The first draft of the proposed new Highway 2-27 area structure plan is scheduled to be presented to the committee overseeing development of the plan on Jan. 14, said director of planning John Rusling.
The draft was originally scheduled to come before the committee in December, but was delayed after inclement weather forced cancellation of the scheduled committee meeting.
The plan may be made public once seen by the committee, he said.
Area structure plans (ASP) set out various designations for the plan area, including agriculture, business, residential, cultural and tourism, highway commercial, local commercial and recreation.
The plan is being developed to replace the existing ASP, which was adopted by council in 2007. The new plan must comply with the county-wide municipal development plan (MDP), which was adopted in 2012.
The current ASP area stretches from the eastern boundary of the Town of Olds to one mile east of the intersection of highways 2 and 27; north to south it takes in most of the land between Twp. Rd. 332 on the north and Twp. Rd. 324 on the south side.
Objectives outlined in the terms of reference for the new plan include "to achieve the orderly, economical and beneficial development, use of land and patterns of human settlementî, "without infringing on the rights of individuals for any public interest except to the extent that is necessary for the overall greater public interest.î
The objectives of the terms of reference include "incorporating modern ëbest practice' land use and development standards, prepared regulation and requirements for the efficient management of land use and future development.î
The steering committee has identified 10 principal goals of the plan, including to "develop a land use plan that will integrate complementary land uses with existing and future transportation, servicing and other infrastructureî and "encourage successful implementation of the plan that results in on-the-ground orderly development.î
The 2-27 ASP area is considered a special policy area under the county's MDP.
According to the MDP the intent of the special policy area is that subdivision and development "proceed in a phased and coordinated manner. It is the county's intent that development be allowed in a manner that is fiscally responsible, environmentally sound and preserves the area's valuable agricultural lands.î
