Share your thoughts, fill in the blank: There are Acreages. Too many We must take a look at how man acres we take out of agriculture each year and this information should be available to the tax payers. Not enough Focus towards acreages is towards tax revenue which they bring into the County rather than how they affect farming and agriculture. About right Acreages are Acreages should be developed in throughout the County. There needs to be residential development. General notes: Too big Too small Depends on landscape type. Clusters Spread out What are the implications of each? What are the implications of each? There should be home businesses. We need campgrounds. Building setbacks are There needs to be enforcement of storage on agricultural lands. Too small Too big Should be enforcement on landowners to keep property neat and tidy. Storage of what? Conserve agricultural lands for agriculture and production more people less lands. than 10 acres should have separate category from agricultural lands. What will Camrose County look like in 10-20 years? Mega farms are going to be a coming trend. Will they need as many all-weather roads? Population reduction. 1
What type of development do you want to see in the new MDP? Is there too much of one kind of development? o acreages. o People cost services. o There are going to be more mega farms. o Way too many acreages which are restricting agriculture and taking productive farmland out of production forever. Is there a need for another kind of development? o Commercial developments (x2). But at what footprint on agricultural production. o acreages. o acreages. The best thing about Camrose County is Nature conservation centre. Natural land conservation. The MDP should promote Conservation of existing natural areas, wetlands. Before cutting down trees, people should require a permit. Too many trees and shrubs are cut down and are not developed into agriculture. Alternative land use services. Protect the farmland. Without Camrose County wouldn t be as attractive to Natural land conservation residents and visitors. Where should the County Grow its: Residential Agri-business o Combine RC and R1. o Small agri-business (local ford production). 2
Industry o industrial development. o Industrial development on poor land. Lake Communities What new directions or areas of focus should be addressed by the MDP? Solar power (develop). Paved collector roads. Paved roads on only high load capacity roads. What kind of planning units should the MDP organize the County into? What are the pros & cons of each of these? Areas grouped by Hamlet, Town, or Village Existing Council Division Boundary Existing Area Structure Plan Is Camrose County a desirable place for agriculture and agri-business development? If yes, why? o Yes, we are within a close proximity to major trading centres, good quality soil and good roads/rail access. o Agricultural development or sustainment is less attractive as urban encroachment increases. If no, why? What concerns do you have with the following new uses being included in the LUB? Fabric sheds Park model RV homes Sea cans (shipping containers) o OK when used for dry storage prevents mouse problems. 3
Work Camps o OK if not permanent. o Will there be resources to police these? What other new types of development need to be addressed? Sign bylaw consider professional signage along our primary and secondary highways. Alternative land use services. Tree and shrub program in lieu of the federal program especially for restoration of shelter belts. Conservation easement and setbacks from wetlands and riparian areas. What parcel sizes are desirable for rural residential development? 3-5 ac for new development. Up to 25-30 acres when you subdivide land and you say every application will be different. The size of an acreage should be associated to the quality of the land. (x2) o Good land small acreage o Poor land larger acreage Depends on landscape type. 3-5 acres o Parcel sizes for rural residential are development are case specific. Flexibility should be taken into consideration while protecting agriculture land. 5-10 acres o Agree. o Smaller the land base the better which then does not take more farmland out of production. 10-20 acres 20-30 acres o Keep acreage to max 25-30 acres (subdivision of existing farm building sites). 30-80 acres General comments received from conversations with attendees: Acreages should be developed on unusable land and in a quiet location. Acreages aren t conducive to AG lands. Trees shouldn t be torn down for new development; too many are being taken down which reduces shelter for wildlife. 4
MDP and LUB contain too many regulations. Some farmers are interested in organic certification, however, are concerned about the effects on their crops from non-organic farmers/pesticides drifting over. There are too many acreages making it difficult for cleaning and maintaining farmland. There are septic concerns throughout the County. There are new residents on the east side of the City of Camrose, however, there are no grocery stores on the east side so they have to travel across the City to the nearest grocery store. o Water is better on the east side of the City. There are issues selling new acreages east of the City. Water services should be extended outside the City for future development. Lake development is good to have in the County, however people from the City of Edmonton use it more making it difficult for County residents to reserve spaces. The City would prefer future development to occur in the IDP area. Rural commercial and rural industrial zones could possibly be combined. There is a large treed area on the lands northeast of Township Road 472 and Range Road 204, the owner has desire for the treed area to be preserved and have a future use similar to Central Park in New York and be surrounded by residential development. Preservation of farmland is really important in the County. Camrose County should not turn into Strathcona County i.e. less development should occur. No more than 3 acreages per ¼ section. 5