Area Structure Plans

The purpose of an ASP is to provide a framework that guides the planning, subdivision and development of a given area or particular parcel of land. Council uses ASPs as key guiding documents when considering subdivision and development proposals, as well as planning for community infrastructure. 

An ASP provides the opportunity for the landowner/developer to explain their vision to Council and residents and show the plan’s consistency with higher order statutory plans such as an Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) or Municipal Development Plan (MDP).  

ASPs are required for new subdivisions and developments that are of a size and scope that may:  

• have long term impacts on the adjacent lands and their uses 
• require new or upgrades to the road network  
• require new or connection to water and wastewater infrastructure 
• impact environmental features, etc.

ASPs can be prepared by a landowner/developer, although the County strongly encourages developers to engage professionals in the fields of land use planning, engineering, and other applicable areas to assist in the preparation of the ASP and associated reports/studies. The Alberta Professional Planning Institute (APPI) has a consultant directory on their website - Consultant Directory | Alberta Professional Planners Institute (albertaplanners.com). 

Policy 61.1 – Requirements for Area Structure Plan (ASP) provides a comprehensive guide for what information is required for submitting a completed ASP. This Policy can be found *here* 

Area Structure Plan applications cost $1,000.00 plus: 

• $100.00 per lot/unit being created  
• $100.00 per hectare  
• $50.00 per campsite/stall 
• $100.00 per additional lot/unit being created (if an amendment to an existing ASP)

Redistricting or rezoning is the process of changing the land use district that applies to a particular parcel of land. By changing a parcel’s zoning it changes what is allowed to happen on a property. 

Land use districts for properties specify the: 

• Purpose of the land 
• Permitted and discretionary uses of the land 
• General regulations which include minimum parcel size and setbacks, maximum building heights, number of dwellings, etc.  

If a land use is not listed in a zoning district, landowners may have the option to redistrict a portion or the entire parcel to another district where such uses are listed. Multiple zoning districts can exist within a quarter section.  

Once the completed application and payment have been received, the application is reviewed by the Planning and Development Department. Then the application is referred to various government agencies, adjacent municipalities and internally for review and comment. Once all referrals have been received, a Public Hearing date is scheduled, advertised for two consecutive weeks and adjacent landowners are notified of the Hearing. The application is presented to Council for redistricting approval or denial.  

The application fee for redistricting is $800.00 

All redistricting applications are approved by County Council via the Public Hearing process.  

The average redistricting application takes 2-3 months for final approval.