Namaka ASP draft gets approval

Sharon McLeay
Times Contributor

 

Namaka residents gained a little structure in their community on Nov. 8, as council passed the Namaka area structure plan (ASP). The plan will guide planning for the area over the next 30 years and be reviewed on a five-year basis.
The vision for the community was constructed through open houses and meetings with stakeholders in the area.
“The Namaka ASP balances the interests of a variety of stakeholders, and [ensures] the policy directing development contained in the ASP be periodically reviewed,” said Trina Lamanes, county planner.
The plan characterizes Namaka as a small, quiet, close-knit community with convenient access to Strathmore amenities. Family activity, appreciation of the Prairie landscape that includes environmentally significant areas, and room for growth were all part of the perspective in looking at the community’s plan.
Once the hamlet fills current lots, room has been designated for new development. Projection rates expect a 2.8 per cent growth rate for Namaka, which is part of the expected 25,111 population in Wheatland County as of 2051.
The hamlet planning includes perspectives for residential variety including single detached, semi-detached, garden and secondary suites. Subdivision for development greater than two lots will be conditionally supported through the ASP. Small home-based or commercial businesses are anticipated, but industrial development is not covered under this ASP.
Boundary adjustments were set and voted on after the acceptance of the ASP, and reflect current situations and future development. Agriculture guidelines were also included for areas just outside the hamlet area.
There are guidelines set out for community-based facilities, and the development of parks and recreational paths and improvements. Parks and play structure guidelines were included.
Mapping updates were done on the hamlet and include updated environmental and wetland areas. Biological impact studies were included as there are some environmentally significant areas in the area. Surface water level requirements were suggested as part of development permit processes. Old railway lines were also mapped, on request by Alberta Health and Alberta Environment.
The utility and transportation infrastructure supports a growing community and is acknowledged in the review, with the measures that need to be improved in the hamlet’s accompanying growth. Water and sanitary policies were included, discouraging communal water and sanitary services.
At the public hearing, Warren Nelson asked about traffic assessment, whether the recreation proposals will increase use of the Hwy 243 Namaka road. Council replied that improvements to the road are on the county road plan and that the road was thought to be on the paving program. They directed Nelson to staff for confirmation of the date improvements were anticipated. Staff said they didn’t expect increased use, as recreation areas were mainly for hamlet resident use.
The full Namaka ASP can be seen on the Wheatland County website.
Council passed second and third reading for the Namaka ASP.
Namaka boundaries were also passed with second and third reading.