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Planning & Development

The County of Newell's Planning and Development Department manages land and development related matters including Development Permits, Safety Codes Permits, Subdivisions, Land Use Amendments, and Road Closures. The department is also responsible for planning the future growth and use of land in the County through the management of the local statutory framework. We are committed to responsible planning and sustainable development to ensure the continued growth of the region. Learn more by visiting the County of Newell Public Web Map.

Land use planning in Alberta is subject to plans at both the provincial and municipal levels of government. In addition, with the implementation of the provincial Land-Use Framework and the Alberta Land Stewardship Act, a regional vision is put in place with the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan (SSRP). At the local level, growth and development are guided by the Municipal Development Plan (MDP), among other plans that make up the statutory framework. While day-to-day development decisions are regulated by the Land Use Bylaw (LUB).

In the pipeline of projects for the department are the adoption of new or updated Area Structure Plans for each Growth Hamlet (Lake Newell Resort, Rolling Hills, Scandia, Tilley). The adoption of a Transportation Master Plan is another project that the department aims to undertake.

The hierarchy of plans that affect development in the County are outlined below.

Province of Alberta

PROVINCE OF ALBERTA

Provincial Legislation and Regulations guide local governance and development.

The Municipal Government Act (MGA) outlines the requirements for Statutory Plans and the Land Use Bylaw for every municipality in the province. Part 17 of the MGA acts as the over-arching framework for planning and development in the Province of Alberta.

There are some developments, such as Oil and Gas, Confined Feeding Operations and Renewable Energy that are governed by quasi-judicial regulators that grant approvals outside the scope of municipal responsibility. Section 619(1) of the MGA states that a licence, permit, approval or other authorization granted by the NRCB, ERCB, AER, AEUB or AUC prevails over any statutory plan, land use bylaw, subdivision and development appeal board, or the Land and Property Rights Tribunal or any other authorization under Part 17.

The Alberta Land Stewardship Act establishes the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan, conceived to better manage the region’s land and natural resources for long-term economic, environmental and social betterment.

Municipal Government Act (MGA)
(Subdivision and Development Regulation)

Alberta Land Stewardship Act

Intermunicipal Plans

INTERMUNICIPAL PLANS

An Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) is a statutory plan developed between neighbouring municipalities that outlines mutually agreed upon objectives and policies for cooperation, coordination and development within a determined plan area.

Applications to amend existing IDPs are submitted using the Statutory Plan Approval/Amendment Application Form, along with the required fee as per the Schedule of Fees bylaw.

Rural/Urban Intermunicipal Development Plans (IDP)

Brooks	Bassano	Duchess	Rosemary
Adopted 2009 Consolidated 2013	Adopted March 2015	Adopted February 2014	Adopted October 2019

Rural/Rural Intermunicipal Development Plans (IDP)

Wheatland County	Special Areas Board	Cypress County	MD of Taber	Vulcan County
Adopted May 2015	Adopted March 2020	Adopted February 2020	Adopted February 2018	Adopted May 2015
Amended November 2018				Amended October 2018

Local Plans

COUNTY OF NEWELL (LOCAL PLANS)

The Municipal Development Plan (MDP) is the vision for how the County of Newell will grow and develop in the future. The MDP is a statutory plan that is adopted by bylaw. It provides the framework for the more detailed and specific plans, policies and programs that work to facilitate the goals of the MDP.

Applications to amend the MDP are submitted using the Statutory Plan Approval/Amendment Application Form, along with the required fee as per the Schedule of Fees bylaw.

Municipal Development Plan (MDP)

Municipal Development Plan

Adopted 2023

Area Structure Plans

Area Structure Plans (ASP) are long range statutory plans, prepared by applicants and adopted by County Council, that provide direction for future land use patterns, transportation networks and infrastructure for new development.

Area Redevelopment Plans (ARP) are long range statutory plans that coordinates the improvement of land, buildings, or supporting infrastructure in an area that is already developed.

Applications to adopt new ASPs/ARPs or amend existing ASPs/ARPs can be submitted using the Statutory Plan Approval/Amendment Application Form, along with the required fee as per the Schedule of Fees bylaw.

Area Structure Plans (ASPs)

Cassils Road ASP	Deer Run Estates ASP	Jackson Light Industrial ASP	Lake Newell Reservoir Resort ASP
Adopted June 1991 Amended June 2000	Adopted August 2005	Adopted August 2005	Adopted August 2003

An Area Redevelopment Plan (ARP) is a long range statutory plan that coordinates the improvement of land, buildings, or supporting infrastructure in an area that is currently developed.

Area Redevelopment Plan (ARP)

North Headgates ARP

Adopted April 2019

Land Use Bylaw

Pre-Development

The final steps before construction are often referred to as the Pre-Development Stage.

Subdivision entails the creation of one or more new parcels of land divided from a larger parcel, each to be given a separate title. Subdivision can also entail the adjustment of existing parcel lot lines, also known as boundary line adjustments.

Land Use Amendments are required when a landowner would like to bring forward a development not allowed under the current land use designation of their parcel(s).

		Plan of Subdivision Land Use Amendment

Development Agreement		Development Permits

		Building Permits