Town, county partner to develop ICF, IDP
By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Town of Strathmore and Wheatland County are collaborating to develop a new Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF) and Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP).
The collaboration aims to help strengthen the partnership between the municipalities, as well as to support prosperity and growth within the region.
According to legislation set out in the Municipal Government Act, an IDP and ICF are required between Strathmore and Wheatland County, following their departure from the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board, as the two municipalities share common boundaries.
“The purpose of an IDP is to provide a coordinated and collaborative land use, servicing and transportation framework for areas where the municipalities, in this case being Wheatland County and the Town of Strathmore, (share) a joint interest,” said Brian Conger, community planning manager with ISL Engineering and Land Services – which is aiding Strathmore and Wheatland County to develop the ICF and IDP.
“An IDP maintains the characteristics, visions, and goals unique to each community while coordinating future growth and development patterns.”
A steering committee has been established, consisting of members from both the Town and County councils in order to guide the direction of the project.
A public engagement session was hosted Dec. 13 in order for members of the community to learn more about the project, as well as to have their questions and concerns heard.
“Right now, we are early on in the process. We have met with both municipalities in order to create a study area. What this study area does is, it provides us with a space commonly referred to as the rural urban fringe between the town and the county that we have then gone and we have studied,” said Conger.
“Tonight (Dec. 13), what we are trying to do is get some feedback from the attendees. If they have any insights or any comments on what we are showing tonight. This information is going to be collected into a ‘what we heard’ report and we will be sitting down with the elected officials on the committee.”
The process for developing the ICF and IDP will take up to 12 months and will feature facilitated sessions with the steering committee members.
“The town looks forward to strengthening our intermunicipal relationship with Wheatland County and positioning ourselves for continued success through the creation of an IDP and an ICF,” said Strathmore mayor, Pat Fule.
Wheatland County is committed to working together with the Town of Strathmore.
“We know how important collaboration is to the growth and prosperity of our communities and the region, and we are committed to developing sound and sensible plans through the ICF and IDP development process that will support these goals,” added Wheatland County reeve, Amber Link.
More information regarding the project has been made publicly available via both the town and county websites.