A Mountain View County survey of residents in the county's Wessex district around Carstairs has identified, among other things, community support for future low-impact commercial development.
The survey was conducted for the steering committee overseeing the formulation of the Wessex area structure plan (ASP).
The ASP will act as a guideline for county council in areas such as future business, industrial and residential development. The Wessex ASP is one of several such plans being formulated or updated across the county to bring them into line with the countywide municipal development plan.
Twenty-two people responded to the survey, representing 29 per cent of the total surveys send out.
The survey asked recipients to rate their support of residential development density, residential types, economic development, and community and recreation.
County planner Tracey Connatty presented the survey results to the steering committee at its Oct. 28 meeting.
“Upon review of the tabulated answers the community is generally supportive of low-impact development with support for local community future development,” said Connatty.
“The community has identified a higher level of support for single-family dwellings within this area. In relation to community and recreation development the community seeks to have a desire for development of day use parks and multi-use trail system within the plan area.”
The specific survey results are as follows:
• residential development density – low density four title/quarter (number of respondents, from not supportive to very supportive): 7, 2, 3, 4, 5
• first parcel out: 6, 2, 2, 2, 7.
• medium density 5-10 lots/quarter: 10, 2, 5, 1, 2.
• medium density 5-15 lots/quarter: 11, 3, 1, 1, 5.
• high density 16-48 lots/quarter: 11, 2, 0, 0, 6.
• residential types – mobile homes: 7, 3, 2, 4, 6.
• townhouses: 7, 3, 2, 4, 5.
• secondary suites: 6, 3, 5, 3, 4.
• single-family dwelling: 0, 0, 3, 4, 14.
• seniors' community: 2, 3, 1, 5, 8.
• economic development – local commercial: 2, 0, 6, 4, 9.
• business park: 6, 3, 0, 4, 7.
• heavy industry: 9, 1, 2, 3, 4.
• parks and recreation: 4, 3, 4, 5, 0.
• day use park: 2, 7, 1, 5, 6.
• equestrian centre private/available to public: 6, 2, 1, 7, 5.
• campground: 6, 3, 4, 4, 3.
• walking/biking trail system: 6, 2, 5, 7, 0.
• cross-county skiing: 4, 5, 4, 1, 5.
“In relation to the placement of different levels of residential development intermunicipal development plan indicates lands within the urban fringe and referral area to be protected for the future growth of the town,” she said.
The steering committee will meet again on Nov. 25.
