GROWTH MANAGEMENT

STRATEGY

PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE15 MARCH 2012

TOWN OF HIGH RIVER

WHAT IS GROWTH MANAGEMENT?

GMS PROJECT TEAM

Project is being done in-house

Team Members:

Khalid Mohammed Fazeel Elahi Yuli Siao Ian Fawcett

TOWN PLAN

Adopted August 2009

Sets out a vision for the future of the town

Two components: 1. Policies 2. Growth strategy

Growth Management Strategy

ANNEXATION Town Plan - annexation for future growth Town and MD – joint annexation proposal Approved 1st January 2012 1769 acres N. and N.W. of boundary Sufficient for 30 years growth GMS is a plan for that area Also addresses areas of undeveloped land

MAP OF GMS AREA

GMS CONTENT

Policies for: - land use and development - roads and utility services - community services - protecting the environment

Diagrams indicating how and where

Progressively more detailed plans will follow

HIERARCHY OF PLANS

Town Plan

GMS

Area Structure Plans

Neighbourhood Plans

Zoning

Subdivision & Development

GMS PROGRESS

Preliminary work started last fall Aim is to complete project by July 2012 3rd Open House Focus of this Open House – draft policies Next phase is drafting the Plan

Pre-consultation 1st Open House

2nd Open House Key issues

3rd Open House Draft policies

4th Open House Draft Plan

REGIONAL CONTEXTCalgary Metropolitan Plan High River identified as a growth area in region High River pop. = 31,000 in 30 years Current pop.= 13,000. Growth = 18,000 Min. 25% of future growth within urban area (8,000 +/- = 10,000) CMP - residential density = 8 - 10 upa - higher wherever possible Protect environment (river valley), scenic corridors

(Highway 543), views (mountains) Must participate in regional utilities and transit

HIGH RIVER & FOOTHILLS

Inter-municipal Development Plan To be adopted in 2012 Joint planning around town boundary Protect all land in river valley – joint study Plan for Highway 543/498 Avenue corridor Plan for CR area Plan for east of Highway 2

IDP LAND USE MAP

ANNEXATION

Annexation Application - need for 30 years growth - annexed area primarily residential Annexation Agreement - assumed that approx. 1400 acres developable - 350 acres undevelopable

ANNEXATION AREA

TOWN PLAN Greater mix of housing types Neighbourhoods to be more walkable and

to have local services Roads to reflect more of a grid pattern Review existing road standards Ensure future transit is taken into account

GMS STUDIES Environmental Roads and Utilities study MetroQuest Talked to service providers Talked to interest groups: - general public - landowners - youth - developers

PUBLIC RESPONSES – OPEN HOUSE #2

Question 1:People 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?

Answer:

High River’s “small town feel” is comprised of both the tangible (unique boutique shops of the downtown, Happy Trails and the ample green space) and the intangible elements (such as good social and servicing groups, respect and tolerance in the community, and knowing your neighbours and community members).

PUBLIC RESPONSES – OPEN HOUSE #2

Question 2: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?

Answer:

Future communities of High River will feature multi-use and mixed use developments that are walkable and integrated into active green space with conscious continuation and expansion of the Happy Trails pathways.

PUBLIC RESPONSES – OPEN HOUSE #2

Question 3: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?

Answer:

Through the planning process, future developments within High River will strive towards: mixing appropriate land uses, increasing density and variety of housing options, creating more neighbourhood commercial options, and where appropriate, making use of existing buildings for new uses (adaptive reuse).

PUBLIC RESPONSES – OPEN HOUSE #2

Question 4: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?

Answer:

Over the next 30 years, High River will offer housing development that is suited to various income levels, close to recreation and future transit facilities, and flexible to accommodate “aging in place”.

GMS DRAFT POLICIES

Policies are preliminary for discussion For annexation area 4 groups:

- General- Environment- Infrastructure- Land use

DRAFT POLICIES - GENERAL

Incorporate CMP and IDP policies

Annexation area divided into 4 “cells”

ASP’S for each cell

NOP’s for smaller areas

MAP OF ASP AREAS

DRAFT POLICIES ENVIRONMENT All river “lands” to be a joint study No development within 30 metres of river Protect access to river Protect views – scenic corridor Energy efficiency/water conservation/LID Arts and culture to be integrated

DRAFT POLICIES INFRASTRUCTURE

ROADS Grid-based network Location of key access points Provide for future transit Traffic calming Link to adjacent areas Extend Happy Trails Reduce standards

DRAFT POLICIES INFRASTRUCTURE

UTILITIES Integrate consultant recommendations for

water, storm and sanitary Storm ponds to also be used for recreation

and bio-retention Protect/remove existing transmission line

DRAFT POLICIES LAND USERESIDENTIAL New areas to be compact and walkable Density: minimum 8 – 10 upga Range of housing types in all areas 2 main zones: low/medium density & high density Housing preferred to be within 400m of

neighbourhood centre Higher densities nearer centre

DRAFT POLICIES LAND USE (cont)COMMERCIAL Neighbourhood commercial only No commercial fronting Highway 543 NC’s to provide day-to-day

retail/personal service needs NC’s can also include: health,

recreation, day care, post office, library, school, offices, emergency services, parks, community services

Encourage mixed use, e.g. live/work

neighbourhood centre

DRAFT POLICIESLAND USE (cont)

INDUSTRIAL No new industrial zoning Existing industrial zoning to be phased out Existing industrial buildings (2) can remain Adaptive re-use to be encouraged

DRAFT POLICIESLAND USE (cont)OTHER New leisure centre New fire/police/ambulance facility New Town shop/yard Allow for Urban Agriculture 112th Street “triangle” to be included in IDP joint study Municipal reserve land to be distributed on ASP basis

The “triangle”

Urban agriculture

112 St.

498 Ave.

GMS DRAFT POLICIESEXISTING URBAN AREA Min. 25% of new development Minimum residential density 10 upga Higher wherever possible Revisit existing approved plans

LAND USE MAP

WHAT’S NEXT?

GMS project to be completed July 2012

Open House draft plan 16th May 2012

Town Plan to incorporate GMS policies – early fall

SUMMARY

GMS policies are DRAFT Need to know if we have missed any Need to know if any create issues Questionnaire: today, on-line Deadline 3 weeks - April 5th

Thank you

GROWTH MANAGEMENT

STRATEGY

PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE15 MARCH 2012

TOWN OF HIGH RIVER