June 12, Rocky View County launched a new County Plan project with the start of a project completion countdown clock in the County lobby.

Residents are invited to take part in Phase 1 of the project by completing an online “priorities survey,” one of many tools for engaging County residents in developing a new County Plan to guide development and services in Rocky View for roughly the next 10 years. Additional participation opportunities will be available in subsequent phases of the project beginning in September of this year.

The new County Plan will help Council and staff set priorities and make decisions on transportation, the environment, housing, agriculture, and many other development questions. In addition, it will provide guidance on the nature and level of community services provided by the County.

The new County Plan will not be developed in isolation but will emerge through consultation with affected stakeholders, agencies and technical experts. What's key is a large amount of resident input will be gathered to shape the future of Rocky View as a rural community.

“It is time we had an up-to-date master plan to reflect the current concerns and priorities of citizens in Rocky View County,” says Reeve Rolly Ashdown. “We look forward to setting a new path for the future, while preserving the unique characteristics that make the county such a great place to live.”

This summer, County ambassadors will be out at various events and gathering places asking residents to participate in the priorities survey (also available on the Rocky View County website and in paper form) and to keep residents apprised of upcoming engagement activities.

Richard Barss, Senior Planner, commented on what the Plan represents for his team.

Reeve Rolly Ashdown participated in the County Plan launch by saying a few words to mark the occasion, and starting a countdown clock which will rotate in the administration lobby until the completion of the project on June 11, 2013.

Reeve Ashdown looks ahead at what the plan is intent on accomplishing.

County Reeve Rolly Ashdown and Amy Zaluski complete the survey.

BACKGROUND

1.   What is the County Plan?

The County Plan is the County’s highest level planning document. It provides comprehensive goals, policies, programs, and projects that will guide the County’s future development and services for the next 10 years.

The County Plan will help Council and staff set priorities and make decisions on transportation, the environment, housing, agriculture, and many other development questions. In addition, it will provide guidance on the nature and level of community services provided by the County.

The County Plan implements the vision for the County: Rocky View is an inviting, thriving, and sustainable County that balances agriculture with diverse residential, recreational and business opportunities.

2.   Why do we need a County Plan?

The Municipal Government Act (Section 632) requires all municipalities with a population of 3500, or more, to adopt a County Plan or a Municipal Development Plan as they are formally called.

Our current County Plan was adopted in 1998 and was based on earlier plans. It is time for the County to up-date its master plan to reflect the concerns and priorities of today’s residents. A new County Plan sets a path for the future, while preserving what is best and most unique about the County.

3.   What will the County Plan address?

The Municipal Government Act requires the County Plan to address future land use and growth (e.g. residential, agriculture and industrial), municipal infrastructure, public facilities (e.g. schools and parks) and agriculture. It also allows the County Plan to address environmental and social matters, the County’s finances and economic development of the County.

A suggested structure and topic areas for the County Plan has been developed, but the final structure and content of the Plan will be responsive to public input and the public engagement process.

4.   How will the County Plan be used?

The County Plan creates high level goals, policies, and actions. It will be used by Council to guide decision making for approximately the next 10 years by:

·      contributing to the formation of strategic planning

·      providing development guidance where there are no existing local plans

·      establishing a framework for managing growth pressure and setting overall development priorities

·      providing direction on the level and types of community service

The County Plan will provide broad policy and direction for action. The County Plan will not pre-determine specific land uses or address local planning concerns and priorities. These matters are dealt with by local community plans such as an Area Structure Plan or Conceptual Scheme plans.