The County Plan was presented to Rocky View County (RVC) council on Sept. 10 with administration recommending it be adopted without changes.
However, several councillors requested amendments be made.
As the highest-level municipal planning document, the County Plan will guide development in RVC for the next 10 to 12 years and suggests a moderate growth rate of 2.5 to three per cent of the region’s growth.
“The County Plan involved the most extensive, multi-prolonged and innovative public engagement process that RVC has ever embarked upon, rivaling or exceeding those processes undertaken in other municipalities in the region,” stated an administration report presented to council.
The report showed that County staff used public contact at community events, direct mail-outs, social media, newspaper advertisement, media releases, website and direct email to engage residents to determine how they’d like to see the County grow. In total, about 2,304 responses were gathered.
“The proposed plan represents a balanced approach to growth by weaving together the six key principles: growth and fiscal sustainability, environment, agriculture, rural communities, rural services and partnerships,” said RVC Senior Planner Richard Barss in his presentation to council, adding that past trends in housing and population, and future regional population projections were examined to determine the growth target.
As well, two public hearings held on June 25 and July 23, saw about 60 residents, developers and stakeholders express their thoughts either in favour or opposed and suggested amendments to the plan.
The report presented to council included administration’s rationale and evaluation of 47 common themes identified in speakers’ presentations to council during the public hearings.
A common concern of developers and large landowners was that growth targets and hamlet population targets be removed from the plan – a change that Councillor Greg Boehlke requested as an amendment to the plan.
RVC Senior Planner Richard Barss said in his presentation to council, the growth target is consistent with the feedback received from residents. Adopting a six per cent growth target, as identified in the 2009 Growth Management Strategy (a non-statutory document) would increase the County’s population by about 77,500 residents by 2026, versus 11,000 to 20,000 under the County Plan.
Another suggested amendment heard by developers and large landowners opposed to the current plan during the public hearing was the County shouldn’t direct growth to certain areas.
The County Plan identifies 17 areas for residential growth with hamlets having a maximum population target of about 10,000 residents. Identified areas for hamlet growth include Conrich, Harmoney and Langdon. Country residential developments include Greater Bragg Creek, Bearspaw, Balzac East and Cochrane North.
Barss told council that “directing growth to identified areas takes a proactive approach to planning, which allows the County to direct money, time and resources.”
“Proactive development allows for long-term transportation, water, wastewater, solid waste, amenity, and other soft service infrastructure planning such as trails, fire and protective services,” stated the County report.
Barss added reacting to random development proposals places the County in a ‘catch-up mode.’
Councillor Earl Solberg proposed an amendment to add highway business areas to Conrich and along Stoney Trail east at the intersection with Country Hills Boulevard. Councillor Lois Habberfield proposed including Balzac west as an identified area for hamlet growth.
Councillors deliberated for four hours on 10 proposed amendments. Five were defeated in a pre-vote by council, and the remaining five will be presented to council on Oct. 1 with administration’s evaluation of the implications if they’re added to the County Plan.
Councillor Liz Breakey said she is ready to accept the plan as it is.
“I think we have to give some credibility to the fact that we’ve listened to all of the last year of input and all of the documents that have been compiled, and the huge amount of effort that’s gone in and follow that direction.”
Councillor Al Sacuta suggested an amendment to include an existing highway business area along Highway 1A in Bearspaw in the plan, but said he is ready to accept administration’s recommendations and accept the document as it is.
“I don’t see anything that would cause me to go through all the pain of dealing with all of these little detailed amendments. I don’t think most of them are worth the paper they’re printed on.”
Barss told councillors that administration is required to report back to council on a yearly basis to see how the plan is working.
“This reporting mechanism provides the opportunity to review, give assessment and make changes … It is our professional opinion that the plan should be test-driven for a year prior to considering any amendments,” said Barss.
The five amendments to be considered by council on Oct. 1 are:
• To add a highway business are in Stoney Trail and Country Hills Boulevard.
• To add a highway business are in Conrich
• To add a highway business area on Highway 1A in Bearspaw.
• To include Balzac in a list of regional hamlets
• To include requests by Glenbow Provincial Park regarding development around the park.
