Title
Appointment - 11:00 a.m. (30 mins.)
(Doug Olson, O2 Planning + Design)
Parkland County Environmental Conservation Master Plan
Proposed Motion
That Council accept the 2014 Parkland County Environmental Conservation Master Plan (ECMP) as information.
Body
Administration Recommendation
That Council accept the 2014 Parkland County Environmental Conservation Master Plan (ECMP) as information.
Purpose
The 2014 Parkland County Environmental Conservation Master Plan (ECMP) is being submitted to Council for final review and acceptance.
Summary
In August 2013, the County retained the services of O2 Planning + Design Inc., to undertake the Environmental Conservation Master Plan and Policy project. The project incorporates the following three project phases:
1. Phase 1 - updating the County's Environmental Conservation Master Plan (ECMP);
2. Phase 2 - updating the environmental section and principles for the rewrite of the Municipal Development Plan (MDP); and,
3. Phase 3 - updating and preparing new environmental policies, procedures and tools to protect and conserve the environment in Parkland County.
Administration presented a draft copy of the 2014 Environmental Conservation Master Plan to Council in March 2014 for their consideration. Since March, O2 Planning + Design and County Administration have revised the draft ECMP based on stakeholder feedback. Parkland County has also incorporated stakeholder comments from lake management groups including the Mayatan Lake Management Association (MLMA), and the Jackfish Lake Management Association (JLMA). The 2014 Environmental Conservation Master Plan is included as Attachment 1 - Final ECMP.
The 2014 Plan was posted on the County's website in early May 2014 for comment. This allowed stakeholders and the public adequate time to provide final comments associated with the revised Plan.
The 2014 Environmental Conservation Master Plan has identified environmentally significant areas (ESAs) from an objective scientific perspective. O2 Planning + Design, and County Administration have balanced this approach by incorporating stakeholder and resident feedback provided on individual ESA sites, and on the best management practices (BMPs) that were incorporated into the final 2014 Plan. A summary of the ECMP project to date, as well as key project (Phase 1) findings is included in Attachment 2 - ECMP Phase 1 findings and summary.
Public and stakeholder feedback was critical in helping the project consultant and County Administration finalize the 2014 Environmental Conservation Master Plan. A "What We Heard Summary" was prepared by the project consultants that outlines consultation findings. Most recent interactions between stakeholders (March - May 2014) have not been captured in the summary, but have been incorporated into the final ECMP document. The "What We Heard Summary" is included as Attachment 3 - What We Heard Summary. Public and stakeholder comments received in May 2014 are included in Attachment 4 - Public and stakeholder comments.
If accepted by Council , the 2014 Environmental Conservation Master Plan will guide the completion of Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the Environmental Conservation Master Plan and Policy Project. Acceptance by Council will also assist with the completion of the Community Sustainability & Development Plan (CSDP). Completion of all three ECMP project phases (project completion) is expected for September 2014.
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal/Staff Implications
The 2014 Parkland County Environmental Conservation Master Plan is being forward to Council for acceptance.
As identified above, the 2014 Environmental Conservation Master Plan will be a key plan that will guide the completion of the Community Sustainability & Development Plan (CSDP). The ECMP will also inform the future update to the Land Use Bylaw, and will assist staff when preparing and reviewing future area structure plans, lake use plans, outline plans and subdivision and development permit applications.
Financial Impact:
NA
Cost:
NA
Source of Funding:
NA
Alternate Motions:
Considerations for Alternative Motions include:
a) Council to not accept the 2014 Parkland County Environmental Conservation Master Plan.
If Council chooses not to approve the 2014 Environmental Conservation Master Plan, Administration requests direction on how to complete Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the Environmental Conservation Master Plan and Policy Project.
Attachments:
1. Final Environmental Conservation Master Plan (ECMP)
2. Administrative Report - ECMP Phase 1 findings and summary
3. What We Heard Summary
4. Public and stakeholder comments