OPEN HOUSE – ESA UPDATE

Bylaw No. 08/18

Please ask questions and provide your input

Comment cards are available

• Council directed Administration to update the County ESA information by including Fiera

2014 Provincial data

• Administration’s review identified that the Sweetgrass 1991 County data is less accurate

and could be removed as the Summit 2008 County data is more accurate

• An update of the County ESA information and Agricultural Preservation Area is proposed

“Grey” and the “White” Area

Agricultural Preservation Area

• Created From Environmentally Significant Area (ESA)

data and Canada Land Inventory Soil Class 1, 2, and 3

(“Grey” Area)

• Maximum 2 titles/lots on a quarter section

• Subdivision/Development may require studies when

located within an ESA

Potential Multi-Lot Residential Development Area

• Canada Land Inventory Soil Class 4, 5, 6, 7, and 0, and

not within an ESA (“White” Area)

• Up to 4 titles/lots on a quarter section – direct

subdivisions to least productive land on quarter section

Rezoning (Redesignation) Process

2008

How the Agricultural Preservation Area was created

Environmentally Significant Area (ESA)

Municipal Development Plan – ESA Map

• Map to show general boundaries of ESAs and additional

Provincial data (Flood studies, hazard lands, etc.)

• Subdivision/Development may require studies that

further define boundaries or significance in more detail

Policies and Regulations

• Biophysical assessment for high density subdivision or

quarter section development

• Geotechnical report for potential unsuitable lands

• No development in Floodways, limited in Flood Fringe

• Protection through conditions of Subdivision/Development

Current ESA Map from Municipal Development Plan

(Sweetgrass 1991 and Summit 2008 data)

Proposed ESA Map – Bylaw No. 08/18

(Summit 2008 and Fiera 2014 Provincial data)

ESA Report Summaries

Sweetgrass 1991

• 11 criteria categories to identify an ESA1) Hazard Lands – undevelopable or has development constraints

2) Areas performing a vital environmental, ecological, or hydrological function

3) Areas containing unique geological or physiographic features

4) Areas containing significant, rare, or endangered species

5) Unique habitats with limited representation in the region or small

remnants of once large habitats that have virtually disappeared

6) Areas containing unusual diversity of plant/animal communities due to

geomorphological features and microclimatic effects

7) Relatively undisturbed habitats that contain shelter from species that are

intolerant of human disturbance

8) Areas providing linkage for wildlife movement or large distances

9) Areas representing one or more ecosystems or landscapes

10) Areas containing community interest or highly valued features or species

11) Areas with lengthy histories of scientific research

ESA Report Summaries

Summit 2008

• Same 11 criteria category that was used in Sweetgrass

1991 with updated mapping based on field surveys and

public information sessions

• ESA mapping ranked Levels 1 - 4 based on 11 criteria,

distribution, function, and social importance

• Additional 55,974 acres identified as ESA

Fiera 2014 (Provincial)

• High level review of ESAs at a quarter section scale

• 4 criteria categories with 2 - 3 sub categories each

• ESA identification based on Provincial policies

Number of Provincial ESAs within County ESAs

Redesignation (Rezoning) Process

How are decisions made?

File reviewed against

technical and

historical information

Initial review if file meets

County policies

Obtain comments

from Government

agencies and adjacent landowners

Staff review comments

and consider any negative

impacts

Staff conduct a site visit to

confirm technical

information and

comments received

Staff determine if

more information is needed

Staff write a report to Council outlining

policy compliance

/non-compliance

Public may comment to

Council

Council considers

information within staff report and comments provided at the public hearing

Council decision

given

File ReviewFile

CirculatedSite Visit

Public

Hearing

Council

Decision

Where are the proposed changes located?