Mountain View County council has received the 2018 municipal development plan (MDP) report. The plan guides development across the municipality.
The move came during the recent regularly scheduled council meeting.
Adopted in 2012, the document is reviewed annually to “ensure the effectiveness of the plan’s key policies and to ensure that development meets the objectives of the plan,” administration said in a briefing note to council.
The 2018 - Year 6 report covers the period from August 2017 to July 2018.
“Generally, the policies of the MDP are being complied with while economic development is exploring new uses through business, agri-tourism,” the note states.
“The review of the MDP in 2019 may alter development potential as agricultural preservation areas, potential multi-lot areas, environmentally significant areas, concentrated confined feeding operations area, and growth centres will be reviewed.”
The plan calls for minimizing the loss of agricultural land in the municipality.
According to the report, the total number of acres subdivided was 1,245.10 acres for all lands.
“This is a substantial increase from previous years and is primarily comprised of 1,095.96 acres of agricultural subdivisions. The increase is attributed to reducing residential subdivision and creating additional agricultural parcels that encompass existing farming practices over 40 acres in size.
“Compared to Year 1, land subdivided for agricultural subdivision increased by 218.57 acres.”
Agricultural subdivisions of more than 40 acres have decreased in average size over the previous year, the report states.
“However, there is interest to maintain 70 to 80 acre parcel sizes to create two equal parcels within a quarter section. Certain features such as water bodies or road widenings prevent an even 80/80 acre split.
“Less than 40 acre agricultural subdivisions are typically designed based on characteristics of what defines a fragment and the area of land that is physically separated from the balance of the quarter section.
“Year 6 experienced a decrease in residential subdivisions being received and approved, while agricultural subdivisions increased for both, signaling that both preferences for agricultural subdivision and larger agricultural parcels are being applied for and approved. Those efforts support agricultural preservation throughout the county.”
There were 53 agricultural preservation area development permits for dwellings issued in the reporting period, 13 for potential multi-lot areas, and 23 for growth centres, for a total of 87. That compares with 87 in 2017 and 69 in 2016.
In the economic development and growth area section, there were 14 development permits for business uses and home occupations issued within growth centres, and two in the highway economic growth nodes.
There were a total of 39 development permits for business uses and home occupations issued in the reporting period, representing a 56 per cent increase over the previous year.
“On a regional scale, the county is working with the Towns of Carstairs, Didsbury, Olds, Sundre and the Village of Cremona to review and update existing inter-municipal development plans,” the report states.
“The outcome will ensure the continued application of effective land use policies that respect the economic growth initiatives of rural and urban development.”
Regarding inter-municipal development plans (IDP), the report states, in part, that, “As required by the Municipal Government Act, all municipalities must have an IDP with adjacent municipalities. The county currently has IDPs with the Town of Carstairs, Didsbury, Olds, Sundre and the Village of Cremona that are being reviewed and updated. New IDPs will be established with the MD of Bighorn, Clearwater County, Kneehill County, Red Deer County, and Rocky View County.”
