MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Prepared by:

RKP Consulting

Red Deer City Bylaw 3404/2008 Approved May 5, 2008

Amendments: Bylaw 3404/A-2011

Bylaw 3404/A-2013
Bylaw 3404/A-2015

Office Consolidation – Effective January 18, 2016

MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Prepared for
The City of Red Deer

by

RKP Consulting

Bylaw 3404/2008

May 2008

Adopted by City Council May 5, 2008 (Bylaw 3404/2008)

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 1

1.1 Role of the Plan ......................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Relationship to Other City Plans ................................................................................................ 1
1.3 Organization of the Plan............................................................................................................. 3
1.4 Interpretation and Implementation of the Plan............................................................................ 4
2.0 COMMUNITY CONTEXT AND TRENDS ............................................................................................ 5
2.1. Regional Context ....................................................................................................................... 5
2.2. Historic and Projected Population .............................................................................................. 6
2.3. Demographic Trends and Considerations.................................................................................. 6
2.4. Emerging Trends in Development and Built Form ..................................................................... 7
3.0 VISION AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES............................................................................................... 10
3.1 A Vision for the Future ............................................................................................................. 10
3.2 Guiding Principles .................................................................................................................... 10
4.0 LAND USE AND FUTURE URBAN GROWTH CONCEPTS ............................................................ 12
5.0 GROWTH MANAGEMENT AND URBAN FORM ............................................................................. 15
6.0 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM ................................................................................ 21
7.0 URBAN DESIGN .............................................................................................................................. 23
8.0 HERITAGE CONSERVATION .......................................................................................................... 26
9.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT............................................................... 28
10.0 HOUSING AND NEIGHBOURHOOD DESIGN ............................................................................... 32
11.0 GREATER DOWNTOWN ................................................................................................................ 35
12.0 COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT .................................................................................................... 38
13.0 INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ....................................................................................................... 41
14.0 PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURE ........................................................................................ 43
15.0 COMMUNITY SERVICES ............................................................................................................... 46
16.0 TRANSPORTATION ....................................................................................................................... 48
17.0 UTILITIES........................................................................................................................................ 51
18.0 REGIONAL INITIATIVES AND INTERMUNICIPAL PLANNING .................................................... 53
19.0 IMPLEMENTATION ........................................................................................................................ 55
GLOSSARY OF TERMS ............................................................................................................................. 59

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 1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Role of the Plan

The Municipal Development Plan (MDP) is a statutory plan adopted pursuant to the Municipal Government
Act. As such, other statutory plans such as area structure plans and area redevelopment plans must be
consistent with the MDP and its policies. All statutory plans adopted by The City must also be consistent
with each other. Additionally, the development and subdivision authorities must have regard to the MDP
policies as one of the factors considered in making a decision on an application. Prior to making any
amendments to the MDP, City Council must hold a public hearing pursuant to the provisions of the
Municipal Government Act.

The MDP guides and directs future growth and development for Red Deer, ensuring orderly, economical
and beneficial development while balancing the environmental, social and economic needs and desires of
the community. It is visionary, strategic and long-term in its outlook and application. The Plan reflects the
kind of community residents wish to see in the future and identifies ways to achieve this future.

The MDP is primarily a policy document that serves as a framework for the physical development of the
community. It is a guide within which both public and private sector decision making and investment can
occur. Not only does the Plan address land use and development it addresses matters related to the health
of the environment, vitality of the local economy and social and cultural well-being of residents. In this
regard the Plan recognizes the interrelationship between the use of space and physical patterns and the
resulting social, environmental and economic implications.

As a policy document the MDP is, for the most part, general in nature and long range in its outlook. The
Plan is intended to guide growth and development of Red Deer over the next 25+ years during which the
population is anticipated to increase to approximately 150,000 to 185,000 people. It provides the means
whereby Council, other decision makers, and the community can evaluate immediate situations or
proposals in the context of a long range plan. From time to time, the MDP will be reviewed and updated.

1.2 Relationship to Other City Plans

The MDP is part of an overall set of plans used by The City of Red Deer to guide and manage future
change within the community. Its primary focus is on the physical layout and design of Red Deer, with
consideration for the social, environmental, cultural and economic implications stemming from the
community’s land use pattern. The MDP obtains direction from The City of Red Deer Strategic Plan and, in
turn, provides direction for the preparation of more detailed land use plans for various segments of Red
Deer. It also provides the underlying philosophy and guidance for the Land Use Bylaw.

Many of the fundamental principles and directions of the MDP flow from, and are consistent with, The City’s
Strategic Plan. The MDP integrates, and where appropriate, provides more specific policies based on the
direction set by the Strategic Plan. It also incorporates key elements related to physical growth and change
from other plans and studies that have been undertaken and guided by the Strategic Plan to ensure
consistency and continuity.

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 Some of the other City plans and studies that provide guidance for, are reflected by, and/or implement the
MDP include:
 Vision 2020
 The Red Deer County and City of Red Deer Intermunicipal Development Plan (2007)
 City of Red Deer Growth Study (2004)
 Neighbourhood Planning Guidelines & Standards
 Industrial Area Planning Guidelines & Standards
 East Hill Major Area Structure Plan
 Northwest Area Structure Plan
 Various Neighbourhood Area Structure Plans
 Greater Downtown Action Plan (2004)
 Riverlands Community Plan, Area Redevelopment Plan & Development Design Criteria (2004)
 Riverside Meadows Revitalization and Action Plan (2000)
 Red Deer Growing Smarter: Design Elements and Ideas for New Residential Neighbourhoods
(2002)
 Community Services Division, Services Action Plan 2008-2010 (2008)
 Community Services Division, Facilities and Open Space Action Plan
 Red Deer Community Housing Plan Update 2003-2006
 The City of Red Deer Affordable Housing Strategy
 The City of Red Deer Discussion Paper on Environmental Initiatives (2004)
 Red Deer Community Culture Master Plan (2001)
 Transportation Plan Update (2004)
 Transit and Special Transportation Study (2004)
 Future Directions: Red Deer at 300,000 - A Growth Strategy (2006) as amended by the
Intermunicipal Development Plan to reflect the revised growth areas for The City and Red Deer
County
 Crime Prevention and Policing Strategy

The key document related to future growth directions beyond the current city boundaries is the Red Deer
County and City of Red Deer Intermunicipal Development Plan, which identifies future growth areas for The
City and the County. It establishes policies for the coordination of planning activities between the County
and The City. It also sets out policies and procedures for annexation of city growth areas, the preparation of
major area structure plans, the control of development and resolution of disputes.

Finally, the MDP provides direction and a city-wide framework to guide more detailed plans and policies.
The overall goals and objectives of this Plan will be incorporated in a more detailed manner in local area
plans, specific policy documents and programs. In this way, the broad general concepts of the MDP, such
as those shown on the accompanying map, are expected to be refined and made more precise as more
detailed plans are prepared and adopted. While these plans must be consistent with the MDP, the precise
application of the MDP direction must be sensitive to the location, timing and other conditions of the more
specific and local context.

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 Note: The above diagram does not reflect all plans used by The City. Additional information is available
in the Neighbourhood Planning Guidelines & Standards and from City staff.

1.3 Organization of the Plan

The MDP is divided into a series of sections and topics for ease of reference and use. Sections 1.0 and 2.0
provide introductory and background information about the role of the plan, Red Deer’s regional context,
and recent growth and development trends influencing the future development of the community. These
parts are presented for background and information only and are not to be interpreted as policy statements.

Section 3.0 of the MDP provides a vision of the type of community that Red Deer aims to be in the future. A
broad set of goals identify the key directions that will be pursued in order to achieve this vision for each
major topic area covered by the plan. Section 4.0 provides an overview of the major planning concepts and
elements reflected in the Generalized Land Use Concept map. It sets out the overall context for the policies
identified for each major topic area covered by the plan.

Section 5.0 and subsequent sections contain a mix of background and descriptive information, goals,
objectives and policies organized by major topic. Each section contains specific statements that are
intended as policy to guide municipal decision making.

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 1.4 Interpretation and Implementation of the Plan
In interpreting and implementing the MDP it is important to recognize that the Plan is a long-term document
and that it will take many years to reach the vision it sets out. While the MDP provides a long-term context
for day-to-day decision making it is not intended to be used as a rule book or regulatory instrument like the
Land Use Bylaw. Interpretation and implementation of the MDP requires the exercise of judgment and
discretion. This means balancing the achievement of long-term aims with the specific circumstances of
particular issues and availability of community resources.

It is also important to bear in mind that the MDP works best as a comprehensive whole and should be
interpreted as a package of interrelated policies. While the Plan is structured by topic area it is important to
view all of the policy directions in context with one another rather than as individual parts. In this way, the
several policy statements are intended to contribute towards moving Red Deer closer to the vision
described in Section 3.0.

Section 4.0 sets out the overall land use and urban growth concepts, including an explanation of the role of
the map. The land uses identified are based on the predominant or main type of land use to be located in
an area. More specific boundaries and information on the precise land uses is intended to be provided
through more detailed statutory plans and the Land Use Bylaw. Similarly, other items shown on the map,
such as the location of major roads, are subject to refinement as more detailed planning is undertaken.

Sections 5.0 through 18.0 provide direction for a variety of broad topic areas. Within each section, the
preamble, the goals and objectives are not to be interpreted as policy, but serve to provide clarification of
what result the policies individually and collectively are intended to achieve. Also, the headings in the left
hand margin are intended to assist in locating relevant policies and are not meant to be interpreted as part
of the policy or as policy statements themselves.

Section 19 provides direction on key elements needed for successful implementation of the plan. This
includes process guidance on amending the MDP and undertaking more detailed planning.

The MDP contains “shall”, “should” and “may” policy statements and their significance is set out in Policy
19.1. “Shall” policies are those which are mandatory and must be complied with. “Should” policies mean
compliance to the principle is required but the method and level of compliance is subject to the discretion of
the applicable authority on a case by case basis. “May” policies are discretionary with the level of
compliance determined on a case by case basis by the applicable authority.

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 2.0 COMMUNITY CONTEXT AND TRENDS

2.1. Regional Context

Red Deer is located in Central Alberta mid-way between Edmonton and Calgary on The Queen Elizabeth
(QE II) Highway/Highway 2 approximately 150 km from both cities; it is a 90-minute drive from over 2
million people. Red Deer is the major distribution and service centre for the surrounding rural area,
including a number of smaller towns and rural developments, in a regional economy based upon
agriculture, (primarily cattle and grains) and oil field production/processing.

Red Deer is the third largest city located in the Edmonton/Calgary growth corridor. The City has a
population of approximately 85,000 people and a service area in excess of 200,000 people; both are
growing rapidly. Between 2000 and 2007 the population of Red Deer grew by 30.4%, while the surrounding
region also experienced significant growth in villages, towns and rural areas. A recent report by the TD
Bank Financial Group identified the Edmonton/Calgary corridor’s enormous potential for economic growth
and to become one of the best places to live in North America.

The Red Deer River is part of the natural systems which support and sustain Red Deer. It is the source of
water for households and businesses in Red Deer and the means of disposing of treated waste water.
These systems transcend municipal boundaries and are not under the direct influence of The City. Working
with neighbouring municipalities, government authorities and others is an important part of ensuring the
long term health of these vital support systems.

As a major regional service centre, Red Deer provides the full range of urban services including retail,
office, medical, institutional and industrial activities to residents of the region. Daily interaction between Red
Deer and the region is especially evident in the number of jobs located in the city and commuting between
Red Deer and smaller urban centres. The major industrial activities include oil and gas production,
petrochemical processing, agriculture and food and beverage processing. In the service sector, tourism,
wholesale and retail services are most significant. Newly-emerging sectors, such as communications, bio-
technology and value added activities related to agricultural products, offer the potential to diversify the
regional economy.

As a municipality, The City of Red Deer provides a full range of services to its citizens. Through inter-
municipal agreements, The City currently provides some regional sanitary sewer services, regional water
services, a 911 emergency call system, social, community and protective services to parts of the
surrounding areas.

Regional transportation initiatives and linkages are important aspects of Red Deer’s past and future
significance as a regional service centre. The partnership around the Red Deer Regional Airport is one
such example. Another is the potential for developing a high speed railway connection between downtown
Edmonton and downtown Calgary, with a stop serving the city and surrounding communities. This can
significantly impact the rate and location of growth. Continued improvement of the regional road network
also contributes to Red Deer’s success.

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 2.2. Historic and Projected Population
The Red Deer River was important to the early settlers and native people of central Alberta. The Old Red
Deer Crossing was part of an early north-south trade trail. As traffic increased with the establishment of
Fort Calgary and with the coming of the CPR, a trading post and settlement developed seven kilometres
upstream from the present location of downtown Red Deer. When the Calgary and Edmonton Railway
bypassed the Crossing in the late 1890s, settlers moved east to the present-day Red Deer.

Fertile lands began to attract farmer’s interest in growing grain crops, ranching and dairy farming. At the
turn of the 20th century, the community experienced a surge of growth as settlers moved into the area and
took up homesteads. When Red Deer was incorporated as a town in 1901 its population was 343 and by
1913, when Red Deer was incorporated as a city, the population had increased to nearly 2,800.

The community developed primarily as an agricultural service and distribution centre, enhanced by its
location midway between Edmonton and Calgary in an area of profitable mixed farming and the location of
three railways. Growth slowed with the First World War and the Depression, but returned after the Second
World War. With the discovery of oil and natural gas fields in central Alberta, the petroleum industry
became an important part of the local economy. The community has grown steadily in the last 50 years.
Since 2000, Red Deer’s average annual growth has exceeded 3.5% resulting in a 2007 population figure of
85,705.

The City of Red Deer Population Projections 2007-2031 provides population projections for Red Deer to the
year 2031. It projects a baseline growth scenario where the population reaches 151,182 by 2031. The high
growth scenario results in a population of 184,945 by 2031. Significant growth is also anticipated in the
region, especially in towns, villages and hamlets in close proximity to the city.

2.3. Demographic Trends and Considerations

Red Deer, like many Canadian communities, is facing significant changes in the demographic make up of
the community. This influences the way land is used and the patterns needed to respond to the needs and
desires of a changing population. These trends include:

 The number of persons per housing unit is declining because family size is decreasing (couples
are having fewer children or no children at all, marital breakdown) and single parent families are
increasing.

 The proportion of the population over the age of 50 will continue to increase, which will impact the
need for neighbourhoods with opportunities for aging-in-place and ‘adult lifestyle’ housing that is
lower maintenance.

 Because life expectancy has dramatically increased in recent decades, providing a range of
housing options from independent living to nursing homes for the aging will be a housing necessity.

 The de-institutionalization of special need populations means that the elderly and other special
needs groups prefer to live in their own homes.

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  New migrants in the Edmonton-Calgary corridor, of which Red Deer forms a part, tend to be young
(an average age of 22 years) and hold a post-secondary degree or diploma, which will help
mitigate labour shortages. However, the need to educate skilled workers will be increasingly
important to the changing economy of Red Deer.

 Red Deer is developing a younger and more transient population as more people move to the city
in response to labour needs and employment opportunities. This can pose challenges in terms of
integration into established community networks and norms.

 Ethnic diversity is expected to rise due to immigration in response to employment opportunities and
the tendency for immigrant families to be larger than the average for Red Deer.

2.4. Emerging Trends in Development and Built Form

Broader continent wide trends and changing approaches to urban development may impact Red Deer’s
future and the physical make up of the city. Some of the key trends relating to built form or the physical
elements of an urban area are briefly described below.

Sustainable Development and Smart Growth

Sustainable development, when specifically applied to planning and developing communities, is referred to
as Smart Growth. Smart Growth aims to create integrated communities that are able to meet economic,
social and environmental requirements over the long-term. Building a sustainable community involves a
more holistic approach compared to traditional development practices, and focuses on the interplay
between design, construction and operations. A sustainable community is characterized by:
 Higher density development so land and existing infrastructure is used efficiently and public transit
can be supported.
 A mix of land uses, including residential, commercial and industrial uses.
 A range of housing types to accommodate a mix of age and income groups.
 Less emphasis on the private automobile – the street pattern is a grid or modified grid, street
widths and parking are reduced, and transit, walking and cycling is promoted.
 A pathway/trail system for use by pedestrians and cyclists for both recreational and transportation
purposes.
 A dispersed network of parks, open spaces and public squares, with linkages to a trail system, to
meet a diverse range of recreational needs and facilitate informal social interaction.
 The preservation and conservation of natural resources (storm ponds, drainage courses, tree
stands, agricultural land, etc.) and, when feasible, the incorporation of alternative and innovative
design solutions.
 The minimization of adverse climatic effects by taking advantage of local conditions and
incorporating landscaping and properly orienting buildings.

Downtown Development
Downtown, as the traditional hub of activity and commerce, is regaining importance. This coincides with
planning and development initiatives to create more walkable, compact and sustainable urban
environments.

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 A growing segment of society finds residing downtown desirable again. People who work downtown,
affluent singles with no children and empty-nesters, young professionals, students, seniors, artists and
people who seek nearby amenities and services are likely to prefer living downtown or in nearby
neighbourhoods, making downtown residential space in high demand. The development industry responds
to this demand with proposals for development in downtown areas.

The downtown has active spaces to live, work, learn and play. It offers a solution to the big-box retail areas,
which have failed to generate on-street pedestrian traffic. The mixture of uses downtown creates
opportunities to reside, attend cultural events and other recreation/entertainment activities, shop and work
in one area and takes people out of their cars and promotes walking and use of transit. It is to be the centre
and heart of the region and the primary office location.

Town Centres
The town centre concept of compact development in a series of identifiable nodes has emerged in
response to increasing sprawling patterns of development, the need to travel increasingly long distances for
basic services and amenities and the impact of private automobiles on the environment. Town centres are
also seen as one possible design solution to the monotony and lack of true community life characteristic of
many low density suburban neighbourhoods. They mirror the characteristics of early 20th Century suburbs,
which were communities clustered around train or trolley stations and main streets. They are typically
designed around central communal spaces and services including transit nodes, and incorporate a mix of
land uses as well as new urbanist design principles (e.g. “traditional” design with front porches and rear
garages). Densities are generally higher than typical suburban areas. Services like corner stores, schools
and cafes located within walking distances of homes, provide important opportunities for informal social
interactions and helps foster a sense of community;

Intensification and Redevelopment

Land intensification and redevelopment initiatives are increasingly being regarded as necessary planning
and development measures. In order to contend with a dwindling supply of developable land (i.e. exurban
and rural greenfields) and rising infrastructure and site servicing costs, intensification and redevelopment
initiatives can encourage innovation in site design and architecture, encourage the use of transit as well as
help revitalize neighbourhoods, increase the tax base and stimulate investment and redevelopment on
adjacent properties. Redevelopment can offer new commercial, office, residential and, recreational
opportunities to the community. Whether such initiatives are urban or suburban, land intensification is an
important planning and development measure for fostering a compact, efficient and sustainable urban form.
Two examples of intensification and redevelopment measures are greyfield and brownfield redevelopment.

Greyfields are older, economically obsolete commercial areas. The aging malls in central urban areas and
inner–ring suburbs are prime candidates for greyfield redevelopment. Greyfields are the result of several
factors: population moving to and shopping in the suburbs (in mega-malls, big box and factory outlet
stores), which weakens the competitive ability of more central urban and older suburban commercial areas;
changes in the retail market and consumer behaviour; as well as physical deterioration of inner city malls
and first-ring suburban mall, which drives away local and surrounding shoppers. At the same time,
saturated suburban markets create opportunities to redevelop existing strip malls.

Brownfield sites are the result of industrial activities such as railroads, gas stations, oil refineries, truck
terminals, wood treatment facilities, dry cleaners, liquid/chemical storage facilities, steel and heavy
manufacturing plants, etc. Brownfield redevelopment creates jobs, utilizes existing infrastructure,

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 encourage inner city investment, reduces suburban sprawl and cleans up any contaminants that may be
present on the site.

Regional Growth Patterns

While the city of Red Deer will remain the major urban centre in the region, increasing growth in the
surrounding towns, villages and rural areas will lead to increased interaction between these activity centres
and the city (e.g. increased commuting for both jobs and services).

The magnitude and range of uses contemplated for surrounding areas will influence the urban structure of
the city. Of particular significance is the growth proposed in the Gasoline Alley/Liberty Crossing area
immediately south of the city limits. Under the provisions of the Intermunicipal Development Plan this area
is anticipated to grow to accommodate up to 8,000 people and significant amounts of commercial and
industrial development. Details of these plans may be found in the relevant County documents.

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 3.0 VISION AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES

The City of Red Deer Municipal Development Plan advances a vision based on broad community
consultation initially undertaken as part of Vision 2020. This statement provides an indication of the type of
community residents wish Red Deer to become over time. The vision statement in the Vision 2020
document continues to be relevant and is set out below. In combination with the set of guiding principles
listed below, the vision helps interpret the intent of the MDP policies and make decisions on issues and
developments that may not be specifically addressed in the policies.

3.1 A Vision for the Future

“Red Deer is a city of opportunity with a strong emphasis on the quality of life in the community. It is:

 a community with a unique natural environment preserved and enhanced by careful community
planning;

 a community which reflects high standards in terms of quality of life;

 a caring community with a strong volunteer ethic;

 a community which offers a wide range of opportunities for employment, education, recreation. and
culture”

3.2 Guiding Principles

The 16 principles below are an expansion of the ideas and values contained in Vision 2020.

1. Promote a vision focused on the quality of life for residents and the sustainability of Red
Deer through the use of land use policies, development guidelines and procedures.

2. Effectively manage, in a sustainable manner, issues associated with growth, such as

infrastructure, urban expansion, intensification/ infill, and increased traffic, through sound planning
practices and consultation with citizens.

3. Ensure the efficient use of land for urban purposes by encouraging integration of uses,
increased densities and innovative designs

4. Sustain the natural environment and protect natural systems by paying attention to site
resources (hydrology, terrain, geology, biodiversity of vegetation and wildlife) while providing a
climate for community and economic growth.

5. Promote the conservation of heritage resources as an expression of community identity and

pride and to promote tourism.

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 6. Provide leadership in the promotion of sound land use practices and in building a strong
regional economy in Central Alberta when working with other orders of Government,
neighbouring municipalities and other stakeholders.

7. Foster local economic development and business retention and attract diverse, long-term
economic growth, by a variety of mechanisms including partnerships appropriate to marketing
Red Deer and Central Alberta.

8. Support the development of the Greater Downtown as a vibrant, inclusive and attractive focal
point for the community to access services, live, work, shop and play.

9. Ensure an adequate supply of residential, industrial and commercial areas to serve the
growing needs of the city.

10. Build vibrant, attractive and safe neighbourhoods that provide for a range of housing choices,
access to services, local employment, recreation, and open space.

11. Foster a strong sense of community based upon caring for neighbours, pride in private property
and public spaces, enhancement of the built environment and creating a safe environment through
design, community engagement and protective services.

12. Provide a diversity of connected parks and open spaces that facilitate both active and passive
community activities.

13. Utilize sustainable development and operational practices that promote energy efficiency,
water conservation and the reduction of solid waste and other environmental initiatives.

14. Ensure a balanced, diverse and accessible range of social, education, health, recreation and
cultural opportunities.

15. Create a safe, accessible and effective transportation system that accommodates several
modes of transportation (e.g. auto, transit, pedestrian and bicycle) for travel within and between
neighbourhoods, and other parts of the city.

16. Ensure safe, adequate, sustainable and reliable utility systems, including smart
infrastructure and wired neighbourhoods to meet on-going community needs, while supporting
environmentally sound alternatives.

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 4.0 LAND USE AND FUTURE URBAN GROWTH CONCEPTS

The main purpose of this section is to describe the long term land use patterns and urban form of Red
Deer. It establishes the overall context for the more specific, topic area policies that are contained in each
of the subsequent sections of the plan. The Generalized Land Use Concept map communicates the
general intent and direction for future and long-term land use patterns and ways to accommodate and
manage urban growth. In this manner, it gives a graphic representation of what Red Deer may look like
many years into the future.

Balanced Growth is one of the core underlying concepts for the land use patterns put forward in this Plan. It
relates to the creation of a functional mix of residential and non-residential land uses. This contributes to
balancing The City’s tax base, a significant source of funding for municipal services and programs, and
providing opportunities to live and work in Red Deer. Balanced growth shares many common ideas with the
concepts of sustainable development and smart growth.

In general, sustainable development and smart growth refers to creating communities that are capable of
being sustained far into the future. These communities reflect and balance:

 Fiscal responsibility – the costs of building and maintaining services and infrastructure are
affordable and will not become an undue burden on future generations.

 Social responsibility – diverse communities with accessibility to affordable housing, education,

health care and public amenities for all citizens.

 Environmental responsibility – communities and development designed to minimize air, water and
soil pollution, reduce land consumption and waste, as well as protect natural systems.

 Cultural responsibility – communities and development respect and enhance the cultural capital of
the community in terms of its traditions, values, heritage, sense of place, arts, diversity and social
history

In the recent past, the application of the balanced growth concept has focused on the city-wide balance of
employment related land uses, most notably industrial areas, and major residential areas. Achieving
balance between, and within, the areas north and south of the Red Deer River has been the main goal. In
part this relates to the number of bridges that would be needed to accommodate work related travel. It also
relates to the amenities and services accessible to residents north and south of the river and in general
proximity to their preferred place of residence. In more recent years, the question of balance has been
raised in terms of east-west travel patterns as residents seek to access the QEII Highway and the major
commercial/employment areas.

The completion of the Red Deer Growing Smarter study in 2002 represented a significant review of the way
Red Deer’s residential areas are planned and developed measured against the concepts of balanced
growth, sustainable development and smart growth. The study concluded that there are some areas where
improvement that would move Red Deer closer to the ideal of sustainable development can be made. This
study was used in formulating the proposals of Future Directions: Red Deer at 300,000 - A Growth

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 Strategy, which was adopted by City Council in December 2006. This report, which looks at the physical
form Red Deer may take when it reaches 300,000 people at some point in the future, has taken the
principles of Red Deer Growing Smarter and applied them to future city growth patterns.

Achieving more balanced or smarter growth will take time and effort. The MDP is intended to guide this
achievement over the long-term. This entails:

 Recognizing that Red Deer is part of a dynamic region and interacts with both rural and urban uses
outside of the city limits, including towns, villages and hamlets and designated growth areas such
as Springbrook and Gasoline Alley/Liberty Park.

 Focusing on smaller scale balance with a greater mixture of land uses within each major sector of
Red Deer. This includes providing more employment opportunities, basic commercial services,
social services and uses that encourage people to interact in closer proximity to all residential
areas or incorporated into the residential areas themselves.

 Continuing to acknowledge and plan around the relationship between land use patterns and major
transportation facilities. This involves making the most use of infrastructure investment,
encouraging the use of transit and minimizing or reducing vehicle trips as much as possible.

The Generalized Land Use Concept map identifies the long term land use pattern for the lands within
current boundaries of the city of Red Deer. The land uses identified are based on the predominant or main
type of land use to be located in an area. More specific boundaries and information on the precise land
uses is intended to be provided through area structure plans, area redevelopment plans and the Land Use
Bylaw.

The major land use categories shown on the map are residential, commercial, industrial, open space and
public service. Within each major category there are more defined types or categories of the same land
use. Select sites are identified as mixed use meaning a combination of the major land use type and other
land uses are encouraged within that particular area. The City’s arterial road system and relation to the
Provincial highway system is shown to understand the relation between concentrations of land use and the
need to accommodate the movement of people and goods in the city and environs.

Commercial areas identified on the map represent the areas and locations that major concentrations of
commercial development are considered appropriate as the predominant use. This includes intense
commercial development such as the downtown area, planned town centres and low density commercial
development such as the arterial commercial along Gaetz Avenue. District and neighbourhood commercial
sites, due to their relatively smaller size, are not shown and will be identified in more detailed plans.

Industrial areas reflect both light and heavy industrial and related uses and show the locations where this
type of use is considered appropriate.

Residential areas shown on the map illustrate the location of existing and future neighbourhoods. While
residential uses such as detached homes and multi-attached dwellings will be the main types of use, small

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 scale district and neighbourhood commercial and institutional uses such as schools and religious
assemblies may also be located in these areas.

Public service areas on the map are made up of the major institutions that provide services to Red Deer
and the surrounding region. It includes facilities managed by The City and facilities managed by others
such as the regional hospital and Red Deer College.

Open space areas shown on the map represent the existing and proposed areas that make up the major
elements of Red Deer’s overall open space system. It includes both private recreation areas like golf
courses and public lands managed by The City. Local parks and trail connections are not shown as these
facilities are reflected in more detailed plans.

The location of major opportunities for intensification of development and mixed use are also shown. Mixed
use refers to areas where the main use may be supplemented with other uses such as a mixed use
commercial area that includes higher density residential uses. Major nodes, such as the Greater Downtown
and a town centre in the northeast, also involve a mix of uses. Similarly, the opportunity to increase the
intensity and mix of uses along major urban corridors is identified.

The Generalized Land Use Concept map identifies the Future City Growth Area that has been jointly
identified by The City and the County through the Intermunicipal Development Plan. Broad land use
patterns and major road network for this area will be established through the Major Area Structure Plan to
be jointly prepared by The City and County in accordance with the Intermunicipal Development Plan.

Policies:

4.1 Location of Major The City shall direct future residential, commercial, and industrial land
Land Uses uses and developments to the areas conceptually shown for each of
these major land uses on the Generalized Land Use Concept map.

4.2 Future Growth Areas The City shall seek to protect and gain jurisdiction over the future
growth areas identified in the Intermunicipal Development Plan.

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 5.0 GROWTH MANAGEMENT AND URBAN FORM

Growth management is the process of accommodating changes and growth in the community, while
directing the location and pattern of development. It seeks to ensure that the quality of life in Red Deer is
maintained as the size of the community increases. Growth management is also a tool to ensure that
development occurs in a manner that contributes to, and works towards, making the community’s future
vision a reality. A lack of coordinated growth management can lead to land use conflicts and inefficient
servicing patterns. This, in turn, can affect the ability of The City to provide municipal services in a cost
effective manner and achieve the optimal use of limited funds for capital improvements and upgrades.

Urban form refers to the physical layout and design of Red Deer’s urban environment. It includes issues
such as location of growth, density, street patterns, major transportation routes and systems, major open
space areas and employment centres. Red Deer’s future urban form will reflect the concepts of Future
Directions: Red Deer at 300,000 - A Growth Strategy, as amended by the Intermunicipal Development Plan
to reflect the revised growth areas for The City and Red Deer County, and other City documents all of
which seek to achieve more sustainable development practices.

Goals: Ensure the efficient utilization of lands and infrastructure, while

encouraging a greater mix of uses and socio-economic activities in both
new and established areas.

Identify and secure the land and infrastructure capacity required to meet
future growth needs.

1 Strive to achieve safe and orderly co-existence between oil or gas

development (e.g. wells, pipelines, and processing facilities, even if
suspended or abandoned) and urban development.

Objectives:
(a) Ensure an appropriate supply of land and infrastructure to accommodate future growth;

(b) Encourage growth in locations and patterns that can utilize existing or planned infrastructure
capacity and reduce overall travel demands;

(c) Ensure the provision of an adequate supply of land appropriately located, and serviced for,
residential, industrial and commercial purposes;

(d) Minimize conflicts between efficient urban growth, the preservation of ecologically important natural
areas, and the extraction of natural resources and existing agricultural operations;

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 (e) Encourage a compact and efficient urban form;

(f) Seek opportunities to increase the overall density of the city; and

(g) Work with Red Deer County to implement the Intermunicipal Development Plan.

(h) 1 Prioritize the safety of the public respecting oil or gas development;

(i) 2Minimize nuisance and other land conflict respecting oil or gas development (recognizing that oil
and gas activities may extend beyond oil and gas facilities);

(j) 3 Minimize oil or gas interference with The City’s ability to undertake timely urban growth and
efficiently utilize the land;

(k) 4Encourage communication among all parties involved in or affected by oil or gas development
and urban development; and

(l) 5 Affirm and exercise City authority while recognizing legislated requirements related to oil or gas.
The oil and gas industry is primarily regulated by federal and provincial authorities. However, The
City retains considerable authority to develop policies, bylaws, and regulations directly and
indirectly applicable to the oil and gas industry to achieve safe, orderly, economical, and beneficial
land use.”

Policies:
5.1 Future Growth Area The City shall grow into the City Growth Area in accordance with the
Intermunicipal Development Plan, and the policies of the MDP and
other planning documents.

5.2 Intermunicipal The City shall work with Red Deer County in the implementation of the
Development Plan Intermunicipal Development Plan policies.
Implementation

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 5.3 Growth Study and The City shall monitor the growth of Red Deer and area, update The
Land Supply City of Red Deer Growth Study and take appropriate actions so as to
ensure at a minimum:
 5 year supply of land with major utility services in place; and
 15 year supply of land in approved Major Area Structure Plans;
for residential, industrial and commercial uses.

5.4 Annexation The City shall endeavour to annex all lands shown as City Growth Area
in the Intermunicipal Development Plan by 2017, subject to resolution of
compensation issues, the financial capability of The City and the ability
to meet all statutory and Municipal Government Board requirements
relating to annexation. The form and timing of development within the
annexed areas shall be determined by The City subsequent to the
annexation of the land to The City.

5.5 Related City Policies The City shall identify lands and facilities required for the
implementation of Council approved Plans and Studies, as amended
from time to time, in the appropriate land use planning documents.

5.6 Efficient Utilization of The City shall give priority to the efficient utilization of existing and
Infrastructure planned capacity in utility and transportation infrastructure in
determining appropriate short-term growth directions.

5.7 Contiguous Growth The City should ensure new development is contiguous to the existing
built-up area.

5.8 Protection of The City shall limit the fragmentation of agricultural lands in future
Agricultural Lands growth areas and ensure an orderly progression of development to
minimize land use conflicts with, and allow continuation of, existing
agricultural operations and agricultural use of land, until it is required for
urban development.

5.9 Transportation The City shall seek to reduce travel demands by seeking to locate:
Demand Management  Appropriate employment opportunities in or adjacent existing
and future residential areas;
 New residential areas adjacent to existing and future
employment opportunities;
 Appropriate commercial and community services in proximity to
residential areas.

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 5.10 Redevelopment and The City shall undertake reviews of potential redevelopment and
Intensification intensification opportunities in the established areas, including but not
limited to:
 Greater Downtown
 Gaetz Avenue Corridor
 Michener Centre lands
 Red Deer College area
 Vacant and under-utilized sites in communities

5.11 City Role in Land The City shall maintain its presence in land banking for residential,
Banking commercial and industrial uses and municipal purposes in accordance
with Council’s policies, as amended from time to time.

5.12 Allocation of Costs of The costs of servicing newly developing areas shall be allocated
Growth between The City and Developers in accordance with policies approved
by Council from time to time.

15.13 Oil and Gas Facilities “The City shall endeavour to ensure with respect to oil or gas
development that:
 Appropriate development setbacks are established and
maintained. Development setback requirements from oil or gas
development will meet or exceed provincial or federal minimum
requirements. The City may require Developers to provide
professional risk assessment respecting whether the minimum
setback distance should be increased and measures to
otherwise mitigate risks and land use conflict. The terms of
reference for such study shall be developed in consultation with
The City of Red Deer;
 Developers may be required to submit professional risk
assessment for new development within or adjacent to an
Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) unless the application is
contained within an area structure plan for which a professional
risk assessment was completed;
 Various planning considerations may result in limits or
restrictions on urban development near oil and gas
development or within an EPZ. Risk assessment being among
those planning considerations, particularly respecting sour or
high pressure facilities;
 Urban development in proximity to oil or gas development
should be designed to minimize potential negative impacts to
all stakeholders and to accommodate appropriate access to the
oil or gas development;
 The City reviews all referrals respecting oil or gas development

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 within the city boundary and within the IDP boundary and
reviews sour facilities outside but adjacent to the IDP
boundaries and provides a written response to the referring
party (e.g. licensee);
 The City encourages new oil or gas development to locate
outside the City Growth Area: however, if this is not feasible
The City encourages new and existing oil or gas development
to locate or relocate to minimize the impact on future urban
development (e.g. use existing right-of-way, parallel existing
right-of-way, use surface pads, or relocate oil or gas
development to bypass urban development);
 The impact on future urban development and public safety will
be considered when reviewing a new Emergency Response
Plan (ERP). A written response will be provided to the referring
party or regulator;
 A referring party (e.g. licensee) may be requested to provide a
professional risk assessment to determine the risks associated
with proposed oil or gas development and if mitigation
measures are recommended to mitigate conflict or integrate
with existing and future urban development;
 Abandoned wells shall be located to allow for immediate
access if servicing is required. Buildings and roads shall not be
located over abandoned wells;
 Applications for ASPs, and subdivisions are referred to
identified affected licensees;
 All applications for subdivision or development are referred to
the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) and affected parties in
accord with the Municipal Government Act, the Subdivision and
Development Regulations, and AER policies and directives;
 Developers inform The City of known potential oil or gas
contamination and if it is being remedied. An ESA shall be
completed with any ASP if oil and gas activity is or has been
present. The City shall require professional environmental site
assessment prior to soil stripping or grading. The land is to be
made suitable for its intended use (including
subsurface/infrastructure use) prior to subdivision or
development; and
 The City appropriately uses available regulatory measures
such as Land Use Bylaw amendments, statutory plan
development, transportation and utility corridor dedication,
registrations on land titles and with the AER, and provincial and
federal referral and participation processes to mitigate
anticipated off-site impacts from oil or gas development and to
limit land use conflicts in proximity to oil or gas development.”

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 5.14 New Oil and Gas The City shall monitor proposals for new facilities related to the
Facilities production, collection and distribution of oil and gas in the city and its
proposed growth areas.

5.15 Impact of Oil and Gas The City shall indicate its opposition to proposals for new wells and
Facilities on Urban transmission facilities which will adversely impact the efficient utilization
Development of lands for urban intensity development within the city or within the City
Growth Areas identified in the Intermunicipal Development Plan to the
proponents of the facilities and the Provincial government.

The City shall encourage the clustering of transmission facilities in

locations which minimize their impact on future urban growth patterns.

The City shall require that emergency response plans and emergency
planning zones prepared in accordance to provincial guidelines be
submitted to The City to confirm that the emergency plan,
communication and education components for impacted residents are
adequate.

5.16 Natural Resource The City shall encourage the early identification of areas where natural
Extraction resource extraction should be the primary land use and work with the
appropriate authorities to develop measures to mitigate safety or
nuisance factors associated with the retrieval of that resource.

5.17 Efficiency of Land Use The City should promote intensification of the urban areas by ensuring
its design guidelines and specifications encourage the efficient use of
land.

5.18 Infill Development The City should support infill residential and commercial development
on vacant or underutilized parcels of land in established areas,
particularly along major transit routes.

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 6.0 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM

In order to make Red Deer more economically sustainable, and an attractive place to reside, it is important
to attract and retain business investment, create employment opportunities, and expand the local tax base.
Economic development entails attracting new businesses seeking to enter the regional and provincial
market, as well as providing an environment where existing businesses can thrive and expand. Creating an
attractive community with high quality amenities and services is a vital component in attracting and keeping
the skilled labour force that local businesses, including the tourism sector, require for success.

Goal: To foster local business retention and to attract diverse, long term
economic growth, including tourism, by a partnered approach to marketing
Red Deer and Central Alberta.

Objectives:
(a) Develop and maintain regional partnerships for economic development;

(b) Create a positive and competitive business climate;

(c) Ensure an adequate supply of residential, commercial and industrial land;

(d) Evaluate regional market opportunities for innovation and diversification in Red Deer’s economy;

(e) Advocate investment in education and training programs to promote a local skilled labour force;

(f) Promote Red Deer’s assets and high quality of life to increase the attractiveness of Red Deer as a
tourism destination and place to live and work; and

(g) Increase tourism visitation through co-operative marketing, heritage preservation and the
development and enhancement of tourism and cultural attractions, parks, services and
infrastructure.

Policies:
6.1 Adequate Land The City shall ensure an adequate supply of serviced industrial,
Supply and commercial and residential land by annexing additional lands in
Infrastructure accordance with the proposals of the Intermunicipal Development Plan
and designating lands for these purposes in the MDP and through
more detailed area structure plans.

6.2 Creating a Positive The City should foster a competitive business climate through policies
Business and actions that help maintain competitive operating costs and
Environment streamline approval processes and timelines.

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 6.3 Economic The City should pursue opportunities to diversify the local and regional
Diversification economic base by promoting and attracting value-added industries.

6.4 Maintaining a Skilled The City should support attracting a local skilled labour force to meet
Labour Force the expanding needs of industry and commerce by:
 Maintaining a good quality of life with such things as parks and
open spaces; recreation, and cultural opportunities; affordable
housing and other community amenities and
 Encouraging Red Deer College and other educational
institutions to provide necessary education and training.

6.5 Development The City should continue to work with the Red Deer Regional Airport
Opportunities at the Authority and Red Deer County to enhance air services, aviation
Red Deer Regional related development and commercial and industrial development
Airport opportunities at the Red Deer Regional Airport.

6.6 Marketing and Image- The City should continue to work with stakeholders, such as the
Building Central Alberta Economic Partnership (CAEP), Red Deer Regional
Economic Development (RDRED), Tourism Red Deer, and the Red
Deer Chamber of Commerce, in promoting business and tourism
development for Red Deer.

6.7 Tourism Development The City should aim to increase tourism visitation through promotions,
development and enhancement of local tourism products (e.g. local
history and culture), services and infrastructure.

6.8 Community Economic The City should pursue community economic development, which
Development emphasizes community self-reliance and fosters growth from within the
community, with emphasis on nurturing small business, supporting
skills training, and entrepreneurship.

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 7.0 URBAN DESIGN

Urban design deals with the layout and visual quality of the built environment. High quality urban design
can enhance the distinctiveness of parts of the community and promote social objectives such as creating a
strong sense of place and belonging and interaction amongst community members. It creates character
and interest through such elements as the design of public parks, attractive streetscapes, and the
contribution of individual buildings towards creating attractive outdoor spaces. Urban design can also
influence the safety of the urban environment through the establishment of highly visible and lively spaces.

Goals: To create a physical environment that is attractive, safe, functional, vibrant

and a source of community pride, where residents and visitors experience a
strong sense of place.

1To design neighbourhoods focused on the human scale while maintaining a

high level of attractiveness. Site design and architecture goes beyond
function and addresses creativity, aesthetics and form.

Objectives:
(a) Promote a high quality of architecture and urban design in commercial, industrial, institutional and
residential development;

(b) Support and encourage innovative neighbourhood and building designs; and

(c) Ensure public spaces are designed to encourage their use, while ensuring community safety.

Policies:
7.1 Requirements for In addition to the Neighbourhood and Industrial Area Planning
Design Guidelines Guidelines & Standards, The City should prepare and adopt design
guidelines for areas with special characteristics, opportunities and
problems to exercise greater design controls. Areas where design
guidelines may be needed could include older neighbourhoods
experiencing development pressures, the Gaetz Avenue Corridor, QE
II Highway, and major entries and gateways to the city and Downtown.

7.2 Promoting Downtown The City shall support the ongoing redevelopment and revitalization of
as a Central Focal the Greater Downtown and encourage high quality urban design that
Point emphasizes and reinforces the importance of the downtown to the
overall urban fabric of Red Deer.

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 7.3 Promoting the The City shall promote the development of town centres in strategic
Development of Town locations on the transit network, as indicated on the Generalized Land
Centres Use Concept map, as mixed use focal points with higher density
housing, schools, institutional uses and other community facilities,
including appropriate commercial uses.

7.4 Promote Urban The City shall promote urban design that encourages pedestrian
Design That accessibility by providing functional and attractive pedestrian linkages
Encourages connecting:
Pedestrian  residential neighbourhoods with the trails system and adjacent
Accessibility community services and
 commercial developments with the public sidewalk system.

7.5 Physical Accessibility The City should investigate incentives and policy options to ensure that
of Public and Private facilities that serve the public are physically accessible to all sectors of
Facilities the population.

7.6 Encouraging Transit The City shall encourage Transit Oriented Development by promoting
Oriented Development higher density development in proximity to transit stops and along
(TOD) transit corridors, managing parking to encourage walking and transit
use, making appropriate provision for both vehicular and pedestrian
circulation and creating a sense of place.

17.7 Innovative The City shall encourage innovative neighbourhood designs that
Neighbourhood respond to environmental, economic, demographic and market
Designs conditions; and align with the goals, objectives and policies in this
Plan. Neighbourhood design shall consider the relationship between
the built form and human environment including but not limited to:
scale, type of streets, blocks, and buildings.

7.8 Crime Prevention The City should use Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
Through (CPTED) as one of the considerations in the design of developments
Environmental Design to avoid the creation of areas hidden from view and isolated spaces,
(CPTED) as well as provide clear sightlines, sufficient lighting and promote
natural surveillance.

7.9 Major Urban Corridor The City shall undertake urban design studies of the private and public
Urban Design Studies lands along the major urban corridors shown, on the Generalized Land
Use Concept map, to more precisely determine the future form and
role of these areas. The studies shall address, among other relevant
items:
 The mix and intensification of land uses and development,
including residential uses;

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  Building form, style, orientation, massing and placement;
 Views, vistas, open space and streetscape treatments; and
 Improved access for all modes of transportation, including the
ability to function as a key public transit corridor.

These studies shall establish the planning framework for use as the
basis for area redevelopment plans and for the evaluation of private
development proposals and public improvements along the corridors.

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 8.0 HERITAGE CONSERVATION

Heritage conservation helps provide links between present day life and past events in the creation and
evolution of a community. Retaining physical evidence of Red Deer’s past is part of instilling a sense of
community and belonging. This includes historic buildings reflecting past practices in architecture and
craftsmanship, such as the Old Court House, and landscape features that have cultural significance.
Heritage conservation is also about respecting the past and the efforts of earlier generations in making Red
Deer the beautiful and attractive community it is today.

Goal: To preserve and interpret heritage resources as an expression of

community identity and pride, and to provide tools and practices whereby
identified resources may be preserved.

Objectives:
(a) Conserve and retain resources such as buildings of historic or architectural significance;

(b) Recognize the importance of Red Deer’s heritage in creating a unique sense of place and strategic
advantage;

(c) Promote heritage conservation to foster community identity; and

(d) Ensure compatible development with, and adaptive reuse of, heritage resources and properties.

Policies:
8.1 Heritage Management The City shall maintain and implement a Heritage Management Plan to
Plan provide a strategy for ensuring Red Deer’s heritage resources and
sites are protected well into the future and to compliment other City
initiatives.

8.2 Heritage Conservation The City shall continue to implement policies for achieving heritage
conservation, utilizing such tools as The City of Red Deer Greater
Downtown Action Plan, the Land Use Bylaw, Heritage Management
Plan and an inventory of historical, architectural and culturally
significant resources and, where appropriate, shall consider the
protection of these resources with municipal and/or provincial historic
designation.

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 8.3 Community The City shall continue to promote community awareness about the
Awareness importance and value of heritage conservation through heritage
interpretation programs like the plaque program and fostering
cooperation with other orders of government, private agencies, non-
profit groups and individuals in the conservation of heritage resources.

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 9.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT

Environmental and ecological management and the development of Red Deer as an environmentally
sustainable and responsible community is a priority. Preservation of significant natural features is an
important contributor to the high quality of life enjoyed by Red Deer residents. Integrating these features
into the open space system helps create an attractive and desirable community. It reinforces the
interrelationships and linkages between urban dwellers, their surroundings and the natural systems that
residents depend upon.

Environmental and ecological management also entails consideration of how urban development can
impact environmental and ecological systems. Efficient use of land, reduction of air pollution, protecting
water quality, management and enhancement of open space natural features (natural capital), and efficient
use of resources are important elements in Red Deer’s efforts to be environmentally sustainable.

Environmental and ecological management also considers a variety of environmental sustainability

initiatives and trends in land development that is both current and emerging nationwide. These include
programs such as measuring the ecological footprint of growth and development.

Goals: To preserve and integrate significant natural areas into the open space
system.

To foster the creation and maintenance of attractive, clean and ecologically

responsible natural and built environments.

To recognize and promote environmental sustainability initiatives and

trends in land development.

Objectives:
(a) Promote environmental sustainability principles in land use planning decisions and development
practices;

(b) Recognize the value and contribution that natural areas and functions make towards quality of life
in an urban setting;

(c) Wherever possible, conserve and incorporate environmentally significant features into the open
space, utility and transportation systems;

(d) Support environmental and ecological management programs and procedures that facilitate the
maintenance of attractive, clean and ecologically responsible natural and built environments;

(e) Support initiatives that increase awareness and public involvement in environmental management
and conservation; and

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 (f) Investigate and incorporate, where appropriate, environmental sustainability initiatives and trends
in land development.

Policies:
9.1 Ecological Profiles The City shall continue to use the Natural Area/Ecospace
and Conservation Classification and Prioritization System as one of the key elements
in land use planning for Red Deer as it pertains to:
 significant natural features – decisions on how to treat
these features shall be made in more detailed plans,
 working with Red Deer County, Lacombe County and other
interested parties in creating and implementing a regional
approach to the conservation of key natural areas and
functions,
 expanding the Natural Area/Ecospace Classification and
Prioritization System to identify continuous wildlife corridors
and key wildlife habitat and greenways in and around Red
Deer that should be protected as growth and development
occurs, and
 the timing of conservation planning and efforts – ensure
that planning efforts to conserve natural features in and
around Red Deer are initiated in advance of urban
expansion or development of the surrounding lands.

9.2 Environmental Through the subdivision process, The City shall require that lands
Reserve Dedication of considered unsuitable for development (e.g. due to steep slopes or
Lands Unsuitable for being subject to flooding or consisting of a natural drainage course
Development or wetland) are dedicated as environmental reserve in accordance
with the provisions of the Municipal Government Act.

9.3 Environmental When lands adjacent to water bodies or water courses are
Reserve Dedication of subdivided, a strip of land shall be dedicated as environmental
Lands Adjacent Water reserve to provide a buffer and provide public access. The width of
Bodies and Water the required dedication shall be established by the Subdivision
Courses Authority.

9.4 Use of Environmental Lands dedicated as environmental reserve shall remain in their
Reserve natural state and/or be used as part of the public park and trail
system. Major municipal infrastructure may cross environmental
reserve lands in the least intrusive manner possible by minimizing
the impact of the crossing and taking into consideration sensitive
environmental features in the vicinity of the crossing.

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 9.5 Environmental Notwithstanding Policy 9.2 and Policy 9.3, The City may use an
Reserve Easements environmental reserve easement in place of the dedication of an
environmental reserve parcel where public access is not desirable.
The Neighbourhood Area Structure Plan shall identify which
approach is to be used.

9.6 Conservation Tools In addition to environmental reserve dedication, The City should
use tools such as land purchase, land swaps, tax incentives,
reserve dedication, leasing and conservation agreements or
easements, and other similar mechanisms as a means of
conserving natural features both within, and in the areas
surrounding, Red Deer.

9.7 Green Infrastructure The City should incorporate significant natural features as part of
the overall infrastructure systems. This should include using
existing wetlands as storm water management facilities and
planting and preserving shrubs and trees to improve air quality.

9.8 Ecological The City shall develop and refine an ecological management
Management System system that is incorporated into a citywide geographic information
system (GIS) to help plan for, manage and establish the values of
natural capital features with a view towards:
 providing an integrated and sustainable approach to
manage ecological features in established and new growth
areas, and
 developing tools to better analyze information such as
natural habitat features in areas of projected growth.

9.9 Urban Forestry The City shall structure its urban forestry initiatives to ensure that it
continues to play a significant role in the future landscape and form
of the urban forest in new land developments. The City shall
require:
 landscaping and/or revegetation of open spaces, including
natural areas, formal parks and boulevards,
 adequate tree protection in planted and natural areas in
new open space developments, and
 Incorporation of wildfire management practices within
natural areas and management of the risk to adjacent
areas used for human habitation and activity in accordance
with the wildfire management plan.

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 9.10 Integrated Pest The City shall enhance its integrated pest management (IPM)
Management program to help reduce the use and reliance on pesticides,
fertilizers and other chemicals. This approach shall be encouraged
in public and private developments as the city expands in new
growth areas, helping to create a healthier environment.

9.11 Environmental The City should establish a stewardship program to, among other
Education and things, provide education, promote awareness and encourage
Awareness Initiatives residents to value biodiversity, plant native vegetation, naturalize
and Partnerships their property and assist in monitoring the health of the city’s natural
areas (e.g. invasive plants).

9.12 Environmental The City should investigate and incorporate environmental

Sustainability sustainability initiatives and trends such as eco-friendly retrofit
Initiatives and Trends building programs to help ensure long-term land use and
sustainable development in Red Deer.

9.13 City Owned Buildings The City shall develop a policy regarding the environmental
standards (e.g. LEED) which future buildings constructed or
renovated for City use shall be required to achieve.

9.14 Air Quality The City shall promote efforts to improve air quality and may work
with other stakeholders to monitor air quality and establish
stewardship programs that promote improved air quality.

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 10.0 HOUSING AND NEIGHBOURHOOD DESIGN

Neighbourhoods are living entities which undergo demographic, social, economic and physical change over
time. These changes include such things as altering preferences and needs in housing and changing views
on the types of uses that should be within or close to the neighbourhood. Neighbourhoods experience life
cycle effects such as population gain, peak and loss. More sustainable neighbourhoods are those that are
able to adapt over time, due in large part, to the variety of housing types that are available. The Red Deer
Growing Smarter Study suggests several ways to make Red Deer’s future neighbourhoods inclusive and
more sustainable. It recognizes that strong, well designed and sustainable neighbourhoods are a critical
building block in making Red Deer a more sustainable city overall.

Goals: To facilitate the creation of inclusive neighbourhoods, containing a range

of housing options and related compatible uses, supporting the needs and
preferences of a variety of household types and income levels.

1To facilitate the design of neighbourhoods that can adapt to global and
local trends including an aging demographic, intensifying climate change,
economics, local growth projections and traditional neighbourhood
lifecycle.

Objectives:
(a) Promote the establishment of neighbourhoods that are designed based on the principles of social,
environmental and economic sustainability through implementation of the Red Deer Growing
Smarter Study;

(b) Provide for a mix of housing types to meet a variety of lifestyles, special needs, life cycle demands
and market preferences;

(c) Encourage re-investment and infill in older neighbourhoods;

(d) Promote the creation of affordable housing and housing for special needs; and

(e) Promote the efficient utilization of land by achieving increased residential densities

(f) 2Encourage neighbourhood design that accommodates a variety of future uses that will allow
buildings, public spaces and neighbourhood amenities to be converted, salvaged or reused.

1 3404/A-2013
2 3404/A-2013

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 (g) 1To build community resiliency, neighbourhood design should consider climate change adaptation
including, but not limited to, the impacts of predicted changes in temperature, precipitation, and
increase in the frequency of severe weather events.

Policies:
10.1 Neighbourhood The City shall continue to use the Neighbourhood Planning
Planning Guidelines Guidelines and Standards, as amended from time to time, to
and Standards provide detailed guidance on the creation of sustainable
neighbourhoods. These guidelines and standards shall be
reviewed on an ongoing basis in consultation with all stakeholders
such as the Canadian Home Builders Association – Central
Alberta, and Urban Development Institute – Red Deer Chapter,
and school authorities when appropriate.

210.2 Residential Density The residential density for new neighbourhoods shall be a
for New minimum of 17.0 dwelling units per net developable hectare.
Neighbourhoods Encourage higher densities to encourage transit oriented
development (TOD) at trail, street and arterial nodes, as well as
commercial and amenity areas.

10.3 Housing Mix The City shall continue to require a mix of housing types and
forms in all residential neighbourhoods. The Neighbourhood
Planning Guidelines and Standards shall provide direction on the
mix of housing within new neighbourhoods. This mix shall identify
targets for each major type of housing and ways to avoid
excessive concentration of any single type of housing.

10.4 Housing Forms The City shall encourage the creation of a wide variety of housing
forms. This may include dwelling units in combination with
compatible non-residential uses, live-work units and secondary
suites.

10.5 Innovative Housing The City shall encourage innovative or alternative forms of
Forms housing which broaden the range of housing choice, as well as
address the issues of affordability consistent with the policies of
this Plan.

1 3404/A-2013
2 3404/A-2015

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 10.6 Affordable Housing The City shall partner with other orders of government and
and Special Needs private, public and non-profit organizations in the creation of
Housing affordable housing and special needs housing as described in the
Community Housing Plan, as amended from time to time. For this
purpose, affordable housing shall be defined as dwelling units that
are designed to be both adequate in meeting the size and safety
needs of individuals and families, and affordable to households
with income at or below Red Deer’s median income, without
spending more than 30% of their income on housing.

10.7 Inclusion of Non- The design of new neighbourhoods shall be encouraged to

residential Land Uses include compatible non-residential uses, such as local commercial
services that serve the needs of area residents, to help create
neighbourhood identity and bring basic services closer to
residents.

10.8 Home Occupations The City shall support the development of home occupations and
bed and breakfast establishments in residential neighbourhoods
as a secondary use of a dwelling unit where compatible with
residential uses, and in accordance with City policy.

10.9 Infill and Intensification shall be encouraged in established neighbourhoods

Intensification in through residential and mixed use infill projects where there is
Established adequate capacity in major municipal infrastructure and in
Neighbourhoods accordance with the infill guidelines referred to in Policy 10.10,
unless otherwise determined through an approved area structure
plan or area redevelopment plan.

10.10 Infill Planning The City shall prepare and maintain planning guidelines and
Guidelines and standards for infill development with the intent of ensuring that
Standards infill development and intensification of established areas occurs
in an appropriate manner.

110.11 Neighbourhood Neighbourhood design considers the full lifecycle of a

Resilience neighbourhood including consideration of building and public
realm and how they will transition based on resident's needs.
Neighbourhood design will achieve economic sustainability
through innovative design solutions.

1 3404/A-2013

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May 2008
 11.0 GREATER DOWNTOWN

Greater Downtown Red Deer functions as the business, administrative and cultural centre of Red Deer. It is
a mixed use area that includes commercial, industrial and residential uses. A significant amount of Red
Deer’s total number of jobs is located within this area along with many services. Greater Downtown is an
important element of Red Deer’s image in the eyes of residents, investors and visitors. Its vitality and health
is a reflection on the city as a whole. Diversity, intense development and linkages to other parts of the
community are key elements in revitalizing and maintaining a strong and vibrant city core. Continuing
efforts and support are needed to make Red Deer’s Greater Downtown a source of pride and major focal
point of community activity.

Goal: Continued growth and intensification of Greater Downtown Red Deer as an

active, mixed use centre that acts as a focal point for the community and is
an inclusive and attractive place to shop, work, live and play.

Objectives:
(a) Continue to implement The City of Red Deer Greater Downtown Action Plan, the Riverlands Area
Redevelopment Plan, and the Riverlands Community Plan;

(b) Reinforce the Downtown core as the civic business, administrative, social services and cultural
centre of the city;

(c) Continue to promote and encourage higher-density residential development in or near the
downtown;

(d) Revitalize and maintain an active downtown by promoting diversity, intensity and linked
development; and

(e) Develop and implement strong economic development strategies to support business retention and
the attraction of new businesses.

Policies:
11.1 Role of Downtown The City shall support the ongoing redevelopment and revitalization of
the Greater Downtown as the centre and heart of the city and region
and as a unique mixed use area for administrative, civic, retail, office,
residential, institutional, and cultural and entertainment facilities. In
acting on this policy, The City acknowledges that Greater Downtown
provides opportunities to accommodate a variety of social and cultural
services and facilities that can serve the needs of the community and
provision should be made to accommodate such activities in suitable
locations.

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 11.2 Implementation of City The City shall encourage investment and attract residents and tourists
of Red Deer Greater by marketing the Greater Downtown as the heart of Red Deer and
Downtown Action continuing to implement The City of Red Deer Greater Downtown
Plan Action Plan.

11.3 Location of Office The City shall continue to promote Greater Downtown Red Deer as the
Development primary location for office space, subject to policy 12.6, including
actively encouraging other orders of government to regard Greater
Downtown as the focus of their activities.

11.4 Infill and The City shall continue to promote opportunities for infill and
Intensification intensification within the Greater Downtown in order to facilitate a
Opportunities mixed use and compact urban form; utilize existing infrastructure
efficiently and increase the range of services and amenities available
to workers, residents and visitors in the Greater Downtown area.

11.5 Downtown Housing The City shall support the development of higher density housing in or
Strategy near the Greater Downtown area, including the conversion of
commercial and industrial uses to residential uses where appropriate.
As part of this strategy, services that meet the day-to-day needs of
residents (e.g. grocery stores) and support more intense residential
use shall be promoted in the Greater Downtown area.

11.6 Promoting a Safe The City shall promote a safe and inviting environment in Greater
Environment Downtown using a variety of techniques including; Crime Prevention
Through Environmental Design (CPTED); and joint action plans
involving businesses and social and law enforcement agencies.

11.7 Riverfront The City shall support better integration of development and
Development pedestrian access to the Red Deer River’s edge in Greater Downtown.

11.8 Business The City shall continue to work with, and support, the Business
Revitalization Zone Revitalization Zone to:
 promote the zone as a mixed use area;
 improve and maintain public parking;
 improve, beautify and maintain property in the zone;
 promote the Greater Downtown as a unique shopping
experience through the development of effective marketing
techniques; and
 develop strong economic development strategies to support
business retention and the attraction of new businesses.

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 11.9 Mixed Use The City shall encourage mixed use development in the Greater
Development – Nature Downtown area that includes complementary land uses such as
of Residential community, cultural, recreational, entertainment, public uses and
Environment residential. In acting on this policy, The City and residents shall
recognize that residential uses in the Greater Downtown area may be
subjected to more noise and traffic than is typically considered
acceptable in a predominantly residential area, and that this is one of
the trade-offs associated with creating residential opportunities in the
downtown area.

11.10 Downtown Access The City shall plan for, and provide multiple means of, moving through
and within Greater Downtown and provide multiple means of
accessing Greater Downtown from the rest of the city using walking,
cycling, public transit and private vehicles.

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May 2008
 12.0 COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Commercial development serves many purposes and is a vital component of Red Deer. It provides local
and regional goods and services, acts as employment areas and contributes to the health and vitality of the
local economy. Concepts for commercial development evolve and there are a variety of forms that may
occur in Red Deer. Local convenience stores, plazas, malls, large format retailers and power centres are
among the types of commercial development possible.

Goal: Support a vibrant and cohesive commercial sector that supports both local
residents and the regional market.

Objectives:
(a) Identify locations and policies for long term commercial development;

(b) Ensure the quality and aesthetics of development along major commercial corridors;

(c) Recognize emerging trends in retailing and commercial land use, including the creation of mixed
use town centres where appropriate;

(d) Promote commercial development that generates opportunities for local employment; and

(e) Allow opportunities for home occupations and bed and breakfast establishments.

Policies:
12.1 Commercial Planning The City shall create and apply planning guidelines and standards for
Guidelines and all forms of commercial development covering issues of siting and
Standards design of buildings, landscaping and screening (of buildings and
refuse containers, for example), parking, vehicle and pedestrian
circulation, signage and intensity of development, mixing with
residential uses and other matters as deemed appropriate by The
City.

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 12.2 Hierarchy of The City shall employ a hierarchy of commercial development and
Commercial Places places as follows:
1. Greater Downtown – consisting of commercial uses,
residential uses, mixed uses and other uses developed at
relatively high density and serving the city and region as the
dominant commercial centre;
2. Town centres – consisting of commercial, residential and
mixed uses developed in the form of a dense node and
serving a large sector of the city and region;
3. Arterial commercial – consisting of mainly vehicle oriented
commercial uses developed at relatively low density and
serving the city and region;
4. District commercial – consisting of commercial uses and
serving several neighbourhoods; and
5. Neighbourhood commercial – consisting of small scale
commercial uses and serving one or two neighbourhoods.
The City shall review and update the commercial zones and
regulations in the Land Use Bylaw to reflect this hierarchy.

12.3 Location of The City shall direct future major commercial development, in the
Commercial form of greater downtown commercial, town centres and arterial
Development commercial, to the areas conceptually shown for commercial land
uses on the Generalised Land Use Concept map. District and
neighbourhood commercial may be included in residential areas
shown on the map and locations shall be identified in Major Area
Structure Plans.

12.4 Location of Office The City shall continue to promote Greater Downtown as the primary
Development – location for office space, including actively encouraging other orders
Downtown of government to regard Greater Downtown as the focus of their
activities.

12.5 Town Centres The City shall promote town centres as shown on the Generalized
Land Use Concept map. These town centres, located strategically at
major transportation nodes, are envisioned to be large scale mixed
use focal points serving a large sector of the city and region in the
midst of significant surrounding and integrated residential
development. These town centres shall have significant amounts of
higher density housing and commercial development, shall have
strong pedestrian oriented streetscape elements, and shall be well
served by public transit. They may also include mixed use
commercial/residential buildings, institutional uses and community
elements such as gathering places.

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 12.6 Location of Office Notwithstanding policy 11.3 and policy 12.4, office space/use shall be
Development – allowed outside of the Greater Downtown in the town centres as
Planned Major Nodes shown on the Generalized Land Use Concept map subject to the
following:
(a) The maximum amount of office space which may be allowed
in each town centre shall be 125,000 square feet of gross
leasable area;
(b) Office use shall be limited to a total of four floors in any single
building; and
(c) The floor area of office use within any single building shall not
exceed 50,000 square feet of gross leasable area.

12.7 Location of District The City should support the development of neighbourhood
and Neighbourhood convenience commercial sites in select locations on major arterial and
Convenience collector streets. Care shall be taken to choose sites which will
Commercial Sites minimize land use conflicts with nearby residential properties but at
the same time, provide convenient access to neighbourhood patrons.

12.8 Gaetz Avenue and 67 The Gaetz Avenue commercial corridor shall be the primary arterial
Street Commercial commercial area within the city and the 67 Street commercial corridor
Corridors shall be a secondary arterial commercial area. In the areas shown on
the Generalized Land Use Concept map as a major urban corridor,
opportunities for intensification of land use, mixed use development
and improvements to make these corridors more pedestrian friendly
and transit oriented should be promoted and encouraged.

12.9 Quality of Arterial The City shall ensure, through performance standards contained in
Commercial the Land Use Bylaw, that the landscaping, siting, form and unified
Development architectural treatment of arterial commercial development, such as
along Gaetz Avenue and the QE II Highway, improves the visual
quality of the arterial roadway. Parking and loading and storage areas
shall be paved, screened and provided with signage where
appropriate.

12.10 Revitalization of Older The City should encourage the revitalization and adaptive reuse of
Commercial Centres underutilized or vacant commercial centres for future mixed use
developments.

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May 2008
 13.0 INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT

Land for industrial development opportunities, in locations that meet the needs of a broad range of
industrial activities, is a vital part of overall city planning. Industrial uses and locations serve as major
employment areas, contribute to the standard of living enjoyed by residents and supplement the residential
tax base to fund services provided to residents. Successful industrial areas rely on ready access to regional
and provincial transportation infrastructure, support services, and skilled labour. Locations for a range of
industrial activities should be free of potential constraints so as to not hinder future industrial expansion.
The ability to expand Red Deer’s industrial land base is key to the community’s long-term economic
success and sustainability.

Goal: To ensure that there is sufficient, suitably located and serviced industrial
land available to attract and facilitate a wide range of industrial
development in the future.

Objectives:
(a) Maintain an adequate supply of serviced industrial lots;

(b) In locating new industrial and residential areas, seek opportunities to reduce the journey to work for
Red Deer residents; and

(c) Avoid and/or mitigate conflict between industrial uses and other land uses.

Policies:
13.1 Location of Industrial The City shall direct industrial development to areas designated for this
Land Uses purpose on the Generalized Land Use Concept map.

13.2 Maintaining an The City should maintain and/or facilitate an adequate inventory of
Adequate Supply of serviced industrial sites of various lot sizes and type (light and heavy)
Industrial Land to meet the needs of business and industry.

13.3 Development The City’s Land Use Bylaw and Industrial Area Planning Guidelines
Standards and Standards shall contain development standards for industrial sites,
including siting and design of buildings, landscaping and screening of
storage and parking areas, signage and intensity of development,
while recognizing the industrial nature of these areas.

13.4 Land Use The City, through provisions in the Land Use Bylaw and other planning
Compatibility with documents, shall ensure that appropriate separation distances and
Industrial transition between industrial and non-industrial uses are maintained.
Development

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May 2008
 13.5 Planning of Industrial The City shall prepare area structure plans for future industrial areas
Areas which incorporate strategies relating to utility services, environmental
preservation and innovative land use patterns/concepts such as eco-
industrial parks.

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May 2008
 14.0 PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURE

Red Deer’s parks and open space system is a highly valued aspect of the city. The recreational and cultural
opportunities provided in the city contribute greatly to the satisfaction of residents. Individuals and groups
are able to pursue a wide range of activities based on their differing interests and abilities. Major open
space, recreation and cultural facilities foster and encourage interaction among community members, as
well as providing venues for individual development. Health and wellness in an urban setting can be
significantly influenced through the provision of easily accessible recreation and cultural experiences in
both indoor and outdoor settings. Planning for, and expanding, these necessities and amenities is part of
ensuring that Red Deer remains a community offering a high quality of life.

Goal: To create an integrated, accessible and well-planned system of open space,

recreational and cultural facilities and parks that supports a broad range of
recreation and cultural opportunities catering to diverse age groups,
income levels and skill levels.

Objectives:
(a) Provide and expand open spaces and park areas that are functional, protect natural areas and are
effective in satisfying the needs of residents and visitors to Red Deer;

(b) Ensure a continuous system of pathways with linkages to parks and natural areas as Red Deer
grows;

(c) Encourage sharing and multiple use of parks and open space areas among a variety of user
groups and activities;

(d) Provide or support the provision of a range of recreation and culture facilities that reflects the
variety of recreational and cultural pursuits and interests for Red Deer residents and visitors; and

(e) Encourage the provision of safe, convenient pedestrian connections to open space and
recreational activities from neighbouring uses.

Policies:
14.1 Neighbourhood The City shall continue to use the Neighbourhood Planning
Planning Guidelines Guidelines and Standards, as amended from time to time, to
and Standards provide detailed guidance on the creation of parks and open space
areas as new residential areas are planned and developed.

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May 2008
 14.2 Planning for The City shall continue to use the Facilities and Open Space Action
Recreation and Plan and the Red Deer Community Culture Master Plan, as
Culture Facilities amended from time to time, to provide detailed guidance on the
creation of recreation and culture facilities serving existing residents
and future residents as the city grows.

14.3 Trail and Pathways Trails and pathways shall be designed and constructed in
accordance with the direction provided through the Trails Master
Plan, as amended from time to time.

14.4 Open Space As new areas are planned and developed, The City shall ensure
Connections the design of the parks and open space system provides:
 linkages to the major open space, including along the Red
Deer River and its tributaries,
 linear corridors and pedestrian connections within and
between neighbourhoods; and
 consideration of continuous wildlife corridors and key
wildlife habitat as identified in the Natural Area/Ecospace
Classification Prioritization System referred to in Policy 9.1.

14.5 Variety of Types of The City shall ensure that a wide variety of park types are
Parks incorporated into the design of new areas, based on opportunities
and the wants and needs of the community.

14.6 School Sites and Joint The City shall work with school authorities in the planning and
Use Sites location of school sites and joint use sites. Joint use of these sites
between the City, School Authorities and community organizations
shall be encouraged and pursued wherever practical.

14.7 Arts and Culture When planning parks and outdoor public spaces, The City shall
investigate opportunities to create and include performance/display
space or activity space for arts and culture events.

14.8 Gathering Spaces In conjunction with streetscapes and other public realm areas,
parks and open space shall be designed to be easily accessible to
pedestrians and create opportunities for area residents to gather
and interact wherever possible.

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May 2008
 14.9 Amount of Reserve The City shall require 10 percent of the total parcel being
Dedication subdivided less any land dedicated as environmental reserve to be
dedicated as Reserve (municipal reserve, school reserve and/or
municipal and school reserve) in accordance with the provisions of
the Municipal Government Act. The City shall encourage dedication
of Reserve above 10 percent where the additional dedication
supports the provision of recreation sites and preservation of
natural areas that do not meet the definition of environmental
reserve.

14.10 Form of Reserve In residential areas, Reserve dedication shall be provided in the
Dedication form of land. In non-residential areas it may be provided in the form
of land, cash-in-lieu or a combination of land and cash-in-lieu as
determined by the Subdivision Authority.

14.11 Allocation of Reserve Reserve lands shall be allocated between City and school authority
purposes in conformance with the Reserve Agreement between
The City and the School Authorities, as amended from time to time.

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May 2008
 15.0 COMMUNITY SERVICES

Community services encompass a broad range of protective and support services provided to the whole
community, neighbourhoods and individuals. These services help make Red Deer a safe community in
which to live and work and create an environment where all residents have the opportunity to enjoy a high
quality of life. A key focus is to ensure that individuals, families and communities in need are able to access
a range of support services and that all community members are able to participate in and feel part of the
larger Red Deer community. Related to this is the physical environment’s ability to encourage interaction
through formal and informal contact with neighbours and other community members.

Goal: To build a safe, healthy and inclusive community through the provision of a
variety of community services and sustainable neighbourhoods.

Objectives:
(a) Ensure opportunities are available for all residents to enjoy a high quality of life and participate in
the community;

(b) Support the ability to develop an adequate range of social gathering spaces and social service
facilities to meet the needs of the community;

(c) Facilitate the planning and delivery of social programs that support and enhance individuals,
families, neighbourhoods and the community; and

(d) Provide residents with a safe living environment through the effective provision of protective and
emergency services.

Policies:
15.1 Emergency Services The City shall continue to provide emergency services, either
directly or in cooperation with service providers, based on the
Emergency Services Master Plan and the Emergency Services
Review, as amended from time to time.

15.2 Protective Services The City shall continue to provide protective services, either directly
or in cooperation with the community and service providers, based
on the Crime Prevention and Policing Strategy, as amended from
time to time.

15.3 Crime Prevention The City shall promote crime prevention through strategies such as
community education and the use of crime prevention through
environmental design (CPTED) principles in site planning for
private and public properties and neighbourhood design, as a
means of enhancing security and safety in the community.

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May 2008
 15.4 Location of Social The City shall develop land use plans and policies to accommodate
Service Facilities the development of facilities that house social services and
programs within the community.

15.5 Red Deer Regional Uses and development near and adjacent the hospital should be
Hospital managed to avoid the creation of conflicts with the hospital or to
place limitations on future operations and expansion of the existing
hospital.

15.6 Inclusive Community The City shall promote and favour building forms, site layouts and
– Social Interaction neighbourhood designs that facilitate a high degree of social
interaction possibilities among residents. This includes establishing
formal and informal gathering spaces through such concepts as
pedestrian friendly streetscapes and through amenities such as
community gardens.

15.7 Inclusive Community The City shall continue to work with community agencies in the
– Programs and provision of social and support services to Red Deer residents. This
Initiatives includes coordinating and facilitating the provision of preventative
social services to meet the community’s needs.

15.8 Inclusive Community The City shall work with community associations in exploring ways
– Community that strong and active community associations may foster a greater
Associations sense of belonging and ways to increase interaction among
neighbourhood residents. To achieve this, The City should ensure
that every neighbourhood contains a space suitable for community
gatherings and interaction.

15.9 Social Impact The City shall recognize that development and land use may
Assessment impact the health and social well-being of a community. To
understand these impacts, The City may either undertake or require
social impact assessments on plans for new areas and
development proposals.

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May 2008
 16.0 TRANSPORTATION

Facilities related to travel within, and through, Red Deer occupy a considerable amount of land and
represent a significant investment of public resources. Ensuring the efficient movement of people and
goods to various parts of Red Deer is a key planning consideration. It is important to recognize and seek
balance between the implications land use patterns have on transportation needs and vice versa. Equally
important is the fact that personal mobility in Red Deer takes many forms and a diverse range of
transportation modes needs to be considered. This includes use of private vehicles, cycling, walking and
public transit. In planning for growth and change in Red Deer, appropriate attention must be paid to the
provision of facilities for all modes of transportation.

Goals: Provide for the safe and efficient movement of people and goods within
and through Red Deer.

Encourage the use of alternative means of transportation to the private

automobile.

Coordinate the planning of land use and transportation.

Objectives:
(a) Ensure the coordination and construction of safe and efficient road, transit, bicycling and
pedestrian facilities;

(b) Seek opportunities to reduce travel demands and promote alternatives to the private automobile;

(c) Coordinate the planning and construction of transportation facilities within the city, with the
Provincial and County Authorities responsible for connecting routes outside of the city; and

(d) Promote the development and enhancement of regional transportation facilities.

Policies:
16.1 Coordination of Land The City shall coordinate transportation and land use patterns with
Use and the objective of minimizing travel distances and managing
Transportation transportation demand, including encouraging the use of alternative
that do not rely on single occupant passenger vehicles.

16.2 Overall Transportation The City shall prepare and maintain transportation plans for Red Deer
Plan incorporating policies, standards and proposals related to the
movement of private and commercial vehicles, transit (including
special needs), parking, bicycling and walking.

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May 2008
 16.3 Utilization of Available The City shall coordinate the planning and construction of
Infrastructure transportation infrastructure and development, so as to maximize the
Capacity utilization of available and planned transportation capacity.

16.4 Coordination of The City shall coordinate the provision of road, transit and pathway
Community connections, between and through communities, through the local
Connections area planning process.

16.5 Transportation Needs The City shall ensure the provision of appropriate transportation
in Industrial and facilities in commercial and industrial areas to accommodate the
Commercial Areas travel needs of customers and employees in a variety of modes of
travel and the needs of truck traffic.

16.6 Mitigation of Impacts The City shall endeavour to mitigate negative social and
environmental impacts in the planning, construction and operation of
transportation facilities.

16.7 Transit Service The City shall support public transit as a travel option that maintains
the ability for all citizens to participate in the social and economic
opportunities of Red Deer and as a way to reduce dependency on the
private automobile and improve air quality.

16.8 Use of Public Transit The City shall encourage the use of public transit by:
 Providing transit service in accordance with standards and
policies established in the Transit/Special Transportation
Study, Neighbourhood Planning Guidelines and Standards
and Industrial Area Planning Guidelines and Standards as
amended from time to time
 Integrating transit with other modes of travel
 Facilitating access to transit for persons with special needs
 Providing comfortable and safe environments in transit
vehicles and facilities
 Ensuring the provision of appropriate year round pedestrian
linkages between activity generators and transit stops
 Giving priority to the location and operation of transit facilities
in major destinations.

16.9 Bus Rapid Transit The City shall identify key corridors as potential long term Bus Rapid
Transit routes and undertake studies to determine the appropriate
right-of-way requirements and configuration of roadways and land
use and built form that would be supported by, and would encourage
use of, a Bus Rapid Transit service. The first study should focus on
Gaetz Avenue with subsequent investigation of other corridors.

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 16.10 Bicycle and The City shall plan for and coordinate bicycle and pedestrian facilities
Pedestrian Facilities throughout the city, as integral parts of the transportation system,
serving both recreation and transportation needs.

16.11 Pedestrian Links The City shall require the provision of appropriate pedestrian linkages
between building entrances, and public sidewalks and pathways
within and adjacent the site in all developments, including safe
roadway crossings.

16.12 Provision for The City shall encourage alternatives to the single occupant private
Alternative automobile trip by requiring that all new transportation projects
Transportation Modes investigate, and where practical include, provisions that encourage
the use of transit, walking, cycling and car pooling.

16.13 Provisions for The City shall encourage walking by requiring appropriate provision
Pedestrians for pedestrians in all new developments, in all redevelopment of
existing properties, and in all changes to existing or proposed roads
and transit facilities.

16.14 Right of Way The City shall protect the required rights-of-way to allow for the
Protection implementation of proposals contained in the Transportation and
Trails Master Plans, as amended from time to time.

16.15 Transportation The City shall investigate and implement appropriate Transportation
Demand Management Demand Management techniques to moderate growth in single
occupancy automobile traffic, including use of parking controls to limit
demand and strategically managing congestion in the system to
encourage alternative modes of travel, including transit, car pooling,
walking and cycling.

16.16 Transportation The City shall investigate and implement appropriate Transportation
Systems Management System Management techniques to mitigate the impact of traffic on
residential areas, (e.g. traffic calming) and to ensure the efficient
utilization of the major road network, (e.g. traffic signal
synchronization).

16.17 Coordination with The City shall work with Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation and
Provincial and County Red Deer County to ensure coordination in the planning and
Transportation construction of connections with the Provincial and County road and
Facilities trail systems.

16.18 Regional The City shall support the provision of effective inter-modal regional
Transportation transportation systems including bus, rail and air service and the
Systems development of a high speed passenger rail service with a stop in or
near Red Deer.

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 17.0 UTILITIES

The utility systems that support Red Deer include the municipal water system, sanitary sewer system,
storm water management system, solid waste management system, electricity distributed by The City and
franchise utilities (gas, cable, telecommunications) provided by others. These services are essential for the
day-to-day health, safety and convenience of Red Deer residents. Environmental protection, health, safety
and convenience are all safeguarded through quality management and maintenance of these systems.

Goal: Provide environmentally responsible, safe, efficient and reliable utility

systems to serve the city.

Objectives:
(a) Ensure the utility infrastructure and capacity is available, when required, to accommodate growth in
Red Deer;

(b) Ensure utilities are maintained and operated in an efficient manner that minimizes their impact on
the environment; and

(c) Ensure utilities are maintained and operated in a manner that protects the health and safety of
consumers.

Policies:
17.1 Quality of Utility The City shall provide or facilitate the provision of high quality utility
Services services to residents and businesses in Red Deer.

17.2 Timing of Utility The City shall provide or facilitate the provision of utility services as
Provision development of land occurs and in advance of anticipated
development in accordance with Policy 5.3. In so doing, utility services
shall be extended in a logical and economically practical manner and
in a manner having regard to the available capacity in the overall
system or portions of the system.

17.3 Utility Infrastructure The City shall maintain, fund and implement a comprehensive long-
Funding term plan for its utility infrastructure and establish budget priorities
based on the premise that investment in infrastructure maintenance is
a necessary annual investment rather than a discretionary cost.

17.4 Utility Improvements The City shall investigate opportunities and technologies that provide
cost effective improvements in the efficiency and/or environmental
impacts of the provision of utility services.

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 17.5 Solid Waste Reduction The City shall promote the principles of reduce, reuse and recycle
and Recycling materials with its own operations and with businesses and residents.

17.6 Water Supply from Red The City shall seek to ensure future growth does not exceed the
Deer River availability of the water supply from the Red Deer River and shall
implement a water conservation strategy to make the best use of
available water supplies.

17.7 Capacity of Red Deer Recognizing that the Province is responsible for allocations of water
River drawn from the Red Deer River, The City shall collaborate with other
municipalities and other major stakeholders within the Red Deer River
basin such as the Red Deer Municipal Users Group to ensure that at
least 38% of the median annual flow of the Red Deer River is
committed for allocation (i.e. use) within the Red Deer River basin in a
manner that observes water conservation objectives to maintain the
aquatic health of the Red Deer River.

17.8 Regional Utility The City may cooperate in regional water and wastewater service
Systems systems to support and respond to the needs of the Region without
being detrimental to The City. The City’s cooperation shall be in
accordance with its “Water and Wastewater Utility Extensions Beyond
City Boundaries” policy.

17.9 Energy Efficiency The City shall promote the efficient use of energy within its own
operations and with businesses and residents.

17.10 Innovative The City may cooperate with service providers to ensure the provision
Technologies of innovative technologies such as fibre optic cable in an efficient and
compatible manner for all potential users.

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 18.0 REGIONAL INITIATIVES AND INTERMUNICIPAL PLANNING

It is important to recognize that Red Deer is part of a region and that many issues and factors that can
impact the community, its economic vibrancy and the quality of life of its citizens occur beyond and
transcend the city’s boundaries. It is for this reason that the Province encourages and expects cooperation
between municipalities, provincial departments and other agencies to address planning issues.

Goals: Secure the City’s long-term growth needs.

Cooperate with municipalities and other government agencies to achieve

mutual objectives that benefit residents and businesses in Central Alberta.

Objectives:
(a) Work with Red Deer County to ensure the protection, and timely incorporation into the city of, the
lands identified in the Intermunicipal Development Plan as City Growth Areas;

(b) Work with the Government of Alberta, its agencies, and other municipalities, in the provision of
programs and services that are of benefit to the residents and businesses in the region; and

(c) Maintain Red Deer’s position as the major urban service centre in Central Alberta and a major
growth centre in the Calgary/Edmonton corridor.

Policies:
18.1 Regional Cooperation The City shall investigate opportunities to obtain mutual benefits in the
provision of transit, protective and emergency services and social,
recreational, environmental and cultural programs and facilities
through cooperation with other municipalities and agencies.

18.2 Watershed Protection The City shall participate in the activities of the Red Deer River
Watershed Alliance in order to promote the effective integration of the
management and use of land and water resources to ensure a legacy
of ecological integrity and economic sustainability throughout the Red
Deer River watershed. A key objective in watershed management will
be to maintain the water quality in the Red Deer River at, or above,
provincial standards.

18.3 Calgary/Edmonton The City shall work with the Provincial Government and other
Corridor municipalities and agencies in the Calgary/Edmonton Corridor to
ensure a coordinated approach to the encouragement and direction of
growth in the corridor.

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 18.4 Regional Partnerships The City shall explore options for the creation of regional partnerships
with the Province, municipalities and agencies in the planning and co-
ordination of land use patterns, transportation, utility and other service
delivery systems in Central Alberta.

18.5 Regional Park System The City shall work with Red Deer County, Lacombe County, other
municipalities and stakeholders to plan for and establish a regional
park system, focused on the floodways and flood fringes and natural
areas along watercourses, including creating a continuous linear park
system connecting a series of larger open space areas.

18.6 Intermunicipal Planning The City shall work with Red Deer County in the implementation of the
proposals and policies set out in the Intermunicipal Development Plan.
To help fulfil the intent of Policy 3.4.3(a)(ii) of the Intermunicipal
Development Plan The City and Red Deer County shall jointly
undertake a study to look at ways to achieve higher densities.

18.7 Future Annexation The City shall actively pursue the annexation to the city of the City
Growth Areas identified in the Intermunicipal Development Plan.

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 19.0 IMPLEMENTATION

The success of any plan depends on the degree to which efforts are made to implement and integrate the
plan’s directions into decision making. The MDP provides the means whereby Council, the Municipal
Planning Commission, City staff and members of the community can evaluate situations or proposals in the
context of a long range plan for Red Deer.

Goal: To promote the implementation and use of the Municipal Development

Plan.

Objectives:
(a) Implement the MDP through other statutory and non-statutory plans and ensure consistency
between these plans and the MDP;

(b) Provide guidance on interpreting and applying the MDP policies and directions;

(c) Foster awareness of land use planning policies, and participation in planning processes, by
stakeholders and the general public; and

(d) Provide for periodic review and amendment of the MDP and monitoring of effort to achieve the
MDP goals.

Policies:
19.1 Interpretation of Key As indicated in Section 1.4 of the Plan the MDP contains “shall”,
Words “should” and “may” policies which are interpreted as follows:
 “Shall” policies are mandatory and must be complied with,
 “Should” policies mean compliance to the principle is
required but the method and level of compliance is subject
to the discretion of the applicable authority on a case by
case basis,
 “May” policies are discretionary with the level of
compliance determined on a case by case basis by the
applicable authority.

19.2 Plan Amendments The City or a landowner may initiate an amendment to this Plan.
The City shall assemble or require the submission of such
background information as is considered necessary to support the
amendment prior to the start of the bylaw amendment process.
Amendment of the MDP shall follow the appropriate procedures as
outlined in the Municipal Government Act.

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 19.3 Amendment The City shall amend this Plan immediately following any
following Annexation annexation of land to the city.

19.4 Relation to Other All statutory plans adopted by The City shall be consistent with the
Statutory Plans Municipal Development Plan.

19.5 Preparation of More The policies of the MDP shall be further refined and implemented
Detailed Land Use through the preparation, adoption and day-to-day application of
Plans major area structure plans, neighbourhood area structure plans,
area redevelopment plans and the Land Use Bylaw. The City shall
continue to ensure that appropriate stakeholders (e.g. landowners,
School Authorities, neighbouring municipalities) and the general
public are consulted and have input into all area structure and area
redevelopment plans as these plans are being prepared. The
requirements for these plans are generally described in the
Neighbourhood and Industrial Planning Guidelines and Standards.

19.6 Public Engagement As part of the process of managing physical growth and changes in
the community, The City shall facilitate public input on matters of
general or specific planning interest, wherever possible.

Public input may be obtained using a variety of techniques such as

open houses, public meetings, focus groups, citizen advisory
groups, workshops and surveys. The techniques and processes
used may vary, based on the nature of the plan or matter being
considered. Public input may be sought at any or all levels of
decision making including concept development, detailed design
and implementation. Input should be facilitated as early in the
decision making process as possible.

In making a decision on a planning matter, City Council shall

consider, but not be bound by, the input received from the public
and shall balance the input received with other considerations
relating to the long term land use planning interests of the broader
community.

The City shall also continue to make existing planning policies

available to the public and advise residents of the outcome of key
planning decisions.

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 19.7 Planning for New As new neighbourhood area structure plans are being prepared,
Multi-Neighbourhood The City shall emphasize planning on a multi-neighbourhood basis.
Areas Multi-neighbourhood communities should be formed by integrating
the plans for two or more adjacent neighbourhoods ranging in size
from 120+ to 250+ hectares where possible as described in the
Neighbourhood and Industrial Area Planning Guidelines and
Standards.

19.8 Preparation of Area The City should prepare and adopt area redevelopment plans for
Redevelopment areas that could benefit from the direction of such plans. In
Plans preparing area redevelopment plans, the following considerations
should be taken into account:
 area residents and other stakeholders should be as active
as possible in the planning process;
 recognize and plan for the role the area, for which the plan
is being prepared, plays or could play within the greater
community;
 input should be provided from key resource personnel and
professional expertise related to land use planning; and
 sufficient time and information should be provided to allow
a full understanding of the implications of the proposed
plan.

As a general guide, the statutory component of an area

redevelopment plan should address the following:
 proposed land uses for the area, including the planned
densities and building forms;
 proposals for acquiring land for parks, schools or similar
community facilities;
 status and any required upgrades of utility systems; and
 the existing and future transportation systems serving the
area.

The area redevelopment plan may also contain a non-statutory

community plan that addresses plan process, background
information, planning concepts and possible action plan items.

19.9 Plan Review In order to ensure that the MDP is current, the plan should be
reviewed every five years.

19.10 Plan Monitoring A process and mechanism should be established to allow the
tracking of the impact and effectiveness of select core policy
directions established in the MDP.

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 19.11 Relation to City Various policies in this Plan suggest spending by The City in order
Funding and to achieve successful implementation. Pursuant to the Municipal
Budgeting Process Government Act, it is not the intention of this Plan to commit City
Council to funding decisions. The funding for any proposals of this
Plan shall be considered on an annual basis during The City’s
budget process along with other city-wide funding priorities.

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 GLOSSARY OF TERMS

The definitions provided below are for use in understanding the concepts and ideas discussed in the
context of the Municipal Development Plan. Where a definition listed below is different than the one
provided in the Land Use Bylaw, the Land Use Bylaw definition shall be used in processing a development
or subdivision application.

Adaptive Reuse A process whereby buildings are adapted for new uses,
while retaining their original architectural features.

Affordable Housing Dwelling units that are designed to be both adequate in

meeting the size and safety needs of individuals and
families, and affordable to households with income at or
below Red Deer’s median income, without spending more
than 30% of their income on housing.

Arterial Commercial Commercial areas intended for trade and service(s) related
to automotive transportation and the automobile traveller,
and other commercial land uses which are built at low
densities, in planned centres, generally to serve the city
and the region as a whole.

Area Redevelopment Plan (ARP) A plan adopted as an area redevelopment plan pursuant to
the Municipal Government Act, which provides a
framework for future development in an already developed
area.

Area Structure Plan (ASP) A plan adopted as an area structure plan pursuant to the
Municipal Government Act, which provides a framework for
future subdivision and development in an area.

Biodiversity Biological diversity is the variety of life and its processes;

and it includes the variety of living organisms, the genetic
differences among them, and the communities and
ecosystems in which they occur. Diversity is the key to
ensuring the continuance of life on Earth. It is also a
fundamental requirement for adaptation and survival and
continued evolution of species.

Brownfield Site Brownfield sites are the result of industrial activities such
as railroads, gas stations, oil refineries, truck terminals,
wood treatment facilities, dry cleaners, liquid/chemical
storage facilities, steel and heavy manufacturing plants,
etc. Often these sites are contaminated and require
remediation before redevelopment can occur.

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 Bus Rapid Transit A variety of transportation techniques that, through
improvements to roads, transit infrastructure, vehicle types
and scheduling, use buses to provide a level of service that
is of higher quality than an ordinary bus transit route. The
techniques used may include bus priority lanes on roads,
bus activated traffic signals, less frequent stops along a
route, and less time between buses at the designated
stops.

Business Revitalization Zone (BRZ) Established under the authority of the Municipal
Government Act, a BRZ deals with issues such as
cleanliness, parking, promotions/marketing and safety and
is responsible for one or more of the following initiatives:
 Improving, beautifying and maintaining property in
the zone.
 Developing, improving and maintaining public
parking.
 Promoting the zone as a business or shopping
area.

Community Economic Development A community-based and community-directed process that

explicitly combines social and economic development to
foster the economic, social, ecological and cultural well
being of communities on a sustainable and inclusive basis.

Conservation Agreement or An agreement registered against title whereby a landowner

Easement grants to another person or organization provisions for the
protection, conservation and enhancement of the
environment, including the protection, conversation and
enhancement of biological diversity and natural scenic or
aesthetic values. A conservation agreement may provide
for recreational use, open space use, environmental
education use, and research and scientific studies of
natural ecosystems.

Eco-industrial Park A type of industrial park in which businesses cooperate

with one another and the local community in an attempt to
reduce waste, efficiently share resources (such as
information, materials, water, energy, infrastructure and
natural resources), and produce sustainable development,
with the intention of increasing economic gains and
improving environmental quality.

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 Ecological Footprint A measure of the "load" imposed by a given population on
nature. It represents the land area necessary to sustain
current levels of resource consumption and waste
discharge by that population.

Ecological Management System A database/mapping inventory system that is designed to

provide an integrated and sustainable approach to manage
ecological features in established and new growth areas.

Economic Development Creating a positive environment from which local

businesses can succeed and grow, and attracting new
enterprises to the community.

Environmental Reserve Land dedicated (given) to a municipality, during the

subdivision process, because it is considered
undevelopable for environmental reasons in accordance
with Section 664 of the Municipal Government Act. This
may include areas such as wetlands, ravines, drainage
courses, steep slopes, etc.

Environmental Reserve Easement A caveat registered with Land Titles in favour of the
municipality for lands that would be normally taken as
environmental reserve in accordance to Section 664 of the
Municipal Government Act.

Environmentally Sensitive Area An undisturbed or relatively undisturbed site, which

because of its natural features, has value to society and
ecosystems worth preserving.

Geographic Information System (GIS) A system allowing for the visualization, analysis, use and
presentation of location related data and geographic
information.

Goal An idealized end towards which planned action is directed

and which provides an indication of what is to be achieved.

Greater Downtown The area in the approximate centre of Red Deer, bounded
by the Red Deer River on the west and north, Waskasoo
Creek on the east and the escarpment on the south as
shown on Map 2 of the Greater Downtown Action Plan.

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 Green Infrastructure Green infrastructure is a strategic approach to
conservation that addresses the ecological, social and
economic impacts of sprawl and the accelerated
consumption and fragmentation of open land. It is the
network of natural lands, open space, waterways, and
smart growth design measures that form the framework for
healthy and sustainable communities. With a green
infrastructure in place, communities can protect native
species and ecological processes, maintain clean air and
water, reduce habitat fragmentation, pollution, and other
threats to biodiversity, and improve the health and quality
of life for people.

Greyfield Site Greyfields are older, economically obsolete commercial

areas, often characterized by a large expanse dedicated to
surface parking.

Growth Management The process of directing or guiding development in a

manner that is consistent with the vision, guiding
principles, goals, objectives and policies contained in this
MDP.

Growth Strategy A document that establishes high level policy direction for
the long term ( 50+ years) growth of the city.

Growth Study A document that evaluates the supply of developable land

relative to demand in the 5-30 year time frame and
establishes approaches to issues such as annexation of
land, timing of major utility extensions etc.

Heritage Conservation All actions or processes that are aimed at safeguarding the
character-defining elements of a cultural resource so as to
retain its heritage value and extend its physical life. This
may involve preservation, rehabilitation, restoration or a
combination of these actions or processes.

Inclusive Communities Both a process and a goal, inclusion is the ability to

participate effectively in economic, social, political and
cultural life of society. It is about having what is needed
materially and socially to live comfortably. An inclusive
community is one that creates and celebrates the
opportunity for full participation for all citizens.

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 Infill Development Development in mature or built up areas of the city
occurring on vacant or underutilized lands, behind or
between existing development, and which is comparable
with the characteristics of surrounding development.

Infrastructure Systems and facilities (e.g. roads, sanitary sewers, water

treatment and distribution networks, power lines, and
telephone and cable TV systems) that service urban
development.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is the maintenance of
detrimental insects, weeds and other organisms at
tolerable levels. A combination of cultural/mechanical,
biological and chemical control methods are used to keep
environmental impacts to a minimum.

Intermunicipal Development Plan A plan adopted by two or more councils as an

(IDP) Intermunicipal Development Plan pursuant to the Municipal
Government Act, which is an overall policy guide for the
coordination of land use planning matters between the
municipalities. When used in the MDP this phrase refers to
the Red Deer County and City of Red Deer Intermunicipal
Development Plan (2007), as amended from time to time.

Joint Use Site A site that houses multiple, but complimentary facilities
such as a school, library and recreation centre. Parking
and other associated uses can be shared in order to use
land efficiently. Facilities may be housed under one roof or
in separate buildings.

Land Use Bylaw (LUB) The bylaw that divides the city into land use districts and
establishes procedures for processing and deciding upon
development applications. It sets out rules that affect how
each parcel of land in the city can be used and developed
and includes a zoning map.

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 Mixed Use A combination of different uses, such as ,but not limited to,
residential, office commercial, retail commercial, public or
entertainment, which are horizontally integrated (i.e. uses
located on the same site beside one another) and/or
vertically integrated (i.e. uses located on different floors in
the same building) within a single compact form of urban
development. The mixes of uses are to be compatible,
mutually beneficial, and integrated into the community, for
example, live/work in the same complex. Mixed use also
relates to a range of dwelling types that could provide
residences to a diversity of living arrangements and
incomes.

Municipal Development Plan (MDP) A plan adopted by Council as a Municipal Development

Plan pursuant to the Municipal Government Act, which is
an overall policy guide to a municipality’s future growth
and development.

Municipal Government Act (MGA) Provincial legislation which outlines the power and
obligations of a municipality. Part 17 of the MGA provides
the means by which plans and bylaws may be adopted to
guide development and the use of land and buildings.

Natural Capital An extension of the economic notion of capital

(manufactured means of production) to environmental
'goods and services'. It refers to a stock (e.g., a forest)
which produces a flow of goods (e.g., new trees) and
services (e.g., carbon removal, erosion control, and
habitat).

Neighbourhood A mainly residential area designed as a comprehensively

planned unit containing a variety of housing types,
community services, recreation and culture amenities and
parks necessary to meet the needs of the neighbourhood
population.

Objective Directional statements that are usually phrased in

measurable terms for given time frames.

15 Oil or Gas Development Active, suspended, and abandoned wells, pipelines, and
processing facilities. It may also include rail and road use
for oil or gas development.
Policy A statement identifying a specific course of action for

15 3404/A-2015

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 achieving objectives.

Reserve Land provided, as part of a subdivision, by the developer

without compensation for park and school purposes in
accordance with the provisions of the Municipal
Government Act. This includes lands dedicated as
municipal reserve (MR), school reserve (SR) and municipal
and school reserve (MSR).

Smart Growth A collection of land use and development principles that

aim to enhance our quality of life, preserve the natural
environment, and save resources over time. These
principles ensure that growth is fiscally, environmentally
and socially responsible and recognize the connections
between development and quality of life. Smart growth
enhances and completes communities by placing priority
on infill, redevelopment, and densification strategies.

Sustainable Development Development that meets the needs of today without

compromising the ability of future generations to meet their
own needs. This means the community needs to sustain its
quality of life and accommodate growth and change by
harmonizing long-term economic, environmental and social
needs. It also requires that development respects and
enhances the cultural capital of the community in terms of
its traditions, values, heritage, sense of place, arts,
diversity and social history.

Town Centre Town Centres, located strategically at major transportation

nodes, are envisioned to be large scale mixed use focal
points serving a large sector of the city and region in the
midst of significant surrounding and integrated residential
development. These town centres shall have significant
amounts of higher density housing and commercial
development, shall have strong pedestrian oriented
streetscape elements, and shall be well served by public
transit. They may also include mixed use
commercial/residential buildings, institutional uses and
community elements such as gathering places. The mix of
uses is to be integrated into the community, for example,
live/work in the same complex. The town centre should
also provide a range of dwelling types that could provide
residences to a diversity of living arrangements and
incomes.

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 Traffic Demand Management (TDM) Strategies aimed at reducing the number of vehicle trips,
shortening trip lengths, and changing the timing of trips so
that they occur outside of peak hours. These strategies
include use of public transit, car pools, bicycling and
walking and typically focus on home-to-work trips.

Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Mixed use, residential and commercial development
designed to maximize the use of transit and non-motorized
modes of transportation.

Urban Design Planning and architecture that contributes to the creation of

attractive spaces by having regard to design elements
such as building form and style, views and vistas, open
space, and streetscape treatments, which provide an
urban context that is both functional and aesthetically
pleasing.

Urban Forestry Urban forestry is the practice of maintaining a viable and

healthy urban forest for the health, environmental and
economic benefits of the community. These benefits
include better air quality, cooling and shade, aesthetics,
noise buffering and wildlife habitat.

Urban Form Refers to the design and layout of our urban environment
and includes considerations such as density, street layout,
transportation, centres of employment, and urban design.

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 1 3404/A-2015

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