Minto submitted a preliminary Neighbourhood Structure Plan (NSP) application to the City of Airdrie in late August 2020. An NSP is a statutory plan that must be prepared for any large, undeveloped parcel of land. An NSP provides information related to land uses, street locations, parks and open spaces, utility infrastructure, and stormwater. It requires Council approval.

We have worked iteratively through the municipal review process throughout the fall, and formally resubmitted our NSP in December 2020, with additional revisions submitted in early March 2021. After completing our public engagement activities, we revised and resubmitted the final NSP on March 30, 2021.

We also presented the NSP to the Community Services Advisory Board (CSAB) in March 2021, as well as the Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) in April 2021. Both the CSAB and MPC provided unanimous recommendations for approval by City Council.

The NSP received unanimous approval by City Council through the Public Hearing on Monday May 17, 2021. You can view the full NSP document under Bylaw No. B-21/2021.

The Community Concept includes a mixture of single family and multifamily homes interwoven with green spaces that will be home to our integrated pathway network. This open space system and pathway network builds upon and ties into Airdrie’s existing pathway network. Prioritizing pedestrian and bike movements within West Hills while also connecting to adjacent communities. The open space network will be complimented with larger park spaces for more organized activities, including community garden plots and gathering areas.

The dramatic slope seen from Airdrie extending from the southern border is dedicated as Environmental Reserve. Meaning no development will occur here. This area has some of the best views West Hills has to offer, and with this space dedicated as Environmental Reserve it will be preserved as a natural area for everyone to enjoy – not just the houses nearby.

The featured amenity of the Community Concept is the Civic Node, adjacent to the storm pond and surrounded by park space. This node is intended as a public place for people to gather, shop, eat and play – right here at home. It will include a variety of amenities, such as community gardens, orchards, children’s pay spaces and multi-use sports courts. In the future the Civic Node area is envisioned to include a building with offerings like coffee shops, studios, and market spaces. The details of the Civic Node are still being figured out - so stay tuned for future updates!