Intermunicipal Development Plan

INTERMUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Camrose County Bylaw #XX Ponoka County Bylaw #XX

VICINIA PLANNING & ENGAGEMENT INC. 2017.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION ...... 2 MUNICIPAL PROFILES ...... 2 LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS ...... 3 GOALS ...... 5 PLAN AREA ...... 5 LAKE DEVELOPMENT ...... 8 LAND USE POLICIES ...... 8 RESOURCE EXTRACTION ...... 11 INDUSTRY AND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT ...... 11 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS ...... 12 MUNICIPAL INFRASTRUCTURE ...... 14 TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS ...... 14 UTILITY CORRIDORS ...... 14 COORDINATION OF MUNICIPAL MATTERS ...... 15 PLAN ADMINISTRATION AND IMPLEMENTATION ...... 15 DISPUTE/CONFLICT RESOLUTION ...... 16 CORRESPONDENCE ...... 18

INTRODUCTION

1) Camrose County and Ponoka County have agreed to undertake the process for preparing and adopting, by bylaw, an Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) which will address the principles, policies and considerations outlined in this document.

2) Camrose County and Ponoka County recognize that all municipalities are equals and have the right to growth and development.

3) The purpose of the IDP is to:

a) Ensure orderly development; b) Establish a framework for attracting economic opportunities; c) Improve opportunities to secure a long-term economic base for the region; d) Ensure the municipalities are development ready and future oriented in their efforts to attract economic activity; e) Ensure that the municipalities are developed in a manner that is equitable and fair to the residents of the municipalities; and f) To identify areas for growth in both Counties along the shared municipal boundary.

4) Camrose County and Ponoka County have entered into an Intermunicipal Collaborative Framework to address the sharing of costs and revenues within the plan area identified within this plan.

5) The IDP and the Intermunicipal Collaborative Framework together form the basis of cooperative effort between Camrose County and Ponoka County to work together to serve the needs of their communities.

MUNICIPAL PROFILES

Camrose County Camrose County covers an area of approximately 338,900 hectares (837,400 acres), with a population of 8,558 (Federal Census, 2016). The County surrounds eight urban municipalities, contains 10 hamlets, and is bordered by seven rural municipalities. The economy of Camrose County has traditionally centered on agriculture, with some oil and gas developments, and recreation developments around the lakes, especially Buffalo Lake, within the County.

Ponoka County Ponoka County covers an area of approximately 279,807 hectares (691,418 acres), with a population of 9,806 (Federal Census, 2016). The County surrounds two urban municipalities, and one summer village. The County also contains four hamlets, and is bordered by four rural municipalities. The economy of Ponoka County has traditionally centered on agriculture, with some oil and gas developments, and recreation developments around the lakes.

LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS

1) In order to foster cooperation and mitigate conflict between municipalities, the Municipal Government Act (MGA) requires municipalities to complete and adopt an intermunicipal development plan with adjacent municipalities to address matters including, but not limited to:  Future land use;  Proposals for future development;  Transportation systems;  Intermunicipal Infrastructure;  Coordination of intermunicipal programs related to physical, social and economic development;  Dispute resolution; and  Procedures to amend the plan.

Specifically, the MGA states:

Intermunicipal development plans

631(1) Two or more councils of municipalities that have common boundaries that are not members of a growth region as defined in section 708.01 must, by each passing a bylaw in accordance with this Part or in accordance with sections 12 and 692, adopt an intermunicipal development plan to include those areas of land lying within the boundaries of the municipalities as they consider necessary.

(1.1) Despite subsection (1), the Minister may, by order, exempt one or more councils from the requirement to adopt an intermunicipal development plan, and the order may contain any terms and conditions that the Minister considers necessary.

(1.2) Two or more councils of municipalities that are not otherwise required to adopt an intermunicipal development plan under subsection (1)

may, by each passing a bylaw in accordance with this Part or in accordance with sections 12 and 692, adopt an intermunicipal development plan to include those areas of land lying within the boundaries of the municipalities as they consider necessary.

(a) must address (i) the future land use within the area, (ii) the manner of and the proposals for future development in the area, (iii) the provision of transportation systems for the area, either generally or specifically, (iv) proposals for the financing and programming of intermunicipal infrastructure for the area, (v) the co-ordination of intermunicipal programs relating to the physical, social and economic development of the area, (vi) environmental matters within the area, either generally or specifically, areas of land lying within the boundaries of the municipalities as they consider necessary.

(2) An intermunicipal development plan

(a) may provide for (i) the future land use within the area, (ii) the manner of and the proposals for future development in the area, and (iii) any other matter relating to the physical, social or economic development of the area that the councils consider necessary, and

(b) must include (i) a procedure to be used to resolve or attempt to resolve any conflict between the municipalities that have adopted the plan, (ii) a procedure to be used, by one or more municipalities, to amend or repeal the plan, and (iii) provisions relating to the administration of the plan. (vii) the provision of intermunicipal services and facilities, either generally or specifically, and (viii) any other matter related to the physical, social or economic development of the area that the councils consider necessary,

(3) The council of a municipality that is required under this section to adopt an intermunicipal development plan must have an intermunicipal development plan that provides for all of the matters referred to in subsection (2) within 5 years from the date this subsection comes into force.

(4) Subject to the regulations, if municipalities that are required to create an intermunicipal development plan are not able to agree on a plan, sections 708.33 to 708.43 apply as if the intermunicipal development plan were an intermunicipal collaboration framework.

GOALS

1) Development of land use polices to protect prime agricultural lands from premature designation, subdivision and non-farm development.

2) Effective coordination of transportation systems and protection of required land for future road network developments.

3) Development of land use policies to ensure that future sites for recreation areas are considered.

4) Development of a plan for the provision of utility corridors within the Plan Area to provide for future growth and development of the IDP area, and to ensure oil and gas development/pipelines do not inhibit or restrict the future development of the region.

5) Identification and protection of physical features and environmentally sensitive areas.

6) Effective referral mechanisms and dispute resolution mechanisms.

7) Provide effective plan administration and implementation.

PLAN AREA

1) The Intermunicipal Development Plan Area (the Plan Area) is a 1.6 kilometer (1 mile) boundary on either side of the intermunicipal boarder (Map 1).

2) Key characteristics of the Plan Area include:

a) Agricultural: i) There is a mix of agricultural operations including grazing and dry land farming. ii) The majority of the land within the plan area is designated for agricultural use (A – Agricultural District in Camrose County and AG – Agricultural District in Ponoka County).

b) Residential Development:

i) The majority of residential development within the Plan Area is comprised of residential farm housing within the Agricultural District serviced by individual septic and water wells. ii) Within Camrose County and Ponoka County, there is lake resort residential development surrounding Red Deer Lake. (LA – Lake Resort District in the Camrose County and LA – Lake Resort District in Ponoka County). c) Transportation Infrastructure: i) Two Provincial Highways, Highway 53 and 605, provide the main connectors between the two Counties within the Plan Area, with the majority of the traffic between the two Counties travelling on these highways. There are numerous township roads that connect the two Counties and several range roads along the boundary of the Counties. As the majority of these range roads are a south boundary or west boundary they are the responsibility of Ponoka County, as per MGA 18(2). d) Battle River Watershed: i) Both Camrose County and Ponoka County are located within the Battle River Watershed. ii) Camrose County is a member of the Battle River Watershed Protection Agreement. e) Lakes: i) Red Deer Lake is located within the Plan Area. ii) Within Camrose County and Ponoka County, there is lake resort residential development surrounding Red Deer Lake. (LA – Lake Resort District in Camrose County and LA – Lake Resort District in Ponoka County). iii) Within Camrose County, on the northeast side of Red Deer Lake there is a small area of recreation. (GREC - General Recreation). f) Environmentally Significant Lands: i) Within Camrose County and Ponoka County there are small environmentally significant areas in the Plan Area within the vicinity of Red Deer Lake.

Map 1 – Plan Area Boundaries

LAKE DEVELOPMENT

1) One lake, Red Deer Lake, is located within the plan area. The lake is an alkaline lake, with limited recreational potential, resulting in the majority of the land on these lakes within the plan area being agriculture. Within both Counties there are residential lake developments and environmentally significant lands on the shore of Red Deer Lake.

LAND USE POLICIES

1) Both municipalities shall strive to engage in effective dialogue when considering land use in the Plan Area, while maintaining complete jurisdiction on lands within their own boundaries.

2) All subdivision applications, Land Use Bylaw amendments and Area Structure Plans within the Plan Area will be referred to the other County for comment. All development permit applications approved by the either County’s Development Authority shall be in accordance with the provisions of this Plan. Any disputes shall be dealt with through the procedure outlined within Section P of this document.

3) All new or expanding Confined Feeding Operations requiring registrations or approvals and manure storage facilities requiring authorization under the Agricultural Operations Practices Act shall be referred to the other County for comment.

4) Both municipalities agree to jointly discuss ways to cooperate with provincial and federal agencies and utility providers to help facilitate the efficient delivery of infrastructure and services that are of a mutual benefit.

5) Camrose County and Ponoka County shall strive, to the best of their ability and knowledge, to refer all notices of government projects within the Plan Area to the adjacent municipality.

6) Both municipalities are encouraged to share with the adjacent municipality the results of all publically available technical analysis, submitted as part of development applications, where there is potential for impacts on land and bodies or water within the adjacent municipality.

7) Watershed management and protection best practices shall be promoted within the Battle River Watershed.

8) Camrose County and Ponoka County agree that development of lands that are within the Plan Area may contain a historically significant site. Should an area be deemed to have some historical significance, the developer may be required to conduct an Historical Resource Impact Assessment (HRIA) and should contact the appropriate Provincial Government Department Alberta regarding the development.

9) The following land use provisions will apply to all new development within the agricultural areas:

a) Both municipalities agree that agricultural and grazing will continue to be the primary use of land in the Plan Area, and non-agricultural uses should be considered only in such areas where they will not negatively impact agricultural and grazing.

b) Both municipalities will work cooperatively to encourage good neighbour farming practices, such as dust, weed and insect control adjacent to developed areas, through best management practices and Alberta Agricultural guidelines.

c) If disputes or complaints in either municipality shall arise between ratepayers and agricultural operators, the municipality receiving the complaint shall strive to direct the affected parties to the appropriate agency, government department or municipality of consultation or resolution wherever necessary.

10) In considering subdivision and development permit applications in the Plan Area, the County Subdivision and Development Authority will ensure the proposed development is compatible with the adjacent uses.

11) All appeals of developments and subdivisions within the Plan Area will be considered by the governing municipalities Subdivision and Development Appeal Board, excepting those where there is a Provincial requirement for the appeal to be heard by the Municipal Government Board.

Map 2 – Land Use Concept

RESOURCE EXTRACTION

1) Camrose County and Ponoka County recognize the importance of resource extraction to the local economy and to the maintenance of transportation route and other infrastructure.

2) The municipalities shall consider the effects of visual intrusion, dust, noise, traffic, and air and water pollution when evaluating applications for new or expanded gravel pits, or other extractive activities, where they maintain jurisdiction.

3) Within the Plan Area, each municipality will notify the adjacent County of any resource development proposal and provide an opportunity of comment. In the event the resource results in access being required from a road under its control or management, the affected municipality must give its approval for the use of a road in writing prior to the application being considered as complete by the other municipality.

4) Either municipality may require an agreement regarding the construction, repair, and maintenance of any municipal roads, which may be impacted by resource development, when the development requires access to come from the other municipality’s road.

5) If either Camrose County or Ponoka County are in receipt of a notice for new or expanded Alberta Transportation gravel pit within the Plan Area, they shall forward a copy of the notice to the other County.

INDUSTRY AND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT

1) Camrose County and Ponoka County recognize the important role that industry and energy development play in supporting the local and regional economy.

2) Lands under consideration for industrial development that do not currently allow for a proposed use, shall be required to redesignate to a suitable land use district.

3) The municipalities encourage the location of Renewable Energy developments within the Plan Area: a) where compatible with existing land uses, b) in consideration of comments from the adjacent municipality.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

1) Camrose County and Ponoka County agree that development proposed in proximity to the Battle River and its tributaries shall be carefully evaluated for any impacts on water quality.

2) Camrose County supports the work of the Battle River Watershed Alliance and supports the goals and objective of the: a. Camrose Source Water Protection Plan, September 2016 b. Source Water Protection Implementation Guidelines, September 2014

3) Ponoka County supports the work of the Battle River Watershed Alliance and supports the goals and objectives of the Source Water Protection Implementation Guidelines, September 2014.

4) All agricultural operators and other users are encouraged to continue best efforts to maintain high standards of water quality in the Battle River and its tributaries.

5) Land use and development in flood prone areas are generally discouraged, but where it is considered by the host municipality, it shall be carefully regulated such that there is no negative effect on the adjacent municipality.

6) Landowners and residents are encouraged to follow water conservation practices, as established by their respective municipality.

7) Both Counties will endeavour to ensure all sources of potable water supplies within their respective jurisdictions are protected and meet provincial guidelines for water quality.

8) Camrose County and Ponoka County agree that development of lands that within the Plan Area that may contain an environmentally significant site in accordance with Map 3. Development in these areas may be required to conduct an environmental impact assessment (EIA) and should contact Alberta Environment regarding the development.

Map 3 – Environmental Sensitive Areas

MUNICIPAL INFRASTRUCTURE

1) Camrose County and Ponoka County agree to work together to support the development of Municipal Infrastructure required to service developments within the plan area.

2) Prior to any joint municipal infrastructure developments proceeding the Counties will enter into a cost sharing agreement to share the costs of the development based on the prorated benefit to each County.

TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS

1) Camrose County and Ponoka County will work together to ensure a safe and efficient transportation network is developed and maintained to service the farm operation, residents and businesses within the Plan Area.

2) When subdivisions are approved in the Plan Area, all right-of-way requirements will be secured to ensure that long-term transportation and road plans can be implemented when warranted.

3) Each municipality shall be notified of any subdivision or development proposal in the other municipality that will result in access being required from a road under its control or management. The affected municipality must give its approval in writing prior to the application being considered as complete by the other municipality.

4) When required by Alberta Transportation, developers shall conduct Traffic Studies with respect to the impact and access on the Highway. Any upgrading identified by the Traffic Study conducted by a developer with respect to the Highway shall be implemented by the developer at its sole cost and to the satisfaction of Alberta Transportation.

UTILITY CORRIDORS

1) The continued demand for the location or telecommunications infrastructure and utility servicing has the potential to impact land use within municipalities; however, the municipalities are aware that the jurisdiction of utility approvals is outside of their direct control. a) Where there is an application for a new, expanded or retrofitted telecommunications tower within the Plan area, Camrose County and Ponoka County shall notify the other municipality to seek their comments. b) When providing a Letter of Concurrence for a new, expanded or retrofitted telecommunications tower, Camrose County and Ponoka County shall request telecommunications companies to co-locate within the Plan Area where technically feasible.

c) When providing comments to provincial and federal departments regarding utility development within the Plan Area, Camrose County and Ponoka County shall request that consideration be given to the establishment of utility corridors with multiple users.

2) Camrose County and Ponoka County also acknowledge that the development of the oil and gas industry has played an integral part in the development of the region. Camrose County and Ponoka County will work with the oil and gas industry to ensure that the orderly development of the Plan area is not unduly restricted by the development of oil and gas infrastructure, including pipelines.

COORDINATION OF MUNICIPAL MATTERS

1) Camrose County and Ponoka County will prepare and approve an Intermunicipal Collaborative Framework to address coordination and collaboration on municipal matters.

PLAN ADMINISTRATION AND IMPLEMENTATION

Adoption Process

1) The Intermunicipal Development Plan shall be adopted by bylaw by the Camrose County and Ponoka County in accordance with the Municipal Government Act.

2) Camrose County and Ponoka County adopting bylaws will specify that although the County adopts the policies and objectives of the plan, the County has no legal jurisdiction for lands in the Plan area which are outside of the boundaries of the County.

3) Any amendments to the Municipal Development Plans and Land Use Bylaws of Camrose County and Ponoka County required to implement the policies of the Intermunicipal Development Plan should occur as soon as possible upon adoption of the plan.

Approving Authorities

1) In the hierarchy of statutory plans, the Intermunicipal Development Plan shall take precedence over the other municipal statutory plans and documents.

2) Each County shall be responsible for the administration and decisions on all statutory plans, land use bylaws, and amendments thereto within their boundaries.

Plan Amendments

1) An amendment to this Plan may be proposed by either municipality. An amendment to the Plan proposed by a landowner shall be made to the municipality in which the subject land is located.

2) An amendment to this Plan has no effect unless adopted by both municipalities by bylaw in accordance with the Municipal Government Act.

Plan Review

1) Once every four years commencing no later than 2022 the Plan will be formally reviewed by an Intermunicipal Committee in conjunction with the ICF in order to confirm or recommend amendment of any particular policy contained herein. The Committee will prepare recommendations for consideration by the municipal councils.

2) The Intermunicipal Committee formed under the Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework will be the forum used for the Plan Review.

DISPUTE/CONFLICT RESOLUTION

1) Camrose County and Ponoka County agree that disputes relating to the Intermunicipal Development Plan shall be restricted to the following:

a) Lack of agreement on proposed amendments to the plan; b) Lack of agreement on any proposed statutory plan, land use bylaw or amendment to either located within or affecting the Plan area; or c) Lack of agreement on an interpretation of this plan.

2) Lack of agreement pursuant to section P(1)(a) or (b) is defined as a statutory plan, land use bylaw or amendment to either which is given first reading by a Council which the other Council deems to be inconsistent with the policies of this Plan or detrimental to their planning interests as a municipality.

3) A dispute shall be limited to the decisions on the matters listed in section P(1). Any other appeal shall be made to the appropriate approving authority or appeal board that deals with that issue.

4) The dispute resolution process may only be initiated by either County Councils.

5) Identification of a dispute and the desire to go through the dispute resolution process may occur at any time regarding a dispute matter outlined in section P(1)(c) and may only occur within 30 calendar days of a decision made pursuant to section P(2). Once either municipality has received written notice of a dispute, the dispute resolution

process must be started within 15 calendar days of the date the written notice was received, unless both Chief Administrative Officers agree otherwise.

6) In the event the dispute resolution process is initiated the municipality having authority over the matter shall not give any further approval in any way until the dispute has been resolved or the mediation process has been concluded.

7) In the event mediation does not resolve the dispute, the Municipality may proceed to adopt the bylaw and in accordance with the Municipal Government Act, the other municipality will have the right to appeal to the Municipal Government Board.

8) The Intermunicipal Committee formed under the Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework will be the forum used to in relation to any disputes.

Dispute/Conflict Resolution Process

Stage 1 Administrative Review - The Chief Administrative Officers of both municipalities will meet in an attempt to resolve the issue first. Failing resolution, the dispute will then be referred to the Intermunicipal Committee. In the event a resolution is not achieved by the 30th day following the first meeting of the Chief Administrative Officer of both Municipalities, either municipality may refer the dispute to the Intermunicipal Committee.

Stage 2 Intermunicipal Committee Review – The Committee will convene to consider and attempt to resolve the dispute. Failing resolution, the dispute will then be referred to mediation. In the event a resolution is not achieved by the 30th day following the first meeting of the Intermunicipal Committee, either municipality may refer the dispute to the Mediation.

Stage 3 Mediation – The services of an independent mediator will be retained, with the mediator to present a written recommendation to both Councils. The costs of mediation shall be shared equally between the Counties.

Stage 4 Municipal Government Board – In the event the mediation process does not resolve the dispute, the Municipality may proceed to adopt the bylaw and in accordance with the Municipal Government Act, the other municipality will have the right to appeal to the Municipal Government Board.

CORRESPONDENCE

1) Written notice under this Plan shall be addressed as follows:

a. In the case of Camrose County to:

Camrose County c/o Chief Administrative Officer 3755-43 Avenue Camrose, AB T4V 3S8

b. In the case of Ponoka County to:

Ponoka County c/o Chief Administrative Officer 4205 Highway 2A Ponoka, AB, T4J 1V9