The Planning department manages land use and development within the City and is responsible for subdividing land, land use designation, development and building. The department ensures compliance through research and analysis, public consultation, adherence to statutory plans and the land use bylaw, policy recommendations, implementation and management.
Planning and Development uses Land Use Bylaw 05-2016 to establish rules and regulations for land development, as well as the process of making decisions for development permit applications in accordance with the Municipal Government Act.
Long Range Planning
The Long Range Planning business unit works proactively to respond to future growth needs and potential challenges and opportunities to implementing the City's vision for its growth. The business unit works collaboratively with other City departments, the community, businesses, government agencies, and other stakeholders to further the City's planning initiatives.
The key focus of the City's Long Range Planning business unit is as follows:
- Annexation
- Inter-municipal planning and collaboration
- Regional collaboration
- Existing neighborhood planning, i.e. Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan
- Area Structure Plan and Outline Plans, i.e., Land use plan for new areas
- Municipal Development Plan development and amendment
- The City's Growth Strategy