Third CMRB public engagement launched

By Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Residents have a last chance to share their opinions on a document that will shape development in Strathmore and parts of Wheatland County into the future.

A draft of the Calgary Metropolitan Region’s (CMR) growth plan has been developed. This document will establish how the region’s 10 member municipalities will be able to develop and work together as it gains another million residents.

Two previous phases of public engagement to shape the document were held in 2020. Now with a plan drafted, the third and final phase of public engagement launched on March 18. It is open until April 8.

The engagement, which includes quick polls, a forum and a survey, is available through the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board (CMRB) website (calgarymetroregion.ca). 

The survey asks respondents what they think of the draft growth plan.

Under the draft plan, development must occur in “preferred growth areas,” rather than across the region. This means that in areas not preferred, all of which are in rural municipalities, municipalities and community members may not see the development they have been hoping for, according to the CMRB.

The draft plan includes preferred “placetypes” guiding the density and type of development in a given area. One of the choices in the plan is to focus development in rural areas to hamlet growth areas. This means that the development of new employment areas in rural municipalities will be limited, raising concerns about the potential economic impact within those communities, according to the CMRB.