Municipal Development Plan Completion
Published January 31, 2007
On February 6, 2007, Strathcona County will begin public hearings with a view to completing and making into law the 2007 Municipal Development Plan. Here are the changes in direction that have been made since the last public involvement this past summer.
The issue causing this to take so long is one of the less urgent aspects covered by the MDP: the location of a new growth node. Whether we need another growth node or not depends upon one's vision for the County and whether one believes that the added cost to the taxpayer is going to be worth it. Be that as it may, the decision to establish a new growth node has been made; there is little point in revisiting that discussion.
In August 2006, Draft 2 of the MDP was made public. Among other things, this version acknowledged two principal growth node finalists: the Colchester area North of Hwy 14 and the East of Hwy 21 region North of Hwy 16. As both have advantages and disadvantages, it was proposed to engage the University of British Columbia, an impartial third party, to help in making the final selection. This would have meant making a decision between the two choices after the MDP was finalized.
Subsequently, it became clear that some members of Council were prepared to delay the MDP until this decision is made. For this reason, administration will bring forward a version of the MDP with a firm selection of the growth node. Fortunately, the proposed study work had not yet been started so that there was no wasted work or funds.
An up-to-date MPD is crucial to the future of this municipality. The need is made urgent by the relentless growth pressures of the current boom. Many folks wish to make significant life decisions and feel unable to do so until planning decisions associated with the MDP have been finalized.
Strathcona's new MDP is not only a significant improvement over what we have now, it is also a pioneering document that raises the bar for municipal planning not just in Alberta but throughout the country. It would be intolerable to put it and future development at risk through further delay. We invite your participation at these public hearings and look forward to a prompt, decisive completion of this important work.
Alan Dunn
Councillor, Ward 6
780-464-8206
dunn@strathcona.ab.ca
Last updated: Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Page ID: 2082