Beaver County Intermunicipal Development Plans Project
Beaver County and each of the Towns of Tofield and Viking and the Villages of Ryley and Holden have Intermunicipal Development Plans (IDPs). These were approved in 2008 with some updates over the last few years.
The IDPs are beneficial tools for neighbouring municipalities to provide guidance for future growth areas, address development-related matters of joint interest along and near municipal boundaries, develop policies that are mutually beneficial, provide opportunities to explore joint economic development initiatives, and provide mechanisms for cooperation in delivering services.
The Province of Alberta has implemented recent changes to the Municipal Government Act (MGA), which now requires all existing IDPs to include new minimum requirements, such as addressing transportation systems, environmental matters, etc.
Beaver County, in partnership with the Towns and Villages, have engaged ISL Engineering and Land Services Ltd. to update the four existing IDPs. The updates will ensure that the policies within the IDPs meet current needs, reflect new and emerging trends and planning best practices, and are in alignment with the recent changes to the MGA.
To review the existing IDP, click on the link below.
Beaver County and Town of Tofield (2008, as amended)
Beaver County and Town of Viking (2008, as amended)
Beaver County and Village of Holden (2008)
Beaver County and Village of Ryley (2008, as amended)
Where are we now?
Over the winter, the ISL’s team held Steering Committee meetings, completed stakeholder interviews and prepared a discussion paper that included a review of the existing IDPs and other technical documents, estimation of future population growth, a review of land supply for each of the municipalities, and a review of potential opportunities and constraints in the plan areas.
COMING SOON To review the Discussion Paper.
The team is currently preparing the updates to the existing IDPs based on the information gathered over the past few months.
Stay tuned! In late May, affected landowners, residents and other stakeholders will have the opportunity to review the updated draft IDPs and provide their input through an online survey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Intermunicipal Development Plan?
An Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) is a long-term and strategic plan between two or more municipalities that is required by the Municipal Government Act (MGA). An IDP’s purpose is to provide a coordinated and collaborative land use, servicing and transportation framework for growth on the land adjacent to and near the boundaries of the municipalities.
Under the MGA, an IDP must address:
- future land uses,
- future development proposals,
- provision of transportation systems,
- environmental matters,
- coordination of intermunicipal physical, social, and economic programs,
- other matters related to physical, social or economic development,
- conflict resolution procedures,
- plan amendment procedures, and
- overall plan administration.
What is the importance of this project?
By initiating this project, the municipalities are demonstrating the importance of land use, servicing and transportation planning on a coordinated, cooperative and collaborative basis. They are also demonstrating that a solid land use planning framework is an essential component of successful intermunicipal relationships.
I’m happy with our community today. Why do the IDPs need to be updated?
The Province and the MGA now require that all existing IDPs include new minimum requirements such as addressing transportation systems, environmental matters, etc. Each of the municipalities involved in this project are experiencing growth pressures and challenges, so we need to direct growth and address the challenges in a strategic way. Each municipality has its own aspirations, anticipated development, and challenges to address. This project will ensure each IDP is in compliance with the changes to the MGA and addresses changing populations, economic circumstances, and shifting community needs. The updated IDPs will enable strategic decision-making about future growth.