About the NOASP Amendment.
What is an Area Structure Plan?
An Area Structure Plan (ASP) is a long-range plan developed collaboratively with Town staff and stakeholders. It is a statutory document approved by Town Council and outlines a vision for a new community and how it can evolve over time. The plan guides future development decisions through community-specific policies related to land use, density, open space, transportation and servicing.
Why are we amending the ASP?
2016, Town Council approved the North Okotoks ASP which enabled the development of Wedderburn east of Northridge Drive between 338 Avenue and the communities of Suntree and Tower Hill. Since then, there have been changes to the Town’s boundary and Municipal Development Plan (MDP).
In 2017, the Town annexed 4900 acres from Foothills County.
In 2021, Town Council approved a new MDP which directs the Town to develop more compactly and sustainably while ensuring sufficient servicing capacity for homes and businesses.
The proposed changes to the NOASP involve adjusting the ASP boundary to include ±158 acres that was annexed by the Town in 2017 and updating NOASP policy to align with the MDP approved in 2021.
Key Changes to the NOASP:
The NOASP boundary is adjusted to include ±158 acres (±64 hectares) east of Wedderburn - land that was formerly part of Foothills County.
A minimum density of 10 units per acre must be achieved across the NOASP area to align with Council approved MDP targets (approximately 8 units per acre on the western portion and 12 units per acre on the eastern portion of the Plan Area).
Introduce new policies on innovation in community, building and landscape design. Proposed policies encourage Low Impact Development techniques (such as
bioswales, rain gardens, pervious pavements and absorbent landscaping) and sustainable building design & construction practices.
New intersections on 338 Avenue will be controlled to ensure safety of motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists. These intersections will be controlled by way of signal, roundabout, or right-in/right-out restriction.
A median is planned on 338 Avenue which will restrict turning movements to the general locations shown on the map to the right.
Wedderburn is designed so all residents are within walking distance of a park space. This will apply to the area east of Wedderburn where there will be large central parks for programmed and unprogrammed activities, linear parks with pathways to connect the area, and small parks to accommodate playgrounds.
A pathway for pedestrians and cyclists will connect the west side of Wedderburn to the Community Campus site in the east. This pathway will provide safe access for residents, and connect to the greater regional pathway system.