The second open house for the proposed update of the Eagle Valley area structure plan (ASP) has been scheduled for the end of the month.
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 a land-use framework used by the county as a guide for subdivision and development in the Eagle Valley area northeast of Sundre.
The plan area is bordered on the south by Twp. Rd. 334, on the north at 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. Rd. 42 on the north.
The update is being overseen by a steering committee made up of county councillors and appointed members of the public. To date, the committee has held more than a dozen meetings.
The draft of the updated ASP includes a number of changes from the original ASP, according to information provided by the county last week.
One change would be the addition of a new Dark Night Sky Policy, which states: “Where on-site illumination is required, efforts should be made to design and position lighting that supports maintaining a dark night sky. Lighting for security and safety should be provided by low mast, lower wattage standards. When possible, lighting should be powered by solar energy.”
The ASP area is divided into three policy areas: Red Deer River Corridor Area, Environmental Area Overlay, and Low Density Area.
The plan would allow no new or expanded confined feeding operations in the Red Deer River Corridor Area, or in the Environmental Area Overlay or Low Density area if the operation is of a size or intensity that activates the provisions of the Alberta Agricultural Operations Practises Act.
The draft ASP also states that “native vegetation should be undisturbed and any tree clearing should be kept to a minimum. Heavy grazing and cultivation should be avoided in the Red Deer River Corridor Area as these activities reduce the attractiveness of the area for wildlife. Where grazing is already existing, riparian fencing should be considered.”
It also states that, “due to the extensive petroleum infrastructure and sensitivity of area water wells, new applications for extraction or processing of sand and gravel are not supported within the plan area.”
In June county administration requested that council ask the committee to hold a second open house as soon as possible so that staff resources could be allocated to other requirements such as the development of the inter-municipal agreements.
“One of the three county organizational priorities for 2018-2019 is statutory and policy framework as identified in the county’s strategic plan,” administration said in a briefing note to council.
“Planning and development’s capacity is focused and shifting towards the reviews of the existing five intermunicipal development plans and the development of five IDPs over the next two years.”
That same month a letter was sent to the committee asking for a second open house to be held as soon as possible.
A survey conducted during the first open house for the plan in 2017 saw respondents asked to indicate the development types they would find suitable in the plan area.
Top responses included riding arena, pet/animal veterinary clinic, greenhouse-plant nursery-tree farm, daycare services, and bed and breakfast.
Respondents were also 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.
Another survey question asked respondents, “Why do you live in the Eagle Valley area?” Responses included “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.”
The second open house for the plan is scheduled for Jan. 29 at the Eagle Hill Memorial Community Centre from 6 to 8 p.m., with a presentation at 7 p.m.
Adoption of the updated area structure plan would require a motion of council.
More information on the ASP is available on the county’s website.
