Contents
Latest News
On September 17, 2021, the County was notified of a request to the Minister of Municipal Affairs, by the City of Calgary, to proceed with plans to initiate the annexation process for land currently within Rocky View County. The proposed Shepard Industrial Area Structure Plan falls within this annexation area.
For more info on the proposed annexation, please visit the project webpage.
On June 29, 2021, Council held a Public Hearing to consider the proposed Shepard Industrial Area Structure Plan. Following the hearing, a motion was passed:
MOVED by Councillor Schule that further consideration of Bylaw C-8172-2021 be referred to Administration for further dialog with the City of Calgary on matters including:
- 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;
- Rocky View County supports non-residential development in principle and also is supportive of collaborative planning with our neighbours to this end.
Council also directed Administration to report back by the September 14, 2021 Council Meeting. At that meeting, Administration presented an update indicating that discussions with the City were underway, but that a formal position on the plan had not been provided.
On November 22, 2021, the County received a formal response from the City outlining its position on the proposed Area Structure Plan.
Administration presented an update report to Council on December 14, 2021. Upon consideration, Council directed that:
- Further consideration of Bylaw C-8172-2021 be tabled until annexation negotiations between the City of Calgary and Rocky View County conclude.
- Administration be present a report to Council no later than two months following a decision by the Land and Property Rights Tribunal on the annexation.
Meeting minutes and video of the proceedings are available on the Meetings & Hearings page.
On June 29, 2021, Council held a Public Hearing to consider the proposed Shepard Industrial Area Structure Plan. Following the hearing, a motion was passed:
MOVED by Councillor Schule that further consideration of Bylaw C-8172-2021 be referred to Administration for further dialog with the City of Calgary on matters including:
- Cost and revenue sharing options;
- Potential amendments to the Rocky View County / City of Calgary Intermunicipal Development Plan; and
- Joint planning endeavors including a potential joint planning area;
- Rocky View County supports non-residential development in principle and also is supportive of collaborative planning with our neighbours to this end;
And that Administration report back by the September 14, 2021 Council Meeting.
On September 14, Administration presented an update to Council indicating that discussions with the City were underway, but that a formal position on the Plan had not been provided. Following receipt of the annexation request as noted above, Administration will return to Council for formal direction on the Area Structure Plan.
Background
On July 28, 2020 Rocky View County Council approved a Terms of Reference for an applicant-led Area Structure Plan for the Shepard Industrial area. Simpson Ranching Ltd., the majority landowner within the plan area, in conjunction with Shepard Development Corporation, is leading the Shepard Industrial Area Structure Plan, and have retained IDEA Group and MVH Urban Planning + Design to assist in the preparation of the plan. Once drafted, the Area Structure Plan will be presented to Council for consideration.
The Shepard Industrial Area Structure Plan area includes approximately 747 hectares (1,847 acres) of land in the southeast sector of Rocky View County. The study area is located immediately east of Range Road 284, north of the CP Rail mainline right-of-way and south of the abandoned rail right-of-way that exists approximately a half mile north of Township Road 232. The eastern boundary is Range Road 282. 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.
This plan will outline future land use, development phasing, transportation, environmental protection, emergency services, general design, and utility service requirements, to guide the community to accommodate future industrial and business growth in an environmentally and fiscally sustainable manner.
The draft Shepard Industrial Area Structure Plan document can be viewed below:
Please note, changes from first reading are shown in red and deleted text is shown by strikethroughs.
The technical studies to support the proposed ASP are available below:
Project Timeline
The Shepard Industrial Area Structure Plan 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: Site Analysis & Concept Development
August – December 2020
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). Community engagement will focus on outreach to the City of Calgary, nearby landowners and provincial agencies. Following completion of the technical studies, the team will create draft land use scenarios to inform the draft Area Structure Plan. Public engagement on the draft land use scenarios will take place using COVID-friendly techniques.
- Phase 2: Review and Consultation
January – February 2021
The draft Area Structure Plan will be created based on feedback received during Phase 1 from all stakeholders and the technical studies. The draft plan will then be refined as needed through a thorough review process both internally with County departments and externally with stakeholders, including the City of Calgary. COVID-friendly techniques will be followed to ensure engagement is meaningful and safe.
- Phase 3: Presentation and Public Hearing
March – May 2021
The plan will be presented to Council for consideration of First Reading. This would not be a Public Hearing. If passed, the plan would proceed to Public Hearing and Second Reading. This would be the final opportunity for public input. Upon approval by Rocky View County Council, the Area Structure Plan would then be reviewed by the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board and evaluated against the Interim Regional Evaluation Framework. Following approval at this stage, the Area Structure Plan would return to Council for Third and Final Reading. This is when the plan would be adopted by Council.
Get Involved
The landowner’s group has retained MVH Urban Planning + Design to facilitate the public engagement for the Shepard Industrial Area Structure Plan.
Future opportunities for engagement on this project will be forthcoming. Please sign-up below to receive project updates and notifications of engagement events.
Due to COVID-19 and the need for physical distancing, public engagement on this project may be mainly focused online to ensure the safety of everyone involved. In-person events may only be held if appropriate COVID-19 precautions can be followed.
If you have any questions about the project, please email Jeff Beaton, IDEA Group, at j.beaton@ideagroupinc.ca or Jessica Anderson, Senior Planner, Rocky View County, at JAnderson@rockyview.ca or phone 403- 230-1401.
Sign-up below to receive project updates and learn about future opportunities to participate.