Priorities Committee Meeting_Jul14_2015 STRATEGIC INITIATIVE AND UPDATE Municipal Development Plan Update Report Purpose To provide the Priorities Committee with an update on the Municipal Development Plan (MDP) update process and public engagement. Council History March 6, 2007 Council approved Motions 175/2007 and 176/2007, amendments to Municipal Development Plan Bylaw 1-2007. May 22, 2007 Council approved Municipal Development Plan Bylaw 1-2007. March 11, 2010 Capital Region Growth Plan was adopted by Province. April 21, 2015 Council received an overview of the MDP update process and public engagement. Strategic Plan Priority Areas Economy: The economic development section of the MDP will be reviewed to ensure polices aligns with the objectives of the Economic Sustainability Framework and Strategic Plan for a diverse economy and effective and efficient municipal infrastructure. Governance: The public engagement and communications plan for the MDP Update will aim to create an inclusive process that engages residents and stakeholders. Social: The MDP Update will review the social development section of the document to ensure it reflects the objectives of the Social Sustainability Framework and Strategic Plan for an active and healthy community. Culture: The MDP Update will be reviewed to ensure it aligns with the Strategic Plan to create vibrant, creative communities. Environment: The MDP Update will review the environmental section of the document to ensure it reflects the objectives of the Environmental Sustainability Framework and Strategic Plan to protect our environment and preserve biodiversity. Other Impacts Policy: Policy 17.4 of the MDP indicates a major review of the document is to be conducted every five years in order to ensure the Plan remains valid and effective. Legislative/Legal: N/A Interdepartmental: Multiple Strathcona County departments may be involved to ensure the MDP Update aligns with other departmental projects. Summary In May of 2015, the County officially launched the Municipal Development Plan (MDP) Update project. The launch began with the release of the project webpage and numerous other communications to raise awareness and get people involved in the planning process. The online engagement hub was part of the official project launch. It provides a one-stop shop for all project updates, background information, feedback heard to date, and upcoming events. The County also launched a whiteboard video and Backgrounders to help educate participants on the MDP and frame the discussion. Page 1 of 2
The online launch was followed by an interactive Public Launch Event on May 7, 2015 at Millennium Place in Sherwood Park, as well as a number of stakeholder coffee chats with key representatives from local organizations and interest groups. At the Launch Event, participants used an event passport to guide them through seven activity stations. The purpose of engagement initiatives in Phase 1 was to raise awareness about the project and opportunities to get involved, provide background information, and gather feedback from a wide range of people. Key priorities for participants included transit, walkability, urban and rural balance, protection of natural areas and agricultural lands, parks/trails and recreation (especially for youth), affordable housing, and greater accessibility, services and housing for seniors. A comprehensive engagement summary is available on the website. As part of Phase 2, workshops were held in three locations (Sherwood Park, Ardrossan and South Cooking Lake) to dive deeper into a number of key topics. These small group discussion-based workshops were designed to help participants learn from each other as well as from planning and consulting staff. Similar to Phase 1, an online questionnaire was available from June 10 30 th to provide an opportunity to comment for those who were unable to attend the workshops. The Phase 2 Engagement Summary will be released mid- July and posted on the project website. To involve youth in the planning process we are hosting a Youth Photo Contest for the months of July and August. The theme of the contest is What s your favorite place in Strathcona County and it is open to all Strathcona County youth (no age limit) Photos will be featured on the MDP engagement hub and hosted by the Art Gallery in the Community Centre in the fall. Select photos will also be used in the updated MDP. Prizes will be awarded (randomly) to several participants. County Staff is working on organizing additional engagement with high school students to occur in the fall. Additionally, staff and the consulting team have been working on the MDP document to improve the usability by restructuring and removing unnecessary content to make a comprehensive but concise document. Communication Plan A range of stakeholders such as developers, community groups, school boards as well as the general public will be consulted for the MDP Update. The County will utilize traditional engagement tools such as open houses, stakeholder interviews, posters, newspaper advertisements and the County website. In addition the County has a white board video, online engagement hub, backgrounder discussion papers, e-newsletters, postcards, bus ads, portable signs and will utilize social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to engage the public. Enclosure 1 PowerPoint Municipal Development Plan Update Author: Janna Widmer, Planning and Development Services Page 2 of 2 Director: Stacy Fedechko, Planning and Development Services Associate Commissioner: Kevin Glebe, Infrastructure and Planning Services Lead Department: Planning and Development Services
ENCLSOURE 1 MDP Update Priorities Committee July 14, 2015 MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN UPDATE SHAPING OUR FUTURE
Process We are here 7/8/2015 2
MDP Launch In May of 2015 the MDP Update launch began with the release of the project webpage and numerous other communications to raise awareness and get people involved in the planning process including: MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN UPDATE SHAPING OUR FUTURE Project webpage Online engagement hub Newspaper ads Press release County newsletters Social media Stakeholder and project mailing list emails Postcards and backgrounders at various locations throughout the community Large posters at Millennium Place and County Hall Digital County signs (advertising the project and running short clips of the whiteboard video) Bookmobile (info and backgrounders delivered to rural areas) Attendance at various events Rural Living Days, farmers market, Canada Day 7/8/2015 3
Sherwood Park News The Sherwood Park News has run two stories (one in April and one in June) about the MDP update process promoting the brand, the project and opportunities to get involved. 7/8/2015 4
Online Engagement HUB The online engagement hub was a part of the official project launch. It provides a onestop shop for all project updates, background information, feedback we ve heard to date, and upcoming events. This site also includes the whiteboard video, community mapping, and online questionnaires. 7/8/2015 5
Backgrounders Key topics: 1. Introduction & Content 2. Country Residential 3. Industry 4. Agriculture 5. Urban Design & Sustainable Development 6. Conservation 7. Nature-Based Tourism 8. Affordable Housing 7/8/2015 6
Phase 1 Launch Event Public Launch Event on May 7, 2015 at Millennium Place in Sherwood Park. Participants used an event passport to guide them through seven activity stations. The purpose was to raise awareness about the project and opportunities to get involved, provide background information, and gather feedback from a wide range of people. 7/8/2015 7
Phase 1: What We Heard Key themes: More small-scale local shops (i.e., corner store, coffee shop) and green spaces throughout rural neighbourhoods More shops, offices, parks, pathways and walkable amenities in Sherwood Park Providing a mix of housing types without sprawling into farmlands or natural spaces Avoid over-development Preserve rural areas and lifestyles 7/8/2015 8
As part of Phase 2 we have held three workshops (in Sherwood Park, Ardrossan and South Cooking Lake). These small group discussion-based workshops were designed to help participants learn from each other as well as from planning and consulting staff. An online questionnaire was available from June 10 30 th to complement the in-person activities and provide an opportunity for those who were unable to attend the workshops. Advertising for these events included a similar media campaign as the Launch, however it also included bus ads and portable signs posted in Sherwood Park, Ardrossan and South Cooking Lake. The Phase 2 Engagement Summary will be released in mid-july and posted on the project website. 7/8/2015 9
Phase 2: What We Heard Building off what we have the great communities, natural areas, and tourism opportunities don t need to start from scratch Finding creative and innovative policy solutions to provide a variety of affordable housing options for young and old to remain within the community Affordable seniors housing, especially in rural areas like Ardrossan don t need to be in urban areas with amenities, would rather remain with their friends/neighbours Sustainable, walkable, connected communities in rural and urban areas Focusing growth in concentrated nodes (i.e., urban areas and hamlets) to prevent rural sprawl and preserve productive farmlands and natural areas Greater flexibility to allow green buildings and more diverse architecture and character More small-scale locally owned shops and services fewer big box stores Healthy ecosystems to support human health (i.e. air quality) Shared equestrian facilities in rural areas arenas, trails, vets, pasture lands, etc. Local food production promoting local agriculture, market gardens, agri-tourism and education for younger generations Promoting tourism let s let the world know what a great place we live in 7/8/2015 10
Youth Photo Contest To involve youth in the planning process we are hosting a Youth Photo Contest for the months of July and August. The theme of the contest is What s your favorite place in Strathcona County and it is open to all Strathcona County youth (no age limit). Photos will be featured on the MDP Engagement Hub and hosted by the Art Gallery in the Community Centre. Select photos will also be used in the updated MDP. Prizes will be awarded (randomly) to several participants. County Staff are working on organizing additional engagement with high-school students to occur in the fall. 7/8/2015 11
Restructuring the MDP Content Key Sections: 1. Introduction & Context 2. Overall Policy Areas 3. Urban Areas 4. Rural Areas 5. Implementation & Monitoring 6. Appendices Key Changes Improved layout and formatting Removing redundant or unnecessary sections and policies Sharpening fluffy language (i.e., encourage, promote, support) Clearly defining terms (i.e. should, shall, may) and using consistent terms Reducing the amount of general content making policies specific to urban or rural areas wherever possible Greater focus on implementation Mapping update 7/8/2015 12
Phase 3: Options & Trade-offs Sept - Project update/promotion (e-newsletter, website and social media updates, digital noticeboard, postcard, newspaper advertising) Sept - Draft new policy options Sept-Oct - Questionnaire (online engagement hub) Sept-Oct - Stakeholder meetings (as needed) Sept-Oct Public meetings - Topic-based workshops Nov - Policy discussions, development of revised maps Dec - Public Report - Options & Trade-offs Dec - E-newsletter and website update 7/8/2015 13
Phase 4: Draft Plan Jan - First full draft plan & maps Jan - Project update/promotion (e-newsletter, website and social media updates, postcard, newspaper advertising) Feb - Public Events Feb - Questionnaire (review of draft plan on online engagement hub) Feb - Circulation of draft plan to relevant agencies for review/comment Feb - Revisions to draft plan based on feedback and staff discussions Mid-Feb Public Report - Changes between 1 st and Final Draft Early March - E-newsletter and website update March - Final Draft presented to Council 7/8/2015 14
Thank you Any Questions? MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN UPDATE SHAPING OUR FUTURE