City seeking residents' input

Residents wanting a say in policies governing future growth will have a chance to have their voices heard.

The City of Airdrie planning department is inviting input from residents at an interactive open house at the Genesis Place Rotary Room, May 29 from 6 to 8 p.m.

“The City of Airdrie is looking for public input on what residents think makes a quality and livable neighbourhood,” said Amber Osadan-Ullman, City of Airdrie planner. “This is a chance for residents to talk with planning staff and share their ideas about their city, neighbourhood and housing options.”

The open house will feature visual preference boards, on which residents can vote on various ideas and issues related to building better neighbourhoods. Staff will also be on hand to answer questions and listen to concerns and ideas.

All aspects of daily life, including ideas about roads, parks, sidewalks, shopping centres and homes, are open for discussion, said Osadan-Ullman.

The event is open to all Airdrie residents and refreshments and children’s activities will be provided.

Input given by residents will be used in the formation of Airdrie’s new municipal development plan and land use bylaw, which are expected to be completed in draft form in the first quarter of 2013.

The open house is part of a public engagement campaign that will be ongoing for the next month to six weeks, according to Osadan-Ullman.

In March, City council adopted the AirdrieONE sustainability plan, a visionary document on the future of the city’s growth.

“We are now positioned to implement regulation and policy,” said Osadan-Ullman. “Airdrie is such a fast growing city, our statutory documents need to reflect that.”

For more information about the public engagement campaign or the rewrite of the municipal development plan and land use bylaw, visit www.airdrie.ca/newairdriezoning

City staff will post all feedback on the website during the public engagement process.