COCHRANE— Setting the final details in place for the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board Growth and Servicing Plan, an update on the progress of the document was provided to Cochrane Council at the Dec. 14 regular meeting.
The Calgary Metropolitan Region Board launched in January 2018 out of the recognition that strategic planning was needed to support growth in the region surrounding the city, said Town of Cochrane acting general manager of development and community services Riley Welden.
The Board was mandated to develop a growth plan within three years, Welden said, adding an Interim Growth Plan is currently in place and an Evaluation Framework has been created to help guide different area plans within communities.
Mayor Jeff Genung said the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board will have a long-term impact on the community because it will affect all statutory documents, including Cochrane’s municipal development plan and area structure plan.
The growth plan will also serve to guide municipalities around the Calgary area and help maintain individual borders and identities.
“People spoke really highly of having a rural presence when you leave the city and you're in the countryside and then arrive in the Town of Cochrane,” Genung said. “To maintain that we really need to work with our neighbours, and that's exactly what the CMRB [The Calgary Metropolitan Region Board] is all about.”
As of now, there is a possibility the Town of Cochrane may face some restrictions in development and growth from the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board, Genung said, however at this time it does not look likely.
One of the chief concerns has been the possibility of mandatory minimum density restrictions that could be higher than what is preferred by the Town of Cochrane.
“Everything that is being proposed is right in line with how Cochrane has been developing,” Genung said.
The Board is currently working on a Growth and Serving Plan to meet regulations, Welden said, the purpose of which is to provide "policy, direction and guidance" to member municipalities on regionally significant topics.
Topics include land Use, corridors for transportation, recreation, energy transmission, utilities, transits, water management and environmental sustainability.
The Calgary Metropolitan Region Board is a not-for-profit government corporation with elected officials from Cochrane, Rocky View County, Airdrie, Calgary, Chestermere, Foothills County, High River, Okotoks, Strathmore and Wheatland County.
The mandate of the board is to support the regulation of long-term sustainability with a focus on environmentally responsible land-use planning, growth management and efficient use of lands, while also developing policies regarding the coordination of regional infrastructure investment and service delivery.
The board also works to promote a healthy economy with the region and develops policies outlining how to engage the public in consultation.
An impetus for completing the growth plan has taken place in 2020.
"It became apparent this summer that the Board was not going to meet the Dec. 31 deadline ... For the Regional Growth Plan," Welden said.
To rectify this an extension has been given to March 1, 2021, by the Minister of Municipal Affairs. A draft plan is expected in January or early February.
In January density targets and other growth policies that could affect the town will be more certain and they are expected to be shared with council.
As a member municipality, The Town of Cochrane will need to conform to the plan established by the board once it is ratified by the province.
Genung said it was important to bring the update before Council so councillors had time to familiarize themselves with the process before it is presented to the province in the new year and to talk about what council's preferred plan of action is for the growth plan.
"I understand how important this is so we've been putting a lot of resources to it, but it's also not been at our choice," Genung said. "It's something we've been mandated to do by the province."
He added maintaining municipalities' unique identities has been a priority for the board.
"Everybody wants to preserve their identity. I'm pretty confident the growth plan will have that within it," Genung said. "I don't think it will be as restrictive as what most communities were worried about."
Regional growth planning will have a critical impact on Cochrane's future, said councillor Tara McFadden, explaining how it can help guide how the Cochrane community looks.
She added this includes how the Town can remain distinct and unique from neighbouring municipalities while working on integration.
"It's so important we don't talk about it enough," McFadden said.
Coun. Alex Reed said he appreciated the resources and commitment that has been given to The Calgary Metropolitan Region Board, especially Genung's representation on behalf of the community.
Reed cited how potential development in neighbouring municipalities could occur near Cochrane without the Town's input.
"It's not just preserving our identity and what the ill effects might be of density— But, actually our neighbours and the problems they mighty create if we don't have a plan," Reed said. "This regional planning document is so critical for our future."
