Mountain View County councillors are scheduled to review proposed new terms of reference for an updated Bearberry-Red Deer River corridor area structure plan.
The plan is being updated to bring it into alignment with the county's municipal development plan, which is an overriding document for the entire county.
The terms coming before council on Jan. 8 also include terms for a new steering committee.
The existing plan, which was adopted in 2003, covers an area of northwest Mountain View County west of the Town of Sundre. The plan area is bound by Clearwater County, the Red Deer River and the northern extension of Rge. Rd. 63 from the intersection of Highway 584 to the county boundary. The plan area encompasses approximately 194.8 square kilometres.
Like other area structure plans in the county, the Bearberry plan is a tool used by the municipality for ongoing community planning. It provides "long-term perspective for the development and use of land, and in doing so considers factors related to social equity, economic opportunity, and environmental protection.î
It also provides a "locally-specific policy framework that is coordinated with the overall goals, objectives, and policies of the county.î
Under the proposed new terms of reference, the updated plan's land use and development objectives would include the following:
ï conserve agricultural land and support agricultural development.
ï provide a complementary approach to land use planning with the plan area.
ï identify commercial and industrial activities that support the surrounding land uses.
ï address environmental protection and preservation.
ï establish clear direction for allocating anticipated future growth.
ï ensure the rural way of life and long-term interest of the plan area are supported and respected.
ï accommodate the various needs of the population from the surrounding area.
Sustainability objectives of the updated plan would include the incorporation of "agricultural preservation interests set out in the municipal development plan.î
Work is ongoing on the formation and update of a number of other area structure plans in the county, including the Highway 2-27 ASP and the Bergen ASP.
