Title
Acheson Industrial Area Structure Plan Project - Introduction and Status Update
Proposed Motion
That the Committee of the Whole receive the Acheson Industrial Area Structure Plan Project update for information, as presented.
Body
Administration Recommendation
Administration supports the proposed motion, as presented.
Purpose
To provide the Committee of the Whole with an introductory summary and project status update regarding the Acheson Industrial Area Structure Plan review, for information.
Summary
The Acheson Industrial Area Structure Plan (ASP) provides the land use planning framework for future development of the Acheson area. The current ASP was adopted in 2014, with the goal to review and update every five years. In that time, the County has adopted a new Municipal Development Plan Bylaw 2017-14, providing strategic policy direction for Major Employment Areas. Additionally, the Acheson Industrial area continues to develop at a more accelerated rate than originally contemplated in the current ASP, highlighting a need to open up more lands for development within the Plan area.
The Acheson Industrial ASP Project will be completed in two phases; Phase 1: Administrative Updates and Phase 2: Agricultural Area B Land Use Study and Land Redesignation. Phase 1 will include a review of the existing ASP to identify and address policy gaps. It will include an update of all maps and figures based on current environmental, servicing, land use and transportation data. The ASP will also be converted to the County's new ASP template, reflecting the County's modernized branding. Phase 2 will include a market study and planning analysis for the Agricultural Area B lands (approximately 800 acres - see Attachment 2 - Agricultural Area B) within the Plan area. A future land use concept for these lands will be developed, opening up more land inventory for future development to support the ongoing growth of the Acheson Industrial Area.
External stakeholder engagement will occur as part of both phases, with Phase 2 engagement anticipated to be more extensive due to the change of land use designation.
See Attachment 1 - Administrative Report for a detailed description of each project phase.
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal/Staff Implications:
The Acheson Industrial ASP Project will be drafted to conform to Municipal Development Plan 2017-14 and will support the strategic pillars of Strategic Economic Diversification, Responsible Leadership, Respected Environment, and Complete Communities as outlined in Council's Long Term Strategic Plan.
Financial Impact:
Cost: $0
Source of Funding: N/A