TOWN OF HIGH RIVER

January 26, 2012

High River Growth Management Strategy

Growth Management Strategy2nd Public Open House

Introduction

Project team

Khalid Mohammed, Project Lead Policy Planner

Ian Fawcett, Senior Policy Planner

Fazeel Elahi, Current Planner

High River Growth Management Strategy

Approximate presentation time: 20 minutes

Provide information about the development, process and

timeline of the Growth Management Strategy (GMS).

Provide summary of completed activities during the Pre-

Consultation Phase 1.

Group discussion session.

Purpose

High River Growth Management Strategy

Purpose of this open house

Purpose:

1. The Act was proclaimed in October 2009, to implement the Land Use Framework.

2. It created a regional planning process in Alberta.

3. It divided the province into 7 regions based on river basins.

4. Provide directions on developing a regional plan for each region.

Two key regional policy documents which provide guidance and direction to future development within the town:

1. South Saskatchewan Regional Plan (SSRP)

2. Calgary Metropolitan Plan (CMP)

Background

High River Growth Management Strategy

Alberta Land Stewardship Act (ALSA)

It establishes overall objectives for the region and outline a vision for the future of the region.

It authorizes the preparation of a sub-regional plan, e.g. Calgary Metropolitan Plan (CMP).

It provides directions and context for local plans within the region.

Implications

It is not optional

It supersedes local plans

Key Issues Support higher-density development Identify future growth areas Support provincial priorities Provide longer-term view

Background

High River Growth Management Strategy

South Saskatchewan Regional Plan (SSRP)

It is the result of partnership of 15 member municipalities in the Calgary region.

BackgroundCalgary Metropolitan Plan (CMP)

It sets out population of 30,000 persons by 2030 for the town of High River.

Minimum 25% of new development to be in existing developed areas (infill).

Minimum density of 8-10 units per gross acre must be achieved in all new

development.

It encourages new development to be compact, mixed-use, walkable and connected.

It advocates integration of transit infrastructure.

“Think regionally... act locally”

Background

High River Growth Management Strategy

Calgary Metropolitan Plan (CMP)

To ensure that High River fulfils its role as an anchor node in Southern Alberta, the province adjusted the town boundary by adding 1,769 acres of land effective January 1, 2012.

The Town initiated the process of planning for future growth over the next 30 years through comprehensive GMS.

The development of the GMS has been organized into five phases.

Background

High River Growth Management Strategy

Public Consultation

High River Growth Management Strategy

Purpose of the pre-consultation process

Generate interest and dialogue on the GMS process.

Stimulate discussions on the key priorities to be included in the GMS.

Raise awareness and inform stakeholders about regional trends and

important issues with respect to growth and growth management.

Introduce growth related information from the Metroquest project,

Highway 2A Industrial Area Structure Plan, Intermunicipal Development

Plan, etc.

High River Growth Management Strategy

Pre-Consultation

High River Growth Management Strategy

GMS Planning Area

Completed pre-consultation activities

Events Date Number of participants

1. Meeting with town departmental managers Oct 6, 2011 10

2. Presentation to town Council Nov 14, 2011 10

3. Presentation to Highwood High School –Grade 10 Class

Nov 15, 2011 27

4. Presentations to Notre Dame Collegiate – Grade 11 & 12 classes

Nov 16, 2011 97

5. Presentation to the development industry Nov 23, 2011 17

6. 1st Public open house and presentation Dec 7, 2011 30

7. Facebook page launched Nov 14, 2011

On-going

Total number of participants 191

Pre-Consultation

High River Growth Management Strategy

Town Plan review requires a Growth Management Strategy.

The GMS will form a critical background document for the town as

it moves forward with future development.

Annexation and green areas in the town.

Different forms of growth.

Cost of growth.

Higher density.

Incorporation of smart growth principles.

Phase 1 has been completed.

What did we talk about?

High River Growth Management Strategy

Phase 1 pre-Consultation

What did we learn through thepre-consultation process?

High River Growth Management Strategy

Pre-Consultation Results

Question to youth participants: “Looking 5 years ahead, what type of housing development would be the most appropriate for them?”

High River Growth Management Strategy

Youth Perspectives

Answer

81% of participants indicated that they would look for other housing types including apartment, townhouse, multi-plex and secondary suite

19% of participants noted that they would prefer to live in single detached homes

Apartment – 49%

Townhouse – 17%multi-plex – 11%

secondary suite – 4%

single detached home – 19%

Question to youth participants: “What would be the top five priorities that the town should address as it continues to grow?”

High River Growth Management Strategy

Youth Perspectives

Answer 1. More recreational facilities

2. Public transit and bike lanes

3. More housing choices

4. Walkable neighborhoods

5. Protect environmentally sensitive areas

Participants were excited that youth perspectives will be incorporated

into the GMS and future planning process.

There is a need for more youth oriented centres that cater to the young

generation’s interests and needs.

81% of the participants agreed that they need different types of housing

other than single detached homes.

Only 19% of the participants indicated that they would prefer to live in

single detached dwellings.

Lessons learned from the youth

High River Growth Management Strategy

Youth Perspectives

Participants’ opinion in two development patterns – conventional and sustainable

High River Growth Management Strategy

Public Opinion Survey

75%

9%

3%

47%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

sustainable development conventional development

support

oppose

Question to participants of the general public: “What would be the top

five priorities that the town should address as the it continues to grow?”

High River Growth Management Strategy

Public Opinion Survey

1. Provide more employment opportunities

2. Improve maintenance of roads, bridges, sewers & water mains

3. Protect environmentally sensitive areas

4. Maintain the ‘small town feel’ of the community

5. Create walkable neighbourhoods

Answer

Lessons learned from the general public

Seventy-five percent (75%) of the participants supported the sustainable

development option.

Nine percent (9%) of the participants supported the conventional development

option.

Fort-seven percent (47%) of the participants were opposed to the conventional

option.

Only three percent (3%) of the participants opposed the sustainable development

option.

High River Growth Management Strategy

Public Opinion Survey

Lessons learned from the development industry

The proposed sustainable development approach is attainable.

There is a need to have practical alternative engineering standards in place prior

to implementing the new development approach.

Proactive engagement with the development industry is critical before and during

the implementation plan.

The town must be a full partner in the process with the development industry.

Economic diversification study is required.

High River Growth Management Strategy

Public Opinion Survey

Responses to the GMS planning process are positive.

Participants were supportive of the key concepts of

how to manage future growth in High River.

High River Growth Management Strategy

Conclusion

Four Lead Questions ForFour Lead Questions For Group DiscussionGroup Discussion

High River Growth Management Strategy

Discussion Session

Town residents often say they like the “small town feel” of High River.

What in your opinion are the defining characteristics of the “small town

feel” and how should we try to preserve and enhance those

characteristics in a plan for growth over the next 30 years?

Question 1

High River Growth Management Strategy

Discussion Session

Some of the feedback we have received suggests that people

would like to see “more walkable” communities in the future.

What does this mean to you and what sort of features should we try

to provide in new communities to achieve this objective?

Question 2

High River Growth Management Strategy

Discussion Session

Municipalities are being urged to reduce the footprint of new urban

growth and to grow more sustainably. This implies consuming less

land for major land uses (residential, recreation, commercial,

industrial, institutional) and infrastructure (roads and utilities).

How should we achieve this?

Question 3

High River Growth Management Strategy

Discussion Session

We know that the population in Canada is aging and also that High

River is a valued location for retirees.

What sort of housing and community facilities do you think we should

promote over the next 30 years for this sector of the population?

Question 4

High River Growth Management Strategy

Discussion Session

Thank You for Your Participation Thank You for Your Participation