Inclusivity, a sustainable visitor economy, and affordable housing were key priorities reported by the Bragg Creek Visioning Committee.
The committee made a presentation at the Rocky View County (RVC) council meeting on Tuesday, providing a summary of the committee’s findings and recommendations to guide the preparation of the Bragg Creek Area Structure Plan (ASP).
The Visioning Committee was formed by RVC one year ago, convening from June to September 2024 with the objective of setting a high-level vision for the hamlet's growth. They met for a total of eight times, and then again in January of this year to finalize the vision.
Neal LaMontagne was selected as the chair of the committee, given he was a neutral outsider to the community and with no conflicts of interest.
"Overall, I was impressed with the collaborative spirit of all committee members and while there was different perspectives and priorities, there were seldom any significant disagreements," LaMontagne assured. "All clearly cared for their community and want a sustainable future for the hamlet."
Five key themes and observations in LaMontagne's report included;
1. An inclusive community.
"Bragg Creek struggles with affordability, especially for local workers, and needs more diverse housing options that work for people at different stages of life," LaMontagne wrote. "Beyond housing, there is a need for accessibility throughout the community and the ability for all ages and abilities to move through and access local facilities and amenities."
2. A vision for regenerative development.
"Regenerative development principles emphasize a holistic approach to managing the relationship between the built and natural environments. As the community develops, projects should be designed to not only limit environmental impacts but create a net-positive impact," the report noted. "This can be achieved through thoughtful site and building design to repair and reconnect ecological assets and creating a circular relationship with the larger environment."
3. A sustainable visitor economy.
"Bragg Creek has long been a major visitor destination, particularly for day trips to visit local businesses and access the diverse recreational opportunities. There is opportunity to grow the visitor experience and economy but to be sustainable, it must develop in balance with community principles, resident livability, and ecological integrity," LaMontagne highlighted. "Further, there is a desire to develop a more well-rounded visitor economy attracting more economic activity through the week and the seasons.
4. A community living within limits.
"From the beginning of committee discussions, there was an emphasis on the awareness of Bragg Creek as part of a larger ecosystem and set of landscapes and habitats, at the headwaters of the Elbow River, and located in the forest," the committee shared. "The theme of respecting the ecological and infrastructural limits of the place was recurrent but also recognizing the risks of flood and fire and the liability of developing without regard for the environment was a key concern."
5. A governance challenge.
"Bragg Creek is a hamlet and a unique place in the larger Rocky View County, Calgary region, and South Saskatchewan river system. There is a frustration with the lack of local decision-making and a strong desire to ensure the ASP process and subsequent development reflects community priorities and qualities," the report concluded.
$618,000 had previously been approved for the Bragg Creek ASP through the RVC budget and a $200,000 grant. Council moved that they received the final report and amended the ASP to include the information, which will now help shape further decisions.
"There is an understandable frustration with a lack of local governance and that will should be addressed through the ASP planning process and beyond. Bragg Creek is a special place, cherished by its residents and the broader region," LaMontagne explained at the council meeting. "There is truly an opportunity for the hamlet to be a model community of responsible development within a sensitive forest ecosystem."
