Strathcona County development process
Published on December 8, 2004
Concern about development was the single most frequent concern that I heard during the recent municipal elections. There is a feeling, at least in Ward 6, that residential growth is uncontrolled and that planning is either poor or non-existent. Residents often feel that changes to their neighbourhoods are out of their control.
Growth can offer benefits. There is usually an influx of new ideas, new skills, new prosperity and best of all some great new neighbours. Nevertheless, residential development imposes enormous pressures on a rural community. There are environmental costs: sewage disposal, destruction of habitat or farmland, noise, light and vehicle pollution. There are social costs associated with increased population density: crime, alienation, traffic and loss of rural tranquility.
Above all, new subdivisions are expensive. They require increased services and infrastructure, roads, schools, transportation, recreation facilities, policing and utilities. While operating costs may eventually be recovered, at least to some extent, from new property taxes, capital costs never are and must be largely funded by the existing rate base. In short, we all subsidise new residential development.
The decision to permit new development is not random. Council, retains control of the process and is empowered to halt it at any stage should the development not be in the best interests of the community.
Strathcona is fortunate to have the support of a sophisticated and professional planning function to look after our interests. These folks ensure that each development application is thoroughly and impartially reviewed for its potential impact.
The Municipal Government Act requires a Municipal Development Plan to establish polices related to land use throughout the entire municipality. An Area Concept Plan is required for an overall development. This document is an overview of future roads, lots, utilities and other infrastructure proposed for the area. An Area Structure Plan serves a similar purpose for areas approximately one quarter section in size. Finally, the Land Use Bylaw defines specifically how each parcel of land may be used.
Each of these must be ratified by bylaw so that ultimately it is Council that decides whether a development will proceed and not the planners, though they often take the heat for unpopular planning decisions.
If you have concerns about the rate or type of development planned for your neighbourhood, contact your Councillor. S/he has been elected to represent your interests and may be counted on to advocate your views and those of your neighbours.
Alan Dunn
Councillor, Ward 6
780-464-8206
dunn@strathcona.ab.ca
Last updated: Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Page ID: 2083