Alberta Transportation is working with RMA and AUMA to pilot a program to reduce red tape for developments adjacent to highways
Alberta Transportation (AT) is working with the RMA and AUMA to develop a voluntary framework for municipalities to partner with AT to reduce red tape for developments adjacent to provincial highways. These agreements, known as Highway Vicinity Management Agreements (HVMAs), would exempt certain developments within a highway control zone from AT approval. A few key elements of the proposed HVMAs are:
- Entering into an agreement will be voluntary
- HVMAs will exempt certain types of development or subdivision from AT approvals, with these details arranged with individual municipalities
- Municipalities will not be responsible for administering AT approvals, rather the AT approvals would simply not be issued via the exemption
- Municipalities will retain their local decision-making authority to approve or deny municipal permits
While RMA and AUMA are working with AT on a draft HVMA framework, AT is seeking to pilot HVMAs in interested municipalities. As a pilot municipality, you will work with AT to develop an HVMA that works for your local needs using the framework currently being developed. This will allow your municipality to help test HVMAs, identifying areas of improvement, while helping reduce provincial tape for developments in your community.
If your municipality is interested in engaging in a pilot HVMA, please contact RMA Policy Advisor Warren Noga at warren@rmalberta.com by February 19, 2021.
Warren Noga
Policy Advisor
780.955.4079
warren@RMAlberta.com
Tasha Blumenthal
Director of External Relations and Advocacy
780.955.4094
tasha@RMAlberta.com