Wheatland County is moving forward with implementing a new Municipal Development Plan (MDP).
The third reading of the new MDP has been scheduled for the Wheatland County Council meeting on Tuesday, October 15. The second reading was passed in late September and included a number of revisions from the first draft.
“There were changes that were requested. It’s not uncommon. There were a few council agreed with, so they’ll reappear for the third reading at the next meeting,” said Alan Parkin, CAO of Wheatland County. “Council endorsed a few changes, but not all.”
Wheatland County is planning for the future through a new Municipal Development Plan (MDP). The County Council will consider third reading of the MDP at their meeting on October 15.
Some of the changes include what communities are recognized under the MDP, such as villages and hamlets. Some also felt Hutterite colonies should be listed, noting their absence in the MDP.
“We were talking about hamlets and whether Hutterite colonies should be considered communities,” said Parkin.
However, some Wheatland County residents are objecting to the new MDP. Cheryl Marshman, a resident of Rockyford, felt the process was being rushed.
“Not only was there no publication of the revised draft before the meeting, what was even more disturbing was many of the councillors had not read a copy of the new draft,” said Marshman in a letter to The Drumheller Mail.
She also charges public feedback was screened prior to reaching council.
“It is impossible to ignore a very important document, one that will guide Wheatland County in water conservation, road infrastructure, land use, and environmental pressure has been edited, and presented to the council for approval, by staff without prior consultation,” said Marshman.
Marshman also argued Hutterite colonies, given their size and economic impact, should be recognized under the new MDP and should be required to submit an Area Structure Plan for new developments.
Beginning in May, Wheatland County began the public consultation portion of the MDP process. The MDP was last updated in 2006 and since that time, the county has seen a number of changes. Public consultation closed last month.
“The public engagement portion has been completed. We did a number of meetings and input from the public was open until mid-September,” said Parkin.
The third reading is scheduled for October 15 at the Wheatland County council chambers.
