Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw Review

The RM is proud of its diverse agricultural sector that includes traditional industries such as grain and livestock and other sectors such as secondary processing, equipment retail and service, specialty crops, input supply and others. 

Share your thoughts about how agriculture should fit in to the RM's long-term planning goals. Questions to consider: 

• Are current policies effectively preserving the highest quality agricultural lands for continued cultivation?
• How can the RM minimize potential conflicts between agricultural operations and acreage development?
• Do RM policies pose any unnecessary barriers to farmers and other agricultural businesses? 

The RM is a community of distinct communities providing a variety of lifestyles. Residential opportunities in the RM include rural living on a large acreage, full-service country residential subdivisions, and urban-style living in Emerald Park. 

Share your thoughts about how residential development should fit in to the RM's long-term planning goals. Questions to consider:

• How can the RM continue to ensure compatibility between residential and non-residential land uses?
• Are there sufficient services to support the daily needs of residents such as parks, day cares, community gathering spaces and retail?
• What criteria should be used to evaluate proposals for new residential development?

The community of Emerald Park is vibrant urban community that is home to numerous recreational, commercial, and community service amenities. 

Share your thoughts about planning for the future of Emerald Park. Questions to consider:

• What features and amenities make Emerald Park a great place to live and work? Are there any new amenities or services you would like to see?
• How can future growth be accommodated in a sensitive way that benefits the community as a whole?
• How can the RM encourage local entrepreneurship in the form of home-based businesses while preserving the character of residential areas?

The Official Community Plan emphasizes the preservation of the RM's natural resources including waterbodies, aquifers, wildlife habitats, and wetlands. Not only do these areas provide valuable ecosystem services, they also contribute to social, recreational, and educational opportunities for residents and visitors. 

Share your thoughts on how the RM can continue to preserve its most valuable environmental features. Questions to consider:

• Which natural landscapes in the RM are most important to you?
• How can the effects of development be mitigated?
• Are there any environmental stewardship programs the RM should explore?

The RM's large business community includes a variety of industries from small-scale retail, to warehousing and manufacturing, to agricultural industry and more. Business development and encouraging a diverse tax base are key pillars of both the RM's Official Community Plan and Strategic Plan. 

Share your thoughts about how commercial and industrial development should fit into the RM's long-term planning goals. Questions to consider: 

• What are the best locations to encourage further commercial and industrial development?
• Do RM policies pose any unnecessary barriers to business development?
• What criteria should be used to evaluate proposals for new commercial and industrial developments?