County proposes updates to Rosebud Area Structure Plan

Laureen F. Guenther
Times Contributor

 

Wheatland County’s Planning and Development Department held an open house in Rosebud’s Community Centre on May 11 to invite input to their proposed update to the Hamlet of Rosebud Area Structure Plan (ASP).
The Rosebud ASP provides direction for growth and land use over a 40-year period, and is reviewed every five years. It describes the general sequence of development and population density, and general transportation routes and public utilities locations. It does not, however, specify a timeline for growth. Land use applications are considered in accordance with the ASP. The ASP works in conjunction with the land use bylaw. The bylaw regulates land use, but when the ASP proposes future land use, the bylaw may need to be amended before a development can be approved.
The Planning and Development Department hosted an initial open house earlier this year, inviting Rosebud residents to give feedback about the existing ASP. Gerry Melenka, manager of the county’s Planning and Development Department, said community members offered many pertinent comments. There were many questions about the land use bylaw, he said, and one of the messages he and his team received was that the community needed more open space, including walking paths.
The planning team considered the community’s input when drafting an ASP update, and they presented that draft at the May 11 open house. The second open house was well attended, and visitors engaged in meaningful discussion, Melenka observed, but they requested fewer changes than at the first open house. He expressed a hope that this indicated he and his team had effectively incorporated the community’s suggestions. After they make further revisions, the planning team will present the updated ASP at a public meeting in June or July.
The Rosebud ASP includes a vision for community sustainability, which identifies three priorities: the natural environment, economic development, and provision of community services and infrastructure to meet the needs of the population.
Melenka said a major goal of the ASP is to recognize, support and encourage what already exists in Rosebud rather than limiting or working against it, and to make the process smoother for those working toward expansion and development; for instance, to formally recognize garden and secondary suites.
The Hamlet of Rosebud ASP delineates a Hamlet Established Area, the area currently inside the Hamlet, and a Hamlet Expansion area, inside the area of the Plan but outside Hamlet boundaries. The Plan recognizes the need for expanded residential development in Rosebud, but emphasizes that development should be in the Established Area in order to protect the environmentally sensitive areas.
Residential expansion could include converting residential use areas to commercial, community service, or mixed-use areas; and modifying low-density areas (single family, detached homes) to medium-density areas. The plan includes an objective to provide a mix of housing types to meet differing needs.
The ASP specifies that all new development, including landscaping, signage, site and building design and street layout, must complement Rosebud’s existing architectural character and streetscape. The Plan emphasizes promoting and supporting mixed-use development in Rosebud.
The Plan states that Rosebud is located within a nationally significant Environmentally Significant Area, so potential developers are required to submit an environmental assessment prior to development. Creation and protection of open space is another important aspect of the ASP, which specifies that development should include open space, parks and trails. It sets a goal to protect natural and unique features, river valleys and floodplains, and recommends an open space master plan.
The Plan also specifies that Municipal Reserve land within the Hamlet should be designated for recreation facilities, open spaces and a pedestrian trail system.
If you have questions or want to offer input into the Hamlet of Rosebud ASP before the public meeting or before the document is finalized, contact the Wheatland County Planning and Development at 403-934-3321 or visit www.wheatlandcounty.ca