Municipal Development Plan & Land Use Bylaw Review

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Welcome to the Project Page for the Municipal Development Plan and Land Use Bylaw Review!


The County of Stettler No. 6 has started a review of our Municipal Development Plan (MDP) and Land Use Bylaw (LUB). The current MDP was adopted in 2009 and the current LUB in 2011 and much has changed over the past 10-15 years.



The MDP and LUB review is intended to assess the current policies and direction of the two documents to see how well they advance the future vision for the community. It is also intended to update the documents to reflect changes in planning legislation and development trends.


This page will be updated as the project progresses. Please check back from time to time to see:

  • updates on the project and where we are at in the process;
  • materials to review and comment on; and
  • notices about upcoming opportunities for your participation.

CURRENT INPUT OPPORTUNITY – Draft Update of Vision and Guiding Principles

One of the steps in the review process is to confirm the future vision for land use planning in the County. This is communicated through the vision statement and guiding principles found in the Municipal Development Plan. Based on feedback from the workshops in October 2024, a draft update of the vision statement and guiding principles has been created. The draft update is as follows:


Vision (Draft)

It is early October 2052, and, as another harvest comes off the fields, we reflect on our successes and our sense of optimism for the future of our community. We have grown our population in a slow, stable manner as more people seek to live in our beautiful rural setting. We have expanded our employment base to support livelihoods for our community. Businesses of many types and sizes thrive in our county. We have bolstered the public and commercial services needed for the personal well-being and development of our community members.

 

We are immensely proud of our rural roots and heritage. Our community enjoys wide open, visually stunning landscapes and the benefits of our wise stewardship of the land and natural capital. We take pride in our agricultural endeavors and contributions towards feeding the world. We provide a high quality of life and future full of opportunities for current and next generations.

 

Our path has been marked by both challenges and opportunities. Our long-range land use planning decisions have served us well and have been guided by the following principles:

 

 

Guiding Principles (Draft)

a) Protection and Support of Agricultural Uses

Agriculture is fundamental to the County’s identity as well as its economy. Use of existing agricultural lands for non-agricultural development must be selective and balanced with the need to accommodate non-agricultural uses that further other aspects of the County’s land use planning goals.

 

b) Preservation of Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Critical Ecological Functions

The County’s environmentally sensitive areas contribute to the County’s identity and many natural features provide a range of ecological services to sustain the land and community. Negative impacts on environmental resources should be minimized.

 

c) Land Use Compatibility

Ensure the intensity, scale, design and any anticipated effects of new use and development is compatible with existing, and future adjacent land uses.

 

d) Coordination of Infrastructure with Land Use

Ensure land use decisions consider the capacities of existing municipal infrastructure (roads, stormwater, water, and wastewater) or the ability to expand the infrastructure to accommodate any proposed use or intensity of use.  

 

e) Diversification of the Local Economy

Encourage, develop and be open to opportunities for land uses that generate employment and diversify the local economy.

 

f) Population Growth

Enhance opportunities to live in the County and encourage housing opportunities that offer a range of rural and recreational lifestyles.

 

g) Partnerships

Work cooperatively with the many agencies that interact with and serve the community to advance mutually beneficial outcomes.


Your Chance to Comment

The draft vision statement and guiding principles are a key part of the update. Your thoughts, comments and observations are welcome and would be greatly appreciated.

 

You can share your comments with the Steering Committee by using the comment form/box on the right-hand side of the page or sending an email to planreview@stettlercounty.ca


Background Report 

The attached Background Report provides information about the County that will be used to inform review process. It includes socio-economic information and an overview of key physical features in the County.

What is the Municipal Development Plan?

The MDP is an overall “blueprint” for making decisions about future development, growth patterns and land use in the County of Stettler. 

 

The MDP guides and directs future growth and development. It seeks to ensure that growth is orderly, economical and beneficial while balancing the environmental, social and economic needs and desires of the community.

It is visionary, strategic and long-term in its outlook and application. The MDP reflects the vision of County residents for the future (20 to 30 years from now) and identifies ways to achieve this vision.


Topics covered in the Municipal Development Plan include:

  • Preservation of farmland for agricultural purposes and support for agricultural uses;
  • Identification and protection of environmentally sensitive areas;
  • Compatibility of land uses and necessary mitigation of impacts;
  • Infrastructure expansion such as roads, railways, water and wastewater systems, storm water management, modern telecommunications;
  • Promotion of the diversification of the local economy;
  • Promoting growth and providing a range of housing options; and
  • Intermunicipal cooperation and collaboration with respect to land use planning matters.

You can view a copy of the current Municipal Development Plan here. 

What is the Land Use Bylaw?

The LUB regulates and controls the land use and development of the County by breaking the County into districts. Each district has its own policies and includes a list of permitted and discretionary uses that control the type of development that may exists within the district.

The LUB also establishes methods for decision making and decision authority regarding development and subdivision. All proposed development within the County needs to comply with the LUB provisions.


Topics covered in the Land Use Bylaw include:

  • Decision making authority;
  • Application requirements for development permits and subdivisions;
  • Permitted and discretionary land uses;
  • Parcel size requirements;
  • Environmental protection;
  • Setback distances;
  • Development conditions; and
  • Landscaping requirements.

You can view a copy of the current Land Use Bylaw here.

Who is leading the Process?

The County of Stettler No. 6 Council has appointed a Steering Committee to leading the process. Support will be provided by County Planning staff and Parkland Community Planning Services. The Steering Committee will review materials and provide direction throughout the process. This includes gathering public input on issues of importance for this project and providing feedback on any proposed changes to the MDP and LUB.

 

The Steering Committee members are:

  • James Nibourg, Councillor, Erskine South Warden Ward (403-741-9493 or jnibourg@stettlercounty.ca)
  • Ernie Gendre, Councillor, Stettler Ward (587-282-1644 or egendre@stettlercounty.ca)
  • Dave Grover, Councillor, Big Valley Ward (403-740-2973 or dgrover@stettlercounty.ca)
  • Blake Chapman, Citizen At-Large (403-742-3829 or bulls4u@xplornet.com)
  • Ross Scheerschmidt, Citizen At-Large (403-740-5930 or rscheer17@gmail.com)
  • Rob Somerville, Citizen At-Large (403-742-9474 or rsomer@agt.net)

 

You are welcome to share your thoughts about long term land use planning in the County by contacting the Steering Committee members. Emails sent to planreview@stettlercounty.ca go to all Steering Committee members.        

 

What is the Process for the Municipal Development Plan and Land Use Bylaw Review?

 

There are six broad stages in the review process that are expected to take place from now into early 2026. They are:

 

Stage 1        Project Start-Up, Issue Identification, Background Collection and Steering Committee Kick-off – this stage involves informing residents about the project through various methods, looking at key trends in development and land use changes since 2009, changes in Provincial legislation, economic conditions and statistics, municipal comparisons, and ideas about possible changes or issues that should be examined in more detail.

 

Stage 2        Vision Setting and Examining Possible Policy and Regulation Changes – this stage involves various community engagement opportunities to create a draft vision and the creation of various option papers to tackle some of the identified issues.

 

Stage 3        Community Review of Vision, Guiding Principles and Policy Ideas – this stage involves sharing the draft vision and guiding principles with the community, reviewing option papers, and engaging the public to receive comments and feedback.

 

Stage 4        Creating Draft MDP and LUB documents – the updated proposed Municipal Development Plan and Land Use Bylaw will be drafted. 

 

Stage 5        Community Review of Draft MDP and Draft LUB – this stage involves public review of the plans and public meetings to allow for feedback, discussions, revision, and recommendation to Council.

 

Stage 6        Consideration and Adoption by Council – this stage involves a public hearing on the revised plans, followed by Council’s consideration of adopting the updated Municipal Development Plan and Land Use Bylaw.

 

 

What stage is the process at?

The Municipal Development Plan and Land Use Bylaw Review Project is in Stage 2: Vision Setting and Examining Possible Policy and Regulation Changes. This stage is expected to be complete by March 2025.


How can I be involved?

There are several ways for you to participate in the MDP and LUB Review. The list of opportunities below will be updated as the project progresses. Please check back for updates.

 

Please take advantage of the following opportunities:

 

  • Review materials on the County website and submit comments (you can email, call, or visit);
  • Attend future open house and engagement sessions (not scheduled yet - details will be posted prior to event).

 

Materials to Review

More Information or Comments to Share?

For further information about the Municipal Development Plan and Land Use Bylaw Review Project, or to share your thoughts and comments please contact:

Craig Teal, RPP MCIP, Director of Planning & Development, County of Stettler No. 6

Email: planreview@stettlercounty.ca

Phone: 403-742-4441 extension 119