The steering committee overseeing the updating of the Eagle Hill area structure plan (ASP) has passed a motion approving a vision statement for the plan.
The move came during the committee's March 13 meeting in council chambers.
First put in place in 1997, the ASP is being reviewed and updated by Mountain View County to bring it into line with the current municipal development plan and land use regulations.
The plan is used by Mountain View County as a guide when it comes to land use and other development.
The current plan area is bordered on the south by Twp. Rd. 334, on the north by the Red Deer County boundary, on the east by Rge. Rd. 43, and in the west by Rge. Rd 52 on the south and Rge. 42 on the north.
The ASP's vision statement is used to "formulate the long term planning goals, objectives and policies for the Eagle Valley area."
During a Feb. 27 public open house attendees were asked in a survey to state a preference for one of two proposed vision statements:
ï To have diversified, moderate and sustainable growth while maintaining a rich agricultural presence and history, while also respecting environmentally significant areas.
ï To protect and sustain the rural quality of life, the historical community sites, environmentally significant areas and the agricultural land within the Eagle Valley area structure plan boundaries. Agriculture will remain as the primary land use.
Seventy-four per cent of the 40 survey respondents said they preferred the second vision, which will now be added to the updated draft ASP, said county planner Geneva Chaudhary.
During the February open house respondents were also asked to state a preference for the amount of subdivision of land that they would support in the ASP area: first parcel out only (maximum of two land titles per quarter section); two parcels out (maximum of three land titles per quarter section); three parcels out (maximum of four land titles per quarter section).
Most respondents choose the first parcel out only option for both inside and outside the ASP area. The committee passed a motion to make that option part of the draft ASP, she said.
Another survey question asked respondents, "Why do you live in the Eagle Valley area?" Responses include "quiet, peaceful, rural lifestyle, born and raised here, farming area, good grass, community focus, minimal traffic, low population density, beautiful scenery, mountain view, wildlife, good water and recreation."
Another question asked: "How would you rate the 2017 ASP review working draft goals? The goals and responses include the following:
ï Goal: To ensure that agriculture remains as the dominant land use in the plan area and that alternative land use may be consider if they are compatible and supportive of the agriculture community.
Twenty-seven out of 35 said very important, six said important, one was neutral, and one said unimportant.
ï Goal: To ensure that environmentally sensitive areas are adequately protected from the negative impact of new development.
Twenty-eight out of 37 said very important, seven said important, two were neutral.
ï Goal: To ensure that existing ground water resources are protected from any negative impacts.
Thirty out of 38 said very important, five said important and three were neutral.
Respondents were asked to indicate the development types they would find suitable in the ASP area.
Top responses included riding arena, pet/animal veterinary clinic, greenhouse-plant nursery-tree farm, daycare services, and bed and breakfast.
Respondents were asked to indicate the development types they would not find suitable. Top answers included wind energy system, recreational resort, group home, campground, and small food-drug store.
The committee's next scheduled meeting is March 30 at 1:30 p.m. in council chambers.
The draft ASP will be presented to the public at an open house, a date for which has not been set.
