New amendments are being brought forward to the Intermunicipal Development Plan for Red Deer County and the City of Red Deer that will slow the process of annexing land to the city.Started by both councils in 2007, the development plan, created for land-use planning between the two municipalities, had unrealistic timelines, said Div. 6 Coun. George Gerhke.ìI've been trying to get this amended for a number of years,î he said during Tuesday's council meeting. ìThis is a welcome amendment for me and a step in the right direction for the IDP.îGerhke proposed changes during the annual review in August 2010.The amount of land to be annexed to the city was too much for the proposed timeline of 2017, he argued.In December, discussion on the IDP was brought up again, with councillors voicing their concerns, and newly elected members had a chance to ask questions.Last week, council agreed to the amendments and directed administration to come back with the changes and allow for first reading.Since the IDP was established, the city has annexed 55 quarter sections, increasing its land area by 50 per cent. The remaining 234 quarter sections, according to the current IDP, should be annexed by 2017.Due to slower than anticipated growth, the amended IDP will eliminate the timetable for annexation.The two municipalities still need to determine policies to guide future annexation.Administration said they need time to determine the minimum and maximum amount of land that is to be maintained within the city to ensure proper growth ñ something that will take time to figure out.ìWe recognize that this is a working document,î Mayor Jim Wood said last week. ìThis kind of intermunicipal co-operation is crucial so that both municipalities benefit over time.îOther changes include creating a website for both municipalities to provide information about initiatives and planning. As well, council has asked for a protocol for public consultation. The process will include a public open house.Council voted unanimously in favour for the changes. Div. 3 Coun. Penny Archibald was absent.
