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In July 2023, Rocky View County and The City of Calgary agreed to work collaboratively on the Prairie Gateway Economic Initiative. The initiative would facilitate a new industrial corridor with joint municipal investments and benefits. The initiative focuses on the area proposed for the draft 2020 Shepard Industrial Area Structure Plan (ASP) and now includes adjacent Canadian Pacific Kanas City (CPKC) land. The draft 2020 Shepard Industrial ASP will be revised and renamed the Prairie Gateway ASP.
What does this mean for the Shepard area?
- The Prairie Gateway ASP is a collaborative project between Rocky View County, The City of Calgary, and the Shepard Development Corp. A successful collaborative project would:
- Facilitate the development of a rail to truck facility, associated warehousing and industrial uses,
- Result in an economic framework of shared investments and benefits between the two municipalities,
- Result in piped utility services that may benefit additional areas beyond the project boundary, and
- Open an economic development area that is not acknowledged under the Regional Growth Plan.
- Jurisdiction of the project area would remain with Rocky View County. The City retains its growth interest in the Shepard area, as per the Rocky View County/ City of Calgary Intermunicipal Development Plan.
- The City has paused the annexation process for the ASP area and land to the north. The annexation process is being placed on hold while the municipalities explore collaborative opportunities. The City of Calgary and Rocky View County remain open to future annexation discussions should the need for annexation be identified”
Additional information will be available as this initiative progresses.
Initial Engagement Summary
An online survey for initial feedback on the Prairie Gateway Area Structure Plan (ASP) closed as of November 3, 2023. The County has reviewed the responses and put together an Engagement Summary which will influence the next stage of public engagement. There will be further opportunities to provide input on this project in the future. The full Engagement Summary can be found here:
Background
Draft 2020 Shepard Industrial Area Structure Plan
On July 28, 2020, County Council approved a Terms of Reference for an applicant-led Area Structure Plan located in the Shepard area. Simpson Ranching Ltd., the majority landowner within the plan area, in conjunction with Shepard Development Corporation, led the development of the Shepard Industrial Area Structure Plan (Plan).
The Plan area included approximately 747 hectares (1,847 acres) of land in the southeast sector of Rocky View County, located north of the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Rail mainline. A portion of the Plan falls within the City of Calgary/Rocky View County Intermunicipal Development Plan area and is identified as a Growth Corridor for the City of Calgary.
The Plan provided policy direction to guide the development of an industrial park and transload (rail to truck) facilities adjacent to the CPKC Rail line.
On June 29, 2021, Council held a Public Hearing to consider the proposed Shepard Industrial Area Structure Plan. The proposal was put on hold pending discussions with The City regarding their objections.
Information related to the draft 2020 Shepard Industrial ASP
Annexation
On November 22, 2021, the County received a response from the City outlining its position on the proposed Shepard Industrial Area Structure Plan. On September 17, 2021, the County was formerly notified that The City of Calgary proposed to annex lands that included the proposed Area Structure Plan area. The rationale for the annexation is the area is identified as a future Industrial Growth Corridor for The City and this area will ensure The City maintains an adequate long-term land supply to accommodate the evolving needs of industrial developers.
Related Annexation Information
2020 Shepard Industrial ASP is Tabled
On June 29, 2021, Council held a Public Hearing to consider the proposed Shepard Industrial Area Structure Plan. As a consequence of the annexation area notice, the Plan was tabled (paused) and Administration was directed to engage The City on the following:
- Cost and revenue sharing options,
- Potential amendments to the Rocky View County / City of Calgary Intermunicipal Development Plan,
- Joint planning endeavors including a potential joint planning area, and
- Rocky View County supports non-residential development in principle and also is supportive of collaborative planning with our neighbours to this end.
Project Timeline
The Prairie Gateway ASP will involve public and stakeholder engagement, technical reviews, policy writing, and development of land use scenarios for the area. The plan will be prepared in the following phases:
- Phase 1: Project Initiation
September 2023
This phase marked the public launch of the project. Review of existing technical studies and scoping of further technical studies initiated.
- Phase 2: Site Analysis & Concept Development
October – November 2023
This phase will begin with assessment of the site, technical reporting of the existing site conditions (e.g. transportation, biophysical, historical) and a servicing analysis (water, waste water & storm water). The team will create draft land use scenarios to inform the draft Area Structure Plan. As this project is not new, past work will be reviewed and updated as needed. The draft vision, objectives and potential land use scenarios will be completed in this phase.
Initial engagement will inform area landowners, nearby landowners, provincial agencies, and municipal neighbours of the project reinitiating. During this period, landowner questions will be gathered and further outreach will occur.
- Phase 3: Draft Area Structure Plan and Consultation
November 2023 – March 2024
The draft ASP will be revised based on feedback received during Phase 1 and Phase 2 from all stakeholders and the technical studies. During this stage, there will be two open houses. The first open house will be to share project updates and provide an opportunity to speak with the Project Team. The second open house will be to share the draft ASP and collect comments. The draft plan will be posted to the website for review, and will be refined as needed through a review process with County departments, The City of Calgary, the developer, external stakeholders, and the public.
- Phase 4: Public Hearing
Q2/Q3 2024 - To be confirmed
It is anticipated that the revised draft ASP will be completed at this stage and presented to Council for consideration through the Public Hearing process. Should second reading be granted, the ASP would be referred to the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board (CMRB).
- Phase 5: Calgary Metropolitan Region Board Application and County Adoption
Date to be confirmed
Pending Council’s second reading approval of the ASP an application will be submitted to the CMRB for approval. The Board evaluates and approves new Statutory Plans to ensure alignment with the goals, objectives, and policies of the Regional Growth Plan. Should the approval be granted, Administration will return to Council for third reading and adoption of the Plan.
Get Involved
Further opportunities will be available to provide input on this project. Please see the mailing list and notification section below to stay updated on future developments on the Prairie Gateway Area Structure Plan
Mailing list and notifications:
There are several ways to get involved in this project.
- Fill out the form below and we will send you regular email updates.
- Follow the project on this webpage. We will post regular updates and upcoming events.
- Contact us at planning_policy@rockyview.ca or 403-230-1401 for questions, updates, or further information.
Please sign-up below to receive project updates and notifications of engagement events.