The steering committee overseeing the updating of the Bergen area structure plan (ASP) has accepted the results of a survey conducted during a June 9 open house.
The updated plan's objectives include to “align its policies with the current municipal development plan, deliver the ASP structure plan on budget and on schedule, confirm and validate information collected during the planning process, and create an actionable, measurable and achievable plan.”
The plan area encompasses approximately 171 acres or 66 square miles south of Sundre. Once adopted by county council, the plan would replace the existing 2008 plan.
Land use and development objectives of the new plan include to “conserve agricultural land and support agricultural development”, “provide a complementary approach to land use planning within the plan area”, and to “identify commercial and industrial activities that support the surrounding land uses.”
Of the 40 people who attended the June 9 open house at the Bergen Community Centre, 15 filled out the survey, representing a response rate of 37.5 per cent.
The purpose of the survey was to get gather opinions on confined feeding operations, recreational vehicle camping, possible trail networks in the ASP area, and other things.
The survey featured eight questions aimed at seeking input, including the following:
• In your opinion should new or expanded confined feeding operations be supported in the ASP? All 15 respondents said no.
• In your opinion are there areas, if any that could have recreational vehicle campgrounds in the ASP? Fourteen of the 15 respondents said yes.
• Do you think limited private camping (personal use) could take place on private land? All 15 respondents said yes.
• In your opinion are there areas that could have a trail network in the ASP? Fourteen of the 15 respondents said yes.
• Should more or less subdivision and development be allowed within the Bergen Centre, yes or no. Eleven respondents said no.
• What do you think is an appropriate level of density for the proposed Bergen Centre? Eleven respondents said no additional density than already allowed under the municipal development plan.
Bergen resident Sally Banks attended last week's committee member in council chambers. In her survey comments, she said she does not want to see new or expanded confined feeding operations in the ASP area.
Regarding campgrounds, she said, in part, “We are not opposed to a small number of limited private camping (personal use) on private land – as long as the proper controls are in place, such as number of sites, length of stay, disposal of grey and black water etc.”
Regarding trail networks, she said, in part, “While we don't object to hiking or horseback trails we are adamantly opposed to quad trails. The users would bring unwanted noise, disruption and environmental problems to the community. Numerous places already exist for this purpose. Those same areas are now struggling with the resultant damage caused by this activity.”
The steering committee instructed administration to prepare a complete draft of the new ASP for consideration at the committee's Aug. 11 meeting.
A decision will be made at that time whether to hold another open house.
The ASP would need to be adopted by council to come into affect, when it would provide a guideline for future council decisions regarding land use in the area.
