County Plan was adopted in 2013, the plan needs to be reviewed to ensure the policies within the ASP are aligning with the policies outlined in the County Plan.
“There’s also been development pressure in this area, since it’s growing quite rapidly,” she said.
“It’s important for us to push forward this project to make sure the ASP is up-to-date.”
While Norman said there will be many stakeholders and landowners present at the open house, she hopes to see more residents show up to offer feedback on the draft ASP. Previous public engagement opportunities were provided in January and June, but Norman said the number of residents attending has declined.
“That’s pretty typical for a process that goes on for about a year, but we are always hoping to get more residents who are willing to come out and provide their input,” she said.
Much of the feedback RVC has received from Langdon residents so far has been concerning the size of the hamlet, Norman said. Based on comments at their June open house, she said residents are hoping to see the population capped at 10,000 to 15,000 residents.
“I think they see that size as keeping with the rural identity and character of the community, which is something that is definitely important to folks living in that area,” she said.
“However, residents in Langdon have also expressed that they want some additional services. Once you see a population reach around 5,000 people, they have needs and wants for shops and services to be available, and that’s something we are trying to accommodate with this ASP.”
Non-residential development in the area is also important for RVC, Norman said. Bringing in commercial and industrial shops and services will help the County remain fiscally sustainable, according to Norman, by providing a balanced tax base.
“That’s something that’s really necessary when you are trying to provide a full-service community, which is what Langdon should be,” she said.
“Not only will these shops and services allow residents to get what they need without having to leave the community, it may also provide some employment opportunities for Langdon residents, as well.”
For more information on this project, visit rockyview.ca and search for Langdon Area Structure Plan, or attend the open house on Sept. 23.
