Rocky View County council postponed a decision, Sept. 6, regarding the Rocky View/Calgary Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) pending a legal review by the municipality’s lawyers.
The move came as a result of concerns raised by a number of residents about the potential power of the IDP, a statutory document on par with the Municipal Development Plan, that covers about 103,400 acres along Rocky View and Calgary’s shared borders.
“The reason I suggested a legal review… was not because of any mistrust,” said Councillor Greg Boehlke. “It was to clarify more than anything.”
Longtime resident Gloria Wilkinson spoke out against the IDP, saying it has a distinct City bias and may fetter council’s decision-making abilities.
Resident David McKeand agreed and said the plan may stop residents from providing input on future decisions.
“We have no rights in the IDP at all,” he said.
The IDP has been more than three years in the making and will replace the existing intermunicipal agreement, which has been in place since 1998.
According to County planner Kyra McCardle, who has been involved in the IDP process, working closely with her Calgary-based counterparts, said the plan’s goals are to ensure development makes sense for residents on both sides of the borders, limit conflicts in land use and make road and other infrastructure works for both municipalities.
“This plan is a large step forward in our relationship with the City of Calgary,” said McCardle. “We feel this document will put us on a different footing… that will allow us to better work together.”
Reeve Rolly Ashdown, who was on the IDP committee, said the document was built on a good relationship and he didn’t see any reason to have lawyer’s check it out.
Rick Butler, former Calgary Regional Partnership executive director, said there is a distinct feeling of mistrust present in the county.
“I spent eight years of my life (in the CRP) looking for these evil bogeymen and bad things and I didn’t find (them),” he said. “What I did find is there is a lack of trust and cooperation and communication.”
Butler suggested the legal review was a good idea to dispel the issues.
Councillor Lois Habberfield expressed frustration with the public’s perception, which is different from the intent.
“They are obviously feeling that some evil people are out there trying to fetter council, run rough-shod over plans,” said Habberfield. “How do we fix that gap?”
According to McCardle, the City of Calgary, which was to vote on the document Sept.12, will likely also postpone the decision. Rocky View council is planning to take another look at the document in November.
