WHEREAS Alberta Transportation drafted Policy TCE-TS 509: Who Pays for Highway Improvements Caused by Single Developments, Multiple Developments, or in Support of New Developments Identified by the Department as Future Work; and

WHEREAS the AAMDC membership endorsed Resolution 9-07F relating to this policy; and

WHEREAS the AAMDC membership endorsed Resolution 3-08S urging the government to review the policy and that the AAMDC should draft a policy paper on the implications associated with the application of the policy and position on who pays for highway development;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties support the recommendations of Building a Highway Network: Who Pays for Highway Improvement as a Result of Development; and

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the AAMDC Board and administration develop an implementation plan and targeted advocacy strategy pursuant to the recommendations within Building a Highway Network: Who Pays for Highway Improvement as a Result of Development.

In 2008, the Standing Issues Committee on Governance, Infrastructure and the Economy was convened to examine the issue and begin the process of drafting the paper. CAO’s were consulted and a legal opinion of the policy paper was commissioned. After gathering input, a draft was shown to the Standing Issues Committee once again. The committee added a few suggestions to improve the paper and accepted that the paper was a balanced position that should be taken forward to the Minister of Transportation. In February, the board accepted the paper and forwarded it to the convention floor to be voted on by the membership.

In October 2007, Alberta Transportation put forward a new policy entitled Policy TCE-TS 509: Who Pays for Highway Improvements Caused by Single Developments, Multiple Developments, or in Support of New Developments Identified by the Department as Future Work. The policy, developed by Alberta Transportation, is to provide clarity on who should pay:
– when a single development generates traffic volumes that create the need for highway improvements
– when more than one development generates traffic volumes that create the need for highway improvements
– when new developments advance the need for highway improvements or infrastructure identified by the department for future construction.

A number of municipalities were affected by this policy and we saw resolutions come forward for the AAMDC to address the issue with Alberta Transportation. Resolution 3-08S specifically requested that the AAMDC draft a policy paper on the issue and was accepted by the membership at the Spring 2008 convention. The government response that was received to resolution 3-08S generally states that the policy put into writing what was already being practiced and that it added commitment to cost-sharing for intersection improvements already included in Alberta Transportation’s business plan.

“Resolution 3-08S: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties urge the Government of Alberta to reconsider Policy TCE-TS 509 and that a policy paper on the implications associated with the application of the policy and position on who pays for highway development be established. Resolution 9-07F: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties urges the Government of Alberta to: 1. provide increased resources to Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation to allow for proper planning and management in areas where provincial highway construction is or will be occurring, to ensure that Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation and municipalities can meet their short and long term planning goals; and 2. be responsible for upgrading or expansion of provincial highways to accommodate development. Resolution 5-06S: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties review with Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation the manner of exercising their imposition of conditions under Sections 14, 15 and 16 of the Subdivision and Development Regulations. “

Transportation:
Alberta municipalities, as the authority for managing land uses and approving developments, are in the best position to implement these recommendations.  Alberta Transportation is committed to working co-operatively with municipalities and to providing input to ensure the development of lands can proceed with a safe and efficient transportation system.

The AAMDC has included this paper into the regular advocacy campaign to the provincial government. This includes discussion on the topic at meetings with the Minister of Transportation, inclusion in detailed briefing packages and increasing government awareness of the issues regarding decision making impacting municipalities without consultation.