The draft Red Deer County Municipal Development Plan (MDP) is heading for the final steps to being passed by council.First reading was scheduled for Oct. 16 according to Cynthia Cvik, director of planning and development for the county.“It's being circulated right now,” she said.At the Oct. 16 meeting, council will set a time for a public hearing for any final input from the community.Cvik said the staff recommendation is for it to be scheduled for Nov. 20, but the final decision will be up to council.The public has the option to speak at the hearing or submit comments ahead of time. Cvik said submitted written comments should be directed to the planning department.The MDP bylaw will have to pass three readings before it goes into effect.According to the Red Deer County website, “the purpose of the MDP is to guide the future growth and development of Red Deer County in an orderly, economical and sustainable way.”Cvik said the last MDP was passed in 2007.“They're usually 20-25 year plans,” she said, however they're normally reviewed every five years.For public wanting to check out the current draft version, it's available online at www.rdcountyvision.ca, at the following libraries: Bowden, Delburne, Elnora, Innisfail, Penhold, Spruce View, Sylvan Lake or at the Red Deer County Centre.The MDP review and drafting process started in 2011. Cvik said 83 people attended initial consultations last October.More community sessions were held in May for comments on the draft.Comments from those sessions were compiled and are also available on the website for those that want to see what the public input was.The draft MDP contains policies on everything from agriculture to environmental stewardship to waste management.One of the main themes of the plan is emphasizing the priority of agriculture.“We're reconfirming that we are an agricultural community,” Cvik said.
