|
July 6, 2007
(Red Deer, Alberta) - In the spirit of cooperation, the  Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) was adopted today by The City of Red Deer and Red Deer County. This plan identifies growth areas for each municipality. The City growth areas will accommodate more than 300,000 people, a need identified in Future Directions: Red Deer at 300,000, while maintaining Red Deer County’s own growth areas south of the city.
“This is a very exciting and momentous time for both The City and the County,” said City of Red Deer Mayor Morris Flewwelling, The City of Red Deer. “We have adopted a plan that will give citizens, the business community, and service institutions the assurance they need to make investments in Central Alberta.”
The development of the IDP was a multi-step process which included facilitated discussions between the councils, the development of an IDP framework and adoption by each council. In addition, public consultation was a priority with public open houses and a public hearing being held and information posted to both The City and County websites.
The IDP will include an annual review and renewal process that both municipalities will participate in.
“This plan represents the first step towards a coordinated and cooperative approach to future developments, which is a contrast to the individual work of the two municipalities over the past few years,” said Reeve Earl Kinsella, Red Deer County. “We recognize, however, that the plan is a working document and an annual review with ongoing feedback will ensure we continue to identify the needs of our business community, residents and other stakeholder groups.”
Working from the basis of a strong intermunicipal relationship, both municipalities agreed to a number of conditions ensuring the implementation of the IDP in a successful and timely manner. These conditions include The County agreeing to support The City’s existing industrial annexation and land purchase and an upcoming residential annexation. The City has agreed to remove land-use disputes and appeals against The County. It was also agreed that the hamlets of Liberty Crossing/Gasoline Alley & Springbrook would remain as County growth areas.
Mayor Flewwelling explained, “This plan positions The City and County as being able to accommodate industrial, commercial and residential growth and is evidence that, as two municipalities, we are on the forefront of collaborative working for the benefit of the entire region.”
“This plan will allow us to establish patterns of land use benefiting both municipalities and supporting appropriate growth and development, while planning for a much broader, long term strategy for future County and City growth,” said Reeve Earl Kinsella. “It represents significant cooperation between the two Councils and municipalities to forge a strong relationship with a strong commitment to the future of the respective municipalities as well as Central Alberta.”
Both Red Deer County and The City of Red Deer agree that a strong relationship and ongoing dialogue will remain critical. They are committed to make this a top priority to ensure the region is investment ready.
Additional information can be found on The City of Red Deer’s website at www.reddeer.ca or Red Deer County’ s website at http://rdcounty.ca.
- end -
Backgrounder and Q&A Backgrounder are attached.
For more information, please contact:
Morris Flewwelling Craig Curtis
Mayor City Manager
The City of Red Deer The City of Red Deer
403-342-8154 403-342-8156
Earl Kinsella Harry Harker
Reeve Planning & Development Director
Red Deer County Red Deer County
403-350-2152 403-350-2150
| 
