The Intermunicipal Development Plan between Sylvan Lake and Red Deer County was approved at the county council meeting on Tuesday.
The plan has been in the works since 2009 and has gone through a number of changes. It was finalized after councillors approved amendments to the bylaw and approved second and third readings of the bylaw itself.
“It is a good feeling and we are very pleased to have accomplished this,” said county manager Curtis Herzberg. “Everyone has tried really hard to get together and work out some common understanding about the IDP area around Sylvan Lake and we think they have achieved a good document that will do that.”
The plan will provide a little more clarity on what the future growth of Sylvan Lake will look like. Herzberg said as the town annexes land, it will allow the county to be mindful of the future plans of those lands surrounding Sylvan Lake.
“It is so we are not changing the use of land in a way that will adversely affect the town’s ability to grow,” said Herzberg.
Sylvan Lake town council approved second and third readings to the bylaw at their meeting on Monday.
One of the reasons the bylaw was needed is to address the environmental future of Sylvan Lake and development around it.
“A lot of what was focused on did have to do with being environmentally sensitive to the shoreline and the lake itself, and all of that watershed area,” said Herzberg. “There are large setbacks in this document that reflect the concern for the environment.”
The approved amendments from Tuesday included adding statements to the document that developers of a communal water and sewer collection system will be required to tie into a regional or municipal water or sewage system when they become available. That includes residential, commercial and industrial properties.
The other amendment included word changing to a clause stating an environmental reserve of 30 metres shall be dedicated through subdivisions located along the shoreline lying outside the town boundary. The statement “where possible” was removed to eliminate confusion about developments.