Summer Village of Bondiss & Athabasca County IDP WHAT WE HEARD REPORT June 2021 i TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................................................... 1 1. OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 2. WHAT WE HEARD ................................................................................................................................................................. 3 SUMMARY OF PHONE CONVERSATIONS ............................................................................................................................................................ 3 SUMMARY OF RESIDENT FEEDBACK – SURVEY #1 ..................................................................................................................................... 4 SUMMARY OF RESIDENT FEEDBACK – ONLINE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT SESSION AND SURVEY #2 .................. 5 SUMMARY OF MUNICIPAL FEEDBACK .................................................................................................................................................................. 6 SUMMARY OF REFERRAL AGENCY FEEDBACK .............................................................................................................................................8 APPENDIX A – PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ...................................................................................................................... A1 A.1 COPY OF NEWSLETTER #1 ..................................................................................................................................................................................... A1 A.2 COPY OF NEWSLETTER #2 .................................................................................................................................................................................. A2 A.3 COPY OF NEWSLETTER #3 .................................................................................................................................................................................. A3 APPENDIX B – SURVEY #1 RESPONSES .................................................................................................................... B1 APPENDIX C – SURVEY #2 RESPONSES ................................................................................................................... C1 1 1. OVERVIEW This What We Heard report provides a summary of the feedback received regarding the draft Summer Village of Bondiss and Athabasca County Intermunicipal Development Plan (the IDP). The details of the public engagement and the feedback received is outlined in Appendix A, B, and C. From 2019 to 2021, Municipal Planning Services (MPS) worked with the municipalities’ Administrations, Councils to prepare a draft IDP based on background information, information provided by residents, and watershed management planning best practices. In May 2020, a newsletter was sent to residents of the Summer Village of Bondiss and Athabasca County (within the newsletter referral area shown on Figure 1). The newsletter provided residents with background information about the project, the purpose of an IDP, information regarding future opportunities to get involved, and an invitation to complete an online survey. In January 2021, a second newsletter was sent to residents of the Summer Village and Athabasca County (within the newsletter referral area shown on Figure 2. Note that the referral areas are different due to a reduced IDP plan area boundary). This Figure 1: Newsletter 1 Referral Area newsletter provided a project update and information about how to attend an online public engagement session to review the draft IDP. A third newsletter was sent to residents in February 2021. The newsletter provided a project update, information about viewing materials from the online public engagement session), and next steps for the IDP project. The online public engagement session for the IDP was structured to enable residents to participate via Zoom, YouTube, or by phoning in. Following the online open house, all engagement materials were hosted online, including a recording of the open house presentation, copies of the slides, and an online survey. Figure 2: Newsletter 2 Referral: Area 2 2. WHAT WE HEARD This section summarizes ‘What We Heard’ from residents and agencies regarding the draft Summer Village of Bondiss and Athabasca County IDP. MPS reviewed all feedback received and has outlined recommended changes to the draft MDP for Council’s consideration. SUMMARY OF PHONE CONVERSATIONS Over the course of the IDP project, MPS staff received 5 phone calls from Summer Village and County residents. The following is a summary of issues, ideas, questions, and concerns identified during these discussions. WHAT WE HEARD DATE TOPICS OF DISCUSSION June 2020 • County resident • Does not agree than an IDP is necessary • Wants to ensure that county residential landowners are represented/heard in the IDP • Concern about the Summer Village having control over development decisions in the County June 2020 • Summer Village resident • Expressed concern about the health of the watershed and impacts development may have February 2021 • Summer Village resident • MPS clarified what an IDP is, and what lands the IDP applies to February 2021 • MPS clarified how the plan area boundary was created • Noted concerns about the overuse of the lake and country residential subdivision near the lake • Noted that access to some country residential development are through the Summer Village February 2021 • MPS clarified what an IDP is, and its purpose • MPS provided copies of the engagement materials via email 3 SUMMARY OF RESIDENT FEEDBACK – SURVEY #1 There were 59 responses received to Survey #1. The response rate was a near even split of Summer Village (50.9%) and County (49.1%) residents. The survey included 17 questions; not all questions were answered by all respondents. The following is a summary of survey responses pertaining to demographics and lake use, development, the environment, and additional concerns and comments (which were noted at the February 2021 online public engagement session. All survey questions and corresponding respondent feedback is provided in Appendix B. WHAT WE HEARD • 73% of respondents are long-term residents (10+ years) • 81% of respondents are seasonal residents • 95% of respondents do not have a business in the area • 61% of respondents indicated they have concerns regarding development land management practices around the lake • More development is not sustainable / cannot be supported (No further development or limit development) • Too much development is happening along shoreline • Municipalities should allow for development opportunities • Concern about impacts of high-density seasonal campgrounds on the lake • Recreational vehicles are a concern • Overuse of the lake is a concern • Overuse and congestion around the boat launch in Bondiss • Drainage is an important issue • Protecting tributaries (drainage in the watershed) is important • Lake water levels are a concern • Activities in and maintenance of environmental reserves should be addressed • Open communication is important The following are charts illustrating the responses of three of the questions in Survey #1. For a full list of Survey #1 questions and responses, see Appendix B. Protecting from invasive species 56% Conserving existing natural areas 68% Conserving existing tree cover 61% Protecting the water quality 86% Development setbacks from environmental features 36% Stormwater management 42% Ensuring private septic systems aren't leaching 63% Other 20% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Figure 3: Key Environmental Considerations 4 Easy access to the lake 64% Easy to get to and from home 63% Quiet, peaceful environment 83% Cost of living 15% Local activities and attractions 24% Desirable types of housing 14% Community and culture 29% Other 14% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% Figure 4: Survey 1 Results – Why Respondents Choose to Live in/Do Business around Skeleton Lake Limited country residential 51% Multi-lot country residential 14% Agriculture 14% Commercial 10% Recreational 29% Institutional 3% Light Industrial 2% Resource Extraction 2% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Figure 5: Survey 1 Results - Types of Future Development Supported by Residents SUMMARY OF RESIDENT FEEDBACK – ONLINE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT SESSION AND SURVEY #2 There were 8 participants at the February 2021 online public engagement session; 1 additional attendee logged onto the YouTube link while the presentation was live. The presentation was also watch on YouTube by 48 viewers in the days following the live public engagement session. 4 responses to Survey #2 were received. Of the responses, 3 were from Summer Village residents and 1 was from a County resident. MPS received comments and questions through the online survey. A summary of the comments is outlined below. WHAT WE HEARD RESPONSE/RECOMMENDATION • Concern about amount of recreational vehicles at the • No change recommended by MPS. Shoreline Campground. Are there plans to restrict growth? • A lot of recreational vehicle users use the Bondiss boat launch, creating congestion (at the boat launch and on the roads) • Limitations on residential development around the • MPS recommends the IDP Committee review