For Regular Council Meeting 2/8/2021 2:00:00 PM

THE TOWN OF OKOTOKS REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA

Monday, February 8, 2021

2:00 PM - In Camera Session (Closed to Public) 3:00 PM - via livestream

Pages

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

3. IN CAMERA ITEMS (At Council's discretion, this portion of the meeting may be closed to the public if a matter to be discussed is within one of the exceptions to disclosure in Division 2 of Part l of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act.)

3.1. Land Issue/Negotiation (FOIP s. 24(1)(g)) (verbal report)

3.2. Chief Administrative Officer's 2021 Performance Objectives (FOIP s. 17(2)(e))

4. DELEGATIONS / QUESTION PERIOD BY THE PUBLIC - 3:00 P.M. Requests to present live via remote access during this portion of the meeting can be made up until 12:00 noon the day of the Council Meeting. Written submissions for this portion of the meeting must be received no later than 12:00 noon the Wednesday prior to the Council Meeting.

5. MOTION(S) ARISING FROM IN CAMERA

6. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

6.1. Regular Council Meeting - January 25, 2021 4

7. CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S REPORT 14

8. BUSINESS

8.1. Urban Deer Task Force Quarterly Report 25 The third quarterly update from the Urban Deer Task Force is provided to Council for information.

8.2. Draft Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan 46 A final draft of the regional Growth Plan is provided for Council review. 2

8.3. Substitute Returning Officer Appointment 128 The appointment of a substitute returning officer for the 2021 Municipal Election is required by Council.

9. BYLAWS

9.1. Bylaw 12-20 - Road Closure 129 The purpose of Bylaw 12-20 is to close a portion of undeveloped government road allowance (2nd Street East) lying adjacent to Lot 1, Plan 001 2490 and Lot 2, Block 9, Plan 151 2944 to allow for the sale to adjacent landowners. This Bylaw is ready for second and third readings.

9.2. Bylaw 04-21 - Election Procedures Bylaw Amendment 143 The purpose of Bylaw 04-21 is to amend Election Procedures Bylaw 35- 20. This Bylaw is ready for three readings.

10. NOTICES OF MOTION

11. MOTIONS RE NOTICES

12. CORRESPONDENCE FOR ACTION

12.1. Candice Wyma, Fund Development Coordinator, Sheep River Health 154 Trust, Re: 2021 Funding Requests - January 26, 2021

13. COUNCILLOR INQUIRIES AND SUGGESTIONS

14. COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS

15. STATUTORY / NON-STATUTORY HEARING(S) - 7:00 P.M.

16. BYLAWS / BUSINESS RELATING TO HEARING(S)

17. RESPONSES TO COUNCILLOR INQUIRIES AND SUGGESTIONS

17.1. Mayor Robertson - Outdoor Ice Rink Fencing 159

17.2. Councillor Christophers - Website Email Addresses 160

17.3. Councillor Thorn - Outdoor Washrooms 161

17.4. Councillor Thorn - Recreational Fire Pits 162

18. CORRESPONDENCE FOR INFORMATION

18.1. Reeve Greg Sawchuk, Municipal District of Bonnyville No. 87, Re: Need 163 for a Stronger Western Canadian Muncial Advocate - January 20, 2021 3

18.2. Honourable Ric McIver, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Re: Minister's 165 Awards for Municipal Excellence - February 4, 2021

19. BOARD AND COMMITTEE MINUTES

19.1. Governance and Priorities Committee - January 18, 2021 167

19.2. Municipal Planning Commission - January 21, 2021 170

19.3. Okotoks Public Library Board - December 10, 2020 175

20. ADJOURNMENT 4

TOWN OF OKOTOKS UNADOPTED MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2021 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE

COUNCIL PRESENT Mayor Robertson (arrived at 2:10 p.m.) Councillor Christophers Councillor Heemeryck Councillor Rockley Councillor Sands Councillor Thorn Councillor Watrin

STAFF PRESENT Elaine Vincent, Chief Administrative Officer Janice Storch, Legislative Services Administrator

1. CALL TO ORDER

Deputy Mayor Sands called the meeting to order and provided a traditional land acknowledgement at 2:07 p.m.

2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

MOTION 21.C.31 By Councillor Watrin That the agenda for the January 25, 2021 Regular Council Meeting be adopted as presented. Carried Unanimously Mayor Robertson absent

UNADOPTED COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 25, 2021 PAGE 2 of 10

3. IN CAMERA ITEMS

MOTION 21.C.32 By Councillor Heemeryck That the meeting go In Camera as the matters to be discussed during this portion of the meeting are within one of the exceptions to disclosure in Division 2 of Part l of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act at 2:09 p.m. Carried Unanimously Mayor Robertson absent

3.1 Land Purchase (FOIP s. 16(1)(c), 24(1)(c)(g) and 25(1)(c))

In Attendance Mayor Robertson (arrived at 2:10 p.m. and assumed the Chair) Councillors Christophers, Heemeryck, Rockley, Sands, Thorn, and Watrin Chief Administrative Officer Elaine Vincent Finance & Systems Director Ralph Ettenauer Development Services Director Jeff Greene Community Services Director Susan Laurin Infrastructure & Operations Director Chris Radford Protective Services Director Kelly Stienwand Corporate & Strategic Services Director Nancy Weigel Legislative & Policy Services Manager Cathy Duplessis Engineering Manager Jeremy Huet Information Technology Support Analyst Trevor Laboucane Legislative Services Administrator Patty Huber Legislative Services Administrator Janice Storch

3.2 Chief Administrative Officer's 2021 Performance Objectives/Priorities (FOIP s. 17(2)(e))

In Attendance Mayor Robertson Councillors Christophers, Heemeryck, Rockley, Sands, Thorn, and Watrin Chief Administrative Officer Elaine Vincent

MOTION 21.C.33 By Councillor Thorn That the meeting come out of In Camera at 2:53 p.m. Carried Unanimously

Break at 2:54 p.m. Reconvene at 3:03 p.m.

UNADOPTED COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 25, 2021 PAGE 3 of 10

5. MOTION(S) ARISING FROM IN CAMERA

MOTION 21.C.34 By Councillor Thorn That the purchase of land, in the amount indicated within In Camera report 3.1, for the purpose of water storage to support the proposed regional water pipeline project, be approved. Source of Funds: Capital Off-Site Levy Water Reserve Carried Unanimously

4. DELEGATIONS / QUESTION PERIOD BY THE PUBLIC

4.1 Royal Canadian Legion Branch #291 Okotoks

Malcolm Hughes, John MacCormack, and Bob McLeod, of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #291 Okotoks, were in attendance to present a cheque to the Town of Okotoks to assist with Phase 2 construction of the Salute to Veterans Wall.

4.2 Open-pit Coal Mining

Jayni Caldwell, Okotoks resident, was in attendance to provide her concerns regarding open-pit coal mining in Alberta.

6. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

6.1 Regular Council Meeting - January 11, 2021

MOTION 21.C.35 By Councillor Watrin That the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held January 11, 2021 be adopted as presented. Carried Unanimously

7. CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S REPORT

Elaine Vincent, Chief Administrative Officer, reviewed the report containing information from Corporate Support, Community Services, Corporate & Strategic Services, and Protective Services.

MOTION 21.C.36 By Councillor Rockley That the Chief Administrative Officer's Report for January 25, 2021 be received as information. Carried Unanimously

UNADOPTED COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 25, 2021 PAGE 4 of 10

8. BUSINESS

8.1 Affordable Housing Strategy Update

Jeff Greene, Development Services Director, reviewed the report containing the issue that the Affordable Housing Strategy Update is provided to Council for information. Lisa Moffat, Principal, Resilience Planning, was in attendance and responded to questions from Council.

MOTION 21.C.37 By Councillor Heemeryck That the Affordable Housing Strategy Update be received as information. Carried Unanimously

Break at 4:19 p.m. Reconvene at 4:32 p.m.

8.2 2020 Fee Waiver Requests Report

Susan Laurin, Community Services Director, reviewed the report containing the issue that the 2020 Fee Waiver Requests Report is provided to Council for information.

MOTION 21.C.38 By Councillor Sands That the 2020 Fee Waiver Requests Report be received as information. Carried Unanimously

8.3 2021 Capital Budget Amendments

Ralph Ettenauer, Finance & Systems Director, reviewed the report containing the issue that amendments to the 2021 Capital Budget are presented to Council for approval.

MOTION 21.C.39 By Councillor Sands That the 2021 Capital Budget be amended by increasing the approved budget for Project 47 - Fire Engine Replacement in the amount of $0.205M. Funding Source: Grants Carried Unanimously

MOTION 21.C.40 By Councillor Thorn That the 2021 Capital Budget be amended by adding a new project regarding the purchase of a used Waste Collection Truck in the amount of $0.080M. Funding Source: Waste Capital Reserve Carried Unanimously

UNADOPTED COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 25, 2021 PAGE 5 of 10

8.4 2020 Economic Development Update

Colleen Thome, Economic Development Manager, and Josh Welz, Economic Development Specialist, reviewed the report containing the issue that the 2020 Economic Development Implementation Plan Update and 2021/22 Action Plan are provided to Council for information.

MOTION 21.C.41 By Councillor Rockley That the 2020 Economic Development Implementation Plan Update and 2021/22 Action Plan be received as information. Carried Unanimously

8.5 Potential Additions to the 2018 - 2021 Strategic Priorities

Nancy Weigel, Corporate & Strategic Priorities Director, reviewed the report containing the issue that consideration is sought as to whether additional priorities should be added to the 2018 - 2021 Strategic Priorities list, noting Council is in the final year of its term.

MOTION 21.C.42 By Councillor Sands That no new priorities be added to the final year of the 2018 – 2021 Strategic Plan as recommended by the Governance and Priorities Committee. Carried

Break at 5:28 p.m. Reconvene at 6:20 p.m.

8.6 January 2021 Progress Report - 2018 - 2021 Strategic Plan

Christa Michailuck, Parks Manager, reviewed the report containing the issue that the 2018-2021 Strategic Plan Progress Report as of January 2021 is provided to Council for information.

MOTION 21.C.43 By Councillor Sands That the 2018-2021 Strategic Plan Progress Report be received as information. Carried Unanimously

UNADOPTED COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 25, 2021 PAGE 6 of 10

9. BYLAWS

9.1 Bylaw 06-21 - Municipal Development Plan Amendment

Amanda Brinda, Senior Planner, reviewed the report containing the issue that the purpose of Bylaw 06-21 is to amend Schedule ‘A’ of Bylaw 02-21 - Municipal Development Plan to ensure consistency in the wording regarding Zero Waste.

MOTION 21.C.44 By Councillor Watrin That Bylaw 06-21 be read a first time. Carried Unanimously

MOTION 21.C.45 By Councillor Rockley That Bylaw 06-21 be read a second time. Carried Unanimously

MOTION 21.C.46 By Councillor Sands That authorization be given to read Bylaw 06-21 a third time. Carried Unanimously

MOTION 21.C.47 By Councillor Christophers That Bylaw 06-21 be read a third time and passed. Carried Unanimously

10. NOTICES OF MOTION

10.1 Rescinding of the 1976 Coal Policy - Councillor Thorn

Councillor Thorn read the Rescinding of the 1976 Coal Policy Notice of Motion into the record.

MOTION 21.C.48 By Councillor Thorn That the notice period for the Notice of Motion be waived. Carried Unanimously

UNADOPTED COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 25, 2021 PAGE 7 of 10

11. MOTIONS RE NOTICES

11.1 Rescinding of the 1976 Coal Policy

MOTION 21.C.49 By Councillor Thorn WHEREAS in May 2020 the Alberta Government rescinded the 1976 Coal Policy without any broad based community consultation on potential impacts to the environment, water quality, water quantity and the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan Framework;

AND WHEREAS previously open-pit coal mines were banned on Category 2 lands, which included parts of the Rocky Mountains and foothills, and exploration and underground was limited in these areas. The area previously protected as Category 2 includes important headwaters that provide drinking water for millions of Albertans downstream;

AND WHERAS Okotoks must ensure that all planning and development are in line with the requirements of the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan. A key component of this plan is consultation if any amendments are made that impacts this Plan;

AND WHEREAS a focus for our Environmental Master Plan is environmental stewardship. Energy, air, land and water conservation are critical elements integrated into all planning and development projects;

AND WHEREAS the Sheep River is the primary source of water for our community of 30,000 people and we have made significant investments into infrastructure to ensure the highest quality of water for our residents and for release back into the stream for downstream users;

AND WHEREAS decisions of this magnitude should not be made without wide consultations with the groups that could irreversibly be affected by open pit coal mines;

AND WHEREAS recent amendments to the Municipal Government Act required that Municipal Governments implement a public participation policy. The Provincial Government is not held to the same level of accountability as the Municipalities they oversee yet we serve the same citizens;

AND WHEREAS water is a vital resource that is required to sustain life and it is already a strained resource in Southern Alberta any decisions made that may affect either quality or quantity should have a complete impact study completed;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Council directs our Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to draft a letter to Premier Jason Kenney, Minister

UNADOPTED COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 25, 2021 PAGE 8 of 10

of Environment, Minister of Energy, MLA, and entire UCP caucus for signature by the Mayor requesting:  An immediate rollback of the decision to rescind the 1976 Coal Policy.  A new and comprehensive consultation process on the desired changes to the 1976 Coal Policy.  A more thorough analysis of the local hydrological, environmental and economic impacts of any watershed changes  Further local public presentation and discussion to any further consideration or action regarding applications for open pit coal mining to the Alberta Energy Regulator;

AND FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that Council direct our CAO to draft a letter, for signature by the Mayor, to the President of Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA), Barry Morishita, requesting AUMA develop an advocacy strategy on this issue for a wholesome consultation process on any changes to the 1976 Coal Policy with a thorough analysis on the environmental impacts particularly to watersheds.

Mayor Robertson requested that the Deputy Mayor assume the Chair.

Deputy Mayor Sands assumed the Chair at 6:58 p.m. Carried

Mayor Robertson resumed the Chair at 7:06 p.m.

12. CORRESPONDENCE FOR ACTION None

UNADOPTED COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 25, 2021 PAGE 9 of 10

13. COUNCILLOR INQUIRIES AND SUGGESTIONS

Councillor Thorn provided information from a resident that the hours of operation posted on outdoor washrooms conflicts with the actual hours the washrooms are open, and inquired if this could be addressed.

Councillor Thorn inquired if enforcement regarding recreational fires could once again be relaxed to allow for recreational fires in front yards to support the recent easement of restrictions on outdoor gatherings by Alberta Health Services.

Councillor Christophers inquired regarding the publication of individual email addresses for Council Members on the Town’s website.

Mayor Robertson provided a suggestion that chain link fencing be used at the ends of the outdoor ice rink behind the Okotoks Recreation Centre to prevent hockey pucks from damaging vehicles parked nearby.

14. COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS

Mayor Robertson, Councillors Sands and Thorn reported on their activities since the last Council meeting.

15. STATUTORY / NON-STATUTORY HEARING(S) None

16. BYLAWS / BUSINESS RELATING TO HEARING(S) None

17. RESPONSES TO COUNCILLOR INQUIRIES AND SUGGESTIONS None

UNADOPTED COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 25, 2021 PAGE 10 of 10

18. CORRESPONDENCE FOR INFORMATION

18.1 Michelle Toombs, Marigold Library System CEO, Re: 2021 and 2022 Marigold Requisition - December 10, 2020 18.2 Marigold Library System, Re: Marigold Report - December 11, 2020 18.3 Ted Mills, Westwinds Communities, Re: 2020 Requisition - December 11, 2020

MOTION 21.C.50 By Councillor Watrin That correspondence items 18.1 to 18.3 be received as information. Carried Unanimously

19. BOARD AND COMMITTEE MINUTES

19.1 Family and Community Support Services Committee - January 12, 2021 19.2 United Way / Okotoks Partnership Committee - January 12, 2021 19.3 Urban Deer Task Force - January 14, 2021

MOTION 21.C.51 By Councillor Sands That the minutes of the Family and Community Support Services Committee dated January 12, 2021; the United Way / Okotoks Partnership Committee dated January 12, 2021; and the Urban Deer Task Force dated January 14, 2021 be received as information. Carried Unanimously

20. ADJOURNMENT

MOTION 21.C.52 By Councillor Christophers That the January 25, 2021 Regular Council Meeting adjourn at 7:26 p.m. Carried Unanimously

Council February 8, 2021

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S REPORT

CAO – CORPORATE SUPPORT

Public Participation Events

Event Date Paint-a-Potty Number two voting on designs: Feb. 8 (There have been over 400 responses) Nominations are now being accepted for Volunteer Feb 1 – 28 Leadership Awards. For more information go to okotoks.ca/volunteerawards

Additional details can be found at www.okotoks.ca in the Municipal Government / Public Participation Section

COMMUNITY SERVICES Attach.1 A summary of upcoming Programs & Events, Culture & Heritage, Environment & Sustainability activities, along with a list of outcomes from the previous week’s activities is attached. Attach.2-3 Community Wellness Volunteerism creates a vibrant community and Council is encouraged to promote a great opportunity to recognize the outstanding youth and adult volunteers in our community. This is the twenty-sixth year of the Okotoks Volunteer Leadership Awards. The awards are planned through a partnership of the Town of Okotoks Volunteer Services, The Okotoks Western Wheel and the Okotoks Rotary Club. The awards celebrate leadership and excellence through volunteer service. There are 3 Leaders of Tomorrow awards for youth and one for the Heart of Okotoks. All nominations will receive a certificate of recognition and award recipients will be honoured during National Volunteer Week (April 18- 24, 2021). More information can be found at www.okotoks.ca/volunteerawards or on the attached poster.

CORPORATE & STRATEGIC SERVICES

Communications The Town has received a number of awards for communication projects completed in 2020.

The 2019 Annual Report received a platinum MARCOM award in the annual report category and the website refresh received an Honourable Mention.

MarCom Awards honours excellence in marketing and communication while recognizing the creativity, hard work and generosity of industry professionals. Each year about 6,000 print and digital entries are submitted from dozens of countries.

A number of videos that we have produced have also been recognized with AVA Digital Awards.

The augmented reality video created for the available land in the Okotoks business park received a platinum award. As well, the Okotoks News Year eve virtual event, the Okotoks Stronger Together campaign and the Waste Services Safety videos, completed in 2019, all received gold awards; the Okotoks virtual Light-up celebration received an honourable mention.

The AVA digital awards is an international competition that recognizes excellence by creative professionals for the planning, concept, direction, design and production of digital communication.

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

Wayfinding Update The survey closed on January 31, and the What we Heard report is being developed. An update will be provided upon completion.

PROTECTIVE SERVICES

RCMP Annual Performance Plan Administration is currently working with the RCMP to advance their Annual Performance Plan (APP) for 2021 / 2022. K-Division Leadership has required their Detachment Commanders to conduct external community scans to ensure communities have a voice in setting annual performance objectives. Okotoks Detachment Commander Zane Semaniuk is currently working with the Town’s Communications Team to ensure alignment with our public communications processes. This years’ consultation will involve engaging our Citizens Panel which includes representation from a cross section of our citizens and business community. Key public safety priorities will be reviewed to ensure continued alignment with community needs. In addition, the RCMP have engaged our community’s youth to gather their important voice as well as an internal scan of their front line Officers. The 16 results of this community consultation will be included in a report to the Governance and Priorities Committee March 15, where additional consideration will take place to ensure the RCMP APP is reflective of the Town’s public safety priorities.

Protective Services is also supporting our communities need for outdoor recreation by relaxing enforcement related to front yard fire pits. Typically an offense under our Fire Services Bylaw (10-17), our Fire Chief feels that during current winter conditions, and with some careful due diligence, front yard fires properly managed do not pose a significant risk and will support the important social fabric needs of our community. Our Chief reminds us that fires need to be contained in an approved fire pit, under supervision of an adult and kept at least 2 meters from any structure or combustibles. Further information on fire pit safety can be found on our website. https://www.okotoks.ca/your-services/public-safety/fire-services/fire-codes-permits- inspections

Prepared by: Elaine Vincent Chief Administrative Officer February 04, 2021

Summary of Upcoming Events

Okotoks Stronger Together campaign – social engagement The #OkotoksStrongerTogether campaign has been running since the start of the COVID-19 crisis to help build the social fabric of Okotoks, unite the community, create connections, and showcase positive stories in the community. In summer 2020, the campaign was extended in a second phase to build on the momentum that has already been created.

As social engagement continues to be a priority amid the ongoing pandemic, existing and upcoming social engagement programs and initiatives are being promoted under the umbrella #OkotoksStrongerTogether. By uniting these programs, Okotokians can find information on how to get involved in their community and sign up in one place (Okotoks.ca/StrongerTogether – under development). This will help to showcase the ‘people’ side of the pandemic, create more opportunities for social connections and encourage greater participation and neighbourhood connectivity in a long term, sustainable way. COVID-19 social supports and resources will continue to be hosted separately on the COVID-19 supports page.

Current programs being promoted under #OkotoksStrongerTogether:

Community Champion Program:

Get to know your neighbours, stay connected and celebrate safely through the Community Champion Program.

This program provides residents who sign up with a fun toolkit filled with tools, ideas and resources to reach out to their neighbours and build social connections. It allows residents to share their enthusiasm for their community, get to know those around them, and help create a safer, more connected and resilient community. This program is currently underway.

Gift It Forward:

Gift It Forward allows Okotokians to recognize those in the community who are helping others and promoting a positive community environment with a surprise gift bag as a way of saying thank you.

Residents can apply to receive a kit and are encouraged to Gift It Forward to individuals, families or groups that are making a difference. This program is being launched on February 8, 2021. 18

Kindness Currency:

Kindness Currency creates an opportunity to highlight and foster positivity, share good news stories and thank Okotokians for their acts of kindness through a series of monthly videos.

Residents are encouraged to nominate people and organizations in Okotoks based on the acts of kindness they have performed to help strengthen our community. Throughout 2021, the Town will share a new themed video every month highlighting one of the nominees and sharing their story. Nominees will receive a Kindness Currency sticker to display, have the opportunity to be featured in the monthly videos, and nominees and their nominators will be entered into prize draws. This program is being launched ahead of Family Day.

ACTIVITY INSTRUCTOR/ DATE & TIME PLATFORM FEATURING Culture & Heritage Activities Paint-a-Potty Number II In partnership Voting closes The Town of Okotoks Culture & Heritage and Parks Services and the Foothills with Foothills Feb 8 at Composite High School / Alberta High School of Fine Arts (FCHS/AHSFA) launched Composite/ 4 pm Paint-a-Potty Number 2 this January, where students design and paint murals on Alberta High some of the Town’s outdoor concrete washrooms. School of the 2021 Contest: To vote for your favorite designs go to Okotoks.ca/pap. Voting will Arts close Feb. 8 at 4 p.m. 2019 Results: https://www.okotoks.ca/your-community/culture-heritage/whats- Sponsored by happening-calendar/paint-potty the Calgary Foundation Exhibition Tour: Twyla Feb 5 at Uploaded to Town of Okotoks YouTube channel and posted to Culture & Heritage Exner 10 am Facebook page. Virtual Culture: Alberta Janifer Calvez Feb 6 at Zoom platform: Skies with Janifer Calvez 10 am Uploaded to Town of Okotoks YouTube channel after the live program. Modern Watercolours Ashley Feb 13 at Zoom platform. Link provided to class participants. Online Gaboury 10:30 am Faces Places | Art House Feb 16 https://www.okotoks.ca/your-community/living-okotoks/community-event- Film Series 7-9 pm calendar/faces-places-art-house-film-series If current Provincial Restrictions are still in effect, this event will be moved to later in the year 19

RPAC@Home Concert Feb 17 Join us for the RPAC @ Home concert series, featuring local artists bringing live Series: Jack & the 7-8 pm entertainment from our RPAC stage to your living room! Beanstalk; Goodger Pink All concerts/events will be live streamed and are available for residents to access on the Town’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/townofokotoks/videos Colourful Canines Ashley Feb 27 at Zoom platform. Link provided to class participants. Gaboury 10 am Programs & Events Activities Winter Programs All fitness courses with registrations are currently available to participants on line. The Power of Choice – a support program is permitted to run in person and is being hosted at the Southside Programs building. OSAC The Out of School care program is full and unable to take additional children due to the ratios and AHS established maximum cohorts. On-Line Programming Communications are working with Programs and Events to maximize access to on-line programming – especially for the over 55’s – through messaging and shorts clips with instructors and participants. On-line Links to Links to seasonal activities are posted on social media for easy reference and Children’s activities download. From Winter activities to Valentine’s Day and Family Day fun – a variety of activities are easily accessible. Winter Walk Day Feb 3 February 3 was Winter Walk day. This year we were not able to utilize the Pason Challenge walking track – however, anyone using the hashtag #OkotoksWinterWalkDay to showcase their activities could enter to win a prize. Power of Choice On-going Counselling continues to be an approved in-person program during COVID. The Power of Choice is a support program that promotes choosing how you feel facilitated by Bill Law, a local counsellor. To gain insight into what this program has meant to participants he asked current participants to provide feedback on the program and what it means to community members who require mental health support. Following is a quote provided by a resident of Okotoks and participant in the Power of Choice

“Please express my sincere gratitude for the past and ongoing support from the Town of Okotoks. This mental health support has been a valuable component to my increased mental wellness over the past several years. I would like to acknowledge the significance the process group and Bill's acumen continues to play in overall community health. Access to varied and affordable mental health options continues to be an advantage to living in this community. With gratitude”

Environment & Sustainability Soil Health 101 Online Mike Dorian Feb 16 Join the Town of Okotoks in partnership with the Okotoks Gardening Club to learn Webinar 7-8:30 pm all about soil! Learn from Mike Dorion about soil basics, how you can minimize soil disturbance, and alternative fertilizers to use to keep your soil healthy. https://www.okotoks.ca/your-community/living-okotoks/community-event- calendar/soil-health-101-sustainability Community Wellness Adopt a Sidewalk Throughout Residents who need support can contact the Okotoks Family Resource Centre to Program the winter be matched to a volunteer, and residents interested in volunteering can contact the Volunteer Resource Centre. Project SOS: Share Our Oct 1 – Seniors living in Foothills Communities are invited to share a story about a Stories Spring 2021 difficult time they faced and how they got through it. All stories collected will be publicly exhibited on the Town’s website in 2021.

OUTCOMES

Community Champion Program 39 Community Champion Kits have been handed out. Community Champions are participating in weekly challenges. Anecdotal feedback from participants is very positive and participants have been finding innovative and fun ways to connect with their neighbours.

Okotoks Interagency 26 participants attended the January 27, 2021 Interagency Meeting. Some of the highlights and positives of 2020 were discussed at the meeting, with many agencies sharing the benefits they have seen from offering programming virtually. Many agencies intend to maintain a blended model of in-person and virtual programs as restrictions ease.

Social supports over the holidays From Dec. 1 – Feb. 1, there have been 117 social media posts promoting social supports, community wellness programs, resources and promoting a positive mindset. This has resulted in a reach of 126,086 (number of people who have seen the posts) and 5,370 engagements (number of times people have liked, commented or shared our posts).

Culture & Heritage OAG Members show Stats, 2020: From June 17 to December 12, the OAG hosted the “Stronger Together,” and “Spirit of Christmas,” art shows, which were open for participation to any artist with an OAG membership. “Stronger Together” ran from June 17 to October 31, and “Spirit of Christmas” ran from November 13 to December 12. From June to mid-December, these shows had gross sales of $19,188.85. The OAG's commission was $4797.21, leaving a total of $14,391.64 paid to the artists. 663 items were sold in total at the two shows, including 524 consignment items made by the artists. 65 artists took part in the shows, 24 of whom were new artists who purchased an OAG membership 21 solely for the purpose of participating in the two shows. 57 artists sold at least one item (88% of participating artists). The OAG currently has 81 members in total, 56% of whom live in Okotoks.

Arts Education Programing update: As part of the Town of Okotoks Culture & Heritage Virtual Culture series sponsored by the Okotoks Art Council, local artist Ashley Gaboury hosted a live wolf painting demonstration on Saturday, January 23rd. To promote this program, Culture & Heritage hosted a giveaway for an artprint of one of Gaboury's paintings across social media channels. The demonstration complemented the artist's upcoming (online and in-person) painting workshop focusing on canines. Additionally, the painting completed in the demonstration is to be auctioned off by Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary with the proceeds going to benefit the non-profit rescue organization. As a result of this programming, and the enthusiastic cross-promotion provided by Yamnuska, information about our programs was shared with over 62,000 people and Culture and Heritage social media channels received an influx of new support. This included engagement by over 3000 people on Instagram and Facebook posts, over 30 new followers, and over 200 viewers (and growing) of the virtual program. GetInvolved! 26thAnnualVolunteer Submission NominateSomeone Instructions YouKnowToday. LeadershipAwardsCriteria

TheAnnualVolunteerLeadershipAwardscelebratethosewhodemonstrateleadership Deadlineforallnominationsis throughvolunteerisminOkotoks. Deservingyouthandadultsarerecognizedduring Sunday,February28,2021. LeadersofTomorrowAward NationalVolunteerWeekfortheircommitmenttothecommunity. Usethisformorvisit (nominateayouth) www.okotoks.ca/volunteerawardsto LeadersofTomorrowAward completeanonlinenominationform. Awardedtooutstandingyouthvolunteerswhoarecurrentlyattendingelementary, HeartofOkotoksAward Printedformsareavailableduring juniorhighorhighschoolinOkotoks, orwhoareunder18yearsofageand (nominateanindividualorgroup) businesshoursattheWesternWheel volunteerinOkotoks. Oneyouthisrecognizedineachcategoryfortheirenergy, Office. commitment, leadershipandcharacter. 1.Nominationpackagescanalsobe Categories: 1.ElementarySchool Deadlineforall [email protected] 2.JuniorHighSchool nominationsis 3.SeniorHighSchool OR Criteria:Ayouthwhoexhibitsleadership, dedicationandexcellenceinanyfieldof Mailto: Sunday, volunteerworkincludingschool, community, athleticsandfineartandinspiresthe OkotoksRecreationCentre spiritofvolunteerisminothers. 99OkotoksDriveP.O. Box20 Okotoks, AlbertaT1S1K1 February28,2021. HeartofOkotoksAward ATTENTION:VolunteerAdministrator Formoreinformationoranyinquiries Awardedtoindividualsovertheageof18whovolunteerinOkotoksorgroups(any Nominatetoday. pleasecontacttheTownofOkotoks agegroup) thatarebasedinOkotokswhoshowexceptionalleadershipthrough VolunteerAdministratorat403-938-8936 Awardrecipientswillbe volunteering. Oneormoreindividualsarerecognizedfortheirdemonstrationof leadership, passionandcommitmentforcreatingahealthyandvibrantcommunity. [email protected] honouredduring Categories: 1.Individual Thepersonalinformationonthisform NationalVolunteerWeek, 2.Group(agroupthatexceedsmorethanoneperson,ie. family, isbeingcollectedundertheauthorityof section33(c)oftheFreedomofInformation April18-24,2021. sports, business, clubs) andProtectionofPrivacyAct(FOIP)and Criteria:Individualorgroupswhohavemadeoutstandingcontributionstothe willbeusedfortheadministrationofthe Okotokscommunitythroughtheireffortsasavolunteerandinspiresthespiritof Presentedby: OkotoksLeadershipAwards;specifically,but volunteerisminothers. notlimitedtothepublicationofnominee, nominatorandrecipientnames.Shouldyou haveanyquestionsregardingthecollection “LEADERSHIPisnota positionora title, anduseofyourpersonalinformation, it isactionandexample.” contacttheFOIPCo-ordinatorat [email protected].

22 26thAnnualVOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP AWARDSOkotoks2021

AWARDBEINGNOMINATEDFOR:q1.LeadersofTomorrowAward q2.HeartofOkotoksAward NominationGuidelines PartI–GeneralInformation Nominationsmustmeetallguidelinesand criteriatobeconsidered. NOMINATORINFORMATION(Individualsubmittingthenomination) NAME: 1. Pleaseprovideaprofileofthe RELATIONSHIPTONOMINEE: ORGANIZATION: individual/group/organizationbeing PHONE: nominatedthatanswersthefollowing EMAIL:_ (maximumof600wordsperquestion): NOMINEEINFORMATION(individualororganizationbeingnominated) NAME(s):_ • Howdoesthevolunteer(s)lead, ORGANIZATION(s)VOLUNTEERINGFOR: developandstrengthenvolunteerism SCHOOLATTENDING(ifapplicable) intheircommunity?

EMAIL: • Pleasedescribe/tellusaboutthe Ifmultiplenominees, pleaseattachcontactinfoforallnominees. volunteer’sinvolvementwithother volunteeractivities. PartII-ConsentoftheNominator q1.MysignatureconfirmsI havereceivedpermissionfromtheNominee(s)tosubmitthisnomination. 2. Atleastoneletterofsupportmustbe attachedtothenomination. q2.I havereadtheNominationGuidelinesandhaveincludedsupportingdocumentation. q3.I agreetotheuseofmyname, photographandnominationpackagetobeusedinanypromotionalmaterialfortheAnnualVolunteer 3. Completethenominationform, LeadershipAwards. includingnominatorconsent.

Nameofnominator: ______Signature:______4. ThedecisionoftheSelection Date:______Thankyouforyournomination. Committeeisfinal. GetInvolved! 23 26thAnnualVolunteer Submission NominateSomeone Instructions YouKnowToday. LeadershipAwardsCriteria

TheAnnualVolunteerLeadershipAwardscelebrate thosewhodemonstrate leadership Deadlineforallnominationsis throughvolunteerisminOkotoks. Deservingyouthandadultsare recognizedduring Sunday, February28,2021. LeadersofTomorrowAward NationalVolunteerWeekfortheircommitment to thecommunity. (nominate a youth) Usethisformorvisit www.okotoks.ca/volunteerawardsto LeadersofTomorrowAward completeanonlinenominationform. Awardedto outstandingyouthvolunteerswhoare currentlyattendingelementary, Heart ofOkotoksAward Printedformsareavailableduring juniorhighorhighschoolinOkotoks, orwhoare under18yearsofageand (nominate anindividualorgroup) businesshoursat theWesternWheel volunteerinOkotoks. Oneyouthisrecognizedineachcategory fortheirenergy, Office. commitment, leadershipandcharacter. 1.Nominationpackagescanalsobe Deadlineforall Categories: 1.Elementary School [email protected] 2.JuniorHighSchool nominationsis 3.SeniorHighSchool OR Criteria:Ayouthwhoexhibitsleadership, dedicationandexcellence inany fieldof Mailto: Sunday, volunteerwork includingschool, community, athleticsandfineart andinspiresthe OkotoksRecreationCentre spiritofvolunteerisminothers. 99OkotoksDriveP.O. Box20 Okotoks, AlbertaT1S1K1 February 28,2021. Heart ofOkotoksAward ATTENTION:VolunteerAdministrator Formoreinformationoranyinquiries Nominatetoday. Awardedto individualsovertheageof18whovolunteerinOkotoksorgroups(any agegroup) that are basedinOkotokswhoshowexceptionalleadershipthrough pleasecontact theTownofOkotoks VolunteerAdministratorat 403-938-8936 Awardrecipientswillbe volunteering. Oneormore individualsare recognizedfortheirdemonstrationof leadership, passionandcommitment forcreatinga healthy andvibrant community. [email protected] honouredduring Categories: 1.Individual Thepersonalinformationonthisform NationalVolunteerWeek, 2.Group(agroupthat exceedsmore thanoneperson,ie. family, isbeingcollectedundertheauthorityof section33(c)oftheFreedomofInformation April18- 24,2021. sports, business, clubs) andProtectionofPrivacyAct(FOIP)and Criteria:Individualorgroupswhohave madeoutstandingcontributionsto the willbeusedfortheadministrationofthe Okotokscommunity throughtheireffortsasa volunteerandinspiresthespiritof Presentedby: OkotoksLeadershipAwards;specifically,but volunteerisminothers. notlimitedtothepublicationofnominee, nominatorandrecipientnames.Shouldyou “LEADERSHIPis nota positionor a title, haveanyquestionsregardingthecollection anduseofyourpersonalinformation, it is actionandexample.” contacttheFOIPCo-ordinatorat [email protected].

26thAnnualVOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP AWARDSOkotoks2021

AWARDBEINGNOMINATEDFOR: q1.LeadersofTomorrowAward q2.Heart ofOkotoksAward NominationGuidelines Part I –GeneralInformation Nominationsmustmeetallguidelinesand criteriato beconsidered. NOMINATORINFORMATION(Individualsubmittingthenomination) NAME: 1. Pleaseprovidea profileofthe RELATIONSHIPTONOMINEE: ORGANIZATION: individual/group/organizationbeing PHONE: nominatedthat answersthefollowing EMAIL:_ (maximumof600wordsperquestion): NOMINEEINFORMATION(individualororganizationbeingnominated) NAME(s):_ • Howdoesthevolunteer(s)lead, ORGANIZATION(s)VOLUNTEERINGFOR: developandstrengthenvolunteerism SCHOOLATTENDING(ifapplicable) intheircommunity?

SCHOOLLEVEL(If applicablepleasecheck) 1.ElementarySchool 2.JuniorHighSchool 3.SeniorHighSchool GRADELEVEL q q q • What impact doesthevolunteer(s)have MAILINGADDRESS: intheircommunity? PHONE(1): PHONE(2): EMAIL: • Pleasedescribe/tellusaboutthe If multiplenominees, pleaseattachcontact infoforallnominees. volunteer’s involvement withother volunteeractivities. Part II- Consent oftheNominator q1.MysignatureconfirmsI havereceivedpermissionfromtheNominee(s)tosubmitthisnomination. 2. At leastoneletterofsupport mustbe attachedto thenomination. q2.I havereadtheNominationGuidelinesandhaveincludedsupportingdocumentation. q3.I agreetotheuseofmyname, photographandnominationpackagetobeusedinanypromotionalmaterialfortheAnnualVolunteer 3. Complete thenominationform, LeadershipAwards. includingnominatorconsent.

Nameofnominator: ______Signature:______4. ThedecisionoftheSelection Date:______Thankyouforyournomination. Committeeisfinal. 26th Annual 24 VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP AWARDS Okotoks 2021

Celebrate our Volunteer Superheroes! Nominate Someone Special Today! Leaders of Tomorrow Heart of Okotoks Awards Award ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭

PLEASE VISIT WWW.OKOTOKS.CA/VOLUNTEERAWARDS FOR AN APPLICATION FORM OR FOR MORE INFORMATION Award Recipients will be honoured during National Volunteer Week, April 18 - 24, 2021. Deadline for all nominations is Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. 25

Council February 8, 2021

URBAN DEER TASK FORCE QUARTERLY UPDATE REPORT

Issue The third quarterly update from the Urban Deer Task Force is provided to Council for information.

Motion Proposed by Administration That the Urban Deer Task Force Quarterly Update report be received as information.

Purpose of the Urban Deer Task Force The purpose of the Urban Deer Task Force is to provide advice, information, ideas/models/tools, and other needed support to the Town of Okotoks in preparing an Urban Deer Strategy and Action Plan, and to support communication and engagement efforts to ensure the resulting Strategy and Action Plan is effectively implemented.

Chair Report Chair Grant Pryznyk will be in attendance to provide the third quarterly update on the Task Force’s findings and progress. As outlined in the Terms of Reference, the Urban Deer Task Force is required to provide a progress report to Council every three months during their twelve month term.

Most of the issues outlined in the PowerPoint presentation have been considered in detail through consultation with numerous speakers and researching existing urban deer management plans and strategies. Different municipal approaches to deer and wildlife management have also been explored.

The final report will include a consideration of the issues and challenges around each potential deer management strategy. Urban deer will continue to be an ongoing challenge and will require a continuing management regime that includes the ability to make changes as and when deer numbers change or new factors arise.

Strategic Plan Goals ☐ Manage Community Growth ☐ Provide Strong Governance ☐ Provide Quality Community ☒ Healthy and Safe Community Infrastructure ☐ Foster Economic Vitality ☐ Enhance Organizational Excellence ☐ Promote Environmental Excellence

Authority of the Urban Deer Task Force Urban Deer Task Force Terms of Reference

Governing Policies/Bylaws/Legislation or Agreements Committees Bylaw 42-18

Attachment(s) 1. Third Quarter Report (October 2020 to February 2021)

Prepared by: Joan Botkin Communications Manager February 01, 2021 26 OKOTOKS URBAN DEER TASK FORCE

REPORT TO OKOTOKS TOWN COUNCIL FEBRUARY 2021 THIRD QUARTER 27 PURPOSE OF THE OKOTOKS URBAN DEER TASK FORCE

 To provide advice, information, ideas/models/tools and other needed support to the Town of Okotoks in preparing an Urban Deer Strategy and Action Plan  and to support communication and engagement efforts to ensure the resulting Strategy and Action Plan is effectively implemented 28 Progress as of February 2021:

Studied the issues in detail Consulted experts in the field Researched urban deer management plans in other jurisdictions Started DRAFT report 29 More Information Needed

Continuing management regime Accurate information about deer numbers and deer behaviour Improved tracking of human-deer conflict data 30 More Information Needed – cont’d

Understanding the diverse attitudes of Okotoks residents Public education – review Town website regarding deer Assessing the carrying capacity for a deer population 31 Summary of actions considered

 Fencing  Hazing  Immunocontraception  Relocation  Flora  Culling or Harvest  People management – Education  Take no action  Town bylaw changes/hunting regulations 32 Fencing

For example: Height Materials Land-use planning 33 Hazing

Organized by Town By residents on property 34 Immunocontraception

Vaccine to prevent conception 35 Relocation

Live trap and relocate 36 Flora

Deer resistant plant/trees 37 Culling/Hunting

Capture/kill Bowhunt 38 People Management - Education

Education – various media Website Speed reduction 39 Take No Action

Continue Education React as required 40 Town Bylaw Changes/Provincial Hunting Laws Potential Changes regarding Fencing Feeding restrictions Pets Flora regulations Speed Zone changes Enforcement – staff Hazing/Hunting zone 41 Sent to Land Use Planner for Opinion

Incorporate a change in the new Okotoks Land Use Planning Bylaw to allow fence and gate heights to increase and change allowances for types of hedge or fence/gate construction materials. 42 Future Pilot projects to consider:

 Hazing in high deer-concentration area(s)  Obtaining resident feed-back on fencing and flora changes  Survey of residents in high deer-population areas  Expanded education campaign  Longer term study of deer population and human/deer interaction 43 Background for Options  Successful in other jurisdiction – Kimberley, BC  Some options less controversial and disruptive than others.  Residents can take an active role  Changes to fences can be simple or extensive Allows for recommendation of appropriate and attractive fence/gate material Allows for cooperation in planning new developments 44 Strategy and Action Plan

Who does it? And when? 45 Thank you for listening

Questions? Comments? 46

Council February 8, 2021

DRAFT CALGARY METROPOLITAN REGION GROWTH PLAN

Issue A final draft of the Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan is provided for Council review.

Motion Proposed by Administration That the Draft Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan be received as information.

Report, Analysis and Financial Implications Background Okotoks is a member of the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board (CMRB) which is mandated to develop a long term plan for managed and sustainable growth in the Calgary Region. To fulfill this mandate, the Board hired internationally recognized consulting firm HDR | Calthorpe (HDRC) to lead the preparation of a Growth Plan (GP) and supporting Servicing Plan (SP) for the region. These plans must be delivered to the Minister of Municipal Affairs no later than March 1, 2021; however the Board intends to request an extension of this deadline to June 1, 2021.

Over the last year and a half, HDRC has worked collaboratively with elected officials and administrations of member municipalities to develop a plan that will provide a framework for growth to accommodate the next million residents in the region.

Growth Plan At the time of this report the policies of the GP are continuing to be refined; however a brief overview of the overall approach to managing growth in the Calgary Region is provided below. Administration expects to receive a final draft of the GP and supporting SP on February 5th and HDRC will be in attendance at the February 8th Regular Meeting of Council to provide a more comprehensive overview of the plans.

Fundamentally the GP is about coming together as a region to more efficiently manage growth and better coordinate the servicing of existing and future growth areas. To facilitate a more efficient use of land and resources, the GP includes policies that guide the type, scale, and location of new growth within the Calgary Region. Specifically, the GP proposes to direct higher density mixed-use urban style growth and employment areas to existing urban communities, hamlet growth areas, and joint planning areas. Outside of these areas, new growth is proposed to be limited to low density country residential style development and agricultural related employment uses.

The GP includes a number of additional policy directions relating to development in flood prone areas, identification and preservation of environmentally sensitive areas, employment areas, recreation, water stewardship, and shared services optimization. Flood prone areas policies propose to require new growth areas within flood fringe 47 areas to incorporate mitigation measures for a 1:200 year flood event level, which exceeds the current 1:100 year flood event requirement in the Interim Growth Plan. To establish a more consistent approach to identifying and managing environmentally sensitive areas in the region, the GP proposes that member municipalities adopt a common definition of and criteria for identifying environmentally sensitive areas.

Employment areas policies are focused on ensuring municipalities plan for an adequate supply of suitably serviced employment lands that can be accessed by existing or future transit, and that regional transportation plans support the economic well being of the region. Much of the detail on future actions related to water stewardship and shared services optimization will be included in the forthcoming SP; with the GP including high level policy statements outlining the regions commitment to enhanced watershed protection, stormwater management, water efficiency, and the maximization of important transportation and utility corridors.

Implementation The GP, once approved by the Minister of Municipal Affairs, will be implemented through local statutory plans. Following the approval of the GP, member municipalities will have three years to update their Municipal Development Plans to align. Any new Area Structure Plan’s (ASP’s) or regionally significant amendments to existing ASP’s will be required to comply with the GP. Existing ASP’s in place prior to adoption the GP will be grandfathered and can develop as per the pre-existing approval.

Strategic Plan Goals ☒ Manage Community Growth ☐ Provide Strong Governance ☐ Provide Quality Community ☐ Healthy and Safe Community Infrastructure ☐ Foster Economic Vitality ☐ Enhance Organizational Excellence ☐ Promote Environmental Excellence

Governing Policies/Bylaws/Legislation or Agreements The CMRB is a growth management board that was formed on January 1, 2018 when the CMRB Regulation came into effect. Under this regulation the Board was required to prepare a Growth Plan and Servicing Plan no later than December 31, 2020. The Minister of Municipal Affairs granted an extension of this deadline to March 1, 2021, and the Board intended to submit a request for an additional extension to June 1, 2021.

In 2018 the Board, and subsequently Municipal Affairs, approved an Interim Growth Plan (IGP) and Interim Regional Evaluation Framework (IREF) to allow growth to continue until a comprehensive GP and SP was completed. The GP and supporting Regional Evaluation Framework, once approved by the Minister of Municipal Affairs, will replace the IGP and IREF.

Public Participation Strategy HDRC lead two rounds of engagement in developing the GP. The first round of engagement occurred from July 24th to September 4th where residents in the region had the opportunity to learn about the CMRB and share what matters to them about 48 how growth is managed in the region. The second phase of engagement occurred between November 5th to November 27th and provided residents the opportunity to learn about the proposed approach to growth and to provide feedback on implementation to contribute to policy development.

Both rounds of engagement were conducted via an online platform and were promoted on the Town’s website, social media page, community advertisements, and in the Western Wheel.

Alternatives for Consideration n/a

CAO Comments Currently, the CMRB has requested a time extension for the approval of the Growth Plan, which may be accepted by the Minister. In the interim, the Town has to proceed as though the plan must be considered for approval by March 1, 2021. The timing is proving to be a challenge as, at the time of writing, many of the supporting policies have not been written and many have been provided by other municipalities and may not be at the appropriate level for the regional growth plan. The Town of Okotoks must understand what the policy implications are, and then determine what the implementation plan will be. Administration hopes the consultant, HDRC, will be able to provide the necessary detail to gain these understandings to determine if the plan is appropriate or requires amendment.

Attachment(s) 1. HDRC Regional Growth Plan Agenda Brief 2. Draft Growth Plan

Prepared by: Michelle Grenwich Planner January 29, 2021 49

Presentation Lead: Charlie Hales, former Mayor of Portland, HDR Inc.

Supported by: Stephen Power, Sr. Transportation Planner, HDR Inc.

Jonathan Schmidt, Sr. Professional Planner, HDR Inc.

Summary

The purpose of the meeting is to provide Council with an overview of the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board (CMRB) Growth and Servicing Plans to be delivered to the Minister by March 1, 2021 by mandate of the CMRB Regulation (Alberta Regulation 190/2017 of the Municipal Government Act). This presentation is for information and provides an overview of the proposed Growth and Servicing Plans in preparation for Board meetings on February 19 and 26, 2021 where the final plans will be brought for approval.

The Province’s mandate for the CMRB includes that the Board shall strive towards consensus regarding matters before the Board, promote long term sustainability of the CMR, ensure environmentally responsible land-use planning, growth management and efficient use of land, and develop policies regarding the coordination of regional infrastructure investment and service delivery, promote the economic well-being and competitiveness of the CMR. As part of fulfilling this mandate, the Board is required to prepare a Growth Plan and a supporting Servicing Plan.

The development of the Growth and Servicing Plans (the Plans) was managed by CMRB administration with support and active participation by elected representatives (via Board and Committee meetings and workshops) and administrations of the ten member municipalities. Input on the Plans was received from the public over two public engagement periods and from a panel of external stakeholders named by the Board.

Through a competitive bid process, the CMRB contracted regional planning expert Peter Calthorpe of HDR|Calthorpe to prepare a Growth Plan and Servicing Plan. HDR|Calthorpe’s planning process is a scenario-based process. Three scenarios were developed: a business-as-usual scenario and two alternative scenarios. The process created region-wide metrics for each scenario illustrating the anticipated impacts of growth as the next million people are added to the region. These metrics included vehicle kilometers travelled, land consumption, water use, infrastructure costs, among others. This resulted in the development of policy to toward achieving better outcomes for the region as CMR welcomes the next million people.

Background

The Growth and Servicing Plans are a requirement of Growth Management Boards in Alberta. The CMRB was established in 2018 by the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board Regulation as a not-for-profit government corporation.

CMRB Administration was tasked with managing the development of the Interim Growth Plan in March 2018, which was approved by the Board in October 2018 and received Ministerial approval in December 2018. Multiple background studies were underway during 2018 and 2019 to prepare the foundation and common fact set for the Board to establish their goals, priorities and values. These inputs included population projections, employment study, recreation study, various water studies, regional 50

transportation studies, and, critically, a GIS-based mapping exercise of the statutory ASPs approved in the region and a generalized broad-brush of land uses for those plans.

Project Chartering, scoping, and terms of reference for the Growth and Servicing Plans were completed with the Land Use Technical Advisory Group (TAG). Proposals received through the public competitive bid process were evaluated by CMRB administration and Land Use TAG. Three of the proponents were interviewed by the Board. HDR|Calthorpe was the final preferred proponent and was retained in 2019 to complete the work. HDR|Calthorpe’s team includes Stephen Power, Calgary-based transportation planner, Jonathan Schmidt, a professional planner based in Okotoks, Charlie Hales, former Mayor of Portland, Oregon, and Peter Calthorpe, founder of Calthorpe and Associates of Berkley, California. The team is also supported by local supporting staff and multiple analytics team members including Clark Williams, Scott Fregonese, and Julia Reisemann.

The Board identified that they wanted the development of the plan to be data-driven to allow an understanding of the growth patterns and an ability to evaluate trade-offs. The background studies provided key inputs to HDR|Cathorpe in their development of the model to run scenarios for business- as-usual, compact and transit oriented development scenarios. Following discussion of the alternative scenarios, HDR|Calthorpe ran a scenario combining the two alternative scenarios calling it a synthesis scenario. Enacting the scenario is estimated to provide benefits to the region in the form of reduction in land consumption, reduced infrastructure costs, improved human health outcomes, and better environmental outcomes like lowering water use and GHG emissions.

The CMR will, through the policies of the Growth and Servicing Plans, enjoy mutual benefits and shared efficiencies that are beyond the reach of local planning.

Two separate virtual public engagement phases were completed over the project. The first was over period of July 24 to September 4, 2020 which introduced the public to the project and the scenario process. Over 3000 people visited the online engagement website to learn and offer nearly 1600 contributions that were used to help shape the proposed approach to managing growth in the CMR. The second public engagement period was over November 5 to 27, 2020. During the second phase, participants learned about the approach that was being proposed and shared how their communities and ways of life might be affected, and what should be kept in mind when putting the proposed approach into action. During the second phase, over 850 unique submissions were received from the public with over 1700 site visits. The input gathered in the first and second phase of public engagement contributed to the development of Regional Growth and Servicing Plan policy and implementation.

HDR|Calthorpe and the CMRB administration team wish to thank the tireless work and engagement of member municipality administrations as well as the public and external stakeholder group for their valuable input to the process. Their support in unprecedented circumstances of a global pandemic have been key to developing the Plans. 51 Calgary Metropolitan Region Board | Scope Change Growth Plan

Memo Date: Friday, February 05, 2021 Project: CMRB Growth Plan From: Peter Calthorpe

Subject: Draft Growth Plan Document

A preliminary working version of our Growth Plan document is included in the Council package. This is the same document that was provided to the CMRB Land Use and Servicing Committee on February 4, 2021. It does not include any changes or responses to comments raised by the Committee. A full draft version of the Growth Plan will be submitted to the CMRB by February 19, 2021 that will consider the feedback received by member municipalities over time. Given the potential time extension and the expectation that a Board Vision, we feel that this round of policy updates need to be integrated in a comprehensive way and subject to further input.

As a preliminary working document, this version of the Growth Plan contains text and graphics that are draft. Policies and recommendations are preliminary and have not been approved by the CMRB. It provides an overview and an indication of the content that will be included in the Final Growth Plan.

Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

February 2, 2021

53 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

Contents

Preamble ...... 1 1 Introduction ...... 2 1.1 A Plan for the Next Million People ...... 4 1.2 Overview of the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board ...... 5 1.2.1 Members ...... 5 1.2.2 CMRB Mandate ...... 7 1.2.3 CMRB Values ...... 7 1.3 Regulatory Framework ...... 7 1.3.1 Growth Plan Horizon ...... 8 1.3.2 Growth Plan Requirements ...... 8 1.3.3 Hierarchy of Plans ...... 8 1.3.4 South Saskatchewan Regional Plan ...... 9 1.3.5 Interim Growth Plan ...... 10 1.4 Community and Stakeholder Involvement ...... 10 1.4.1 Technical Advisory Groups ...... 10 1.4.2 External Technical Advisory Group ...... 11 1.4.3 Community Engagement ...... 11 1.4.4 Indigenous Communities ...... 12 2 Regional Growth Direction ...... 13 2.1 Regional Context ...... 13 2.1.1 Historical Growth in the Region ...... 13 2.1.2 Evolution of Regional Planning in the Region ...... 13 2.1.3 Member Municipality Overviews ...... 1 2.2 Population and Employment Forecasts ...... 5 2.3 Regional Growth Patterns ...... 7 2.3.1 Housing Trends and Future Housing Demands ...... 7 2.3.2 Employment Trends ...... 9 2.3.3 Planned and Developed Land ...... 10 2.4 Future Regional Placetypes ...... 11 2.5 Scenarios for Growth ...... 14 2.5.1 Scenario Analysis and Comparison ...... 15 2.6 Growth Plan Goals, Direction and Priorities ...... 17 2.6.1 Growth Management and the Efficient Use of Land ...... 17 2.6.2 Economic Wellbeing ...... 18 2.6.3 Environmentally Responsible Land Use ...... 18 2.6.4 Shared Services Optimization ...... 18 2.6.5 Celebrating Rural/Urban Differences ...... 18 2.6.6 Water Stewardship ...... 18 3 Regional Policies ...... 19 3.1 Growth Management and Efficient Use of Land ...... 19 3.1.1 DEFINITIONS ...... 20 3.1.2 PLACETYPE TARGETS FOR POPULATION GROWTH ...... 23 3.1.3 LOCATIONAL CRITERIA FOR PLACETYPES ...... 23 3.1.4 RURAL AREA DEVELOPMENT ...... 24 3.1.5 HAMLET GROWTH AREAS ...... 24 3.1.6 JOINT PLANNING AREAS ...... 25 3.1.7 APPROVED STATUTORY PLANS ...... 27

February 2, 2021 | i 54 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

3.1.8 MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN UPDATES ...... 27 3.1.9 PERIODIC REVIEWS AND REPORTING ...... 27 3.1.10 EXCEPTIONS TO THE POLICY ...... 28 3.2 Economic Wellbeing ...... 32 3.2.1 Municipal Development Plans ...... 33 3.2.2 Regional Transportation Planning Support for Economic Wellbeing ...... 34 3.2.3 Agricultural Economy ...... 34 3.2.4 Definitions (not included in other policies): ...... 35 3.3 Environmentally Responsible Land Use ...... 36 3.3.1 Flood Prone Areas ...... 37 3.3.2 Environmentally Sensitive Areas ...... 39 3.3.3 Climate Change ...... 41 3.3.4 Definitions ...... 41 3.4 Water Stewardship ...... 43 3.4.1 Watershed Protection ...... 45 3.4.2 Stormwater Management ...... 45 3.4.3 Water Efficiency ...... 45 3.4.4 Collaboration and Governance ...... 45 3.5 Shared Services Optimization ...... 46 3.5.1 Transportation Corridors ...... 46 3.5.2 Recreation ...... 47 3.5.3 Energy and Utility Corridors ...... 48 3.5.4 Water, Wastewater and Stormwater ...... 48 3.5.5 Definitions (not defined in other policies) ...... 48 3.6 Celebrating Urban-Rural Differences ...... 49 4 Implementation (to be completed) ...... 51 4.1 Implementation Mechanisms ...... 51 4.1.1 Regional Evaluation Framework ...... 51 4.1.2 Existing ASPs and ARPs ...... 51 4.2 Existing Plans ...... 52 4.2.1 Existing MDPs ...... 52 4.2.2 Existing IDPs ...... 52 4.3 Growth Plan Amendment and Updates ...... 52 4.3.1 Amendments ...... 52 4.3.2 Updates ...... 52 4.4 Monitoring ...... 53 4.4.1 Placetype Monitoring ...... 53 5 Future Initiatives (to be completed) ...... 54

Glossary of Terms ...... 55

Appendices ...... 55

Tables

Table 1. Population Project for the Calgary Region ...... 6 Table 2: Forecast of Regional Growth ...... 7 Table 3: Planned and Absorbed Land (from DEAL database) ...... 10

ii | February 2, 2021 55 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

Table 4: Reduction Compared to the Residential Community Placetype ...... 16 Table 5: Reduction Compared to the Business As Usual Scenario...... 17

Figures

Figure 1. Canada/Alberta/CMR ...... 3 Figure 2. Calgary Metropolitan Region Member Municipalities...... 4 Figure 4. Hierarchy of Plans...... 9 Figure 5. Process Overview and Input ...... 11 Figure 6. Calgary Region Timeline...... 1 Figure 7. Population Projections (Rennie intelligence, 2018) ...... 6 Figure 8. Current Occupied Dwelling Types by Municipality (2016 Census) ...... 8 Figure 9. Driver Industries Timeline for the Calgary Metropolitan Region (Applications Management Consulting Ltd., 2020) ...... 9 Figure 10: employment Growth By Sector (Derived from Regional Employment Forecasts, Applications Management Consulting Ltd. 2020) ...... 10 Figure 11: Unabsorbed Planned Land by Generalized Land Use ...... 11 Figure 12. Calgary Metropolitan Region Place Types ...... 14 Figure 13. Preliminary Scenario Alternatives (BAU, Compact, TOD) ...... 15

Appendices

No table of contents entries found.

February 2, 2021 | iii 56 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

THIS DOCUMENT IS A PRELIMINARY WORKING VERSION OF THE CMRB GROWTH PLAN. AS SUCH, IT CONTAINS TEXT AND GRAPHICS THAT ARE DRAFT AND/OR IN PRODUCTION. THIS VERSION HAS NOT BEEN SUBJECT TO QUALITY REVIEW AND DOES NOT REPRESENT A DELIVERABLE OF HDR | CALTHORPE. POLICIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE PRELIMINARY AND HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED BY THE CMRB.

iv | February 2, 2021 57 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

Preamble

We live here because we love this place. We are grounded in its history and cultures. Our strong local economy supports our families. We celebrate the beauty of our region, our connection to the land and its natural and agricultural bounty. We have built great communities – large and small, urban and rural. We have a habit of working cooperatively for the common good. We govern ourselves effectively, and use our resources efficiently. These strengths have served us well and will continue to do so. And yet… As we look ahead into another era of growth and change in our Region, we know that we need to plan for our future, not just hope for it. We have seen examples of other metropolitan regions that have taken on this task, and others which have failed. We have a shared commitment to make our region more competitive for the changing economy and more sustainable in a changing climate. We have built our knowledge of best practices in planning for growth. We have accumulated some benefits of cooperation between municipalities for the benefit of our citizens. What will we do together in agreeing upon this plan? We will make difficult, but important changes in how we grow, with benefits that could not be fully realized by working independently. We will decide where there will be more growth, and less than if we had just continued business as usual. We will determine the type and character of growth we want to encourage. We will create a structure of decision-making that fosters more cooperation and less conflict. This plan’s policies and direction will equip us to make better decisions about servicing, shaping our transportation system, our stewardship of our water and environment, and our provision of services for our communities. In short, it is a plan to grow by using less land, less water and at less cost. This plan is our chance to shape our great and growing region for the future we want.

February 2, 2021 | 1 58 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

1 Introduction

Welcome to the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board’s (CMRB) Growth Plan, a new strategy for sustainable growth for the Calgary region. The Growth Plan (the Plan) replaces the Interim Growth Plan for the Calgary Metropolitan Region’s (the Region’s) ten member municipalities. The CMRB acknowledges that the Region is on the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta. This includes the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprising the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nations). The Region is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III. The Growth Plan provides a comprehensive and integrated policy framework for managing growth and implementing long-term goals for the Calgary Metropolitan Region (CMR), reflecting the aspirations for the Region – what the CMR would like to be, and what it would look like. The Growth Plan is a set of strategies for planning and managing future population and employment growth to help achieve the aspirational future. The Growth Plan is guided and regulated by the Municipal Government Act and the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board Regulation (Alberta Regulation 190/2017 of the Municipal Government Act). The CMRB regulation sets out the following objectives for the Growth Plan: a) to promote an integrated and strategic approach to planning for future growth in the CMR, b) to identify the overall development pattern and key future infrastructure investments that would: i) best complement existing infrastructure, services and land uses in the CMR, ii) best complement the desired scale of development and community visions across the CMR, iii) best address efficient and cost-effective growth and development, and iv) maximize benefits to the CMR, c) to coordinate decisions in the CMR to sustain economic growth and ensure strong communities and a healthy environment, and d) to promote the social, environmental and economic well-being and competitiveness of the CMR. This document describes a collaboratively developed Plan that outlines land use patterns, policy framework and implementation actions to address current and long-term challenges. The Plan is an evolution of the current Interim Growth Plan,. It is an overall framework to coordinate provincial goals with municipal plans. The Growth Plan provides a policy framework to support sustainable growth that reduces the environmental and fiscal impacts of growth in the Calgary Metropolitan Region. It

2 | February 2, 2021 59 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

uses a data-driven, scenario process supported by a range of regional policies that address issues of regional significance.

Figure 1. Canada/Alberta/CMR Alberta/CMR

February 2, 2021 | 3 60 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

Figure 2. Calgary Metropolitan Region Member Municipalities.

1.1 A Plan for the Next Million People The Growth Plan provides a roadmap for accommodating the next one million people with approximately 600,000 additional jobs for the CMR. Projections indicate this population milestone will occur between 2048 and 2053 according to Rennie Intelligence’s methodology. THIS SECTION BEING EDITED

4 | February 2, 2021 61 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

1.2 Overview of the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board The CMRB was officially established in January 2018 when the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board Regulation (“CMRB Regulation”, Alberta Regulation 190/2017) came into effect. The CMRB is the first provincially mandated growth management board in the Calgary region. The CMR consists of the 10 member municipalities mandated to develop a long-term plan for managed and sustainable growth.

1.2.1 Members The CMR consists of the following members: • City of Airdrie • City of Calgary • City of Chestermere • Town of Cochrane • Foothills County • Town of High River • Town of Okotoks • Rocky View County • Town of Strathmore • Wheatland County (portion as described in the CMRB Regulation)

February 2, 2021 | 5 62 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

Figure 3. Regional Context (updated map in preparation)

6 | February 2, 2021 63 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

1.2.2 CMRB Mandate The Board’s mandate is to support the long-term sustainability of the region by: • Ensuring environmentally responsible land-use planning, growth management and efficient use of land • Developing policies regarding the coordination of regional infrastructure investment and service delivery • Promoting the economic wellbeing and competitiveness of the Calgary Metropolitan Region • Developing policies outlining how the Board shall engage the public in consultation

1.2.3 CMRB Values The values of the CMRB are: Collaboration: We work together to identify opportunities and efficiencies that reduce the costs of growth and help achieve sustained prosperity for our region. Respect: We respect each other, our neighbours, our environment, and the land on which our region is built. Innovation: We embrace new ideas and the development, testing and iteration of bold solutions to complex regional challenges. Diversity: We embrace our differences and celebrate the diverse people and places that make up our region. Good Governance: We are purposeful and thoughtful in our actions, prioritizing the development of strategies and plans that guide and enhance the work we do. 1.3 Regulatory Framework The CMRB Regulation came into effect on January 1, 2018, establishing the CMRB and mandating that the Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan (Growth Plan) be prepared and submitted to the Minister within three years of the Regulation coming into force. Due to delays in the preparation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minister granted a two-month extension to the deadline. Prior to the formal establishment of the CMRB, the member municipalities decided to prepare an Interim Growth Plan (IGP), which was completed in October 2018. The IGP provides a foundation for this Growth Plan and identifies many of the regionally significant issues that are addressed within the Growth Plan. The CMRB Regulation also requires the establishment of a Calgary Metropolitan Region Servicing Plan (Servicing Plan), with the same timelines as the Growth Plan. The Servicing Plan was created simultaneously with the Growth Plan and is provided as a separate document. With the Ministerial approval of the Growth Plan, the IGP no longer has effect.

February 2, 2021 | 7 64 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

1.3.1 Growth Plan Horizon Under the CMRB Regulation, the Growth Plan must be reviewed within ten years, or earlier if desired by the Board. This review is to ensure the Growth Plan continues to address the needs of the Region and that the CMR is reaching goals to accommodate the next million regional population in approximately 25 to 30 years.

1.3.2 Growth Plan Requirements The CMRB Regulation identifies the minimum contents of the Growth Plan. The requirements of the CMRB Regulation are as follows:

Except as otherwise specified by the Minister, a proposed Growth Plan must contain a comprehensive, integrated regional land-use plan for the Calgary Metropolitan Region that includes the following:

a) population and employment projections; b) the identification of i) growth areas, ii) land supply for residential, commercial and industrial purposes, iii) agricultural lands, iv) density of development, v) the development and location of infrastructure, and vi) corridors for recreation, transportation, energy transmission, utilities and intermunicipal transit; c) policies regarding the planning for corridors for recreation, transportation, energy transmission, utilities and intermunicipal transit; d) policies regarding environmentally sensitive areas; e) policies regarding the coordination of infrastructure planning and development among the participating municipalities; f) policies that address new settlement areas; g) policies that address the intensification of existing settlement areas; h) policies regarding the conservation of agricultural lands; i) specific actions to be taken by the participating municipalities to implement the Growth Plan.

In addition to the content requirements as defined in the CMRB Regulation, the CMRB Board has also defined that policies related to flood prone areas will be included in the Growth Plan.

1.3.3 Hierarchy of Plans The Growth Plan is one of five types of statutory plans identified in the Municipal Government Act. These plans must be consistent with one another, and with regional plans adopted under the Alberta Land Stewardship Act. Each of these plans is required to be consistent with a plan above it in the hierarchy of plans, and where inconsistencies exist, the higher plan in the hierarchy prevails.

8 | February 2, 2021 65 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

Figure 4. Hierarchy of Plans 1.3.4 South Saskatchewan Regional Plan The Province of Alberta approved the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan (SSRP) in July 2014, and subsequently amended it in May 2018. The SSRP: • Establishes a long-term vision for the region; • Aligns provincial policies at the regional level to balance Alberta’s economic, environmental and social goals; • Reflects ongoing commitment to engage Albertans, including aboriginal peoples, in land-use planning; • Uses a cumulative effects management approach to balance economic development opportunities and social and environmental considerations; • Sets desired economic, environmental and social outcomes and objectives for the region; • Describes the strategies, actions, approaches and tools required to achieve the desired outcomes and objectives; • Establishes monitoring, evaluation and reporting commitments to assess progress; and • Provides guidance to provincial and local decision-makers regarding land-use management for the region. The South Saskatchewan Region includes the South Saskatchewan River Basin, the Milk River Basin and the Alberta portion of the Cypress Hills, covering over 83,000 km2 or about 12.6% percent of the total area of Alberta and includes the CMR.

February 2, 2021 | 9 66 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

1.3.5 Interim Growth Plan The IGP, enacted in October 2018, was developed through a collaborative effort led by the CMRB administration with significant contributions from members of the Land Use Committee, Technical Advisory Group, and consultants. The ten member municipalities that make up the Board collectively decided to prepare an IGP to guide land-use, growth, and infrastructure planning on an interim basis, prior to the development and approval of the long-term Growth Plan. The IGP was authored with the intent to promote the long-term sustainability of the Region, ensure environmentally responsible land-use planning and growth management, coordinate regional infrastructure investment and service delivery, and promote the economic wellbeing and competitiveness of the Region. The principles identified in the Interim Growth Plan remain valid and continue to guide the “permanent” Growth Plan. These principles include: • Promote the Integration and Efficient Use of Regional Infrastructure; • Protect Water Quality and Promote Water Conservation; and • Encourage Efficient Growth and Strong and Sustainable Communities. The Interim Growth Plan provides a foundation for the Growth Plan by mapping regionally significant features and establishing common definitions and begins to address key requirements identified by the CMRB Regulation. 1.4 Community and Stakeholder Involvement Building on the IGP, the Growth Plan was prepared through extensive collaboration among the member municipalities via the Board, Land Use and Servicing Committees and various Technical Advisory Groups comprised of subject matter experts from the member municipalities. An external Technical Advisory Group made up of technical experts from various stakeholder groups and the Province of Alberta was also directly involved in the preparation. Indigenous communities affected by the Growth Plan were engaged through a variety of methods in an extensive public engagement process. The public engagement was held online due to COVID-19 restrictions and generated over XXXX visits to the engagement website over two engagement periods in 2020.

1.4.1 Technical Advisory Groups Prior to the Growth Plan, the CMRB and administration established several technical advisory groups (TAGs) with member municipality subject matter experts and external technical experts to engage with the process. The TAGs met throughout the development of the Growth Plan and worked closely with CMRB administration and consultants to address concerns and make decisions on topics including land use, transportation and transit, intermunicipal servicing, water, agriculture, recreation, and communications and engagement.

10 | February 2, 2021 67 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

Figure 5. Process Overview and Input The CMRB administration and TAGs authored and tendered over a dozen reports and studies prior to the Growth Plan to support its development.

1.4.2 External Technical Advisory Group TO BE COMPLETED

1.4.3 Community Engagement An equally important part of the planning process is the participation and engagement of broader public. The CMRB provides an up-to-date website (www.calgarymetroregion.ca) and for the GSP process, additional public engagement includes online outreach, education, and comment opportunities. The CMRB, administration, along with the continued work of the CMRB and administration have enabled a strong foundation for the Plan. The initial plan for public engagement activities included both online and in-person opportunities to gather community input. Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the approach to public engagement shifted to an exclusively online format, with increased focus on providing a variety of ways that participants could share their views and experiences. There were two phases of public engagement - the first occurred over 6 weeks in the summer and the second happened over 4 weeks in November of 2020. Both phases encouraged members of the public to learn about the CMRB, considerations for how to approach growth in the region, and offer feedback based on their lived experiences as residents. The first phase offered three scenarios for consideration that reflected different approaches to managing growth (including “business as usual”) and asked questions to identify preferences in attributes of the different scenarios. What we heard about what matters to the public was reflected in the development of the proposed approach, which was shared with participants in the second phase.

February 2, 2021 | 11 68 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

In both phases of public engagement, participants were offered multiple ways of providing input, including quick polls, discussion forums, and a survey. This approach allowed people to engage in the way that worked for them, depending on how much time and interest they had in the GSP. Both engagement phases had strong participation in terms of visits to the site and thoughtful comments based on their unique experiences, interests, and hopes for managing growth in the region.

1.4.4 Indigenous Communities There are four First Nations located within the boundaries of the Calgary Metropolitan Region (Tsuut’ina, Wesley, Bearspaw, and Chiniki Nations) and one First Nation that is considered ‘region-adjacent’ (Siksika Nation). The Calgary Metropolitan Region is also part of Métis Nation of Alberta Region 3 and home to many urban Indigenous peoples. The initial plan for engagement with Indigenous communities included primarily in-person meetings and potentially workshops to be held within communities and on Nations. Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the approach to Indigenous engagement shifted to primarily phone and online outreach and discussions. The inability to meet in person likely affected the strength of engagement from Indigenous groups and it is recommended that the CMRB continue to seek ways to build ongoing relationships with Indigenous communities once in-person gathering restrictions are lifted. Despite the pandemic, CMRB administration were able to engage with all First Nations in and around the region to share information about the GSP and identify the unique interests and opportunities for future engagement with each Nation. Most Nations shared an interest in continuing conversations with the CMRB around issues of mutual interest and regional importance in the future.

12 | February 2, 2021 69 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

2 Regional Growth Direction

An understanding of the historical growth of the Region shows why communities and their services have developed the ways they have. It is important to gain a clear view of past issues and successes in order to efficiently develop and improve the communities in the CMR on a regional scale in the future.

2.1 Regional Context 2.1.1 Historical Growth in the Region Historical growth has been shaped by the past trajectory of land use, economy, and culture that collectively has created a multitude of communities within the region. This history started with First Nations traversing the area for thousands of years and transformed with the introduction of trading posts to ranches and farms, railways, and the booms and busts of the oil and gas industry. The CMR’s rich history of development has made it a diverse place where many people can come to be a part of the rural and urban mix. The initial establishment of settlements that have become many of the municipalities in the region mostly started with the Canadian Pacific Railway, which created many railway siding communities in the late 1800s. There was relatively slow growth in many of the CMR communities until the region’s population rapidly increased post-World War II after the discovery of oil near Leduc in 1947. This discovery led to the Canadian head offices of several oil and gas companies locating in the CMR, especially in Calgary. Communities began to grow and reflect their economy and culture, with sprawling land use in agriculturally rich rural areas while many suburban neighbourhoods and mixed- use downtowns were developing in denser areas. Throughout the years, the oil and gas industry has remained a dominant part of the regional economy, yet its inconsistency has led to a current downturn with uncertainty of the industry’s future. Ranches and farms have remained a consistent part of the economy and character of the rural municipalities in the region while also diversifying to include other sectors and housing types. The City of Calgary has been a central node of growth with the largest population in the region. Although Calgary is the metropolitan center in the area, its portion of the region’s population has decreased from 91% in 1986 to 85% in 2018.1 This decline signifies a shift towards a more dispersed new growth pattern, which is a challenge that points to the need to manage this growth through regional coordination and cooperation.

2.1.2 Evolution of Regional Planning in the Region Regional expansion has not only been influenced by land use, economy, and culture, but by approach to regional planning. The 2021 Growth Plan is shaped by this planning history.

1 City of Calgary (2019). “Calgary’s Evolving Role in Our Changing Region – Our Past, Present and Future.” p. 4, https://pub-calgary.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=95190.

February 2, 2021 | 13 70 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

In the mid-1900s the City of Calgary followed the McNally report’s suggestion for all urban development to be directed by one municipality, called the uni-city approach. The report made this recommendation after finding issues that were a result of rapid urban growth occurring outside of urban jurisdictions. Attached to mandatory uni-city planning, the report recommended annexation of Calgary with its surrounding jurisdictions to ensure the uni-city approach’s success. These recommendations have influenced the form of today’s metropolitan region. The uni-city approach was discontinued in 1995 and voluntary intermunicipal planning approach took its place through the Calgary Regional Partnership (CRP). The CRP was a regional planning partnership that began in 1999 and developed the Calgary Metropolitan Plan (CMP) in 2009 and was disbanded in 2017, when the province mandated the establishment of the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board.

14 | February 2, 2021 71 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

Figure 6. Calgary Region Timeline.

February 2, 2021 | 1 72 73 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

2.1.3 Member Municipality Overviews (SEEKING INPUT FROM MEMBERS ON THE SUMMARIES FOR EACH) 2.1.3.1 City of Airdrie

Located north of Calgary, the City of Airdrie has the second largest population in the CMR. The municipality began as a stopping point in 1889 for the Calgary and Edmonton Railway and continued to have railway buildings until the early 1900s when a farmhouse, post office and store were constructed. Airdrie has been a fast-growing City with a current population of 70,564, which is a 3.6% increase from the 2018 population and a sharp 61% increase from its 2011 population.2 Airdrie is known for its younger population, with 78% of residents under the age of 50 (Statistics Canada, 2016). The municipality is largely a bedroom community but also has local industrial services in the fields of transportation and logistics, manufacturing, oil and gas servicing, and environmental services.

2.1.3.2 City of Calgary

The City of Calgary is the largest municipality in the region and the third largest in Canada with a population of 1.2 million. Prosperity of the area continues today with a GDP value of $67 billion in 2012. According to Calgary Economic Development, the current key sectors in the region are energy, technology, manufacturing, financial services, transportation and logistics, interactive digital media, creative industries, life sciences, and agribusiness. This prosperity of the area continues today with a GDP value of $67 billion in 2012. The City has grown into a diverse urban centre comprised of a variety of housing, industry and culture. 2.1.3.3 City of Chestermere

With a population of 20,732,3 Chestermere is the fastest growing municipality in Alberta located just 18km east of Calgary. It began as farming land until more people came in the 1880s when the CPR was established. It eventually became a summer village as Chestermere Lake offered an ideal recreation place during the warm months while also providing water for irrigation. The community evolved into a town by 1993, with eventual development into a City in 2014 with the help of community growth of over 150%

2 City of Airdrie (2019). “2019 Census Results Fact Sheets.” https://www.airdrie.ca/getDocument.cfm?ID=7214 3 City of Chestermere (2018). “Chestermere Municipal Census 2018.” https://www.chestermere.ca/100/Demographics-Population

February 2, 2021 | 1 74 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

between 2004 and 2014. Some industries in the area include construction, real estate, professional and administrative services, and transportation yet 83% of the working-age community commutes to Calgary for work.4

2.1.3.4 Town of Cochrane

The Town of Cochrane is located west of Calgary with a population of 29,277 that grew at a rate of 7.94% per year from 2001 to 2016.5 It was established in 1881 as the Cochrane ranch and continued as a ranching town and railway siding for the CPR. The Town was slow to grow and eventually became a village in 1903 and achieved town status in 1971. Now it is expanding quickly, attracting more residents and tourists each month. Buildings along the Main Street still retain the western heritage of the area, reflecting its past ranching economy, but its primary contributors to the local economy has expanded to include construction, retail trade, agriculture and business services.

2.1.3.5 Foothills County

Foothills County is a rural area with a population of 22,766 located adjacent to and immediately south of Calgary.6 It surrounds some towns, including High River and Okotoks. Foothills became the MD of Sheep River No. 31 in 1954 by bringing together sections of Improvement District No. 46, Highwood No. 31, Turner Valley No. 32, and Springbank No. 45. The community formed into Foothills County in the beginning of 2019. It has an agricultural heritage that continues today while oil and gas has also emerged as a primary industry. Businesses from home have increased in popularity in the area.

4 Statistics Canada (2020). Business Register 2020. Accessed on City of Chestermere website: https://www.chestermere.ca/100/Demographics-Population 5 Town of Cochrane (2019). 2019 Municipal Census. https://www.cochrane.ca/386/Demographics 6 Statistics Canada (2016). Census Profile. Foothills County.

2 | February 2, 2021 75 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

2.1.3.6 Town of High River

High River is a town in close proximity to the Rocky Mountains with a population of 13,584 and is located 55km south of the City of Calgary.7 The CPR became a part of the ranching town in 1892, which helped its growth into a shipping location for cattle. Cattle and wheat continue to be an important part of the High River economy today. The Town’s continued agricultural success has attracted other businesses such as technology companies, equipment manufacturers, livestock and crop service providers and food distributors. The area is subject to flooding, with the 2013 flood causing the reconstruction of the downtown among other areas in the town and flood mitigation measures for the future.

2.1.3.7 Town of Okotoks

Okotoks is the largest town in Alberta due to a population of 29,002 located 20km south of Calgary. Known for the glacial erratic Big Rock that travelled during the ice age to just 7km west of Okotoks, the town was incorporated in 1908.8 The place was a stopping point for different forms of transportation through the years, including a wagon route between Fort Macleod and Calgary in the late 1800s and a resting point for the CPR. The discovery of the Turner Valley oil field in the west portion of the town in 1914 helped expand its economic growth that already included transportation, ranching, and sawmills. Today the economy also involves industrial, food and beverage manufacturing and agriculture services. It also has a community run by solar panels. The town has transformed largely into a commuter suburb.

7 Statistics Canada (2016). Census Profile. Town of High River 8 Town of Okotoks. Facts about Okotoks. https://www.okotoks.ca/municipal-government/town- okotoks/facts-about-okotoks

February 2, 2021 | 3 76 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

2.1.3.8 Rocky View County

Rocky View County is a rural municipality with the Rocky Mountains nearby to the west. It surrounds Calgary’s northern and most of the western and eastern boundaries. The municipality is the most populous district in Alberta at a growing population of 40,695 that grew 10.2% from 2011 to 2016.9 It includes 14 hamlets, such as Langdon, and many rural areas with country residential subdivisions. With a history rooted in agriculture, the district was initially created as Municipal District (MD) of Calgary No. 44 in 1995 until it was renamed a year later. The main industries are ranching, farming, and natural resource processing.

2.1.3.9 Town of Strathmore

Strathmore is a town approximately 40km east of Calgary along the Trans-Canada Highway with a population that has more than doubled since the early 1990s. The town began in 1883 as a siding for the CPR. The hamlet moved 6.5km north in 1905 due to the development of an irrigation system that continues today. It was incorporated as a town in 1911 and dubbed “the town that moved.” Strathmore’s current economy is largely based in agriculture and cattle ranching, with some oil and gas. Today, the population of 13,000 lives a rural country life that includes primarily agricultural lands and access to Calgary for urban amenities and employment.10

9 Rocky View County. Demographics & Population Dashboard. https://regionaldashboard.alberta.ca/region/rocky-view-county/#/ 10 Town of Strathmore (2019). Strathmore History. https://strathmore.ca/en/visiting/strathmore- history.aspx

4 | February 2, 2021 77 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

2.1.3.10 Wheatland County

Wheatland County is a municipal district in south-central Alberta, east of Calgary and Strathmore. It is comprised of several districts that combined into the County of Wheatland No.16 in 1961. The final name change to Wheatland County occurred in 1996. The population has grown over the years from a variety of small farming communities to 8,788 people living in primarily rural residential dwellings.11 The population is growing at a rate of 0.76% per year over a period of 15 years from 2001 to 2016.12 The County is largely comprised of the 50 to 54 age group, which is slightly older than most of the other communities in the CMR that have the largest population age groups in the 30s. The main industry is agriculture and includes a diverse range of other natural resources, manufacturing and consumer products.

2.2 Population and Employment Forecasts Based on the current long-term forecast, the regional population is expected to grow by one million people to approximately 1.5 million people between 2048 and 2053, with a longer range forecast of three million by 2076. The average annual growth rate during this time is estimated to be 1.2%.13 Table 1 and Figure 7 show the population forecasts for each member municipality.

11 Statistics Canada (2016). Census Profile. Wheatland County 12 Statistics Canada (2016). Census Profile. Wheatland County 13 Rennie Intelligence (2018). Population Projections: Produced for the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board and its Member Municipalities. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5eb3220bf77e9b62db665c54/t/5ed6f935fd86f82652b7bb39/1591 146806403/FINAL+CMRB+Population+Projections.pdf

February 2, 2021 | 5 78 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

Table 1. Population Project for the Calgary Region

Forecast Population

Municipality 2018 2048 2053

Calgary 66889 2,029,430 2,124,804

Airdrie 1342861 130,612 140,725

Chestermere 21619 49,632 54,147

Cochrane 28152 53,715 57,277

High River 14825 29,596 31,630

Okotoks 31439 58,653 62,658 Strathmore 14982 30,123 32,374

Foothills 24683 39,082 41,103

Rocky View 42729 67,706 71,439

Wheatland 973 1,590 1,671

TOTAL 1589152 2,490,139 2,617,828

Figure 7.

Population Projections (Rennie intelligence, 2018) – TO BE REPLACED WITH A CLEANER VERSION The City of Calgary will continue to attract the largest number of new residents, but its share of the regional total is expected to slowly decline from almost 85% of the regional population in 2016 to approximately 81% by 2048. Chestermere has the highest forecast growth rate at 1.8%, followed by Airdrie, High River and Strathmore at 1.5%.

6 | February 2, 2021 79 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

Alongside population growth is an increase in employment opportunities with a projected increase from an estimate of approximately 842,000 in 2018 to about 1,340,000 by 2048.14 This increase translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.6%. The population and employment growth forecasts by municipality are summarized in Table 2.

Table 2: Forecast of Regional Growth Municipality Incremental Incremental Share of Regional Share of Regional Population Growth Employment Population Growth Employment Grow (2018-2048) Growth (2018- th 2048) Calgary 686,650 337,660 76.2% 67.9%

Airdrie 63,420 23,500 7.0% 4.7%

Chestermere 28,030 8,050 3.1% 1.6%

Okotoks 27,300 9,840 3.0% 2.0%

Cochrane 25,520 9,140 2.8% 1.8%

High River 14,840 8,590 1.6% 1.7%

Strathmore 15,160 9,230 1.7% 1.9%

Rocky View 24,960 69,010 2.8% 13.9%

Foothills 14,400 22,230 1.6% 4.5%

Wheatland 630 330 0.1% 0.1%

2.3 Regional Growth Patterns Planned and developed land in the region – Include currently approved ASPs/ARPs - ADD MAP

2.3.1 Housing Trends and Future Housing Demands The CMR includes a combination of housing types that vary between and within municipalities. These demand for housing types can change based on many factors, such as economic drivers, generational trends, and stages of life and affect overall growth patterns in the CMR. As shown in Figure 8, single family homes make up the majority of housing types in the Calgary region. In Foothills County and Rocky View County 93% or more of all homes are detached dwellings. In High River and Calgary, detached dwellings make up 56% or

14 Applications Management Consulting Ltd. (2020). Regional Employment Forecasts. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5eb3220bf77e9b62db665c54/t/5ed6fad54469905e511facf8/1591 147234131/2020%2B02%2B21%2BCMRB%2BEmployment%2BAnalysis.pdf (Note: Totals are different than those in the Applications Management report due to adjustments made for Wheatland County subsequent to the Regional Employment Forecasts report)

February 2, 2021 | 7 80 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

less of the housing mix. In almost all municipalities, semi-detached dwelling and row houses make up the smallest percentage of housing types. High River has the highest percentage of row houses (14%) and semi-detached dwellings (18%), followed by Cochrane (12% and 14% respectively) and Strathmore (10% and 12% respectively). As compared to Canada overall, the region (all municipalities shown) has more detached dwellings and fewer apartments/condominiums. Municipalities outside of Calgary have an even higher proportion of detached dwellings and much lower proportion of apartments as compared to the Region and Canada.

Figure 8. Current Occupied Dwelling Types by Municipality (2016 Census) The population forecast showed that international migration and interprovincial migration are expected to be the two primary sources of population increase in the Region over the next 40 years. Similarly, the City of Calgary’s most recent economic outlook attributes the majority of population growth over the next 40 years to in-migration as opposed to natural increase19 Immigration and the demographics of immigrants may become a greater driving force behind housing needs across the region in the future. The market’s preference for apartments and condominiums suggests that housing needs are evolving. Most municipalities in the CMR have a median age in the 30s, yet Calgary has recently experienced slower overall growth than previous years with a noticeable growth in the aging population due to a shrinking workforce and less births (Calgary Census, 2019). The CMR has abundant housing resources that continue to increase, which may lead to an oversupply of both multi-family and single-family housing types if growth continues to slow down and/or age. If these trends continue there could be issues around a lack of drivers to influence a change in future housing and residential land demand.

8 | February 2, 2021 81 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

2.3.2 Employment Trends There are driver industries that are expected to lead employment growth through the years detailed below with timelines of when their growth will play a key role in the region’s economy

Figure 9. Driver Industries Timeline for the Calgary Metropolitan Region (Applications Management Consulting Ltd., 2020) Currently, the largest industry sector is Professional, Scientific and Technical services, consisting of 12% of total employment with approximately 100,000 jobs. This sector and other existing industries are expected to grow steadily through the years. Healthcare and Social Assistance, Professional, Scientific and Technical services, Construction, Retail Trade, and Transportation Warehousing are expected to comprise approximately 50% of this total job growth. There will be nearly 150,000 jobs allocated to “Other Industries,” some of which at this point may be unclear due to the unknown status of the energy sector that has provided many jobs in the CMR. Figure 10 summarizes the forecast growth by sector under the status quo scenario as defined in Regional Employment Forecasts Report.

February 2, 2021 | 9 82 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

Figure 10: employment Growth By Sector (Derived from Regional Employment Forecasts, Applications Management Consulting Ltd. 2020) 2.3.3 Planned and Developed Land The CMRB created a consolidated database of existing and planned land in the CMR, known as Digitization of Existing and Approved Land (DEAL) as of January 1, 2018. Based on this database, Table 3 provides a summary of the land currently identified in Area Structure Plans (ASPs) and the amount of land that has already been developed. The total planned area in Table 3 have excluded land for environmental reserve, major parks, major road rights-of-way, farmland and other land within ASPs that would not be readily available for development.

Table 3: Planned and Absorbed Land (from DEAL database)

Land Area (ha) Total Absorbed/Developed Remaining Planned Calgary 44,800 32,400 12,400 Airdrie 3,100 1,900 1,200 Chestermere 2,200 700 1,500 Okotoks 1,600 1,000 600 Cochrane 1,700 900 800 High River 1,000 500 500 Strathmore 1,200 500 700 Rocky View 44,000 20,400 23,600

10 | February 2, 2021 83 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

Land Area (ha) Total Absorbed/Developed Remaining Planned Foothills 23,800 21,800 2,000 Wheatland 3,600 400 3,200 TOTAL 127,000 80,500 46,500

Many ASPs contain a variety of land uses. A characterization of the primary land use within each ASP allows for a comparison of 46,500 ha of unabsorbed land by generalized land use as summarized in Figure 11.

Figure 11: Unabsorbed Planned Land by Generalized Land Use 2.4 Future Regional Placetypes Placetypes are a key element of the regional the regional planning process. They represent simplified development types, generally described by densities, land use mix and connectivity and are used to aid in regional analysis and policy development. The placetypes speak to a generalized land use approach at a regional level and does not replace local land use planning. These placetypes do not represent every possible land use in the region, and there are many existing land uses that are not represented. Downtown Calgary for example is far more dense and connected than any of the placetypes, but no new areas comparable to downtown Calgary are expected develop within the Growth Plan horizon, and expansion

February 2, 2021 | 11 84 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

of downtown will occur through infill in redevelopment. Likewise, farmland is not represented as a placetype as it does not represent a significant requirement for new residential or employment land. Both of these examples are very important to the Region, but are not placetypes in the context of the Growth Plan. The following describes the placetypes used in the scenario analysis for the Growth Plan. Infill and Redevelopment Infill and redevelopment can take on many forms. From a regional perspective, infill is most significant where it takes place on parcels of land that are vacant and within existing built-up areas, or that are occupied by structures or uses that are planned for replacement by more

intense development. Densities are variable and reflect the character of the surrounding community. They may be commercial, mixed, or primarily residential as the context requires. Mixed Use Centre / Transit-Oriented Development A mixed-use centre development has many day- to-day services within walking distance of home. These areas have a variety of housing types, employment types, and commercial / retail land uses mixed within them. When supported by existing or planned transit, this placetype is called Transit Oriented Development. It will provide frequent safe and direct pedestrian and bike access between uses. Higher density office development is encouraged along with regional, community or neighbourhood commercial centres in this pedestrian friendly area. Masterplan Community A masterplan community is characterized by its comprehensive and integrated approach to land use. It typically includes a mix of housing types and land uses, including retail, commercial, civic, and recreational amenities located within walking distance of residences. This placetype includes community or neighbourhood commercial centres. It requires safe and direct pedestrian and bike access between uses. These communities should be designed to evolve over time to higher densities and a greater mixture of uses.

12 | February 2, 2021 85 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

Employment Area An employment Area is characterized by a variety of industrial and commercial land uses that may include office complexes, research parks, warehousing, light-medium industry and manufacturing. The area may also include supporting uses for workers, such as food and business retail but does not include regional commercial centres. Where possible, they should be used as workplace destinations easily accessible by surrounding residential development and transit. Residential Community This placetype is predominantly residential and mostly in suburban locations. Single detached homes are the dominant housing type with other housing types possibly included. This placetype is generally auto oriented as the development pattern may have limited amenities and destinations that can be conveniently accessed via walking or biking. Rural / Country Residential Residential development in rural areas is characterized by larger lot sizes, lower density, and single-detached housing. This placetype can include Country Cluster patterns that configure housing development in a focused area and preserves remaining land for open space. Figure 12 summarizes the characteristics that are typical of each placetype.

February 2, 2021 | 13 86 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

Infill and Mixed Use Masterplan Employment Residential Rural / Country Placetype Redevelopment Centre / TOD Community Area Community Cluster Residential Residential Density Variable Medium-High Medium Low Very Low Employment Density Variable Medium-High Medium-Low Medium-High N/A N/A Street Connectivity Variable High Medium Medium Low Low - Very Low

Figure 12. Calgary Metropolitan Region Place Types 2.5 Scenarios for Growth The scenario development approach is rooted in the information gathering and visioning tasks completed in the beginning stages of the Growth Plan process. Building on best practices, team discussions, and initial visioning and mapping exercises with CMRB member staff and elected officials, a baseline scenario and two alternative regional scenarios were developed. The scenarios illustrate the effects of a range of land use patterns and infrastructure investments, as well the key consequences of trend-based growth. Scenario comparative analysis included land consumption, impacts on the transportation system and air quality, levels of environmental restoration, housing supply and diversity, major infrastructure cost, water, and key ecological factors. A baseline or ‘Business as Usual’ (BAU) scenario was developed as a projection of past development trends of the region. The BAU scenario represents a regional future as projected using recent development trends. After confirming the BAU assumption and inputs, two alternative scenarios were developed. The second scenario was a regional growth approach based on new development locating in existing centers and hubs and includes infill and redevelopment opportunities.

14 | February 2, 2021 87 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

This is the Compact Scenario; this approach prioritizes new development within (infill and redevelopment) or in close proximity to existing developed areas. The third regional growth approach was based on new development occurring at transit centers and along transit corridors. The transit-oriented development (TOD)a scenario prioritizes new development along existing and possible future high-order transit (such as bus rapid transit and light rail) stations and corridors. The scenario planning tool analysis compares various costs, savings, and impacts in land use, infrastructure, and environmental project goals. The scenarios vary in location of development, land use mix, average density, infill and redevelopment proportions, and higher order transit investment. The three regional scenarios accommodate the same increase in population and jobs. The scenarios vary in location of development, land use mix, average density, infill and redevelopment proportions, and higher order transit investment.

Figure 13. Preliminary Scenario Alternatives (BAU, Compact, TOD) 2.5.1 Scenario Analysis and Comparison Through public, stakeholder and CMRB member municipality engagement activities, the three land-use and growth scenarios, based on the six placetype patterns were analyzed and reviewed. Feedback was received and used to create a preferred or “synthsis proposed policies. 2.5.1.1 Placetype Performance

All placetypes have different outcomes in critical environmental, economic and social factors. For example, Mixed Use and Masterplan placetypes perform better on key household indicators, including less land consumption, fewer vehicle kilometres traveled and less water and energy use. Table 4 highlights these outcomes for the Mixed Use and Masterplan placetypes in comparison to the base case placetype, Residential Community.

February 2, 2021 | 15 88 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

Table 4: Reduction Compared to the Residential Community Placetype Placetype Mixed Use Centre / TOD Masterplan Community % reduction compared to the Residential Community Placetype Land 71% 44% Consumption per household Vehicle km 30% 13% traveled per household

Road and 64% 31% Infrastructure Cost per household

Water 49% 29% Consumption per household

Energy Cost 24% 12% per household

Total Carbon 48% 39% per household

2.5.1.2 Regional Scenario Performance

The scenario analysis illustrates the value of placetype land use planning that focuses on Mixed Use Centre / TOD and Masterplan placetypes mentioned above, as well as the Infill/Redevelopment and Employment Centre placetypes. By changing the amount and location of different placetypes within the scenarios, the subsequent impacts to the key environmental, economic and social factors (at the household level) could be examined. The three scenarios revealed considerably better outcomes for important environmental, economic, and social factors for the Compact and TOD scenarios compared to BAU. Drawing on input from member municipalities, a fourth scenario, the Synthesis Scenario, was created to adjust and fine tune the approach. These key metrics are outlined in Table 5.

16 | February 2, 2021 89 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

Table 5: Reduction Compared to the Business As Usual Scenario Placetype Compact TOD Synthesis % Reduction Compared to the Business as Usual Scenario Land Consumption per household 40% 38% 37% Vehicle km traveled per household 16% 14% 14% Road and Infrastructure Cost per 40% 38% 37% household Water Consumption per household 31% 47% 41% Energy Cost per household 27% 24% 12% Total Carbon per household 22% 21% 21%

UPDATE TO ALIGN WITH THE SYNTHESIS SCENARIO

2.6 Growth Plan Goals, Direction and Priorities The CMRB has defined goals organized around six themes to provide vision and direction for the CMRB, and ultimately help track and measure progress. These goals for the CMRB provide overall direction for the Growth Plan. TO BE UPDATED ONCE ALL POLICY WORK IS FINALIZED – CONSIDER PRESENTING AS A GRAPHIC

2.6.1 Growth Management and the Efficient Use of Land • The CMR has grown in a balanced way reﬂecting a variety of land uses, capitalizing on growth opportunities.

February 2, 2021 | 17 90 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

• The CMR has grown in a ﬁscally sustainable way, which integrates regional servicing.

2.6.2 Economic Wellbeing • The CMR is a globally recognized economy, attracting the best and brightest in a variety of economic sectors to support regional prosperity and a high quality of life. • The CMR has a strong and uniﬁed approach to regional economic growth, maximizing the return we will realize from investments in development.

2.6.3 Environmentally Responsible Land Use • The CMR recognizes the important role of natural systems in the Region and planned growth accordingly. • The CMR is a leader in sustainable regional planning which minimizes the impacts of development on our land, water and air.

2.6.4 Shared Services Optimization • Residents of the CMR experience borderless delivery of essential services based on a fair cost-benefit model. • The CMR delivers services in a more efficient and sustainable way through shared services optimization.

2.6.5 Celebrating Rural/Urban Differences • The CMR has grown in a way which celebrates the individual character of our municipalities while working together to build a stronger region. • The CMR has worked together to make our developments perform better financially, environmentally and socially.

2.6.6 Water Stewardship • The CMR has a water strategy which promotes healthy people, healthy ecosystems and is resilient in times of drought and flood. • The CMR has a coordinated approach to water, wastewater and stormwater which provides safe and healthy water for our growing region.

18 | February 2, 2021 91 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

3 Regional Policies 3.1 Growth Management and Efficient Use of Land Growth management strategies can promote the efficient use of land by increasing the mix and density of growth areas and by directing a significant portion of growth to areas where services can be provided efficiently. They seek to promote the development of compact, walkable communities around existing city and town centres in urban areas, along transit corridors, in established rural hamlets, and in well-planned and serviced greenfield development. As municipalities continue to grow, urban and rural development areas are converging and boundaries between municipalities have become blurred. As the region adds another million people, greater cooperation among all of the municipalities that make up the CMR will be needed to create a resilient and globally competitive region. If successful, a coordinated effort will minimize the impact of growth on social, economic, natural and fiscal components of the Region. The CMR will, through these policies, enjoy mutual benefits and shared efficiencies that are beyond the reach of local planning. In the core areas of urban municipalities, infill and redevelopment should reinforce the role of core areas as economic, cultural and social centres of their respective towns and cities. In the urban-rural interface, plans should strive for fully serviced urban neighbourhoods and employment areas where people will be able to walk to everyday needs or to transit for longer-distance trips. In rural areas, plans should seek to conserve agricultural land and resources by clustering growth around community infrastructure, facilities and services. This approach will result in positive environmental, economic and social impacts, reducing the impacts of climate change with sustainable growth and development. Section 2.5.1 outlined the multiple benefits such a direction can produce.

CMR Goals Growth Plan Objectives

The Calgary Metropolitan Region a) Create opportunities for each municipality to grow and grows in a balanced way that reflects develop in a way that contributes to balanced regional a variety of land uses and capitalizes growth. on growth opportunities. b) Promote a range of housing and neighbourhood types within each municipality. c) Strengthen the importance and livability of existing urban and rural centres. d) Provide adequate land area for a variety of employment opportunities in appropriate areas.

February 2, 2021 | 19 92 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

CMR Goals Growth Plan Objectives

The Calgary Metropolitan Region a) Focus future urban growth in suitable locations where grows in way that reduces the land use, infrastructure and servicing are aligned. amount of land and resources b) Promote compact and walkable communities. consumed from development. c) Reduce the amount of land consumed by achieving higher densities and more efficient and mixed-use development patterns. d) Limit or discourage new auto-oriented residential communities that are dominated by single-detached housing with limited amenities. e) Encourage country residential development in a clustered form of development

The Calgary Metropolitan Region a) Reduce the cost of infrastructure to support growth grows in a fiscally sustainable way, compared to past practices. including the integration of regional b) Focus regional service delivery in areas that take servicing. advantage of existing services, collaboration and plans.

The following policies are built around three fundamental strategies that support the CMR goals and objectives listed above:

1. Compact mixed-use place types along with aggressive infill and redevelopment can improve environmental, social and economic outcomes.

2. Directing urban development to key growth areas called Joint Planning Areas will improve multi-jurisdictional cooperation, efficient supply of services, and equitable distribution of shared obligations.

3. Traditional rural areas can be reinforced with clustered development, agricultural preservation, appropriate commercial areas, and hamlets.

3.1.1 DEFINITIONS 3.1.1.1 Placetypes: A placetype is a generalized development typology that describes at a regional scale the land uses, development density, destinations and connectivity within an area. Placetypes are central to the polices as they define in a general way the six types of development typical in the region. Two placetypes are mixed-use areas that combine housing with commercial and civic uses into a walkable and bikeable community. These two, along with Infill and redevelopment type, constitute ‘Preferred Placetypes’. The three other placetypes are the more typical single-use development forms of Residential Neighborhoods, Rural and Cluster Residential, and Employment Area. The following defines each placetype:

Preferred Placetypes:

20 | February 2, 2021 93 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

(a) Infill and Redevelopment: Development which takes place on parcels of land that are vacant and within existing built-up areas, or that are occupied by structures or uses that are planned for replacement by more intense development. Such development may vary in density and use according to the character of the surrounding community. They may be commercial, mixed, or primarily residential as the context requires.

(b) Mixed-Use Centre/TOD: A greenfield development characterized by mixed use development with many day-to-day services within walking distance of residential. These areas have a variety of housing types, employment types, and commercial / retail land uses mixed within them. When supported by existing or planned transit, this placetype is called Transit Oriented Development. It will provide frequent safe and direct pedestrian and bike access between uses. Higher density office development is encouraged along with regional, community or neighbourhood commercial centres in this pedestrian friendly area. The minimum average residential density shall be as follows:

• Calgary: 20 du/ac • Other Urban Municipalities and Joint Planning Areas: 15 du/ac • Hamlet Growth Areas: 12 du/ac

(c) Masterplan Community - A greenfield development characterized by its comprehensive and integrated approach to land use. It will typically include a mix of housing types and land uses, including retail, commercial, civic, and recreational amenities located within walking distance of residences. This placetype includes community or neighbourhood commercial centres. It requires safe and direct pedestrian and bike access between uses. Medium density employment is encouraged along with community or neighbourhood commercial centres in this pedestrian friendly area. These communities should be designed to evolve over time to higher densities and a greater mixture of uses. The minimum average residential density shall be as follows:

• Calgary: 10 du/ac, • Other Urban Municipalities and Joint Planning Areas: 8 du/ac • Hamlet Growth Areas: 6 du/ac

Other Placetypes:

(d) Employment Area: An Employment Area is characterized by a variety of industrial and commercial land uses that may include office complexes, research parks, warehousing, and manufacturing. The area may also include supporting uses for workers, such as food and business retail but does not include regional commercial centres. Where possible, they should

February 2, 2021 | 21 94 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

be used as workplace destinations easily accessible by surrounding residential development and transit.

(e) Residential Community: A greenfield development that is predominantly residential and mostly in suburban locations. Single detached homes are the dominant housing type with other housing types possibly included. This placetype is generally auto oriented as the development pattern may have limited amenities and destinations that can be conveniently accessed via walking or biking. This placetype has a minimum residential density of 5 du/ac.

(f) Rural/Country Cluster: Rural areas characterized by larger lot sizes, lower density, and single-detached housing. This placetype can include Country Cluster patterns that configure housing development in a focused area and preserves remaining land for open space. The maximum density is .5 du/ac overall which can be clustered onto areas with a minimum average residential density of 3 gross du/ac.

3.1.1.2 Density: Gross Residential Density as defined in Appendix A.

3.1.1.3 Greenfield Development: An area for future growth located outside of the built-up urban area or previously approved planned areas.

3.1.1.4 Hamlet: A Provincially designated unincorporated community that consists of 5 or more dwellings, has a generally accepted boundary and name, and contains land that is used for non-residential purposes.

3.1.1.5 Hamlet Growth Area: A new settlement area or an existing hamlet that is designated as a priority for growth and, in addition to residential land uses, will include supporting commercial and industrial land uses, often in the form of a main street or central commercial area.

3.1.1.6 Joint Planning Area (JPA): Areas where significant intermunicipal servicing and related growth pressures either currently exist or are anticipated in the near future. To ensure efficient use of servicing and land a higher level of cooperation is required to guide future development in these Joint Planning Areas. These three areas are described in Appendix A and on the Growth Structure Map. These Joint Planning Areas (JPA) have the following common features:

• Existing or planned intermunicipal utility servicing • Need for shared service agreements • Primary transportation networks planned or in place • Significant growth pressure • Approved Areas Structure Plans and land uses in place • Non-residential growth potential

3.1.1.7 Preferred Placetypes: Three residential placetypes are classified as Preferred Placetypes for the purpose of focusing new residential growth into development forms which will better

22 | February 2, 2021 95 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

support the CMR Goals and Growth Plan Objectives; these three include Infill and Redevelopment, Mixed Use Centre/TOD, and Masterplan Community.

3.1.1.8 Rural Municipality: Member municipalities of the CMRB incorporated as a County, including Rocky View County, Foothills County and Wheatland County.

3.1.1.9 Transit Ready Corridor: An area within 800 metres of an existing or planned transit corridor that includes dedicated transit lanes or right-of-way, where the built environment is intended to be organized around transit and walking trips.

3.1.1.10 Transit Oriented Development: Development located within 400 metres of existing or planned transit corridor that includes dedicated transit lanes or right-of-way, planned and developed as a mixed use, pedestrian-friendly community. Where possible, major employment and regional or district level retail can be integrated with housing.

3.1.1.11 Urban Municipality: Member municipalities of the CMRB incorporated as a Town or City.

3.1.2 PLACETYPE TARGETS FOR POPULATION GROWTH A key element of this Growth Management Policy is to guide the CMR toward the use of Preferred Placetypes in appropriate areas to achieve better outcomes in land consumption, infrastructure efficiency, service coordination, economic health and environmental stewardship. Each municipality has a responsibility to assist the Region in moving towards the many benefits of the Preferred Placetypes, including a reduction in land consumption across the Region, more cost-effective and efficient infrastructure and servicing.

3.1.2.1 Municipalities should achieve the minimum proportions of dwelling units in Preferred Placetypes identified for new planned residential development as follows. The three Preferred Placetypes can be mixed and located as appropriate within each municipality. These proportions are intended to be calculated across the municipality during the reporting period as individual developments may vary significantly in their proportion of the Preferred Placetypes.

• City of Calgary: 90% • Other Urban Municipalities and Joint Planning Areas outside the City of Calgary: 75% • Hamlet Growth Areas: 60%

3.1.3 LOCATIONAL CRITERIA FOR PLACETYPES Each placetype has appropriate and important locational criteria. The Preferred Placetypes and Employment Area locations, because of their densities and potential for transit, logically fall within urban jurisdictions and in focused growth areas with adequate infrastructure, circulation, and services. The Rural/County Cluster placetype is designed to preserve and enhance the rural character and economy of the county lands surrounding the cities towns and JPAs. 3.1.3.1 Municipalities shall comply with the following locational criteria when designating areas for placetypes:

February 2, 2021 | 23 96 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

(a) Preferred Placetypes shall only be located in Urban Municipalities, Hamlet Growth Areas, or Joint Planning Areas. (b) New Employment Areas shall only be located in Urban Municipalities, Hamlet Growth Areas, or Joint Planning Areas, with the exception of resource extraction and agriculture-related business including processors, producers and other agri-business, which have no location criteria. (c) The Rural/Country Cluster Placetype shall not be located in Urban Municipalities, or Joint Planning Areas.

3.1.4 RURAL AREA DEVELOPMENT The rural counties surrounding the region’s cities and towns play an important role in supporting an agricultural economy, rural character and identity. In additional key environmental resources, water, and flood issues must be accommodated and protected. There is a diverse set of opportunities for rural areas to grow in productive ways that complement key regional needs.

3.1.4.1 Rural muncipalities will be supported with the following growth location opportunities:

(a) Growth within a Joint Planning Area preferred placetypes and Employment Areas. (b) Growth planned for development under approved ASPs; (c) Growth within identified Hamlet Growth Areas, if the proposed growth aligns with the three Preferred Placetypes, Employment Areas, and associated minimum densities; and (d) Growth in all rural areas that complies with the Rural/Country Cluster placetype.

3.1.4.2 The Rural / Country Cluster Placetype is encouraged to be developed in clustered country residential development to a maximum of 80 dwelling units in locations where infrastructure and services are appropriate.

3.1.4.3 Statutory plans shall identify the impacts, including fragmentation of farmland, of greenfield development on land used for agricultural purposes. Strategies to mitigate the identified impacts should also be included.

3.1.5 HAMLET GROWTH AREAS Hamlet Growth Areas provide an important opportunity for rural areas to develop independent focal areas with lower density mixed-use developments and employment areas. They play an essential role in providing services and amenities for rural areas not easily reached by urban municipalities. HGAs are intended to accommodate growth opportunities in rural municipalities that are not contiguous to urban municipalities and serve a broad geographic area. They are meant to enhance the rural character of the Region by adding strategically located nodes. 3.1.5.1 Future growth in Hamlet Growth Areas shall comply with the following:

24 | February 2, 2021 97 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

(a) consist of the proportion of the preferred placetypes specified in Section 2.1, and the employment area placetype; and

(b) identify a main street or node where commercial and mixed-use development should be focused.

3.1.5.2 Municipal Development Plan updates shall identify geographic boundaries for all Hamlet Growth Areas identified in the Growth Plan.

3.1.5.3 The Board may designate new Hamlet Growth Areas. When evaluating the merits of creating a new Hamlet Growth Area (HGA) the Board must consider how the proposed HGA meets the following criteria:

(a) is not contiguous to an existing urban municipality, with a recommended minimum distance from an urbanized area of 2 km; (b) has potential for urban-style development of the preferred placetypes and employment areas; (c) has existing or planned services of water, wastewater and/or stormwater servicing with a preference for the potential for full municipal servicing; (d) has access to existing major transportation networks; (e) has potential for public transit service; (f) has a land area of 640 acres or less; (g) has an existing main street or potential for a main street where commercial and mixed-use developments can be focused; and (h) may have an existing urban or hamlet development pattern.

3.1.6 JOINT PLANNING AREAS Collaboration is important throughout the CMR and a fundamental part of a successful region. JPAs provide opportunities for neighbouring municipalities to collaborate in areas where growth impacts multiple municipalities and where a high level of municipally provided services will be necessary to support the full potential of the area. Existing Area Structure Plans and approved land uses introduce planning challenges, and they also highlight the need for collaboration around regionally significant considerations. Presently these areas do not have a single plan that aligns both servicing and land use and these areas will benefit from a coordinated servicing and land use approach for the entire area. A single Context Study that addresses this coordination should inform Regional Evaluation Framework assessments, as neighbouring municipalities will have already agreed to the major issues affecting the Joint Planning Area. 3.1.6.1 Policies pertaining to Joint Planning Areas shall apply to the Joint Planning Areas shown in Appendix B and on the Growth Structure Map.

3.1.6.2 The Board may adopt additional Joint Planning Areas, repeal them, or modify their boundaries. The area encompassed by any new Joint Planning Area shall be added to the Growth Structure Map. Municipal Development Plans must reflect such amendments upon their next Periodic Review.

February 2, 2021 | 25 98 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

3.1.6.3 When evaluating the merits of creating a new Joint Planning Area, the Board must consider how the proposed JPA meets the following locational and intermunicipal criteria. A JPA should be an area that:

(a) is contiguous to existing urban areas; (b) has an existing major transportation corridor(s); (c) may have potential or is an existing transit corridor; (d) has potential for urban-style development of the preferred placetypes and employment areas at a scale that is regionally significant (e.g. >5,000 acres and/or >2,000 dwelling units); (e) the majority of land is removed from major environmental constraints (e.g. ESAs, flood prone areas, steep slopes); (f) has existing or planned intermunicipal services of water, wastewater and/or stormwater servicing with a preference for the potential for full municipal servicing; (g) requires shared amenities and services; and (h) involves other regionally significant land use and servicing matters would benefit from inter-municipal coordination (e.g. airports, recreation, environmental). 3.1.6.4 The municipalities which are party to the Joint Planning Area shall prepare a background report, called a Context Study, for the Joint Planning Area, which will inform the Growth and Servicing Plans, as well as Municipal Development Plans.

3.1.6.5 Within one year, the participating municipalities shall adopt Terms of Reference to govern the development of the Context Plan which includes a process for dispute resolution and a timeframe for completion.

3.1.6.6 A Context Study should include at a minimum, the following:

(a) a servicing strategy for water, sewer, and stormwater; (b) a transportation and mobility plan identifying the designation of key future transportation corridors, including major roads with regional connections, regional transit corridors and transit-ready corridors for Transit-Oriented Development, and pathways and active transportation networks; (c) strategies to address intermunicipally specific environmental issues; (d) strategies to equitably share costs and benefit associated with the development of the Joint Planning Area and its services such as fire, police, recreation, and utilities; (e) a general land use plan that aligns the servicing strategy with future development areas and that generally identifies the location of placetypes as defined and regulated in the Regional Growth Plan;

26 | February 2, 2021 99 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

(f) a land use statistics table based on the land use plan identifying the amount of land and required densities allocated to various placetypes as defined in the Regional Growth Plan; and (g) sequencing of developments, including strategies to ensure that development occurs in an orderly manner, maximizing the efficiency of servicing. 3.1.6.7 A Context Study may propose amendments to the boundaries of a Joint Planning Area to the Board, which would be updated in the next Periodic Review of the Regional Growth Plan.

3.1.7 APPROVED STATUTORY PLANS There is a large number of existing statutory plans throughout the Region that predate the Growth Plan. In some cases, these statutory plans have been grandfathered under the CMRB Regulation, while others have been approved under the Interim Growth Plan. There are several undeveloped or partially developed Area Structure Plans that may or may not be aligned with the Growth Plan, but have entitlements to develop over time as approved. Updates to Area Structure Plans and other statutory plans should bring the plans into conformance with the goals and policies of the CMRB.

3.1.7.1 Statutory Plans adopted prior to this Growth Plan coming into force are not subject to the policies of the Growth Plan, but each municipality is encouraged to revise existing plans to be in alignment with the Growth Plan.

3.1.7.2 Substantive amendments to existing Statutory Plans shall be subject to the Growth Plan policies.

3.1.7.3 Statutory plans in Joint Planning Areas may continue to be adopted prior to completion of Context Studies, subject to the policies of the Growth Plan.

3.1.8 MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN UPDATES 3.1.8.1 Within three years of adoption of the Regional Growth Plan, all member municipalities shall update their Municipal Development Plan to:

(a) create an alignment table between the regional placetypes defined in the Regional Growth Plan and land uses or typologies in the Municipal Development Plan;

(b) develop an Overlay map showing the locations of Preferred Placetypes within the municipality; or

3.1.9 PERIODIC REVIEWS AND REPORTING 3.1.9.1 Every two years, each municipality shall provide a report indicating the proportion of dwelling units approved in Statutory Plans for the previous biennial reporting period by placetype.

February 2, 2021 | 27 100 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

3.1.9.2 A update of the Regional Growth Plan shall be undertaken within five years of the adoption of the Regional Growth Plan and every five years thereafter to:

(a) review and adjust the population and employment forecast, and extension of the forecast by five years; (b) review of the proportions of new residential growth approved since the last periodic review, by municipality and placetype; (c) adjust the population and employment projections as needed to achieve the Goals, Objectives and Policies of the Regional Growth Plan; and (d) incorporate the findings and direction of Joint Planning Area Context Studies as appropriate.

3.1.10 EXCEPTIONS TO THE POLICY 3.1.10.1 Nothwithstanding the policies in the Growth Plan, the Board, at its discretion, may approve a statutory plan that does not comply with the policies of the Growth Plan if:

(a) the member municipality proposing the statutory plan has demonstrated an economic need and regional benefit that has not been addressed in the Growth Plan and that will be addressed by the proposed statutory plan (e.g. critical housing or employment area); (b) the Goals, Objectives and Policies of this plan are not significantly compromised by approval of this exception to the Growth Plan; and (c) there is not a pattern or practice of multiple requests for the Board to vary the Growth Plan from the member municipality requesting the Statutory Plan that results in significant cumulative impacts to the implementation of the regional Growth Plan.

28 | February 2, 2021 101 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

Appendix A to Section 3.2.

February 2, 2021 | 29 102 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

Appendix B to Section 3.1 Joint Planning Areas While collaboration is important throughout the Region, three areas have been identified where a higher level of cooperation can capitalize on future opportunities. These Joint Planning Areas (JPA) each have unique characteristics, opportunities and collaboration requirements. However, each of these JPAs already have approved Area Structure Plans in place for portions of their land area. While this reality introduces challenges, it also highlights the need for collaboration among the directly affected municipalities and for sharing the benefits and costs of maximizing the regional value of these areas. JPAs provide opportunities for neighbouring municipalities to initiate or continue collaboration in areas that impact multiple municipalities and can benefit from a coordinated plan for the entire area. A key goal for the JPAs is to align servicing strategies with land use planning that will create opportunities for urban standard development. Joint Planning Area 1 – Airdrie/Rocky View/Calgary This JPA connects the Region’s second largest city to Calgary. With only few kilometres between the boundaries of the two cities, there has been pressure for suburban-style development in this subregion in recent years. Airdrie’s population is projected to double to over 130,000 within the horizon of this plan. The commuting demand between Airdrie and Calgary will likely strain highway and transit services. Some of this commuting demand can be moderated with employment in Airdrie, and possibly in adjacent parts of Rocky View County. A future high-capacity transit connection is envisioned between Airdrie and Calgary that also will serve the intermediate area in Rocky View County. A more detailed transit assessment will be required to determine the most appropriate transit mode, alignment and timing. Although high-capacity transit may be many years away, planning today for land use that is supportive of transit will ultimately enhance its effectiveness, and reduce its operating costs. Industrial and commercial development are major existing and proposed land uses in this planning area with strong reliance on the provincial highway system. The focus of this JPA is coordination of long-term transit and land use planning to maintain viability for future transit service by protecting one or more corridors and encouraging transit- supportive land use. In addition to transit corridor planning, coordinated land use, transportation, utility and servicing planning throughout the identified area has the potential to align and balance individual identity and development consistency requirements in this area where future municipal boundaries are expected to be visible only on a map. INSERT UPDATED JPA1 BOUNDARY

30 | February 2, 2021 103 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

Joint Planning Area 2 – Chestermere/Rocky View/Calgary There are two primary issues requiring coordination in this JPA. Like JPA1, there will be need to support increased commuting demand between Chestermere and Calgary as growth continues. Calgary and Chestermere have planned and aligned land use for future extension of the 17 Avenue SE bus rapid transit corridor eastward along 17 Avenue and Chestermere Boulevard. Chestermere and Calgary recently adopted an Intermunicipal Development Plan that addressed the interface between the two municipalities, including policy that identifies land use consistent with transit oriented development in this corridor. The two municipalities are currently exploring the introduction of intermunicipal transit service. A high-capacity transit corridor would have indirect benefits to Rocky View County, as connecting routes to Conrich and Janet could be the framework for a future transit network serving these important employment areas. Industrial and commercial development can benefit from coordinated planning in this area. The majority of the area has good access to the provincial highway system, and in some areas, the rail network, but the scale of currently planned employment growth in Janet, Conrich, Chestermere and Shepard has the potential to impact the road networks in all three municipalities. A coordinated approach is needed, one that includes a logical sequencing plan and a strategy to share costs and benefits. This approach can reduce or delay the need for significant highway, roadway and other servicing investments. Planning in this JPA should reinforce the 17 Avenue SE/Chestermere Boulevard transit corridor, including how this corridor can ultimately be the backbone for local service for the full JPA, and support regional transit for Strathmore and Wheatland County. JPA planning should identify an employment sequencing plan that focuses on reducing and delaying major servicing investments and consider sharing the revenue benefits associated the “first-in” developments. INSERT UPDATED JPA2 BOUNDARY

Joint Planning Area 3 –Calgary/Foothills/Okotoks Foothills and Okotoks have recently established a Memorandum of Understanding to develop a new water line from the Bow River to serve multiple areas in Okotoks and Foothills, including some of the JPA3 area. The MOU for the new water line includes proposed water service areas. These services areas will attract significant development interest to this area between Calgary Okotoks and High River. The area benefits from strong transportation connections (Hwy 2 and 2A), transit opportunities, and natural amenities along around the Bow River. A joint planning area will assist to align land use planning, servicing and transit while moving the region to the preferred placetypes. INSERT UPDATED JPA3 BOUNDARY

Appendix C to Section 3.1 Context Studies (to be completed)

February 2, 2021 | 31 104 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

3.2 Economic Wellbeing Significant growth in the CMR economy in recent decades has been largely led by the energy sector. The City of Calgary is the Canadian headquarters of many oil and gas companies, with two-thirds of Calgary’s 118 head offices focused in the energy and oilfield services sector. The sector offers employment throughout the CMR, yet its dominance has caused instability with periods of high and low growth, often referred to as boom and bust periods. Despite stability from a strong agricultural sector and growing tech and logistics sectors, the Region has struggled with downsizing and layoffs during the most recent downturn that began in 2013. In spite of past reliance on energy and the associated ups and downs of the market, Calgary’s economy is diversifying. Over the next three years it is anticipated there will be an increase in employment across all sectors. According to the Regional Employment Forecast, it is anticipated there will be over 500,000 additional jobs under a status-quo scenario to support the next million regional population. Further, it is estimated the largest jobs growth will be in healthcare and social assistance; professional, scientific and technical services; construction; retail trade; and transportation and warehousing. According to Calgary Economic Development, agri-business is also among the key sectors for growth in Calgary and the region. Together, these industries are expected to make up approximately 50% of total job growth. The CMR can work together to form a clear vision of an equitable, diversified and resilient regional economy that blends together the economies of both urban and rural municipalities. The Economic Wellbeing policies encourage regional collaboration that will promote economic resilience and risk management, cost effectiveness and enhance quality of life. Key to achieving cost effectiveness is focusing development in compact forms that will increase regional transportation coordination, create servicing efficiencies and provide suitable land for emerging sectors. The Region must work towards a more resilient and diverse Regional economy that provides opportunities for both rural and urban development and related employment opportunities that develop, retain and attract talent from around the world.

CMR Goals Growth Plan Objectives

The Calgary Metropolitan Region is a • Diversify the economy in the Calgary Metropolitan globally recognized economy, attracting Region, supported by creating more resilient, the best and brightest in a variety of efficient, and livable communities. economic sectors to support regional • Enable transit, walking and cycling to work, prosperity and a high quality of life. contributing to attracting and retaining workforce. • Provide an effective transportation network, assuring efficient transportation of goods to market. • Ensure adequate suitable land for emerging market demand, providing capacity for economic growth.

32 | February 2, 2021 105 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

CMR Goals Growth Plan Objectives

The Calgary Metropolitan Region has a • Build on the strengths of all member municipalities strong and unified approach to regional to create a plan for economic growth in the region. economic growth. • Collaborate among municipalities and with industry partners.

Although economic development planning is not a component of the Growth Plan, there is an important connection between economic wellbeing and land use and servicing that will influence the Region’s economic competitiveness. The connections include:

1. The ability to attract the talent necessary to serve the future economy will in part be dependent on quality of life in the Region. 2. A sufficient supply of employment land with efficient access to markets will help support economic growth in the Region.

A coordinated approach to economic development should align with the Growth Plan policies and potentially inform future updates to the Growth Plan. Industry partners should be involved in developing the coordinated regional approach.

3.2.1 Municipal Development Plans An adequate supply of land that is appropriately serviced and accessible for the type of employment being served is essential to attracting jobs to the region that will support economic diversification and competitiveness. Municipal Development Plans can provide guidance on the availability and suitability of land to support future economic growth, reflecting job forecasts for the municipality. 3.2.1.1 Municipal Development Plans shall:

(a) Identify the anticipated needs for Employment Lands in the municipality over the next 10 to 15 years. (b) Identify how and where the municipality will accommodate future needs for employment lands over the next 10 to 15 years to protect for an adequate supply of land for employment. The following should be considered:

February 2, 2021 | 33 106 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

i. Direct employment growth to existing employment areas through intensification, infilling and redevelopment (e.g. Infill / Redevelopment placetype); ii. Focus employment growth in greenfield areas within the Mixed Use Centre, Masterplan and Employment Centre placetypes; and iii. Where appropriate, support agriculture-related, resource extraction and other employment that relies on proximity to the rural environment in rural areas. 3.2.1.2 Municipal Development Plans should promote walking, bicycling and transit access to jobs in urban municipalities and Joint Planning Areas by:

(a) Identifying how employment will be concentrated in areas that can be serviced by transit immediately, or in the future; (b) Promoting of the co-location of land uses in industrial areas that support the function and efficiency of industry.

3.2.2 Regional Transportation Planning Support for Economic Wellbeing Access to an employment base and to markets are among many the many factors employers consider when choosing a location. Future regional transportation planning is considered in more detail in policies and actions related to Shared Services Optimization. The policies below are related to how regional transportation planning initiatives can support the economic wellbeing of the Region. 3.2.2.1 Regional transportation plans should:

(a) Identify strategies to minimize the effects of commuter congestion on important goods movement and trade routes; (b) Identify a network of priority routes for regional goods movement, linking key hubs such as intermodal facilities and the Calgary International Airport with an emphasis on reliability. (c) Protect the integrity of major goods movement routes should be protected by coordinating adjacent land use planning with the provision of adequate truck accessibility.

3.2.3 Agricultural Economy Agriculture is a complex system, including both rural and urban components, which operate at local, regional, provincial, national and international scales. Agriculture plays an important cultural and economic role in large and small communities across the CMR. Farming is a business, and producers will make decisions that allow them to compete in a globalized marketplace. It is important to achieve a balance between conserving agricultural land and promoting other forms of economic development in a manner that promotes new land uses which are compatible with existing ones. Supporting value-added agriculture and related industries in proximity to producers is important for supporting the agricultural industry.

34 | February 2, 2021 107 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

3.2.3.1 Municipal Development Plans shall:

(a) Identify the role that agriculture plays in the municipality and include policies to support a strong, resilient and diversified agricultural economy; (b) Include policies to support growth of agri-business and value-added agriculture and related industries, especially when located in proximity to producers, as appropriate to the local scale and context; (c) Identify more opportunities to buy, share and sell locally produced food; and (d) Identify opportunities for agri-tourism, as appropriate to the local scale and context. 3.2.3.2 As part of a broader approach to regional economic development, the CMRB shall work with regional economic development partners, learning institutions, and other agricultural specialists to:

(a) Establish areas of focus where the CMRB can use its mandate to support the growth and diversification of the agriculture industry and local agricultural value chains; (b) Identify inventories, gaps and priorities for the improvement of infrastructure assets critical to the agricultural sector; and (c) Identify areas where agricultural production and processing are important or dominant land uses and coordinate those areas with necessary infrastructure and services.

3.2.4 Definitions (not included in other policies): Agriculture: The growing, raising, managing, transporting and/or sale of livestock, crops, foods, horticulture. Agricultural Areas: Areas identified by member municipalities that form significant parts of the agricultural value chain, such as areas of production, processing, agri-business or agri-tourism. Agricultural Value Chain: The people and activities that bring agricultural products to the consumer, through stages such as processing, packaging, and distribution; a partnership between producers, processors and marketers created to improve quality, increase efficiencies or develop and market differentiated agricultural products. Agri-tourism: Tourism that supports commercial agricultural production at a working farm, ranch, or processing facility; tourism that generates supplemental income for an agricultural producer; tourism related to activities that promote or market livestock and agricultural products such as fairs, market gardens and rodeos. Agri-business: Suppliers/businesses who enable agricultural production by providing inputs, machinery, equipment or services; such as fertilizer, pesticides, seeds, machinery and equipment, services (i.e. machinery maintenance or veterinary services), financial services, data management, grain drying, agronomy advice, agricultural research, transportation services, marketing, traders etc.

February 2, 2021 | 35 108 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

Local Food System: A complex system that offers the ability for more economic activity within the region due to an increased amount of value-added processing, marketing, and distribution, and consumption occurring locally within the CMR rather than outside of the region. Processor: Businesses that process (or transform) primary agricultural products into intermediary or final products for consumption (i.e. seed processors/crushers, milling, slaughterhouses, wool/leather production, milk/cheese production, food manufacturing, fibre production, preservation, packaging etc.) Producer: Primary producers are ranchers and farmers, greenhouse operators, aqua- culturalists beekeepers, and other individuals who create primary agricultural products via biological processes.

3.3 Environmentally Responsible Land Use Natural systems play an important role in the region, and the CMR recognizes, in alignment with the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan (SSRP), that it is important to plan growth in a manner that addresses cumulative effects and protects and enhances the natural environment and ecosystems. Reducing the footprint of new development as described through the approach to Growth Management and Efficient Use of Land is an important component of protecting natural systems. Environmentally responsible land use means growing in a manner that protects these important natural resources, such as environmentally sensitive areas, and working to maintain diversity of species and ecosystem types in the Region. It also means limiting our impact on climate change and building in a manner that protects the future well-being of the Region from a wide range of hazards (e.g. drought, flood, fire). The CMR recognizes its responsibility to reduce its impact on the climate, while preparing for the impacts of climate change and other natural and man-made hazards. Steps to create a more sustainable and resilient region will help protect our communities and create a more stable foundation for the region to prosper now and into the future. The Growth Plan seeks to help reduce our impact on the environment; achieving reductions in emissions, land consumption, impervious cover, and water demand. Additionally, the CMRB understands the importance of coordinating environmental actions and initiatives with all levels of government and First Nations and, where possible will actively collaborate with all jurisdictions.

36 | February 2, 2021 109 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

CMR Goals Growth Plan Objectives

The Calgary Metropolitan Region • Increase awareness and understanding of recognizes the important role of natural and sensitive areas through ESA natural systems in the Region. mapping. • Protect currently unprotected natural systems of regional significance and preserve the function of regionally significant natural systems. • Acknowledge the importance of natural floodplains through responsible growth.

The Calgary Metropolitan Region is • Plan responsibly in flood prone areas through a leader in sustainable regional sensitive development and flood mitigation. planning, which minimizes the • Reduce the Region’s impact on the environment impacts of development on our and climate through proper and efficient land land, water and air. use planning, including the use measurable targets to reduce impacts on land, water and air. • Increase the environmental, economic, and social resiliency of our region.

Polices associated with environmentally responsible land use are closely related to the Growth Plan and Servicing Plan policies for water stewardship, and should be considered together. The polices associated with Environmentally Responsible Land Use reflect he following key policies:

1. Flood policy is highly influenced by Provincial Flood Hazard mapping and the CMRB has a desire for application of a higher standard for Flood Hazard mapping.

2. Assessment of environmentally sensitive areas is complex, and requires consideration at the watershed, regional, local and site level. The Regional approach to environmentally sensitive areas will need to be integrated with other scales of planning.

3.3.1 Flood Prone Areas The Calgary Metropolitan Region has flood prone areas and has historically experienced significant flood events. Many member municipalities have responded to this critical challenge through policy and new regulations, reflecting local context and hydrological conditions. Municipalities in the Region have committed to building flood resilience to protect lives and property. For example, CMRB members strongly suggest changing the design flood standard to 1:200 years, or a 0.5% flood. The Region’s watersheds are large, interconnected systems. Flood resilience is best approached at multiple scales (watershed, community, property) and from multiple perspectives (upstream/

February 2, 2021 | 37 110 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

downstream). Regional responses will require ongoing coordination with watershed-level planning (e.g. SSRP) and at the community and property-level with municipalities and developers. The Province of Alberta recently released updated draft flood inundation mapping for some areas of the Region. As further mapping is released, actions approved by the Board to advance the development of flood prone policy beyond adoption of the Growth Plan include: • Request the Government of Alberta take a stronger leadership role in standards and policy for flood prone areas; • Engage with the Province and member municipalities to understand modifications to the Provincial Floodway Development Regulation; and • Update the policies of the Growth Plan to reflect the Floodway Development Regulation (if required); Key Issues and Influences: • Major recent floods had significant impacts to many communities within the CMR; • Riverine flooding is the topic of this policy area; • This policy does not consider the effects of overland flooding and stormwater management; • Developing regional flood policy for the entire area of the CMR is complex as the Province is currently updating their Flood Hazard Area mapping; and • The Board has indicated a desire to adopt a higher design standard than the current provincially defined standard. The CMRB objectives, as approved by the Board, related to Flood Prone Areas are: • Prioritize public safety; • Mitigate risk to public, municipalities, businesses, park spaces, living assets and other property/lands; • Over time and with appropriate inputs, examine how flood resilience might be achieved among CMR municipalities; • Educate the public and other development stakeholders on the risks of development in flood prone areas; • Maintain essential ecosystem functions of flood areas; and • Minimum design standard of 1:200, or 0.5% probability flood. Over time, through ongoing monitoring of regulatory changes, updates to flood hazard mapping and statutory plan approvals under the Growth Plan, the CMRB may consider developing a more comprehensive approach to Flood Prone Area policy. Potential new policy measures could include, but are not be limited to: • Flood fringe development controls

38 | February 2, 2021 111 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

• Meander belt management • Stepping Back from the Water / environmental reserve setbacks Policies 3.3.1.1 No development shall be permitted within a provincially identified floodway, with the exception of uses with no permanent buildings, such as agriculture, natural areas, outdoor recreation, parks, roads, bridges, utilities, aggregate extraction, and flood mitigation infrastructure.

3.3.1.2 Development in provincially identified flood fringe areas shall include flood protection measures to mitigate risk at the 1:100 year flood event level.

3.3.1.3 New area structure plans for greenfield developments must include cumulative protection measures to mitigate risk in provincially identified flood hazard areas at the 1:200 year flood event level.

3.3.1.4 After updated provincial flood hazard mapping is finalized, the CMRB shall work with the Province of Alberta and member municipalities to investigate changing the provincial definition of the flood hazard area to the 1:200 year level, including an assessment of the impacts to Alberta’s Disaster Relief Program and private insurance.

3.3.2 Environmentally Sensitive Areas Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) are key landscape features, providing important ecosystem services to municipalities at regional and local scales. These cherished and often irreplaceable natural places are worthy of retention and special care to maintain water quality, provide flood mitigation, retain natural habitats and diverse landscapes, and preserve other valued ecosystem functions and services. In addition to protecting ESAs, members should also adopt best practices for environmentally sensitive land development and planning, including the use of low impact development and efficient land use principles, the use of appropriate setbacks from water and natural areas, cumulative effects management, and stormwater and watershed best management practices. For example, the SSRP uses a cumulative effects management approach and the CMRB should investigate following in step with this direction. Key Issues and Influences: • Natural areas, and in particular ESAs provide important ecosystem services, and their health has been threatened by recent development trends and practices.

• Existing mapping data is quite varied across the CMR, and the existing location and extent of some ESAs are unknown, limiting the ability to protect them.

• Protecting certain types of ESAs will benefit other policy areas, including flooding and recreation.

Policies

February 2, 2021 | 39 112 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

The policies associated with environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs) establishes a consistent framework and approach for identifying, analyzing and planning near ESAs.

3.3.2.1 Area Structure Plans and Area Redevelopment Plans shall address Sensitive Areas through the following means:

(a) Undertake a desktop-based environmental screening to identify Environmentally Sensitive Areas on-site and within 100 metres of the site boundary; (b) The environmental screening shall include a map of all identified Environmentally Sensitive Areas; (c) If an Environmentally Sensitive Area is located on or within 100 metres of the site, the proponent/municipality must conduct an environmental study; and (d) An environmental study shall identify the potential impacts of the proposed development on the identified Environmentally Sensitive Area(s) and recommend mitigation measures to protect it.

3.3.2.2 Municipal Development Plans and Intermunicipal Development Plans shall:

(a) Include map(s) of regional Environmentally Sensitive Areas that have existing documentation and mapping within areas designated for future growth. (b) Include a shared definition of Environmentally Sensitive Areas as defined in the Regional Growth Plan. 3.3.2.3 Municipal Development Plans should include policies that address six key elements of the Region’s eco-infrastructure:

(a) wetlands; (b) riparian buffers; (c) regional corridors; (d) large patches of natural vegetation; (e) habitat for native species of interest; (f) designated species of conservation concern or identified focal species group; and (g) rare, intact or biologically diverse ecosystems. 3.3.2.4 The CMRB shall compile the municipally identified environmentally sensitive areas into a common database for the Region.

40 | February 2, 2021 113 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

3.3.3 Climate Change Climate change policies sets direction for municipalities in the Region to collectively take action on climate change.

3.3.3.1 Municipal Development Plans shall address climate change resiliency, which will include:

(a) a commitment to reduce municipal greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption; and (b) policies to identify and mitigate risks within the municipality due to climate change, including impacts to: (i) human systems and built environments (e.g. local economy, infrastructure), and (ii) natural systems.

3.3.4 Definitions Climate Change - The long-term shift in weather conditions measured by changes in temperature, precipitation, wind, snow cover, and other indicators. Design Flood – The current design standard in Alberta is the 1% flood, defined as a flood whose magnitude has a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any year.

Ecosystem Services - The following are examples of ecosystem services, the benefits that come from healthy functioning ecosystems and the biodiversity found in them: • food, fiber, fresh water (“provisioning” services) • flood control, water and air purification (“regulating” services) • spiritual, recreational, cultural benefits (“cultural” services) • nutrient cycling, soil formation (“supporting” services) Environmental Screening – An environmental screening is a desktop study to identify the presence of Environmentally Sensitive Areas using the following criteria: (a) Areas maintaining the provision of water quality and quantity and providing protection against drought and flooding events; (b) Areas providing habitat for identified local species of interest, designated species of conservation concern (SCC), or identified focal species groups.; (c) Areas providing rare, unique, or biologically diverse ecosystems or unique landforms; and (d) Areas contributing to other important ecosystem functions or services at regional or local scales.

Environmental Study – A detailed study and review of the effects of a proposed development on identified Environmentally Sensitive Areas, that anticipates, interprets

February 2, 2021 | 41 114 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

and evaluates impacts and identifies mitigation measures to avoid, minimize or compensate for these impacts. Environmentally Sensitive Areas - Environmentally Sensitive Areas are key natural components of the regional landscape, providing essential ecosystem functions and services. These functions and services include flood mitigation, drinking water supply, maintenance of regional biodiversity, preservation and connectivity of unique habitats and landscapes, and provision of culturally and economically valued resources and opportunities. They include areas that: • Maintain the provision of water quality and quantity and provide protection against drought and flood events. Includes water courses, water bodies, and riparian areas; • Provide habitat for identified local species of interest, designated species of conservation concern (SCC), or identified focal species groups; • Provide rare, unique, or biologically diverse ecosystems or unique landforms; • Contribute to other important ecosystem functions or services at the local scale; and • Include Provincial Environmentally Significant Areas. Flood Fringe – The portion of the flood hazard area outside of the floodway. Water in the flood fringe is generally shallower and flows more slowly than in the floodway. New development in the flood fringe may be permitted in some communities and should be flood-proofed. Flood Hazard Area – The flood hazard area is the area of land that will be flooded during the design flood event under encroached conditions. Once this area is defined, the flood hazard area is typically divided into two zones, the floodway and the flood fringe.

Source: Government of Alberta, www.alberta.ca/flood-hazard-mapping.aspx

42 | February 2, 2021 115 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

Flood Inundation Maps: identify land areas on a map which would be inundated by water given a series of river flows, not just the ‘design flood’ flow. Flood inundation maps are created by hydraulic modelling using, among other data, historical precipitation information to simulate runoff and resulting river flows showing those areas which are overwhelmed by water. They are used for emergency preparedness and emergency response planning. The flood inundation map for a design flood flow informs the development of a flood hazard area map. Flood Hazard Area Maps show where the floodway and flood fringe would be located, if flow in the river reached the design flood flow. Flood hazard area maps are used for long range planning and are used to make land use decisions, among other uses. Floodway – The portion of the flood hazard area where flows are deepest, fastest and most destructive. The floodway typically includes the main channel of a stream and a portion of the adjacent overbank area. Flood Prone Areas – Includes the flood hazard area as defined by the Government of Alberta’s flood hazard maps and other areas affected by riverine flooding greater than the design flood as defined by member municipalities in respect of their local context. Greenfield Development: An area for future growth located outside of the built-up urban area or previously approved planned areas. Regional Environmentally Sensitive Areas – Regional Environmentally Sensitive Areas are defined as areas that: • Provide the environmental benefits of Environmentally Sensitive Areas beyond one municipality’s geographic area; • Contribute to other important ecosystem functions or services at the regional scale. and • Include Provincial Environmentally Significant Areas. 3.4 Water Stewardship Water is essential to the success and quality of life in the Region. CMR members have a duty to ensure adequate access to a healthy and efficient supply of water for their citizens and businesses now and into the future. Intermunicipal policies and recommendations are focused on stormwater management, water servicing, and governance at the sub-regional level, specifically in the JPAs. Exploring opportunities at the JPA level reflects existing efforts within the region and focuses the regional effort towards the areas where substantial growth is occurring. Development and natural processes, including climate change, threaten the quality and sustainability of our water supply. It is important that regional members protect and manage the watersheds within our jurisdiction. The CMR can play a role in facilitating this protection and advocating for the protection of the watersheds that we rely on outside of the region. As our water supply is limited, it is also critical that we consciously manage and use water, for both our benefit, and the communities downstream.

February 2, 2021 | 43 116 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

Opportunities to share the costs and risks associated with supplying and managing water, and in exploring ways to cooperate through new structures, such as JPAs, are considered. The CMR Servicing Plan provides additional information on future actions associated with Water Stewardship in the CMR. In particular, the Servicing Plan defines the relationship between the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan and the CMRB Growth and Servicing Plans. It also identifies a need to prioritize future planning, with consideration to initiatives such as: • a regional cumulative effects management approach; • source water protection; • integrated watershed management; and • conservation tools to support the goals of the CMRB and the Provincial Land Use Framework.

CMR Goals Growth Plan Objectives

The Calgary Metropolitan Region has a • Enhance protection of our watersheds and water strategy that promotes healthy natural water systems people, healthy ecosystems and is • Provide a safe, affordable, and reliable resilient in times of drought and flood. supply of drinking water for residents and businesses

• Enhance regional collaboration of water stewardship • Enhance the Region’s resilience to changes to natural water systems due to climate change and human development

The Calgary Metropolitan Region has a • Improve the efficiency with which we use coordinated approach to water, our limited water supply wastewater and stormwater that • Advance opportunities to better manage provides safe and healthy water for our and share the risks and costs of water, growing region. wastewater and stormwater infrastructure and service delivery.

Policies

44 | February 2, 2021 117 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

3.4.1 Watershed Protection The combination of variable precipitation and continued regional growth has the potential to cause water shortages in the future if fundamental changes to water use and management are not made. Many locations within the region are also susceptible to flooding, as evident from significant recent events. Adding upstream water storage capacity has the potential to mitigate one or potentially both risks and would be a long-term investment in improving the region’s resiliency. 3.4.1.1 The CMRB will continue to advocate for enhanced protection of the headwaters of rivers that the CMR relies on for drinking water and economic production that are located inside and outside the CMR.

3.4.1.2 The CMRB will support the continued assessment of upstream reservoirs on the region’s rivers to provide water storage capacity and flood mitigation.

3.4.2 Stormwater Management Stormwater and watershed management are inherently regional, as many of the Region’s watersheds and water bodies extend through multiple municipalities, and one community’s stormwater is another community’s drinking water. 3.4.2.1 The CMRB will provide regional leadership for the management of stormwater for regionally significant stormwater issues.

3.4.2.2 The CMRB and member municipalities should identify locations where stormwater management may impact regional infrastructure systems and develop appropriate policies to address areas of impact.

3.4.3 Water Efficiency One of the simplest approaches to improving our water resiliency is to use less water. This includes encouraging water conservation, implementing new methods and technologies that use less water, and improving the overall system efficiency through things such as replacing old, leaking infrastructure. 3.4.3.1 The CMRB will work with the Province to advance initiatives that improve the region’s ability to sustainably use and share water.

3.4.4 Collaboration and Governance The consideration of alternate or new water governance structures is a potential approach to subregional water management and conservation. Using a bottom-up approach to identify and develop such structures would enable members to create a model that works for them, and the proposed JPAs provide a reasonable starting point with which to organize the new governance structures. 3.4.4.1 CMRB Members should investigate potential approaches to water collaboration within the CMR at the regional and subregional scales, as appropriate.

February 2, 2021 | 45 118 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

3.5 Shared Services Optimization In the face of global economic competition, the Calgary Region must find ways to deliver services in an efficient and sustainable way that maintains the Region’s high quality of life and low cost of doing business. Residents and businesses alike benefit when the Region finds ways to deliver borderless shared services that reflect cost-effective and optimized service delivery. The CMR Servicing Plan also addresses matters related to shared services optimization and should be read in tandem with this section of the Growth Plan.

CMR Goals Growth Plan Objectives

Residents of the Calgary Metropolitan • Protect future opportunities to share regional Region experience borderless delivery of infrastructure and services through mobility essential services based on a fair cost- and transmission corridor protection. benefit model. • Coordinate regional land use planning with service provision and planning, specifically transit.

The Calgary Metropolitan Region delivers • Achieve servicing efficiencies through a services in a more efficient and conscious effort to share infrastructure and sustainable way through shared services services, particularly in Joint Planning Areas. optimization.

3.5.1 Transportation Corridors The efficient movement of people and goods supports the economy and quality of life in the CMR. Optimized transportation corridors are a key to maintaining a competitive region. The North and South/East Regional Transportation studies provide much of the context for transportation corridors in the CMR. 3.5.1.1 Statutory plans within 1.6 km of an identified Transportation Corridor as shown on Map XX: Major Transportation Corridors shall:

(a) identify the corridor(s) on relevant maps within the plan; (b) demonstrate how the plan optimizes the proximity and adjacency to the corridor; and (c) describe how the plan provides mitigation for any potential impacts to the corridor. Planning for transit at the regional scale is an extremely effective way of creating an efficient, integrated and connected transit system. It supports a more cost-effective and better planned transit network over time. Transit is a fundamental part of achieving many regional goals, such as improved economic growth, environmentalism, resilience and quality of life.

46 | February 2, 2021 119 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

3.5.1.2 Statutory plans shall identify regional transit corridors with higher density infill and mixed use land use that currently, or may in the future, support intermunicipal transit infrastructure and services appropriate to the scale and context of the corridor and surrounding area.

3.5.1.3 New Area Structure Plans and Area Redevelopment Plans shall:

(a) provide direction on how plans could provide or improve transit service in the future, as appropriate to the scale and context; and (b) provide direction on infrastructure design strategies and standards to support transit-oriented development, as appropriate to the scale and context. 3.5.1.4 CMRB municipalities will coordinate regional active transportation corridors with JPA transportation, mobility and transit planning to maximize their use for all active transportation modes.

3.5.1.5 CMRB municipalities will include regional active transposition corridors in applicable statutory plans and identify how local recreation corridors connect to and support regional corridors.

MAP – MAJOR TRANSPORTATION CORRIDORS TO BE ADDED

3.5.2 Recreation The intent of this policy section is to focus on the role of parks, natural areas, and public spaces in the context of regional growth and development, as well as on recreation services delivered by government organizations for the benefit of individuals and communities. The recreation system across the Calgary Metropolitan Region is diverse, complex, and multifaceted. Recreation services provided by municipalities not only lead to residents and visitors being more physically active; it also brings people together and positively contributes to desired outcomes in other public service areas such as education, justice and health. 3.5.2.1 CMRB municipalities will work together to provide residents of the Region with high-quality recreational opportunities that are delivered in a cost-effective manner.

3.5.2.2 Collaborative processes for regional recreation decision-making will build trust, be transparent, and respect an individual municipality’s right to make its own recreation decisions.

3.5.2.3 To further voluntary regional collaboration, the CMRB will establish a recreation working group of member municipalities to facilitate collaboration by identifying areas of common interest, coordination, regional challenges and to share information.

3.5.2.4 When working together, member municipalities will establish processes that incorporate evidence-based decision making to the greatest extent possible.

3.5.2.5 Member municipalities will collect and share data in support of evidence-based approaches to decision-making at the regional level.

February 2, 2021 | 47 120 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

3.5.3 Energy and Utility Corridors Regional energy and utility corridors include those that accommodate the infrastructure that conveys water, wastewater, energy and other utilities. They are often found along or within regional mobility corridors, but can also be located within minor public rights-of-way. These facilities enable the efficient transmission of utilities and services to the regional consumers and beyond, and correctly locating and protecting these facilities will ultimately lower costs and enable increased service provision for regional customers. 3.5.3.1 Statutory plans with a regionally-significant corridor(s) shall:

(a) identify any regionally significant corridor(s) shown on Map XX: Regionally Significant Energy and Utility Corridors on relevant maps within the Statutory plan; (b) describe the supporting rationale, agreements and policies for crossing, accessing and connecting to the identified corridor(s); and (c) describe how necessary mitigations will be undertaken to ensure protection of the corridor(s). MAP – REGIONALLY SIGNIFICANT ENERGY AND UTILITY CORRIDORS TO BE ADDED

3.5.4 Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Policies related to servicing for water, wastewater and stormwater are included in the Water Stewardship policy area, and additional detail included in the CMR Servicing Plan.

3.5.5 Definitions (not defined in other policies) Regional Recreation - A regional recreation facility, space, program or service has a realistic potential of substantial use by, and broader benefits to, residents from outside the municipal boundaries in which it is provided.

48 | February 2, 2021 121 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

3.6 Celebrating Urban-Rural Differences The CMR is a collection of ten distinct municipalities, each with its own character and each contributing to the strength and resilience of the region. Although residents live in different municipalities around the CMR, they are connected in many ways: open space systems, jobs and economic opportunities, natural environments, roadways and transit systems, recreation amenities, servicing systems, pathways, and other connections. They also experience the shared impacts of growth, such as water quality and quantity impacts, loss of environmental function, air quality impacts, and longer commute times. These many connections, when taken together, form a regional framework, a common ground at the regional scale. Celebrating rural-urban differences is a foundational strategy of the Growth Plan. Public engagement on the Growth and Servicing Plans has reinforced the importance of supporting a wide range of distinct lifestyle choices, from living downtown to living in a rural agricultural area. Celebrating rural-urban differences means creating great urban places and maintaining great rural places. The Growth Plan focuses most urban growth to higher density and mixed use areas, including towns, city centres, hamlet growth areas, and strategic joint planning areas. The Plan also cultivates growth in ways that maintain the rural, agricultural, and environmental character of the rural area. This approach benefits all member municipalities by promoting, enhancing, and supporting the common regional framework. . Rural places offer lifestyles where people can live in nature, hobby farm, keep horses for pleasure or sport, or explore opportunities to generate their own power, grow their own food, or operate a home-based business or a large agricultural operation. . Urban places offer a range of lifestyle choices and housing types, employment opportunities, and amenities in proximity to a wide range of services. To minimize the negative impacts of growth on our shared regional systems, the Growth Plan limits development that is neither rural nor urban in character. For example, analysis has shown there is a sufficient supply of the Residential Community placetype that provides housing but lacks either urban amenities nor a rural lifestyle. The Growth Plan directs new growth to occur in the preferred placetypes that consume less land and resources and thereby benefit the entire Region while maintaining distinctive rural and urban lifestyles in the Region. The Growth Plan does not include specific policies related to Celebrating Urban-Rural Differences. Taken together, the policies contained within the Growth Plan seek to allow urban and rural areas to remain distinct in character and diverse in land use, mutually supporting one another, and creating a broad range of lifestyles for residents of the CMR.

February 2, 2021 | 49 122 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

CMR Goals Growth Plan Objectives

The Calgary Metropolitan Region has • Provide policy tools to create a diverse grown in a way which celebrates the range of urban and rural places for people individual character of our municipalities to live, work and play while working together to build a stronger • Establish agricultural, environmental, and region. open space areas as integral components of our regional system to be conserved

The Calgary Metropolitan Region delivers • Provide policy tools and opportunities for services in a more efficient and collaboration to enhance the regional sustainable way through shared services benefits of our shared systems optimization. • Provide policy tools to guide the location, scale, and type of development that minimize the impacts of growth on shared systems

50 | February 2, 2021 123 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

4 Implementation (to be completed)

If the Growth Plan is the roadmap for accommodating the next one million people, then implementation of the Growth Plan is akin to getting in the car and driving. Implementation is where the “rubber hits the road”. Continued collaboration between CMR municipalities will be essential as the Growth Plan is enacted in the Region. There will inevitably be bumps in the road as this new Growth Plan is implemented into the daily lives of people and businesses in the Region. However, the belief that we are better working together should underpin our collective efforts. This section describes the important steps of how the Growth Plan will be implemented and interpreted and lists future work of the Board. ENACTMENT OF THE PLAN: In accordance with the Municipal Government Act (MGA) and its Regulation, the Plan comes into force when it is approved by the Government of Alberta and signed by the Minister of Municipal Affairs. 4.1 Implementation Mechanisms

4.1.1 Regional Evaluation Framework 4.1.1.1 The Board shall establish the Regional Evaluation Framework (REF) in accordance with the CMRB Regulation.

4.1.2 Existing ASPs and ARPs 4.1.2.1 Existing Area Structure Plans and Area Redevelopment Plans that were adopted in accordance with the MGA prior to the date this Plan comes into force will remain in effect (i.e. grandfathered).

4.1.2.2 Regionally significant amendments to an Area Structure Plan shall be subject to the Regional Evaluation Framework (REF) as established through the REF submission criteria.

4.1.2.3 Regionally significant amendments to an Area Redevelopment Plan shall be subject to the Regional Evaluation Framework (REF) as established through the REF submission criteria, with the exception of amendments to an ARP in an urban municipality that does not include an area adjacent to another municipality.

4.1.2.4 All employment and population growth should be planned through statutory plans in accordance with the criteria of the Regional Evaluation Framework (REF) as established through the REF submission criteria.

February 2, 2021 | 51 124 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

4.2 Existing Plans 4.2.1 Existing MDPs

4.2.1.1 Municipal Development Plans (MDPs) shall be updated to comply with the Growth Plan within three years of the Growth Plan coming into force.

4.2.1.2 Amendments to MDPs shall comply with the Growth Plan and shall be subject to the Regional Evaluation Framework as established through the REF submission criteria.

4.2.1.3 Municipal Development Plans shall include reporting as required in the Growth Plan.

4.2.2 Existing IDPs

4.2.2.1 Regionally significant amendments to an Intermunicipal Development Plan shall be subject to the Regional Evaluation Framework (REF) as established through the REF submission criteria.

4.2.2.2 Notwithstanding 4.2.2.1 above, amendments to IDPs that involve a CMRB rural municipality member and a non-member rural municipality shall not be subject to the REF whether or not the amendments are regionally significant.

4.3 Growth Plan Amendment and Updates 4.3.1 Amendments The Board may consider amendments to the Growth Plan, including changes to maps and Joint Planning Areas, in accordance with the authority given to the Board. All amendments to the Growth Plan require approval by the Board and the Government of Alberta.

4.3.1.1 The outcomes of Context Studies and other future studies and initiatives approved by the Board shall be incorporated through formal amendments to the Growth Plan.

4.3.2 Updates 4.3.2.1 The CMRB will undertake a five (5) year review of the Growth Plan to:

a) Review and update employment and population projections; b) Consider the need for amendments to the Plan; and c) Amend the Growth Plan to integrate Context Studies and other relevant studies.

The CRMB will undertake a ten (10) year comprehensive review and update of the Growth Plan. The terms of reference for the Growth Plan update process and requirements will be determined by the CMRB in consultation with the Government of Alberta.

52 | February 2, 2021 125 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

4.4 Monitoring

The goal and objectives of the Growth Plan focus on moving the Region towards the preferred placetypes while realizing the benefits of more efficient use of land and less consumption of vital resources. Details on how placetypes will be monitored and tracked over time will show regional movement towards the preferred placetypes. Through this reporting and monitoring effort the CRMB can respond appropriately with decisions and policy to ensure continued success towards a desired future for the Region. Local municipal reporting and monitoring will be assisted by a “Guide to Evaluating and Determining Placetypes in Your Municipality” document found in the Appendix. The Guide will help ensure consistency across municipalities in their reporting and monitoring of placetypes over time. The CMRB will act as a repository of the municipal reporting and mapping of preferred placetypes. The CMRB will create a Geographic Information System (GIS) dataset that shows the change over time of placetypes in the Region.

4.4.1 Placetype Monitoring

4.4.1.1 Each municipality shall monitor and track preferred placetypes in the municipality.

4.4.1.2 Each municipality shall report to the CMRB on changes over time to preferred placetypes in the municipality in accordance with policies in the Growth Plan.

February 2, 2021 | 53 126 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

5 Future Initiatives (to be completed)

Future initiatives of the CMRB can complement the Growth Plan, including the completion of studies and plans that also move the Region towards fulfillment of the goals and objectives of the Growth Plan. The work of the CMRB will evolve over the coming years as the Growth Plan is implemented. To ensure the Region can respond to imminent issues and topics the Board may wish to undertake additional future initiatives and studies.

Table XX details the future studies and initiatives that are recommended or required by the Board based on the policies of the Growth Plan.

Table XX: Future Studies and Initiatives Study Description Requirement / Recommendation Economic Development Plan Committee recommendation Regional Transportation Plan Required as per Servicing Plan Regional Environmental Scan Not required. Committee Recommendation Context Studies for all JPAs Growth Plan Requirement

54 | February 2, 2021 127 Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT

Glossary of Terms

• Definitions for terms raised in the Growth Plan report (to be consolidated from preceding sections)

Appendices

• Engagement Summary • List of MDP Requirements (consolidated from policies in the Growth Plan for ease of reference and use by Municipalities) • List of ASP Requirements (consolidated from policies in the Growth Plan for ease of reference and use by Municipalities) • Forecast of Regional Growth Background Information & Methodology • Guide to evaluating and determining Placetypes in your municipality

February 2, 2021 | 55 128

Council February 8, 2021

SUBSTITUTE RETURNING OFFICER APPOINTMENT

Issue The appointment of a substitute returning officer for the 2021 Municipal Election is required by Council.

Motion Proposed by Administration That Legislative Services Administrator Patty Huber be appointed as substitute returning officer for the 2021 General Municipal Election.

Report, Analysis and Financial Implications Due to the instability COVID-19 presents and the potential for staff to be off due to sickness or quarantine, Administration recommends Council appoint a substitute returning officer for the upcoming election. Section 13(2.1) of the Local Authorities Election Act allows for the appointment of a substitute returning officer for a municipal election through Council resolution.

Strategic Plan Goals ☐ Manage Community Growth ☒ Provide Strong Governance ☐ Provide Quality Community ☐ Healthy and Safe Community Infrastructure ☐ Foster Economic Vitality ☐ Enhance Organizational Excellence ☐ Promote Environmental Excellence

Governing Policies/Bylaws/Legislation or Agreements Local Authorities Election Act

Public Participation Strategy n/a

Alternatives for Consideration n/a

CAO Comments The appointment of a substitute returning officer is being done as a preventative measure to ensure the Town has contingencies if required during the election.

Attachment(s) n/a

Prepared by: Cathy Duplessis Legislative & Policy Services Manager January 18, 2021 129

Council February 8, 2021

BYLAW 12-20 FOR ROAD CLOSURE

Purpose The purpose of Bylaw 12-20 is to close a portion of undeveloped government road allowance (2nd Street East) lying adjacent to Lot 1, Plan 001 2490 and Lot 2, Block 9, Plan 151 2944 to allow for the sale to adjacent landowners.

Readings Bylaw 12-20 is ready for second and third readings.

Report, Analysis and Financial Implications Application for the closure of a portion of undeveloped government road allowance (2nd Street East) lying adjacent to Lot 1, Plan 001 2490 and Lot 2, Block 9 Plan 151 2944 was made by the owner of Lot 1, Plan 001 2490.

An overview of the road closure and considerations is provided in the attached Planning Services Report (Attachment 2).

Bylaw 12-20 was referred to the Municipal Planning Commission for comment on January 16, 2020 and received a motion of support.

Town Boundary

Lot 1 Plan 931 1251 Lot 1 Plan 001 2490

Lot 2 Lot 2 Block 9 Plan 931 1251 Plan 151 2944

Extent of Closure Area

130

Strategic Plan Goals ☐ Manage Community Growth ☐ Provide Strong Governance ☐ Provide Quality Community ☐ Healthy and Safe Community Infrastructure ☐ Foster Economic Vitality ☐ Enhance Organizational Excellence ☐ Promote Environmental Excellence

Public Hearing / Participation Strategy A public heating for Bylaw 12-20 was held on February 10, 2020. The hearing was advertised in the Western Wheel on January 22 and 29, 2020 as well as by mail to all adjacent landowners. Written correspondence was provided at the hearing from the owner of the adjacent property to the west (Lot 1, Plan 931 1251) objecting to the road closure over the concern that his property will be come devalued by the loss of secondary legal access. No individuals spoke at the hearing. The hearing was closed and first reading was given to draft Bylaw 12-20.

On February 11, 2020, the other adjacent landowner on the west side of the subject lands (Lot 2, Plan 931 1251) provided written correspondence to the Town objecting to the closure of road allowance limiting development flexibility of both the properties on the west boundary of the subject lands.

Town Administration attempted to resolve the disagreement between the west and east property owners through options to splitting the closure area between the owners prior to proceeding to approval consideration by Alberta Transportation. Discussions between the individual landowners and the Town did not lend to any resolution with the owners on the west boundary not wanting the closure to proceed. Given that the Bylaw received first reading and the applicant wanted resolution on the application, the road closure package was submitted to Alberta Transportation for consideration of approval on June 29, 2020 with the inclusion of the objections of both adjacent landowners. On September 10, 2020, Alberta Transportation approved the closure and disposal of the road.

On December 18, 2020 follow up letters were sent to all adjacent landowners advising them of the Town’s intention to proceed with final consideration of the road closure and advance of any interest in the purchase by January 29, 2021.

On January 22, 2021, Administration met with representatives of the four adjacent landowners. The owners of Lots 1 and 2, Plan 931 1251 (west properties) remain opposed to the closure of the road but have agreed, in principle, to spilt the land equitably between all the adjacent landowners if the Bylaw 12-20 is adopted. The owners of Lot 1, Plan 001 2490 and Lot 2, Block 9, Plan 151 2944 (east properties) are agreeable to splitting the lands.

On January 29, 2021, written correspondence was received from all adjacent landowners confirming their intention to purchase a portion of the road. An additional letter was also provided to Council by the owner of Lot 2, Plan 931 1251 objecting to the road closure and the process undertaken by the Town. 131

Council consideration is whether Bylaw 12-20 should be read a second and third time to allow for the permanent closure of the subject portion of road. Administration will work with the adjacent landowners on the details of pricing, survey plans, and other terms of the sale if closure is adopted. The applicant and/or landowners would be responsible for survey and other legal costs as well as fair market value for the lands.

Alternatives for Consideration n/a

CAO Comments This report deals with issue of the road closure. This is an emotionally charged issue for the residents involved and Town Administration has attempted to create a path forward with minimal conflict, ensuring equity in future land access. It should be noted that the letter of objection from one of the landowners contains inappropriate allegations against staff that have no bearing on the appropriateness of the matter before Council.

Attachment(s) 1. Bylaw 12-20 - First Reading Version (as approved by the Minister of Transportation) 2. Bylaw 12-20 Context Report 3. Tentative plan option for separation of closure area (subject to further negotiation) 4. Letter of Objection from the Owner of Lot 2, Plan 931 1251

Prepared by: Colin Gainer Senior Planner February 01, 2021 132 133 134 135

PLANNING SERVICES REPORT 2ND STREET EAST ROAD CLOSURE BYLAW

PROPOSAL

Application has been received to close and purchase a portion of undeveloped government road allowance (2nd Street East) lying adjacent to Lot 1, Plan 001 2490 and Lot 2, Block 9, Plan 151 2944.

RECOMMENDATION OF PLANNNING SERVICES

Planning Services is in SUPPORT of the road closure as the lands are surplus to the Town’s long-term transportation needs.

REPORT

Application has been made by the owner of 34002 2nd Street East (Lot 1, Plan 001 2490) to close the portion of undeveloped government road allowance lying adjacent to Lot 1, Plan 001 2490 and Lot 2, Block 9, Plan 151 2944 for the purpose of purchase and consolidation with the adjacent properties.

Subject Portion of Road

136

The subject portion of 2nd Street E is located along the west boundary of the Town; bordered to the east and south by the D’Arcy Ranch Golf Course and the existing residential property located at 34002 2nd Street East (Lot 1, Plan 001 2490). The road allowance continues to the north and is bordered on the west side by county residential properties in Foothills County.

The subject portion of road allowance became part of the of the Town with the annexation of the adjacent lands (NW ¼ 32-20-29-W4M) in 1994. In 2000, a residential lot was subdivided from the parent golf course lands (Lot 1, Plan 001 2490) and is the only lot accessed from the subject portion of 2nd Street East. At some point in time, the portion of road was fenced off as part of the adjacent lands with a gated access to the subject portion of road right of way. The adjacent parcels to the west have legal and physical access from Meridian Street.

Policy and Planning Considerations/Analysis

The closure of a public road is subject to the provisions of Section 22 of the Municipal Government Act, which requires the road to be closed by bylaw and the closure to be advertised. As Okotoks is not a city, the road closure bylaw requires approval by the Minister of Transportation prior to consideration of second reading.

The proposed closure does not conflict with any provisions of the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan, the Calgary Metropolitan Regional Board Interim Growth Plan, or the Municipal Development Plan. The closure area is within the boundaries of the Northwest Okotoks Area Structure Plan and is not required as part of the future road network.

The lands to the north and west of the current Town boundaries are largely comprised of existing country residential lots and it is not anticipated that the area would be annexed or developed to an extend where a road access would be needed at this location. As such, Town Administration has determined the government road allowance to be surplus to the Town’s needs.

In accordance with Town Policy 6.02.01 for the Disposal of Roadways, PUL Lots, and Walkways, where an undevelopable roadway, PUL lot or walkway is closed it will be offered for sale only to adjacent owners for consolidation at market value based on the existing shape, size and districting. If the adjacent owners are not interested in purchasing, the land will then be offered to them for lease or lease to purchase at economic rent based on the existing shape, size and districting.

The road closure plan has been split into two areas to support the purchase and consolidation of each Area with the adjacent lands. Area “A” is proposed for consolidation with Lot 1, Plan 001 2490 and Area “B” is proposed for consolidation with Lot 2, Block 9, Plan 151 2944. If the road closure application is approved by the Town and Alberta Transportation, the landowners will need to purchase the closure lands at a fair market value and consolidate the closed road portions with the adjacent properties.

137

Subject Area

138

Public Participation and Stakeholder Consultation

All public utility providers, Foothills County, and Alberta Transportation have been circulated the proposed bylaw and asked to respond by January 6, 2020. Fortis Alberta has requested an easement to protect their service and no objections have been received.

A public hearing will be held to consider the road closure bylaw and will be advertised in the Western Wheel as well as by mail to adjacent landowners in accordance with the Municipal Government Act.

Prepared by: Colin Gainer Senior Planner January 8, 2020 139

SOUTH ALBERTA LAND REGISTRATION DISTRICT GOVERNMENT ROAD ALLOWANCE 5 6 5 Est. Pos. 32 31 32 12" 89° Pl. No Mk. 48' N1/4 32 NE 31, Fd. P. 20.12 801.17 Lot 1 Fd. P. Block 8 PLAN No. Lot 1 c.s. 0.10 Descriptive

55" Block 2 55" Plan 921 0237 Plan 061 1846 ENTERED AND REGISTERED

Lot 3 ON 1 Plan 061 3269 INSTRUMENT No. Road On Plan 931 0819 401.43 401.43 A.D. REGISTRAR

Lot 4 Lot 5 Lot 1 Environmental Easement

GOVERNMENT ROAD ALLOWANCE Lot 1 2 2 Plan 061 1847 1 OKOTOKS - ALBERTA Plan 061 1846 Plan 061 1846 Plan 931 0819 8 Descriptive Plan 921 0237 FILED PLAN OF SURVEY FOR THE PURPOSES OF A Lot 1 ROAD CLOSURE

Plan 931 1251 Road On Plan 061 1846 AFFECTING A PORTION OF

Fd.I. 89° 49' 43" 0.04 E GOVERNMENT ROAD ALLOWANCE 20.08 Fd.I. See Detail 'A' 0.04 E LYING ADJACENT TO AND BETWEEN THE NE 1/4 SEC 31 AND NW 1/4 SEC 32

WITHIN AREA B Lot 1 TWP 20 RGE 29 W4M Plan 001 2490 AREA 'A' BY: Andrew W. Roop, A.L.S. 2019 0.322 ha 401.43

179°57'55" 40 102030 0 20 40 60 80 401.43 ROAD

179°57'55" Fd. No Mk. Re-est. Pos., SCALE 1:1000 METRIC

ALLOWANCE By Intersection GOVERNMENT Pl. No Mk. NOTES: AREA A Road On Plan 061 1846 Distances shown are in metres and decimals thereof. Lot 1 Fd.I. All statutory Iron posts placed by this survey are stamped with Permit number P284. 89° 0.04 E 49' 43" Plan 931 1251 Bearings are grid, based on NAD83 (original), 3°TM projection, reference Meridian 114° West Longitude and Detail 'A' 20.08 Fd.I. 159.99 159.94 are derived from GNSS observations. Re-est. Pos., NOT TO SCALE 0.04 E By Proportion, Pl. No Mk. Combined scale factor: 0.999730 Area affected by the registration of this plan shown outlined thus and contains 0.808 ha 0.04 0.04 The Geo-Referenced Point is a found statutory iron post with Grid Coordinates: N: 5622524.349 E: 151.456 SYMBOL LEGEND: Lot 1 AREA 'A' RP AREA C Plan 001 2490 Geo-reference point is shown thus 159.94 159.99

179°57'55" 179°57'55" Alberta Survey Control Markers (ASCM) found are shown thus

Statutory Iron Posts found are shown thus

Statutory Iron Posts placed are shown thus

Established point and left no mark stations are shown thus

ABBREVIATIONS: 57' 57' 89°57'55" A.L.S. Alberta Land Surveyor NAD North American Datum ARW Access Right of Way ODRW Overland Drainage R/W 20.12 ASCM Alberta Survey Control Marker PAS Pole Anchor Site C. of T. Certificate of Title P/L Pipeline calc. calculated Pl. Placed Ch.B. Chord Bearing Pos. Position ck.m. check measured PUL Public Utility Lot c.s. counter sunk (r) Radial E. East R Radius ER Environmental Reserve Re-est. Re-established Est. Established Ref. Reference AREA D Fd. Found Res. Restored AREA E GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System Rge. Range Lot 2 ha Hectare R/W Right of Way I. Statutory Iron Post S. South M Meridian Sec. Section 9 Mk. Mark TCO Top Cut Off Plan 151 2944 Lot 3 Mkd. Marked Twp. Township Mp. Marker Post URW Utility Right of Way MR Municipal Reserve W. West Lot 2 9 N. North 3TM 3° Transverse Mercator Descriptive Plan 181 0640 Plan 931 1251 Δ Central Delta Angle of Adjacent Curve

AREA 'B' 0.486 ha

ASCM 272419 Mkd. 622+04.19

241.49 241.45 Lot 2 AREA 'B'

241.45 9

179°57'55" Plan 151 2944

20.12 Detail 'B' 89° 51' 35" NOT TO SCALE

46°05'14" 1167.44 PLAN REQUESTED BY:

The Town of Okotoks 808.15 174°18'02" SURVEYOR: RVEYORS SU ' I T NU A Andrew W. Roop, A.L.S. D M MB N R E S A E R S P O Surveyed between the dates of L C

... I A P 284 A

T T

and R

PASQUINI & ASSOCIATESI E O

... B GEOMATICS LTD. N

ASCM 182782 L in accordance with the provisions A Mkd. 619+04.12 of the Surveys Act.

179° 179° See Detail 'B' 20.12 Dwg File: 605065-FP-March-6-2020-PHOTO.dwg March 6, 2020 E.1/4 31 89°51'35" RP Job No.: 605065 Drafted by: rwv Ckd: AWR Fd.I., c.s. 0.20 32 PASQUINI & ASSOCIATES GEOMATICS LTD. 300, 929 - 11th Street S.E., Calgary, Alberta, T2G 0R4 20-29-4 T: (403) 452-7677 F: (403) 452-7660 Email: [email protected] PRELIMINARY - SUBJECT TO AGREEMENT WITH AFFECTED PROPERTIES 140

Francis & Emma Gough

Edmonton, January 29, 2021

Town of Okotoks 5 Elizabeth Street PO Box 20, Station Main Okotoks AB T1S 1K1

Re: Town of Okotoks Railroads Local Homesteader Families (Road Closure)

Dear Mayor & Aldermen & Alderwomen,

I am writing to all of Town Council to communicate our distain and concern over the process of closing a local road access. Although we have agreed to negotiate around the closure of the road and the purchase of said road allowance, we feel strongly that we have been bullied and forced into this position.

Here is a quick overview of what has happened since December 2019:

• Over 30 years ago my Grand Father, Charles Hugh Gough agreed with Mr. Darcy to allow and not object to the golf course being built adjacent to our land. A verbal agreement was made between us to ensure we would always have access to our land and the road allowance along with 1 other stipulation. • Approximately 22 years ago, Stu McCormick subdivided land on Darcy Ranch Golf Course (President of Darcy Ranch currently) and build a house and acreage. Years later he installed a locked gate on the road allowance. Being good neighbours and not needing access we did not submit a formal complaint. • Mr. McCormick has recently tried to sell his acreage for the last 2 year and has not been able to sell it. Real Property reports have been run and his house was given an allowance to build very close to the road allowance. Basically, town distance from the road versus a normal subdivision. Please consider how close town houses are to roads versus the country. His house is incredibly close to the road allowance, under 30’ which was a terrible idea. Who would want a million-dollar acreage with a road running right in front of their house. Well apparently, nobody does yet. • Darcy Ranch Golf Course, Stu McCormick and the developers have had a long-standing relationship with the town of Okotoks and have successfully navigated approvals to get a large subdivision approved and building. Colin Gainer and Darcy Ranch Golf course have a long-standing relationship of getting signage and many other items approved dating back to his tenure with the Town. Colin Gainer is known by name if you call the golf course. 141

• Darcy Ranch Golf course which is represented by Stu McCormick, President and Stu McCormick as a land owner approached the Town to close this road access. Colin worked closely with them to do so. So, the answer Stu and Colin came up with to the fact he built so close to the road and cannot sell his house, was to close the road allowance and sell it to interested parties. This is completely a self-serving request made by Stu in which Colin and the Town subserviently aided him to move forward his own personal agenda. • Our Gough Homestead and our mineral rights have been owned in our family since 1892. So, for over 125 years we have been tax paying and agreeable neighbours and we have had access to our farm land and now because of a mistaken house location we are being asked to buy our road allowance which the Town of Okotoks never actually paid for. • The sale price requested is for $130,000 / acre, where our farm land is assessed at $350/ acre for tax purposes by the county of Foothills for farmland. The variance is over $129,650.00 / acre for 2 acres of land locked land that cannot be built on as it is too narrow. • Loosing this road allowance will affect the future value of my 20 acres of land. My Grand Father, Charles Hugh Gough who was born on this land in 1910. He knew the Golf Course would bring development and it has. My plan for my 20 acres has always been to subdivide and develop the land when the Town grew but our intention was to hang on for as long as we can. So now 2 acres of road allowance will need to be taken out of our land when we develop it and I will not be reimbursed unless perhaps we take legal action for damages. • 50% of the land owners in question objected to the sale. My objection was sent late because I did not get the letter for over a month. Did council actually read John Gough’s objection prior to unanimously approving the first reading of the closure? • The minister of Land has approved the closer of the road. • As of today, the Town of Okotoks does not even know how taxes will work. My land is Foothill County and the road allowance is Town of Okotoks. So, will I have to pay both jurisdictions now and how much could taxes be for a land locked 2-acre portion. Perhaps this was a good starting point prior to moving the motion forward.

So, we understand the Darcy family, Darcy Ranch Golf Course and the development are wealthy and influential people but is this really the way the Town of Okotoks operates with families and land owners who have paid their taxes and helped this community grow and flourish for over 125 years.

Both Gough land owners including myself have agreed to negotiate this the division of the road access and the sale but we are doing so under duress. We have been bullied by a mistake made many years ago by the Town or the County but not on our part. The simple solution would be to move his driveway or his move the house back where it should have been located to start and leave our access. However, because of relationships, past develop expertise we are being bullied into buying what we have had access to for over 125 years. 142

We respectfully request your support in this situation. On February 8, 2021 please ensure you have all of the information in hand before approving any motions. Either way we want our ongoing objection to the process noted on record.

Sincerely,

Francis Gough

143

Council February 8, 2021

BYLAW 04-21 – ELECTION PROCEDURES BYLAW 35-20 AMENDMENT

Purpose The purpose of Bylaw 04-21 is to amend Election Procedures Bylaw 35-20.

Readings This Bylaw is ready for three readings.

Report, Analysis and Financial Implications Due to COVID-19, Municipal Affairs has modified section 6 of the Local Authorities Election Act to allow for nomination deposits to be made by credit or debit card for the 2021 general election year through Ministerial Order MSD:103/20 dated December 14, 2020.

Public Hearing / Participation Strategy n/a

Alternatives for Consideration n/a

CAO Comments This is a required bylaw amendment to comply with the changed provincial requirements.

Attachment(s) 1. Draft Bylaw 04-21 2. Bylaw 35-20 Red Lined Version

Prepared by: Cathy Duplessis Legislative & Policy Services Manager February 01, 2021 144

BYLAW 04-21

A BYLAW OF THE TOWN OF OKOTOKS IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA TO AMEND ELECTION PROCEDURES BYLAW 35-20

WHEREAS pursuant to the provisions in the Local Authorities Election Act, Chapter L- 21, RSA 2000, as amended, (hereinafter referred to as the “Act”), Council has adopted Bylaw 35-20, being a bylaw to establish election procedures on or before election day; and

WHEREAS Council deems it desirable to amend Bylaw 35-20;

NOW THEREFORE the Council of the Town of Okotoks enacts that Elections Procedure Bylaw 35-20 is amended as follows:

1. That subsection 3.2 be added under section 3. “NOMINATION FEES” as follows:

3.2 For the 2021 municipal general election deposits can be provided for using a debit card or credit card.

This Bylaw shall come into full force and effect upon third and final reading, and Bylaw 35-20 and any amendments thereto are hereby amended.

READ A FIRST TIME this day of , 2021.

READ A SECOND TIME this day of , 2021.

READ A THIRD TIME AND PASSED this day of , 2021.

______Mayor

______Chief Administrative Officer

145

BYLAW 35-20

A BYLAW OF THE TOWN OF OKOTOKS IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA TO ESTABLISH A THE PROCEDURES FOR CONDUCTING A MUNICIPAL ELECTION

WHEREAS the Local Authorities Election Act, Chapter L-21, RSA 2000, as amended, (hereinafter referred to as the “Act”), provides for the holding of local elections by municipalities;

NOW THEREFORE the Council of the Town of Okotoks enacts as follows:

1. SHORT TITLE

1.1 This Bylaw may be known as the “Election Procedures Bylaw”.

2. DEFINITIONS

2.1 Except as otherwise provided for in this Bylaw, the terms used in the Act, where used or referred to in the Bylaw, shall have the same meaning as defined or provided in the Act.

2.2 In this Bylaw, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

a) “automated voting system” means an automated or electronic system designed to automatically count and record votes and process and store the election results;

b) “ballot” means the paper card containing all offices, questions, bylaws, or any other legislated vote indicating all available selections to the electors and containing spaces to mark their choices;

c) “ballot account” means an account of ballots prepared in the form required by the Act;

d) “ballot box” means a container, in a form approved by the Returning Officer, intended to contain the voted ballots for the vote tabulators at the voting station;

e) “Presiding Deputy Returning Officer” means a deputy who has been appointed as a presiding deputy pursuant to the Act by the Returning Officer;

f) “election officials” includes the Presiding Deputy Returning Officer(s), staff, appointed election workers, and information technology contractors;

146

BYLAW 35-20 Page 2 of 9 g) “Instructions for Electors” means explicit directions for the elector to follow regarding how to complete the ballots, in the form approved by the Returning Officer; h) “marking devices” means the pen marker or other permanent ink instrument, approved by the Returning Officer, for the use in marking ballots by the elector; i) “memory pack” means a cartridge or memory unit that plugs into the vote tabulator where all tabulated totals are stored for the voting subdivision; j) “portable ballot box” means a cardboard container in the prescribed form, approved by the Returning Officer and intended for the use in the collection of voted ballots in an institutional vote, advance vote, or incapacitated vote; k) “Returning Officer” means a person appointed under the Act as a returning officer and includes a person acting in the returning officer’s place; l) “secrecy sleeve” means an open ended envelope, in a form approved by the Returning Officer, intended to be used to cover the ballot so as to conceal the markings made on the ballot by the elector without covering the initials of the election official; m) “spoiled ballot” means a ballot which:

i. has not been marked, or has not been marked sufficiently for the vote tabulator to discern a vote;

ii. has been marked for more candidates than there are offices to be filled, or where there is only one vacancy, for more than one candidate; or in the event of a bylaw or question, has been marked both in the affirmative and negative;

iii. has been marked outside of the space indicated on the ballot for the placing of a mark;

iv. has been torn, defaced, or dealt with in such a way by an elector so that they can thereby be identified;

v. does not bear the initials of the election officials. n) “tally register tape” means the printed record generated by a vote tabulator showing the number of accepted ballots, the ballots read, and the results of the ballots read by the vote tabulator;

147

BYLAW 35-20 Page 3 of 9

o) “vote tabulator” means a unit of the automated voting system designed for use at the voting station to receive ballots and automatically scan a specified area or areas on the ballot and record the results;

p) “voting station” means an area designated by the Returning Officer in a controlled access building and equipped for the counting of votes and the tabulation of election results.

3. NOMINATION FEES

3.1 Every nomination paper filed for the office of Councillor shall be accompanied by $250.00 in Canadian funds, and every nomination paper filed for the office of Mayor shall be accompanied by $500.00 in Canadian funds; and said deposit is to be provided in cash, certified cheque, or money order.

3.2 For the 2021 municipal general election deposits can be provided for using a debit card or credit card.

4. RETURNING OFFICER

4.1 The Returning Officer is authorized to appoint the election officials they deem necessary for the fulfillment of election duties. The Returning Officer and the Presiding Deputy Returning Officer(s) are authorized to further sub-delegate any duties necessary for the fulfillment of responsibilities assigned by this Bylaw or by the Act.

4.2 The Returning Officer is authorized to determine and designate more than one voting station for the voting subdivision as permitted by the Act.

4.3 The Returning Officer is authorized to enter into an agreement with the public and separate school divisions for the joint conduct of a general election or any other levels of government under applicable legislation, if required.

5. INCAPACITATED ELECTORS

5.1 The Returning Officer may direct that the portable ballot boxes, as defined in this Bylaw, be used for the collection of voted ballots of such incapacitated voters at home, if this type of voting is provided as permitted under the Act.

5.2 Incapacitated elector at home voting will be provided during the hours an advance voting station is open and at the times fixed by resolution of Council, in order to take the votes of an elector who, because of physical incapacity, is unable to attend a voting station or an advance voting station.

5.3 If an incapacitated vote at home is being conducted, the Returning Officer shall take such steps as are necessary to ensure the incapacitated voting at home

148

BYLAW 35-20 Page 4 of 9

procedures shall, as nearly as possible, follow the voting procedures at the voting station.

6. ADVANCE VOTES

6.1 An advance vote will be held and conducted on the dates and during the hours as determined by the Returning Officer.

6.2 The Returning Officer may direct that the voted ballots of advance vote electors are to be collected in portable ballot boxes.

7. INSTITUTIONAL VOTING

7.1 For the purpose of conducting institutional voting, the Returning Officer shall determine and designate the time or times during which the votes in the designated institutions shall be taken and may appoint the election officials necessary for the taking of the institutional votes.

7.2 Portable ballot boxes, as defined in this Bylaw, shall be provided for the collection of the voted ballots of the electors who vote as part of the institutional vote.

7.3 If an institutional vote is being conducted, the Returning Officer shall take such steps as are necessary to ensure the institutional voting procedures shall, as nearly as possible, follow the voting procedures at the voting station.

8. AUTOMATED VOTING SYSTEM

8.1 The taking of votes of the electors and the tabulation of election results may be done by means of an automated voting system, as directed by the Returning Officer.

8.2 In the event that an automated voting system is used in the election, the Returning Officer:

a) shall be satisfied prior to the date of the election, that the automated voting system has been pre-tested and is accurate and in good working order; and

b) shall take whatever reasonable safeguards may be necessary to secure the automated voting system (including the vote tabulators and the ballot boxes) from unauthorized access, entry, use, tampering, or any unauthorized use of the ballots or tabulated results.

8.3 Despite anything in this Bylaw, in the event of:

a) a malfunction of the automated voting system;

149

BYLAW 35-20 Page 5 of 9

b) a defect in the ballots or ballot marking devices, or

c) subject to clause 10.10 of this Bylaw, anything related to the operation of the automated voting system or any of its components, the Returning Officer may make any direction that they think is necessary or desirable with respect to:

i. the voting procedure to be used;

ii. the taking of votes;

iii. the counting of votes;

iv. where required, for a recount under the Act.

9. FORM OF BALLOT

9.1 Following nomination day, the Returning Officer shall cause sufficient ballots for the election to be printed.

9.2 The ballot shall be assembled in the following order and consist of a composite ballot, where possible, for:

1) candidates for the office of the Mayor;

2) candidates for the office of Councillor;

3) candidates for the office of public school Trustees, or separate school Trustees if elections are held in conjunction with elections for public or separate school board offices;

4) questions(s);

5) any other offices or votes as may be specified or required by the Act or any other applicable legislation.

9.3 Ballots for candidates may be in the general form prescribed by the Returning Officer.

9.4 In the event the general election is held in conjunction with the election of school board Trustees, or any other offices or votes as may be required by the Act or other applicable legislation, the Returning Officer may direct that separate ballots be printed, containing the ballots for the offices of Mayor, Councillors, and other ballots, and either the public school Trustee ballot(s) or the separate school Trustee ballot(s), or other required votes.

150

BYLAW 35-20 Page 6 of 9

10. VOTING PROCEDURES

10.1 Voting stations shall be kept open continuously on Election Day from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

10.2 A copy of the Instructions for Electors shall be posted at each voting compartment in each voting station and at conspicuous locations within the voting station, and shall remain posted until the close of the voting station.

10.3 In the presence of other election officials, agents, and electors, election officials shall cause the vote tabulator to print a copy of all totals in its memory pack one hour or less before the opening of the voting station.

10.4 If the totals are zero for all candidates, questions, and bylaws, the election officials shall ensure that the zero printout remains affixed to the vote tabulator until the results are printed by the vote tabulator after the close of the voting station at 8:00 p.m.

10.5 Every person who wishes to vote shall:

a) make the statement of elector eligibility in the prescribed form required by the Act; and

b) produce identification that validates the person’s identity and address as prescribed in the Act or an elector vouches for the person’s identity and address as prescribed by the Act.

10.6 Once permitted to vote, the elector shall be given the appropriate ballot(s) that has been initialed by the election official, and a secrecy sleeve.

10.7 Upon receiving the ballot(s) and secrecy sleeve(s), the elector shall forthwith proceed to the voting compartment to vote.

10.8 While the elector is in the voting compartment, they shall mark the ballot(s) using only the marking device provided by completing an oval in the space designated for a vote adjacent to the candidate’s name or, where there is more than one vacancy, the candidates of their choice. Where the ballot includes a bylaw or question, the elector shall mark their vote within the portion of the ballot containing the affirmative or negative.

10.9 The elector may not mark their ballot for more candidates than there are offices to be filled, or, where the ballot includes a question or a bylaw, the elector may not mark their ballot both in the affirmative and negative for any one bylaw or question.

151

BYLAW 35-20 Page 7 of 9

10.10 After the elector has finished marking the ballot(s) and has completed voting, they shall:

a) insert the ballot(s) into the secrecy sleeve(s) without showing the markings on the ballot(s) to anyone and without folding the ballot(s); and

b) leave the voting compartment and deliver the secrecy sleeve(s) containing the ballot(s), to the election official supervising the ballot box and the vote tabulator; and

c) observe the placing of their ballot(s) through the tabulator into the ballot box by the election official; or place their ballot(s) through the tabulator into the ballot box themselves, if desired.

10.11 In the event that the elector has inadvertently dealt with their ballot:

a) in a manner that it cannot be used as a ballot; or

b) so that the ballot presented by the elector to the election official has been spoiled, the elector may:

i. request another ballot wherein the election official must issue a new ballot to the elector and mark the returned ballot “spoiled”. Spoiled ballots must be retained and kept separately from all other ballots.

ii. refuse to request another ballot wherein the election official will override the vote tabulator to accept the ballot, if possible, otherwise the spoiled ballot will be retained and kept separately from all other ballots.

10.12 Where a vote tabulator is available in the voting station but fails to operate, the:

a) ballot(s) shall be inserted into a separate ballot box designed for the storage of marked but untabulated ballots; and

b) ballot(s) shall be inserted into a vote tabulator following the close of the voting station.

10.13 The voting procedure prescribed herein shall, during an advance vote, an institutional vote, and an incapacitated vote, insofar as is practicable, apply and may be modified as necessary upon the direction of the Returning Officer.

10.14 Each elector shall follow the voting procedures in this Bylaw and as outlined in the Instructions for Electors posted in the voting station, and upon the deposit of their ballot(s) into the ballot box, the elector shall immediately leave the voting station.

152

BYLAW 35-20 Page 8 of 9

10.15 Election officials may request anyone not directly engaged in the voting process to leave the voting station.

11. POST VOTE PROCEDURES

11.1 Immediately after the close of the voting station, the Returning Officer or election officials shall:

a) secure the vote tabulator(s) from receiving any more ballots;

b) forthwith deliver the vote tabulator and ballot boxes to the counting centre;

c) activate the vote tabulator to produce the number of copies of the tally register tape, as directed by the Returning Officer, complete the ballot account, and attach one (1) copy of the tally register tape to the ballot account;

d) count the unused ballots and place the unused ballots, the voted ballots, and the spoiled ballots together with the voting register, two (2) copies of the tally register tape, and all oaths, declarations, and statements, if any, in the ballot boxes; and

e) seal and initial the ballot boxes and provide the sealed ballot boxes for the delivery to the Municipal Centre for storage or as directed by the Returning Officer.

11.2 Ballots which are spoiled shall not be counted in the tabulation of results for the election.

11.3 The portable ballot boxes used in the advance vote, the incapacitated vote, and the institutional vote, shall be sealed upon the completion of voting in the vote in which they are used, and shall not be unsealed and opened until the close of voting stations on Election Day.

11.4 The Returning Officer may direct that the sealed portable ballot boxes be brought to the voting station where they remain sealed until they are opened for the counting of ballots by the automated voting system, and may make any other direction he/she deems necessary for the storage and disposition of the portable ballot boxes.

11.5 If the Returning Officer makes a recount, pursuant to the Act, the voted ballots will be recounted by the same automated voting system.

11.6 Upon the completion of the tabulation of the election results, the Returning Officer shall retain the programs and the memory packs of the automated system as provided for in the Act for the keeping of ballots.

153

BYLAW 35-20 Page 9 of 9

11.7 If, at the close of the polls, the Returning Officer is of the opinion that it is impracticable to count the vote with the vote tabulator, the Returning Officer may direct that all the votes cast in the election be counted manually following, as far as practicable, the provisions of the Act governing the counting of the votes.

12. GENERAL

12.1 The Returning Officer, when necessary, is hereby authorized to make application to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and to the Lieutenant Governor in Council for the requisite directions or regulations pursuant to the Act, respectively, for the approval and implementation of the procedure prescribed by this Bylaw, or any other directions or regulations for conducting an election permitted by the Act.

12.2 In the event that the election for the offices of Councillors and Mayor are held in conjunction with an election for public or separate school board Trustees or any other legislated votes, provisions of this Bylaw shall apply mutatis mutandis to the other election.

This Bylaw shall come into full force and effect upon third and final reading, and Bylaws 46-98 and 13-17 shall be repealed.

READ A FIRST TIME this 26th day of October, 2020

READ A SECOND TIME this 26th day of October, 2020

READ A THIRD TIME AND PASSED this 26th day of October, 2020

-- Original Signed -- ______Mayor

-- Original Signed -- ______Chief Administrative Officer

154 From: Sheep River Health trust Sent: Monday, January 25, 2021 12:19 PM To: Rosanne Matheson Subject: SRHT 2021 Funding Request

Dear Mayor Bill Robertson Cc/ Rosanne Matheson,

We wanted to take a moment and thank the Town of Okotoks for your support. 2020 was a challenging year for so many as health and wellness services along with businesses navigating something none of us every dreamed could happen. We are proud as a community that we are pulling through this Pandemic and are finally seeing the light on the other side. Unfortunately this journey is far from over and we still need the support of our community to support our health and wellness programs as we navigate through the road ahead of us.

We have attached our 2021 request and we hoping for your continued support.

Last year Town of Okotoks was a supporter of the Sheep River Health Trust as a Miracle Maker as well as a Tree Sponsor with a donation of $3000 for Radiothon and Avenue of Trees. I have attached our request which gives you an overview of our two major events and your opportunity to get involved in them both. As well as an overview of where our donations went in 2020 through many projects in the Foothills.

We have been supporting the Okotoks Health & Wellness Centre, Oilfields General Hospital and proactive Health & Wellness initiatives throughout the Foothills since 1985. We focus our support on 5 areas: Babies & Families, Children & Youth, Seniors, Community Cares Programs & Medical Equipment

Over the past 6 years we have been proud to support:  School Meal Program- 12 schools in the foothills  Keeping the Music On- Rising Sun Long Term Care  Rowan House Emergency Shelter  Covid Patient Communications Project  Okotoks Health & Wellness Center  Oilfields General Hospital  Foothills Country Hospice- Complimentary Care Program  It Takes a Village- Okotoks Community Foundation  Longview Seniors Club- Seniors Bus  Back to School Safe- COVID support Program

We currently have a waiting list of requests over $50,000 and we are launching a capital campaign in 2021 which we are only able to address with additional sponsorship. Thank you for your consideration of the Sheep River Health Trust. We will be reaching out over the next month if we have not heard back from you. Your continued support helps us contribute over $116,000 towards Health & Wellness Initiatives in the Foothills Region.

Sincerely,

Candice Wyma Fund Development Coordinator Sheep River Health Trust 11 Cimarron Common Okotoks, Alberta T1S 2E9 Tel: (403) 995-5400 Fax: (403) 995-2663 Email: [email protected] Facebook: @sheepriverhealthtrust www.sheepriverhealthtrust.ca

Sheep River Health Trust is dedicated to raising funds for urgently needed programs, services and equipment that support the health and well-being of our communities.

155

Mayor Bill Robertson Town of Okotoks Box 20, 5 Elizabeth Street Okotoks, AB T1S 1K1

January 25th, 2021

Dear Mayor Robertson,

We wanted to take a moment to thank the Town of Okotoks for your continue support. In 2020, with your financial support of $3,000, you helped us contribute $116,915 back into Health & Wellness Initiatives throughout the Foothills. Please see the attached “Where Did Your Donations Go” sheet. Our commitment to Alberta Health Services extends into 2021 as we have committed funds to projects and services to assist our health care system as it adapts throughout this pandemic.

We have 2 key events that we are seeking your support for.

Together We Can Make A Difference Radiothon  June 24th 2021  On location at The Eagle 100.9  13 Hours of broadcasting  2021 is our 8th year  Raised over $43,000 in 2020

Ave of Trees & Annual Photos with Santa  Held from November 20- December 15, 2021  Location- TBA  Approximately 30-35 Fully decorated trees from local businesses.  10 “Trees of Hope” donated to local families in need  Provide Santa Photos to over 600 families  Raised $33,000 in 2020

2020 Health Champions 156

I have attached our request and what we will offer as recognition for each event.

If you have any questions or would like to have a more detailed presentation on what the Sheep River Health Trust does we would be happy to provide your Council with a presentation. Thank you so much for all of your support in the past and we hope we can continue to count on you for the future. If you wish to discuss further, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me. I can be reached at (403) 995- 5400.

Yours sincerely,

Candice Wyma Fund development Coordinator

2020 Health Champions 157

TOWN OF OKOTOKS FUNDING REQUEST

2021 Support Request: $3000.00

Event Monetary Support Non-Monetary Support Together We Make A Difference $2500 Mayor (or designate) is an on air host Radiothon for half hour, pre-recorded interview highlighting importance of Sheep River Health Trust, sharing of event on your Facebook Page Avenue of Trees / Photos With Santa $500.00 Submission of a tree from Town of Okotoks, sharing of event on social media

Recognition & Rationale: The Town of Okotoks would be recognized as a sponsor for each of our events on donor boards, programs, on air and in the Thank You ads. Event specific recognition would be:

1. “Together we Make A Difference” Radiothon– Requesting your support as a Miracle Maker.

 One hour of day will be named after Town of Okotoks.  30 min co-host with Eagle Radio announcer.  Cheque presentation will be highlighted across our social media.  Opportunity to be present for funding project recipient’s cheque presentation.  Tagged in post event Thank you Radio Spot on the Eagle 100.9

2. Avenue of Trees commit to decorating a tree and to purchase a Tree of Hope for $500 to donate to a family in need from The Town of Okotoks. We will arrange the delivery of the tree.

2020 Health Champions 158

2020 Health Champions 159

Council February 8, 2021

RESPONSE TO COUNCILLOR INQUIRY / SUGGESTION

MAYOR ROBERTSON Mayor Robertson provided a suggestion that chain link fencing be used at the ends of the outdoor ice rink behind the Okotoks Recreation Centre to prevent hockey pucks from damaging vehicles parked nearby.

Estimated Administrative Time to Respond

☒ Under 4 hours (no motion required)

☐ Over 4 hours (motion required) Estimated Hours: n/a

Motion n/a

Response Each winter, up until this year, Parks has installed temporary fence panels at the Kinsmen Rink at the Okotoks Recreation Centre to help control stray pucks. In 2020, Parks purposely refrained from setting up these panels as AHS guidelines indicated that no shinny, tag, or games of any kind were permitted on outdoor rinks. These guidelines are still in effect, however, in anticipation that rules for outdoor activities may be relaxed and to utilise additional resources of redeployed recreation staff while the Town is able, Parks reinstalled the panels again on January 29th.

Attachment(s) n/a

Prepared by: Christa Michailuck Parks Manager February 01, 2021 160

Council February 8, 2021

RESPONSE TO COUNCILLOR INQUIRY / SUGGESTION

COUNCILLOR CHRISTOPHERS Councillor Christophers inquired regarding the publication of individual email addresses for Council Members on the Town’s website.

Estimated Administrative Time to Respond

☒ Under 4 hours (no motion required)

☐ Over 4 hours (motion required) Estimated Hours: n/a

Motion n/a

Response The Town has not published email addresses on the website for the last couple of years, as this has been identified as a security risk. Publishing email addresses on the website puts the address at risk of being identified by spam bots. Once that happens, the email address becomes compromised and can no longer be used.

The alternative, safe solution the Town uses on the website is an online contact form which routes submissions automatically to the appropriate business centre. A link to this form can be found on nearly every page across the website.

To ensure residents can easily contact Council members, Administration completed building individual contact forms for the Mayor and each Councillor, which can be found as a link in their respective bio sections on the Meet Your Council page. As an example, here is a direct link to the form for Councillor Christophers. Submissions through these forms will be received as an email by the individual Councillor it was intended for.

Attachment(s) n/a

Prepared by: Marni Hutchinson Communications Specialist February 04, 2021 161

Council February 8, 2021

RESPONSE TO COUNCILLOR INQUIRY / SUGGESTION

COUNCILLOR THORN Councillor Thorn provided information from a resident that the hours of operation posted on outdoor washrooms conflicts with the actual hours the washrooms are open, and inquired if this could be addressed.

Estimated Administrative Time to Respond

☒ Under 4 hours (no motion required)

☐ Over 4 hours (motion required) Estimated Hours: n/a

Motion n/a

Response Parks has 13 toilet buildings at various locations around Town. In 2020, due to COVID-19, all of the toilet buildings were temporarily closed and signed “Closed due to COVID-19” for a duration.

All toilet buildings are again operational based on their signage posted on the door of each unit. The buildings are signed one of two ways: 1. Open Year Round – May be closed due to vandalism 2. Open April 1 – Oct 1 – May be closed due to vandalism

The toilet building at Tower Hill near the Tennis Courts has extended closure due to lack of use of the site, but will be reopened in February.

The toilet building at the BMX Park was opened seasonally, but will be opened year round due to pathway usage.

There was one incident of vandalism recently that resulted in a closure of the Cimarron Park toilet building. A fire lit inside the unit resulted in closure from January 15 until January 18 to allow time for cleaning.

Attachment(s) n/a

Prepared by: Christa Michailuck Parks Manager January 28, 2021 162

Council February 8, 2021

RESPONSE TO COUNCILLOR INQUIRY / SUGGESTION

COUNCILLOR THORN Councillor Thorn inquired if enforcement regarding recreational fires could once again be relaxed to allow for recreational fires in front yards to support the recent easement of restrictions on outdoor gatherings by Alberta Health Services.

Estimated Administrative Time to Respond

☒ Under 4 hours (no motion required)

☐ Over 4 hours (motion required) Estimated Hours: n/a

Motion n/a

Response Administration has confirmed that relaxation of section 8.2(a) of Fire Services Bylaw 10-17 is both safe and appropriate given the current push for outdoor recreation opportunities.

A communications plan is underway which will include fire safety information. This will revert back once grass fire season approaches or if general conditions change.

Appropriate notice and education will be deployed when this occurs.

Attachment(s) n/a

Prepared by: Kelly Stienwand Protective Services Director January 29, 2021 163 164 165 166 167

UNADOPTED MINUTES OF THE GOVERNANCE AND PRIORITIES COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF OKOTOKS HELD ON MONDAY, JANUARY 18, 2021 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE

COMMITTEE MEMBERS Councillor Sands, Chair PRESENT Mayor Robertson Councillor Christophers Councillor Heemeryck Councillor Rockley Councillor Thorn Councillor Watrin

STAFF PRESENT Elaine Vincent, Chief Administrative Officer Cathy Duplessis, Legislative & Policy Services Manager Janice Storch, Legislative Services Administrator

1. CALL TO ORDER

Chair Sands called the meeting to order at 5:41 p.m.

2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

The agenda was amended by moving agenda item 7. In Camera Items to follow agenda item 3. Approval of Minutes.

MOTION: By Mayor Robertson that the agenda for the January 18, 2021 Governance and Priorities Committee meeting be adopted as amended. Carried Unanimously

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

3.1 Governance and Priorities Committee - December 7, 2020

MOTION: By Councillor Watrin that the minutes of the Governance and Priorities Committee Meeting held December 7, 2020 be adopted as presented. Carried Unanimously

168

Unadopted Governance and Priorities Committee Minutes January 18, 2021 Page 2 of 3

7. IN CAMERA ITEMS

MOTION: By Councillor Heemeryck that the meeting go In Camera as the matters to be discussed during this portion of the meeting are within one of the exceptions to disclosure in Division 2 of Part l of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act at 5:44 p.m. Carried Unanimously

7.1 Calgary Metropolitan Region Board Joint Planning Area 3 (FOIP s. 21(1)(b))

In Attendance Mayor Robertson Councillors Christophers, Heemeryck, Rockley, Sands, Thorn, and Watrin Chief Administrative Officer Elaine Vincent Finance & Systems Director Ralph Ettenauer Community Services Director Susan Laurin Infrastructure & Operations Director Chris Radford Protective Services Director Kelly Stienwand Corporate & Strategic Services Director Nancy Weigel Planning Services Manager Jamie Dugdale Legislative & Policy Services Manager Cathy Duplessis Planner Michelle Grenwich Legislative Services Administrator Janice Storch

MOTION: By Councillor Rockley that the meeting come out of In Camera at 7:15 p.m. Carried Unanimously

Break at 7:16 p.m. Reconvene at 7:21 p.m.

4. BUSINESS

4.1 2018 - 2021 Strategic Plan Review

Nancy Weigel, Corporate & Strategic Services Director, reviewed the report containing the issue that clarity is sought by Administration regarding the 2021 priorities contained in the 2018 - 2021 Strategic Plan, as it is the final year for the term of office for elected officials.

MOTION: By Mayor Robertson that the Governance and Priorities Committee recommend to Council that no new priorities be added to the final year of the 2018-2021 Strategic Plan. Carried Unanimously

169

Unadopted Governance and Priorities Committee Minutes January 18, 2021 Page 3 of 3

4.2 2021 Governance and Priorities Committee Work Plan

Cathy Duplessis, Legislative & Policy Services Manager, reviewed the report containing the issue that direction is required for setting the 2021 Governance and Priorities Committee Work Plan.

MOTION: By Councillor Thorn that the 2021 Governance and Priorities Committee Work Plan be approved as discussed. Carried Unanimously

4.3 Council Governance Framework Purpose Statements

Members agreed to forward this item to a future Governance and Priorities Committee Meeting.

5. NEW BUSINESS None

6. DEFERRED ITEMS

6.1 Council Donation/Sponsorship Policy Discussion (extended until September 2021)

8. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Governance and Priorities Committee is Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.

9. ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: By Councillor Christophers that the Governance and Priorities Committee meeting of January 18, 2021 adjourn at 8:06 p.m. Carried Unanimously

170

UNADOPTED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE MUNICIPAL PLANNING COMMISSION THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021 VIA LIVESTREAM

COMMITTEE MEMBERS Karen Neal, Chair PRESENT Councillor Rockley Councillor Sands Spencer Collins (arrived at 7:12 p.m.) Craig Corder Andre Ulloa

COMMITTEE MEMBERS Jesse Krsa ABSENT

STAFF PRESENT Velma Gallant, Recording Secretary ______

1. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

1.1 Call to Order

Chair Neal called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

1.2 Additions and/or Deletions None

1.3 Adoption

MOTION 21.MPC.001 By Councillor Rockley That the January 21, 2021 agenda for the Municipal Planning Commission be adopted as presented. Carried Unanimously

171 Unadopted Municipal Planning Commission Minutes – January 21, 2021 Page 2 of 5

2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

2.1 Municipal Planning Commission Meeting - December 17, 2020

MOTION 21.MPC.002 By A. Ulloa That the minutes of the Municipal Planning Commission Meeting held December 17, 2020 be adopted as presented. Carried Unanimously

3. SUBDIVISION APPLICATIONS None

4. DEVELOPMENT PERMIT APPLICATIONS

4.1 Development Permit Application 233-20

Address/Legal: 34 & 52 Robinson Drive / Lot 88SR, Block 4, Plan 021 3904 & Lot 89 MSR, Block 4, Plan 021 3904 Zoning: Public Service (PS) District

C. Davies, Development Planner, reviewed the report containing the proposal for the construction of a new gymnasium, temporary building (modular washrooms), and temporary parking reconfiguration and student pick-up and drop-off areas.

Discussion took place regarding elevation, flashing, cladding, and modular washrooms. There was also discussion regarding on-street loading/pick up for parents, parking, construction timing, and if there are changes planned for the existing building.

MOTION 21.MPC.003 By A. Ulloa That Development Permit 233-20 be approved with a variance subject to the following conditions:

1. Prior to the release of the Development Permit, the Developer shall: a. Provide a Site Servicing Plan in accordance with Section 3.2.1(l) of the Land Use Bylaw (LUB); b. Provide an interim parking signage plan for Robinson Drive. The plan must include proposed sign locations and sign details; c. Provide detailed drawing and specification for all proposed exterior lighting fixtures; d. Revise site plans to reflect the on-site, as-built parking configuration;

172 Unadopted Municipal Planning Commission Minutes – January 21, 2021 Page 3 of 5

e. Revise the proposed temporary parking plan to show the location of barrier-free parking spaces; f. Revise the colour of the masonry (Expocrete concrete block – river rock white) proposed for building base to reflect the colour shown on the building renderings; g. Provide a Tree Protection Plan prepared by a Landscape Architect or ISA Certified Arborist for boulevard trees and any existing trees on-site that may be disturbed by the construction; h. Enter into a Development Agreement regarding, but not limited to: i. submission of the necessary performance securities pursuant to Section 4.3.6 of the LUB; ii. provision for the installation of off-site services including, but not limited to storm sewage, sanitary sewage, curb replacement, sidewalks and improvements to adjoining roadways; iii. provision for indemnifying the Municipality against any damages that may occur; iv. recovery of professional costs incurred by the Town associated with this development; i. Enter into an Agreement for the placement of the temporary washroom building outside the School Reserve parcel on Municipal and School Reserve lands jointly owned by the Town and School Division. j. payment of all applicable off-site levies and fees;

conditions 1a to 1j above to the satisfaction of the Development Officer.

2. Development Conditions: a. the Developer shall construct the development in accordance with: i. all conditions of this approval; ii. the plans approved by the Municipal Planning Commission on January 21, 2021; and iii. any other revised plans submitted and approved as a requirement of this approval;

b. The Developer shall: i. protect or remove existing irrigation in the area of the development in consultation with, and to the satisfaction of, Okotoks Parks; ii. the temporary building (washrooms) must be removed and the site remediated to the satisfaction of the Development Authority no later than six (6) months from the date of occupancy of the new gymnasium; iii. upon removal of the temporary building (washrooms), regrade and landscape if required by the Town, and rehabilitate all areas affected by the removal, to the satisfaction of the Town;

173 Unadopted Municipal Planning Commission Minutes – January 21, 2021 Page 4 of 5

iv. the Developer is responsible to remediate any public works including boulevard landscaping damaged by construction; v. no part of any building may project on, or be constructed over a utility right-of-way; vi. the issuance of a Development permit by the Town of Okotoks does not relieve the permit holder of the responsibility of complying with all other relevant municipal bylaws and requirements, nor excuse violation of any regulation or act, which may affect this project; and vii. indemnify Okotoks from any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of actions, suits and costs, which may be brought against or incurred by Okotoks or by any person or persons employed or engaged by Okotoks, for injury, loss or damage whether to person or to property which may occur within the Development Site or public property to which the Developer has access pursuant to this Agreement.

VARIANCE The following sections of the Land Use Bylaw are varied pursuant to Section 4.4.1 of the Land Use Bylaw:

1. Section 16D.5.1 [Building Height] to allow a building height of 10.7m, where the maximum height allowed is 10m, a variance of 0.7m. Carried Unanimously

5. STATUTORY PLANS AND BYLAWS None

6. FURTHER BUSINESS None

7. INFORMATION REGARDING DEVELOPMENT MATTERS

7.1 Development Permit Application List

A copy of the Development Permit Application list was provided in the Agenda package.

Discussion took place regarding the commercial development in D'Arcy Ranch Boulevard, how the public gains information regarding applications, and the building variance application.

174 Unadopted Municipal Planning Commission Minutes – January 21, 2021 Page 5 of 5

7.2 Reports to Council

A summary of the reports which were presented to Council by Planning Services was provided in the Agenda package.

There was discussion regarding the Municipal Development Plan.

MOTION 21.MPC.004 By Councillor Sands That items 7.1 and 7.2 be received as information. Carried Unanimously

8. MONTHLY UPDATES None

9. ADJOURNMENT

MOTION 21.MPC.005 By Councillor Rockley That the January 21, 2021 meeting of the Municipal Planning Commission adjourn at 7:47 p.m. Carried Unanimously

175 176 177