Town to host public hearing for IDP bylaw

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Town of Strathmore has scheduled a public hearing to discuss the Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) Bylaw 24-15 for Oct. 2, in council chambers. 

Outlined in the town’s Sept. 4, regular meeting agenda, the IDP is a statutory document to which all departments within the Town of Strathmore must adhere as their work would relate to, or impact intermunicipal interests and land use decision making. 

Town departments most affected by the IDP are infrastructure, operations and development services, strategic and administrative services, and community and protective services.

Land use planning and decision making within Alberta is administered through provincial legislative and policy documents which are in turn implemented by departments such as, but not limited to a municipal government.

The Municipal Government Act (MGA) requires that all municipalities not members of a growth region and that share common boundaries must adopt an IDP. 

As the Town of Strathmore is no longer a part of the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board (CMRB), the town has been directed, alongside Wheatland County, by the Minister of Municipal Affairs to adopt an IDP.

The town was required to begin development of its IDP immediately following its withdrawal from the CMRB, in compliance with the MGA. Similarly, Wheatland County had also voted to withdraw its membership.

The town and county jointly retained ISL Engineering and Land Services as their planning consulting firm in order to undertake the preparation of the IDP.

Six phases were outlined in the IDP project, including two for public engagement. To date, the town has indicated that no objections to the project have been received.

Once passed, land use decisions will be required to align with policies established within the IDP. This will also be true for certain intermunicipal decisions that deal with economic development, agriculture, social wellbeing, and economics. 

It has been anticipated that application review processes which will require circulation to Wheatland County pursuant to IDP policies will require additional time to resolve compared to those strictly circulated within the town.

Typically, the town schedules public hearings for bylaws following the passing of first reading. In this case, Administration had recommended holding the public hearing prior to first reading in order to maintain consistency with Wheatland County. 

The final draft of the IDP will be adopted both by the town and the county through separate bylaw adoption processes and public hearings.