News

Springbank Area Structure Plan Approved - Sustainable Path, Thoughtful Growth 

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Rocky View County Council has officially adopted the new Springbank Area Structure Plan (ASP), marking a significant milestone in the region's development. The plan, approved on March 25, 2025, consolidates the previous Moddle, North Springbank, and Central Springbank ASPs land use strategies into a unified framework that emphasizes sustainable growth, environmental stewardship, and community character.  

Vision for Springbank  

The new ASP envisions Springbank as a peaceful rural community that thoughtfully blends residential development with its agricultural heritage. The plan emphasizes high-quality design, the protection of natural landscapes, and the conservation of sensitive watershed and wildlife areas. It retains the existing business uses around the Highway 1 and Range 33 junction and adjacent to the Springbank airport – all while maintaining compatibility with the area's unique rural identity.  

Strategic Land Use Planning  

The land use strategy sets the foundation for future development in Springbank by defining land use categories, outlining development boundaries, and guiding policy decisions. Key components include: 

• Country Residential Development: Preserving the traditional pattern of single-detached dwellings on parcels no smaller than two acres. 

• Agricultural Preservation: Supporting ongoing agricultural operations and encouraging diversification. 

• Business Development: Concentrating commercial growth in designated nodes—particularly around Highway 1 and Range Road 33—while prohibiting industrial development to protect rural character. 

• Environmental Protection: Safeguarding environmentally sensitive lands and expanding open space networks and pathway systems. 

• Springbank Airport Interface: Ensuring that future development is compatible with the operational needs and safety of the airport. 

Key Highlights of the New ASP 

• Unified Vision for Development: The consolidated plan offers a cohesive blueprint for development across 25,000 acres west of Calgary, streamlining policy and infrastructure planning. 

• Community Core Development: A County-led amendment will be brought forward to better plan around the junction of Springbank Road and Range Road 33 to provide new institutional uses in accordance with the plan, along with some small local commercial opportunities. 

• Residential Focus: Moving forward, all new residential development shall be at minimum, 2 acres in size. 

• Environmental and Cultural Preservation: The plan has introduced numerous policies to help protect the natural environmental and cultural aspects of Springbank. 

• Aggregate Extraction: No new aggregate development shall be permitted within the Plan area. 

• Enhanced Transportation and Connectivity: An expanded pathway and trail network will promote active transportation, linking communities with recreational spaces and key destinations. 

• Agricultural Support and Diversification: The Plan will continue to support the agricultural use of the land until the decision to develop it is made.  

• Servicing and Infrastructure Policy Improvements: The plan includes new servicing and infrastructure policies that were not included in the previous plans.  

Community Engagement and Implementation 

The ASP was developed with extensive input from the Springbank community. Rocky View County acknowledged the valuable contributions of residents and stakeholders, noting that the final plan reflects the community’s shared values and aspirations. 

Implementation will be guided by detailed local plans, with input from The City of Calgary. The ASP also includes mechanisms for ongoing review and amendment to ensure responsiveness to changing conditions and future opportunities. 

As Springbank enters a new era of managed growth, the ASP will serve as a guiding document that helps preserve its character while embracing thoughtful, sustainable development. 

For more information and to view the full Springbank Area Structure Plan, visit Rocky View County website. 

Posted in: Planning & Development