More than 60 people have attended the first open house for the proposed updated Highway 2-27 Mountain View County area structure plan (ASP).
The plan will guide planning and development on a 9,770 acre area of the county east of Olds, both west and east of Highway 2.
The plan is being updated to bring it into line with the county's new municipal development plan (MDP).
Held at the Olds Central Highlands Golf Course, the June 12 open house saw the steering committee overseeing the development of the plan present preliminary vision statements and goals.
Steering committee chairman Andy Sweetman said the committee is determined to put together an updated ASP that will benefit the plan area and the county at large. “We want to put a plan in place that helps everyone,” said Sweetman.
The plan sets out various designations for portions of the plan area, including agriculture, business, residential, cultural and tourism, highway commercial, local commercial and recreation.
A map outlining the various designations was also unveiled at the June 12 meeting.
The final ASP document itself will be formulated after public input is gathered through open houses, public surveys, and other means.
The steering committee's draft vision statement states the plan will be a “successful guide of planning and development within the ASP area, that conforms to the county's MDP (a plan governing all areas of the county) through the fostering of unique and innovative developments that respect the existing residents, developments, natural features and rural lifestyle in the area, maintain a high standard for design, provide a mutual benefit to all residents of the county and town, and are based on collaborative planning between the town and county.”
The steering committee has identified 10 principal goals of the plan:
• Develop a land use plan that will integrate complementary land uses with existing and future transportation, servicing and other infrastructure.
• Create an attractive and unique gateway to the Town of Olds.
• Encourage successful implementation of the plan that results in on-the-ground orderly development.
• Encourage new development that respects existing residents and development and benefits all county and town residents through employment, business and retail opportunities.
• Create opportunities for active modes of transportation (walking, cycling, etc.) with the plan area.
• Develop a plan with sustained commitment from county councils and ratepayers.
• Ensure implementation of the plan through the land use bylaw, the day-to-day subdivision and development processes, and other land use and service related programs of the county.
• Ensure the plan complies with the county's municipal development plan.
• Create a plan that is economically viable and sustainable over the long term.
Terrence Johnston is the senior development advisor at Prodev Limited, which owns the Netook Crossing Business Park at the intersection of Highway 2 and 27.
“You've basically reiterated the plan that was put in place previously,” Johnston said at the open house. “The difference is how is it going to be executed. How are you going to finance this thing?
“Dig a little deeper. Development in this area is more than a coloured map. It is a very complicated process. You need to talk to the town. You need to talk to the region.”
In an interview following the meeting, Johnston said county needs to “relook at the municipal development plan” before proceeding with the new Highway 2-27 area structure plan.
He said the county is “completely ignoring” a memorandum of agreement signed in 2007 between the county and the Town of Olds, an agreement that includes the development area east of Olds.
“In my view that is the critical flaw in everything they have been doing, including the MDP and this ASP review,” he said.
MVC councillor Al Kemmere, who sits on the committee, said the committee will not be fast-tracking the new ASP to have it completed before the October municipal election.
Attendees at the June 12 meeting were given an exit survey, which asked respondents to name the top three priorities for the plan (e.g. proposed land uses, features, amenities, roads, etc.).
The survey also asked respondents whether they were in agreement with the draft land use concept plan, and “Do you have any specific comments of suggestions about the draft land use concept plan.”
The survey will be posted on the county's website (www.mountainviewcounty.com), said MVC planner Tracey Connatty.
Chairman Sweetman says a follow-up open house will be held once the committee has had a chance to go over input gathered at the June 12 open house.
