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On November 19, 2024, Governance Committee was presented with the Municipal Development Plan (MDP) Review Phase 2 Project Update Report. This report highlights the progress and next steps in drafting the MDP document, Stage 2 Engagement Summary Report, and Stage 3 Engagement Strategy. It provides an overview of feedback gathered, which centered on the validation of the County’s Distinct Area Profiles, Agricultural land use policies, and several County-wide policy areas identified during Stage 1 Engagement.
Meeting minutes and video of the proceedings are available on the Rocky View County webpage.
The project is in Phase 2 – Draft Plan and Engagement, which results in the delivery of a draft MDP document and Engagement Summary Report for all three stages of engagement in Q1 2025.Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities – both online and in-person – to share your feedback on the draft MDP document. Engagement opportunities and notifications about in-person events are available through the YourView Rocky View webpage.
Fall 2023 - Fall 2024
In June 2024, four open houses were held across the County to gather input for the MDP. These events featured poster boards that mirrored the online survey questions, ensuring consistency between in-person and online engagement. Residents and stakeholders also participated through workshops, coffee chats with the project team, and the online project website.
The Engagement Summary below consolidates feedback from the open houses and the online survey. Along with other planning policies and documents, this input will guide the development of the draft MDP.
Background
What is a Municipal Development Plan?
The Municipal Development Plan (MDP) is a statutory plan (legal document) that outlines the overall vision for a municipality’s future growth from a planning and development perspective and guides how and where the municipality will grow. The new plan will replace the existing MDP, known as the County Plan, which was first adopted in 2013.
On December 13, 2022, Council approved the MDP Review Project Terms of Reference, which provided direction to conduct a full rewrite of the County Plan (current MDP). A comprehensive rewrite of the document was seen as an opportunity to align the County’s vision and future growth strategy with the CMRB Growth Plan, Council’s strategic goals, and the current vision, values, and priorities of County residents.
Why is Rocky View County updating the Municipal Development Plan?
Rocky View County recognizes the importance of regularly updating the MDP to reflect the evolving needs and aspirations of our communities. The last comprehensive update to the MDP occurred in 2013, and while the County's plan specifies a periodic review, this update responds to the significant changes and growth experienced over the past decade.
Over this time, our community vision and values have evolved, highlighting the need for an MDP that better aligns with these shifts. Additionally, the concept of Distinct Areas is being explored to capture the unique identities of our diverse communities. This approach aims to guide future growth in a way that celebrates local lifestyle and character while fostering sustainable development across the County.
In addition, the Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth Plan (Regional Growth Plan) was approved by Ministerial Order (MSD:064/22) on August 15, 2022. The Regional Growth Plan requires Rocky View County and all other Calgary Metropolitan Region Board (CMRB) member municipalities to update their MDP to align with the Regional Growth Plan by August 15, 2025.
By updating the MDP, we ensure it remains a robust framework for managing growth, enhancing quality of life, and shaping a prosperous future for all residents.
What does the Regional Growth Plan forecast for the County?
The Regional Growth Plan forecasts the Calgary Metropolitan Region’s (CMR) population and employment growth from 2018 to 2048. Rocky View County is expected to see a population increase of 24,960 residents, which represents 3% of the forecasted population growth in the CMR. In addition, the Regional Growth Plan forecasts 69,010 new jobs in the County by 2048. This employment growth represents 14% of the forecasted employment growth in the CMR over this 20-year period. If the forecast proves correct, then the County will see the second highest employment growth within the CMR, following Calgary (69%) and ahead of Airdrie (5%).
Project Overview
The review and revision of the County’s MDP is a significant undertaking that requires substantial time, resources, and input from a wide range of partners. The MDP Review project will result in a new MDP that is in accordance with higher-level plans (Municipal Government Act (MGA) and Regional Growth Plan. The new MDP will serve as a roadmap for orderly, efficient, and sustainable growth in Rocky View County over the next 20 years.
Project Timeline & Key Deliverables
The MDP Review Project will be completed across four phases, and we are currently in Phase 2.
Phase 1 – Initiation & Planning (Q4 2022 – Q3 2023)
Consultant ProcurementCounty-Wide Economic Assessment and Growth StrategyBackground Report
Phase 2 – Draft Plan & Engagement (Q4 2023 – Q1 2025)
Engagement Summary Report Stage 1Engagement Summary Report Stage 2- Draft MDP Document
- Engagement Summary Report Stage 3
Phase 3 – Council & CMRB Approvals (Q2 2025 – Q3 2025)
- Final Draft MDP
- Council and CMRB Approvals
Phase 4 – Plan Adoption & Actions (Completion Q4 2025)
- Workplan to update subordinate plans, policies, and actions
Project Engagement
Throughout Phase 2 – Draft Plan & Engagement, there will be ample opportunities for interested parties to provide feedback on the MDP Review project, both in-person and online. The MDP Review Communication & Engagement Strategy outlines goals and objectives, key messages, identified interested parties, engagement activities, timelines, and reporting requirements. The engagement strategy is organised into three stages:
Stage 1 (Q4 2023 - Q1 2024)
- Raising awareness of the overall project.
- Validating the community vision, values, and priorities that were identified through previous MDP engagement (2019 - 2020).
- Gathering input on the distinct areas throughout the county.
- Hearing ideas and feedback on new and existing county-wide policy areas.
- The delivery of this Stage 1 Engagement Summary Report to Rocky View County’s Governance Committee on May 21, 2024, marked the completion of Stage 1 of engagement, and the transition into Stage 2 of engagement.
Stage 2 (Q2 2024 - Q4 2024)
- Confirmation of the draft Distinct Area Profiles developed by the project team.
- Initial input on agricultural land use policies and policy concepts.
- Follow-up questions on a few County-wide policy areas identified in Stage 1 Engagement.
- At the conclusion of Stage 2, an engagement summary report was presented to Governance Committee on November 19, 2024, and made available to the public. The report summarizing feedback and input gathered during Stage 2 informed the drafting of the MDP.
Stage 3 (Q4 2024 – Q1 2025)
- Will obtain direct feedback from interested parties on the draft MDP. The feedback and input received will inform the final draft of the MDP.
Over the course of November 2023, there were four MDP Review open houses, which mirrored the online survey questions using a range of poster boards. using poster boards aligned with the online survey questions to maintain a cohesive engagement approach. Early in 2024, the project team hosted Coffee Chats throughout the County to reach residents and stakeholders who are not often involved in these discussions.
Feedback from this stage, outlined in the Engagement Summary Report, played a vital role in shaping the direction of the MDP project. The insights gathered guided future engagement efforts and directly influenced the drafting of the MDP.
To get involved, individuals can subscribe to the MDP Review project email list via the YourView page. The page also provides updates on engagement opportunities and notifications about in-person events.
Contact us at RegionalPlanning@rockyview.ca or 403.230.1401 for questions, updates or further information.