Provincial & Regional Land Use Policies
Planning Law in Alberta
While land use planning is primarily carried out at the municipal level, it is the province that governs how planning is carried out in Alberta. The Municipal Government Act (MGA) sets the legal framework for planning. In addition, the province has passed other regulations governing land use planning such as the subdivision and development regulation. Occasionally, the Government of Alberta will also issue a policy statement (i.e. Alberta Land Use Policies issued in 1997).
Finally, the Municipal Government Act states that where certain provincial agencies are involved in providing provincial licenses, approvals or permits for certain types of development, those provincial authorizations prevail over local land use planning decisions and instruments. Some of these agencies include the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB), Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) and the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (AEUB). Applications consistent with these licenses, permits or approvals must be approved by a local municipality to the extent that the applications comply with the licenses, permits or approvals. These applications may include amendments to the Land Use Bylaw , decisions of Subdivision Authorities and Development Authorities, or statutory land use amendments.
Provincial land use policies
Several provincial departments have implemented policies that directly or indirectly affect land use planning throughout the province including Leduc County. Most significantly is the creation of the Capital Region Board regulation which established the Capital Region Board. The Capital Region Board's purpose is to develop and manage the Capital Region Growth Plan. The Capital Region consists of 24 municipalities which includes the City of Edmonton, its surrounding five counties (Sturgeon, Parkland, Leduc, Strathcona and Lamont) and all of the municipalities embedded within those counties.
Among the other provincial policy initiatives which may affect Leduc County land use planning are the Water for Life Strategy, the Alberta Climate Change Strategy, the Alberta Provincial Energy Strategy, and the subdivision, access management, and traffic impact assessment guidelines from Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation.
Regional land use policies
While land use planning is primarily carried out at the municipal level, it is the province that governs how planning is carried out in Alberta. The Municipal Government Act (MGA) sets the legal framework for planning. In addition, the province has passed other regulations governing land use planning such as the subdivision and development regulation. Occasionally, the Government of Alberta will also issue a policy statement (i.e. Alberta Land Use Policies issued in 1997).
Finally, the Municipal Government Act states that where certain provincial agencies are involved in providing provincial licenses, approvals or permits for certain types of development, those provincial authorizations prevail over local land use planning decisions and instruments. Some of these agencies include the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB), Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) and the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (AEUB). Applications consistent with these licenses, permits or approvals must be approved by a local municipality to the extent that the applications comply with the licenses, permits or approvals. These applications may include amendments to the Land Use Bylaw , decisions of Subdivision Authorities and Development Authorities, or statutory land use amendments.
Provincial land use policies
Several provincial departments have implemented policies that directly or indirectly affect land use planning throughout the province including Leduc County. Most significantly is the creation of the Capital Region Board regulation which established the Capital Region Board. The Capital Region Board's purpose is to develop and manage the Capital Region Growth Plan. The Capital Region consists of 24 municipalities which includes the City of Edmonton, its surrounding five counties (Sturgeon, Parkland, Leduc, Strathcona and Lamont) and all of the municipalities embedded within those counties.
The Capital Region Board falls under the jurisdiction of Alberta Municipal Affairs. Under the Ministerial Order that establishes the Regional Evaluation Framework (REF), the list of conditions for which a statutory plan shall be submitted to the Capital Region Board (CRB) for review and approval, is displayed. The onus is on the Municipality to evaluate the conditions of each statutory plan including statutory plans amendment, to identify the need to submit or not the statutory plan or amendment contemplated. This has to be done prior to the county enacting any bylaw adopting a statutory plan or statutory plan amendment.
Under Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, the Land Use Framework divides up the entire province into seven major river basins. A plan will be developed for each of these basins. Leduc County falls within the North Saskatchewan River Plan area and will be actively involved with many other stakeholders in the creation of this plan. The Capital Region Growth Plan is expected to be absorbed into and form part of the North Saskatchewan River Plan.
Among the other provincial policy initiatives which may affect Leduc County land use planning are the Water for Life Strategy, the Alberta Climate Change Strategy, the Alberta Provincial Energy Strategy, and the subdivision, access management, and traffic impact assessment guidelines from Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation.
Regional land use policies
Other regional policies or regulations that may affect planning in the County includes the Airport Vicinity Protection Area (AVPA) Regulation, the Beaver Hills Initiative (BHI) Land Management Framework, the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance Municipal Guide, the Edmonton International Airport Master Plan, and several functional planning studies which are either complete or in development and are being prepared by Alberta Transportation.
Leduc County has several policies that have been adopted, and Planning & Development is currently working toward the creation of a few additional policies. Please contact the Department if you want more information on current and proposed policies.
Leduc County Policies
Leduc County has several policies that have been adopted, and Planning & Development is currently working toward the creation of a few additional policies. Please contact the Department if you want more information on current and proposed policies.
