2023 Municipal Development Plan (MDP) Refresh

A Municipal Development Plan (MDP) is essentially a blueprint for how the Municipal District will evolve, thrive and grow over the next 10 to 20 years. The MDP is the primary, long-range, comprehensive municipal planning document. The MDP sets the future direction for the community, and provides a framework for decision-making on planning and other matters. A MPD is required under the provisions of the Municipal Government Act, and must address specific issues defined by legislation.

The current MDP was adopted by Council in 2008. Since then, the Municipal District has witnessed several changes in its population composition, housing, physical environment, land use, growth patterns, and other areas. Some of these changes reflect the vision, policies and goals contained in the current MDP, while others do not. Changes in Council has also underscored the need for a new community vision. These, and other factors, have, therefore, necessitated the need for a new MDP.

The process of developing the new MDP provides an opportunity to reset the vision and direction for the community, taking into account emerging community needs, issues, concerns (such as climate change, fire prevention and emergency preparedness), challenges, opportunities, priorities and aspirations.  

The plan preparation is being anchored on a people-first, community-centred approach that recognizes the important role of residents and other stakeholders as key actors, both in the development and implementation of the plan.

Having a new MDP will, among others, help:

• Define how the municipality will grow and look like within the next 10 to 20 years, impacting how residents live and work;

• Identify and capitalize on our strengths and opportunities, while adapting to our weakness and challenges;

• Understand and address the concerns and priorities of residents, farmers, businesses and other groups;

• Promote economic development by improving and diversifying our local economy;

• Showcase and preserve our cultural heritage, recreation and natural assets, attracting new residents and businesses;

• Ensure a more efficient, responsible and sustainable growth and land use planning, balancing the different needs of the community today, while protecting the needs of future generations;

• Preserve our agricultural land base, contributing to food security; 

• Improve the relationship between residents and municipal government; and, 

• Ensure overall community wellbeing.

The community-centred approach to the MDP development is guided by the belief and understanding that planning, decision-making and implementation work best when they focus on the community, and respond to the relevant economic, social, cultural and context that shapes the community and wider region. The approach considers local values, opportunities and challenges in an intentional way. 

Without the active involvement of residents and other local actors in the plan process, the MDP’s vision and policies may not fully reflect the desires and aspirations of the community, potentially rending the plan less effective.

There are a number of ways you can meaningfully engage in the MDP process as a resident, landowner, business owner, or stakeholder. 

Stay Tuned! 

Visit the M.D.'s website and social media pages for information and updates on the MDP project. Read any reports or publications about the MDP.    

Take the surveys! 

One of the easiest ways to engage in the MDP is by completing surveys that are launched from time to time. The surveys are short, easy to complete, confidential and anonymous. They provide an opportunity to share your views, and bring forward any your concerns and suggestions devoid of the “pressures” associated with group or public settings. The first MDP survey was conducted in 2022; however, due to low participation rate, the results of that survey cannot be relied upon. The second survey, is running from July 5 to August 10, 2023, and is intended to provide the public and other interested parties another opportunity to provide input.

There are two versions of the survey, one for the community and another for stakeholders. Each survey takes about 15-20 minutes to complete, and can be completed online or in print.

If you are resident, landowner, student or worker in the MD, please complete the community survey. If you are a business owner or a representative of a group or organization that is based either within or outside the MD and provides community or public services to MD residents, or an adjacent municipality,  please complete the stakeholder survey.

To complete the surveys online, use the following links:

• Community Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MD136MDPPS2
• Stakeholder Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MD136MDPSS

Print copies of the survey are available at the Municipal office located at 10957 - 91 Ave, Fairview, AB T0H 1L0. Please return completed surveys to the municipal office by August 10, 2023.

Attend Future Open House

Once the new MDP draft is complete, it will be presented for public feedback at an Open House in the fall. The date, time and location of the Open House will be communicated in due course.

Contact the Project Coordinator

You can reach out directly to the Project Coordinator at the contact below to ask any questions you have, or share your ideas, comments or suggestions about the MDP Refresh.

Name: Komiete Tetteh, Manager of Planning, Mackenzie Municipal Services Agency (MMSA)  

Telephone: (780) 338-3862

Email: komiete@mmsa.ca