MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - The upcoming Olds-Didsbury Airport area structure plan (ASP) open house will include updated maps for height restrictions and noise exposure at the county-owned facility, as well as an opportunity for public input and comment, say officials.
Taking place at the county office and scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. on Jan. 16, the review will also include discussions on possible boundary expansions and future development at the airport, which is located just west of Highway 2A between Olds and Didsbury.
The $30,000 review was authorized by county council as part of the 2023 budget.
The original ASP for the airport was approved in August 2009, providing a framework for subdivisions and development at the airport.
The terms of reference for the review states that the “original ASP viewed the Olds-Didsbury Airport as a high-end air supported business park that included a wide variety of opportunities, such as charter/business flights, small cargo and just-in-time delivery for the oil and gas industry.”
The review aligns with the county’s current 2022-2027 economic development strategy with the objective to focus on business growth, business retention and expansion, as well business attractions.
The terms of reference for the ASP review include five key review topics:
• Review changes in land use and development since the adoption of the original ASP to identify appropriate future land uses, subdivision potential and density and ensure aerodrome standards have been met and are protected for the future development of the airport.
• Review the land use bylaw’s aerodrome protection zone’s height limitations and noise exposure projection for accuracy.
• Review the current runway configuration and potential future options for its expansion.
• Review options and limitations for servicing future development with the airport.
• Review the ASP compliance with the municipal development plan.
The review is being overseen by a steering committee comprised of one county councillor and six members of the community-at-large.
The committee’s responsibilities include providing broad policy direction and assisting to identify issues and opportunities with respect to the key topics, directing administration to draft ASP polices, and finalizing the review and making recommendations to council.
Mountain View County’s Reanne Pohl is involved with the ASP review. She says the county will be posting proposed changes to the Olds-Didsbury ASP, as well as related information, on the county’s website this week.
Land use bylaw review also ongoing
Meanwhile, the third and final open house for the county’s land use bylaw review project is scheduled for Jan. 8 at the Lone Pine Hall.
Previous open houses were held at the county office on Nov. 17 and the Bergen Community Centre on Dec. 7.
The goal of that review is to identify and provide amendments to the bylaw to ensure alignment of statutory plans polices and identify items requiring further review.
The bylaw itself is divided into various zoning districts, including agriculture, country residential, residential farmstead, local commercial, business park, heavy industry, aggregate extraction/processing, parks and conservation, institutional, educational and culture, airport, and direct control.
“The recommended changes to the land use bylaw are intended to provide clarification and clear interpretation when applicants apply and administration reviews applications,” said Jessica Ross, assistant director of planning and development services for Mountain View County.
Submissions as part of the land use bylaw review are being received until Feb. 5, 2024.
