A revised County Plan will be made public later this month.
During a presentation to council on April 30, Richard Barss, the County’s project manager, said the plan should be complete by May 24 and come before council for first reading May 28.
The process to update the municipal development plan, dubbed the County Plan, began last year.
The document was last updated in 1998 and is in need of review and updates, according to previous staff reports.
The new plan will provide direction for the next 10 years.
Since June 2012, a series of workshops and online surveys have been available to the public. Last month, the County released its draft County Plan and asked for feedback.
Barss is now using the feedback he collected to make changes to the draft and will bring it to council May 28. An open house will be held the following day, May 29 and a public hearing will be held June 25.
Barss told council changes will have to be made to the Land Use Bylaw in order to implement the County Plan.
These changes include the size of parcels to allow for the subdivision of agriculture first parcel out, an update of definitions to ensure consistency between the County Plan and the Land Use Bylaw and formally recognizing the Master Site Development Plans and County Policy as development planning tools.
Council accepted Barss’ report as information.
The County is moving forward on a cost-share initiative with six other groups to find a drainage solution for the areas surrounding the Western Irrigation District, headquartered in Strathmore.
A staff report presented to council April 30, explains development from the surrounding regions is causing storm drainage problems — in Rocky View, the problems are occurring in the 84 Street industrial corridor and the Conrich area.
Council voted unanimously to sign a memorandum of agreement to create an effective stormwater plan.
The other partners include the Western Irrigation District, the Calgary Regional Partnership, Chestermere Utilities Incorporated, the City of Calgary, the Town of Strathmore and Wheatland County.
The next step is hiring an engineering consultant to survey the area and provide possible options at a cost of $300,000.
In a staff report presented to council, it explains the partnership will look for grant money but until the funding is supplied, each group is asked to front $50,000; something which is included within the County’s 2013 budget.
Council set May 28 as the day to approve a new servicing agreement that will help guide low-impact development.
The bylaw was first presented to council in March but was tabled after a number of councillors expressed their desire to have more time to review the 300-page document.
As well, a request from Urban Developments Institute (UDI), one of the parties involved in the review, was made during the March meeting for more time to review and provide feedback.
The current servicing standards guide was developed in 1997 and hasn’t been revised since 2003, according to the March 5 staff report. The standards are out of date and no longer reflect County-development standards, the report continues.
The document includes information on drawing requirements, clarity with regards to geotechnical testing requirements, formal inclusion of traffic impact assessments, wastewater, water and stormwater requirements and servicing standards for low-impact development.
Council unanimously approved $800,000 in funding for five regional facilities.
The County supplies funding for the Airdrie Group of Amenities, Chestermere Regional Community Association, Spray Lakes Sawmills Family Sports Centre in Cochrane and the Springbank Park for All Seasons to assist with funding needs for the year such as a new waterline.The money comes from the County’s Community Recreation Funding model.
The groups received the following funds:
• The City of Airdrie: $155, 192 as per the joint recreation cost sharing agreement.
• Chestermere Regional Community Association: $147,490 for lifecycle replacement needs.
• Spray Lake Sawmills Recreation Park Society: $98,350 for lifecycle replacements as well.
• Springbank Park for All Season: $320,000 for operational and program needs and an additional $80,000 for new waterline in collaboration with Rocky View Schools.
