Every year since 2017, Lacombe County embarks on an annual review of the Municipal Development Plan and Land Use Bylaw to ensure these documents continue to support our community, as required by Municipal Development Plan Policy MUNI 8.3.2.
This year's review marks the County's five-year review since the documents were initially adopted in 2017, after multiple rounds of consultation with the community, including Lacombe County landowners, residents, and businesses.
WHAT IS THE MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN & LAND USE BYLAW?
Lacombe County's Municipal Development Plan is our community's vision for the future. It outlines a framework for how certain parts of the County can grow and develop into various compatible land uses while preserving all other lands for agriculture.
The County's Land Use Bylaw is the implementation tool of the Municipal Development Plan and places all land in the County into land use districts, outlining how development can occur in each district.
Combined, these two documents ensure community interests are protected; growth and development is safe and logical; and opportunities for development are provided at strategic locations while ensuring large tracts of agricultural lands elsewhere are protected for future generations.
THE ANNUAL REVIEW
The 5-Year Review of the Municipal Development Plan & Land Use Bylaw has been completed – see Attachment 1 (below). The Report addresses the findings broken down by each section, including a summary of what changes have occurred from 2017-2021 through each annual review, and further recommends changes as a result of the 2022 review. Following this, The Data compiles the monitoring matrix data reviewed from 2017-2022.
Back in 2017, the County committed itself to accountable and transparent decision-making and progress reporting on an annual basis. This allows the County to strive for continual improvement each year and ensures the documents are ‘living documents’, continuing to stay up-to-date with trends in land use planning, development pressures in the area, and the needs and desires of the local community.
The annual review gives us a ‘report card’ to evaluate how well we are doing in upholding the community’s vision established in 2017. The report card shows if a policy is on-track, or if updates are needed.
NEXT STEPS
When updates are identified to the documents, Lacombe County gives the public an opportunity to speak to Council about the proposed updates so public feedback can be incorporated.
The proposed bylaws for Municipal Development Plan and Land Use Bylaw updates will be presented to Council in April 2023, for consideration of First Reading. After First Reading, a Public Hearing will then be scheduled to give the public an opportunity to speak to Council about the proposed updates.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
If you have any questions please contact Cajun Paradis, Senior Planner with Lacombe County at 403-782-8389 or .