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?