Title
Municipal Development Plan 2013 - Terms of Reference and Public Engagement Plan.
Proposed Motion(s)
That Council approve the Terms of Reference and Public Engagement Plan for updating Municipal Development Plan Bylaw 37-2007.
Body
Administration Recommendation(s)
Administration supports the Proposed Motion.
Purpose
The Municipal Development Plan (MDP) Terms of Reference and Public Engagement Plan will provide guidance for updating the County's Municipal Development Plan Bylaw 37-2007.
Summary
Parkland County's Municipal Development Plan Bylaw No. 37-2007 is over eight (8) years old. The Plan no longer aligns with recently updated provincial legislation including the Alberta Land Stewardship Act (ALSA), the Capital Region Growth Plan (CRGP), and other provincial regulations. As such, the MDP needs to be updated to properly align with these acts and regulations as is required. Changing development patterns in the County, including an increase in industrial growth (Acheson), and decreased demand for multi-parcel residential development also warrants a review of the MDP. Council has, as part of the MDP review, also requested the moratorium on redistricting agricultural districted (AGG) lands to country residential (CR) lands also be reviewed.
The MDP will create a long-term plan for Parkland County that should guide future growth and development for the next 5 to 10 years.
The Terms of Reference (TOR) outlines an approximate three year process that will be followed to develop a new Municipal Development Plan (MDP) for the County. As a part of the MDP rewrite, Administration has also developed a Public Engagement Plan that will ensure that the MDP process and final document engages residents and stakeholders in an inclusive and participatory manner.
The public engagement plans outlines, in detail, how residents and stakeholders will be engaged throughout all phases of the MDP update. The Public Engagement Plan also outlines the proposed methods to engage residents and stakeholders, as well as a tentative timeline for engagement. Administration will ensure that residents from all County divisions are afforded an equal opportunity to be engaged in developing the new MDP.
Administration is recommending that the TOR and the Public Engagement Plan be approved by Council so that the MDP process can proceed. Administration proposes to officially begin the MDP rewrite process in January 2014.
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal/Staff Implications (As Required)
As per Section 632(1) of the Municipal Government Act, all municipalities with a population of over 3,500 or more must adopt a Municipal Development Plan. Best practices used by Alberta municipalities identify five (5) years as a standard timeframe for reviewing a municipal development plan. Updating MDP Bylaw 37-2007 will ensure Parkland County remains compliant with Municipal Government Act Section 632(1), and that the MDP reflects changing County development patterns.
The Planning & Development Department will coordinate the completion of the new MDP. The Senior Long Range Planner will act as the Project Coordinator.
Financial Impact:
Development of the new Municipal Development Plan will be funded through the Planning & Development Services yearly operational budget.
Cost:
Administration estimates a cost of approximately $785,000 to complete a new Municipal Development Plan. This cost includes estimated (internal) staff fees ($220,000) and external consultant fees ($565,000). External costs include the completion of three (3) major projects needed to complete the Municipal Development Plan. These include the Environmental Conservation Master Plan (ECMP) and Policy updates, the Community Scan and Analysis Report, and the completion of a fiscal impact analysis for residential and industrial development scenarios in Parkland County. Internal costs associated with facility and equipment rentals, advertising, and hosting of community (MDP) related events have not been factored into the final budget. These costs will be funded through Planning & Development's yearly operational budget.
Source of Funding:
All funding for the updated (new) MDP will be through the Planning & Development operating budget.
Alternate Motions:
1. Council can table approval of the MDP Terms of Reference and/or Public Engagement Plan and request additional information
2. Council could not approve the MDP Terms of Reference and/or the Public Engagement Plan.
Attachments:
1. Municipal Development Plan Terms of Reference
2. Municipal Development Plan Timelines
2. Public Engagement Plan