INTRODUCTION
In making decisions regarding issues of planning and development, municipalities have much to consider, including federal and provincial legislation, environmental and historical impacts and the approved policies of the municipality itself. Section 638.2 of the Municipal Government Act (MGA) requires all municipalities within Alberta to have a listing of all policies and bylaws that influence Planning decisions available on their public websites.
The following is a directory of all approved documents of the Town of Trochu which relate to planning and development.
APPROVED PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DOCUMENTS
These documents must be considered when making planning and development decisions:
- BYLAW NO 2019-05 Inter-municipal Development Plan (IDP)
- The IDP addresses the long term land use and future growth of lands along the common borders of the Town of Trochu and Kneehill County.
- BYLAW NO 2015-08 Municipal Development Plan (MDP)
- The MDP addresses the long term land use and future growth of lands within the boundaries of the Town of Trochu
- BYLAW NO 2015-09 Land Use Bylaw, zoning map & amendments (LUB)
- The LUB regulates the control of specific development and use of land and buildings within the boundaries of the Town of Trochu
- Click here to view the zoning map
- Current amendments are as follows:
| Amendment | Purpose |
| BYLAW NO 2017-02 | Addition of Exhibit 1 and 2 illustrating required setbacks for principal and accessory buildings |
| BYLAW NO 2018-06 | Addition of regulations for cannabis production and retail facilities |
| BYLAW NO 2020-02 | Zoning change for Lots 19-22, Block 2, Plan 8210AK, from Community Service to Central Business |
| BYLAW NO 2021-03 | Zoning change for Lots 11-16, Block 7, Plan 8210AK from Central Business to General Residential |
| BYLAW NO 2021-04 | Correction of Exhibit 1 to properly illustrate required setbacks for principal and accessory buildings |
| BYLAW NO 2021-05 | Zoning change for lands within the NW ASP |
| BYLAW NO 2021-12 | Amendment to Manufactured Homes regulations, changing the oldest construction date allowable from 1998 to 10 years prior to development application date |
| BYLAW NO 2022-04 | Addition of Modular Homes and Ready-to-move Homes under permitted uses within Manufactured Home zones |
- BYLAW NO 2020-16 Northwest Area Structure Plan (NW ASP)
- The NW ASP guides the future development of approx. 31.9 hectares of land on the northwest edge of Trochu
- BYLAW NO 1995-9 Trochu Development Authority Establishment
- The Development Authority is established to ensure that any proposed developments are in accordance with the IDP, MDP, LUB, and any relevant ASPs
- BYLAW NO 2022-02 Municipal Planning Commission (MPC)
- The MPC is part of the Development Authority and makes decisions regarding certain development applications as per the LUB
- BYLAW 2018-08 Regional Subdivision & Development Appeal Board (SDAB)
- The SDAB makes decisions on any appeals to the decisions of Trochu’s Development Authority
These documents may be considered when making planning and development decisions:
- Trochu Strategic Plan, 2022-2025
- The Strategic Plan identifies the Town`s long term priorities and goals and lays out a plan to achieve them
- Trochu Master Drainage Plan, prepared June 2023
- Provides guidance for future development of stormwater systems and the priority for upgrades to the existing system
- Policy 2021-01-25-01 Residential Business Lot Sale Referral Policy
- Provides a monetary incentive for a referral that results in the sale of a lot owned by the Town of Trochu
- Policy 2021-01-25-02 Economic Development Incentive Policy
- Provides property tax incentives for new residential or commercial developments, and large additions or renovations, as well as grants to aid storefront updates
- Policy 2004-09-20-08 Ensuring That the Owner Pays for New Services To Old Lots
- Lays out the responsibilities of payment for new or upgraded water and sewer services
- BYLAW NO 2022-05 Arb & Dr Hay House – Historic Resource Designation
- Designates the Arboretum as a Municipal Historical Resource and sets out guidelines in regard to future developments
- BYLAW NO 2018-04 Advertising Bylaw
- Regulates how MPC decisions are advertised to the general public
- BYLAW NO 2022-03 Rates & Fees Bylaw
- Sets the fees for Development Permits and Appeals
HIERARCHY OF DOCUMENTS
The hierarchy of documents within the Town of Trochu’s land use planning framework is established by the MGA. The MGA requires that each level is consistent with the level above and below, and that policies or regulations within planning document(s) at each level be implemented by those below in the decision-making process.
The MGA provides the legislative authority for municipal land use planning and decision making, while the Alberta Land Stewardship Act (ALSA) regional plan (or Land Use Policies in their absence) provides broad-based policy directions and principals for municipal land use planning, which are effected through statutory plans and bylaws. The statutory plans provide future direction for the development and use of lands at the fringe areas of the Towns boundaries (IDP’s) or within the whole Municipality (MDP).
The Land Use Bylaw (LUB) regulates the use and development of land based on the policy directions of statutory plans, while the Subdivision and Development Regulation regulates subdivision planning in conjunction with the MGA, applicable statutory plans, and the Land Use Bylaw.
The policies, studies, guidelines, and other documents contain additional information or specific requirements outside statutory plans and the LUB documents that are considered for certain types of development permits and subdivision applications. Where there is a conflict or inconsistency between a higher-level planning document and lower-level planning document, the higher-level planning document prevails to the extent of the conflict or inconsistency.