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Preamble:
WHEREAS the Government of Alberta established the Land-use Framework (LUF) in 2008; and
WHEREAS the LUF is intended to provide the tools, mechanisms, and formal process for the delineation of smart regional growth opportunities, landscape-level planning, and land-use management to effectively manage competing activities in a sustainable manner through the development of regional land-use plans; and
WHEREAS the Alberta Land Stewardship Act establishes the legal basis for regional land use planning in Alberta, requiring local government bodies to review their regulatory instruments to ensure compliance with the regional plan developed under the LUF; and
WHEREAS regional planning represents an integrated planning approach that balances economic, environmental, and social considerations, and provide for consultation and engagement with Indigenous peoples, stakeholders, and the public; and
WHEREAS regional land-use plans developed under the LUF would serve as the ideal mechanism to inform planning for conservation and protected areas as regional plan development should take into consideration both environmental and economic priorities within a region; and
WHEREAS communities in rural Alberta are willing to participate in measures to enhance the natural environment, in conjunction with ensuring the economies of rural regions to prosper today and for future generations ; and
WHEREAS the regional planning process under the LUF has been slowed considerably and Alberta remains without regional plans in areas of significant future development;
Operative Clause:
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta requests that the Government of Alberta resume progress on the remaining regional land-use plans intended to be developed under the Land-use Framework.
Member Background:
The legal basis for regional land-use planning in Alberta was established in October 2009, with the Alberta Land Stewardship Act (ALSA). This legislation is intended to plan for the future needs of Albertans and manage growth, while respecting existing property rights.
The Land-use Framework recognizes that municipalities play a major role in regional planning. Municipalities contribute to regional planning which takes the municipal planning concept to a wider geographic area, so that planning responds to local needs and interests as well as regional and provincial ones.
The purpose of regional planning is to support the numerous policies and strategies that guide natural resource development, support economic growth, and protect our environment. Regional plans integrate these policies and strategies at the regional level and provide the policy direction and clarity for decision makers at the federal, provincial, and local levels.
In some cases, more detailed sub-regional planning may be necessary within a region to address a concern or specific issue. These plans go into more depth than a regional plan can and focus on the specifics of the situation.
Municipal governments maintain their responsibility and authority for local land-use planning and development on all lands within their boundaries. This includes the creation of municipal development plans, area structure plans and land-use bylaws. .
Regional Plans, including sub-regional plans, does not rescind land title or freehold mineral rights. Any decisions that may affect private landowners or freehold owners will occur through existing legislation and processes, and private landowners and freehold owners remain entitled to due process. Private landowners may be entitled to compensation under those laws.
Situated within Treaties 6, 7, 8, and Metis Nation of Alberta Regions 1, 2, 3, and 4, the North Saskatchewan Region is home to a diverse population and a vibrant economy. The Region is bordered by the Alberta-Saskatchewan border to the east, the Alberta-British Columbia border to the west; it peaks at the north boundary of Smoky Lake County and includes Banff National Park. It includes Edmonton and seven other cities. The North Saskatchewan Region is approximately 8,578,088 hectares, which makes it the third largest of the seven regions. Opportunities across the Region have attracted new residents and businesses from across the country and around the world. Industries driving economic activity across the region continue to grow and include energy, agriculture, tourism, forestry, and associated services. See the profile of the North Saskatchewan Region.
A Regional Advisory Council for the North Saskatchewan Region was appointed by Cabinet in 2014 to provide advice to the Government of Alberta on the development of the North Saskatchewan Regional Plan. The council provided 69 recommendations to government in six topic areas. The Government of Alberta has been reviewing the results of Albertans’ input on the North Saskatchewan Regional Advisory Council’s recommendations since Summer 2018.
Links: Map 1 – Alberta Land Use Framework Regions
RMA Background:
RMA has no active resolutions directly related to this issue.
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