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Hello everyone,
The number of people who have signed the Just Say No to a Calgary Veto petition is now hovering around 1000. I’m hoping that we can break through the 1000 mark so spread the word to your neighbours. They can sign the petition by emailing me at nocalgaryveto@me.com. A protest was held on June 12 and we received some media coverage (see some of the coverage summarized here).
The vote on the Calgary Metropolitan Plan (CMP) was held on June 19. The only members to ask for changes to the Calgary Metropolitan Plan were the MD of Foothills, the MD of Rocky View and the County of Wheatland. These three rural municipalities represent the largest land base in the area surrounding Calgary, so their unwillingness to sign puts a wrench in the provincial government’s plans–at least for now.
All three asked for major revisions to the CMP, including the Calgary veto. Their suggested revisions are not new–the changes have been put forward repeatedly and voted down by the Calgary Regional Partnership (for a recap on the requested changes, visit the nocalgaryveto blog).
Okotoks votes for the plan as is
The Town of Okotoks appears quite comfortable with the Calgary veto and voted in favour of it. Council continues to insist that it can maintain its population cap and refuse a Calgary water pipeline, while still signing on to the CMP. Folks, this is a downright refusal to face the facts as they are written into the CMP. It may even be said that the Mayor and Town Councillors have failed to do their due diligence. They have done nothing to ensure the verbal promises they have made to their citizens are in writing for the Calgary Regional Partnership and the provincial government to honour. And yet, they are willing to take out a two-page ad in the Western Wheel claiming the population cap is assured and that “sub-regional” water solutions will be sought, implying that a water pipeline from the Bow River is not in the cards.
Let’s review the facts (with thanks to Laurie Hodson for research):
-According to the Calgary Regional Partnership’s own presentation on June 12, 2009, a number of water infrastructure scenarios are looked at and the most cost effective option for Okotoks is identified as a regional supply from Calgary (based on growth to 58,000 people). Action would need to be taken by 2017. The option of a population cap and sub-regional water solution is not even considered anywhere in the presentation. (View the presentation, slides 21-22)
-The Town of Okotoks’ resolution voted on and adopted on June 15 promises ONLY to “explore” sub-regional water solutions-that’s it. There is no commitment beyond the vague idea of “exploration.” (View the resolution)
-The CMP commits local municipalities to pursuing common strategic directions at the “metropolitan” level.” (Definition of metropolitan: of or pertaining to a large city, its surrounding suburbs, and other neighboring communities.) (Read the CMP, see page 7)
-The CMP states, “member municipalities will amend and/or otherwise align all relevant local Municipal Development Plans (MDPs) and Intermunicipal Development Plans (IDPs) with the CMP within three years of the final approval of the CMP by the CRP and the Province of Alberta.” (see CMP, p. 7)
-“The CMP would be able to require that a water or transit line be placed through a municipal jurisdiction that may not be in favour of (or not in favour of some aspect of such a regional service). This would maintain the integrity of critical regional water, wastewater or transit services and be subject to a regional decision.” (see the CMP, p. 18)
-In other words, if it is judged to be in the best interests of the REGION to have Okotoks get its water via pipeline from the Bow, the CMP most certainly gives the CRP the right to force this on the Town of Okotoks, whether the local residents want it or not! If they can force a water pipeline THROUGH a community, why could they not force a water pipeline ON a community? This is particularly true if it was deemed to be in the best interests of the City of Calgary, which stands to gain financially by building and operating the water pipeline and billing Okotoks taxpayers for this service!
Despite what is written in various places in the Calgary Metropolitan Plan, Okotoks Council continues to vehemently insist they can not be forced to do anything against their will. It is astounding how little attention they have paid to what is written. They are quite frankly either practicing the worst kind of deception or totally asleep at the wheel.
Albertans for Responsible Land Use
Meanwhile, the coalition of community groups opposed to the Calgary Metropolitan Plan have now banded together to form an umbrella group to lobby for changes in the way government (at all levels) treats its citizens when it comes to land use planning. With more changes coming to various pieces of legislation that will give the provincial government increasing authority and decreased accountability, the group is determined to elevate their efforts to a higher level. The NoCalgaryVeto petitioners are being represented at the table as part of this new group. See the group’s website at www.ab-land-use.ca.
What next?
It remains to be seen what will happen with the three rural municipalities opting out of the CMP. The MD of Rocky View continues to furiously develop at a pace that has left residents reeling. Recently, the MD approved a new housing development called “Watermark” despite the fact that residents opposed it two-to-one. Even the City of Calgary’s claim that the effluent from the development’s sewage plant was unreliable and would put the City’s raw water supply at risk, was completely ignored. (Read more.)
The MD of Foothills is no doubt engaged in negotiations with the provincial government and publicly, the MD councillors have stated they would welcome provincial government intervention.
The City of Calgary gave first reading of its municipal plan, known as Plan It Calgary and community activists lobbied loudly for the plan (kudos for their efforts). Unfortunately, they seem willing to overlook the fact that rampant urban sprawl may not be planned within the city limits but it is most certainly in the cards for just outside the city’s boundaries. They can look forward to dense suburban housing developments spreading out into the countryside. The Stelmach government says there is no money for MRI’s or hospital emergency heli-pad repairs, but promises to pay for a series of rail lines snaking out in all directions to service the urban nodes or “blue blobs.” With the province out borrowing money and begging for an increase in federal transfer payments, what are the chances of those rail lines being funded? Will that stop housing developments in the blue blobs? I think not–developers can build the houses now and worry about the rail lines later, much later. In the meantime, those new residents will become car commuters into the City and put further strain on Calgary’s infrastructure.
If what you are reading here makes you angry, please get involved. There are a number of ways to help. You can make a donation to Albertans for Responsible Land Use. You can write letters to your local newspaper and/or your local MLA or municipal elected official. You can email or phone them as well. Speak up and let the government know that we won’t stand by silently while our democratic rights are eroded.
One last note, there is a by-election coming up in Calgary-Glenmore soon. It may be an opportunity to send a message to the provincial government. You don’t have to live in the Calgary riding to help campaign against the Tories. The Wildrose party, the Liberals and the NDP will all be running candidates opposing the Conservatives. You may also be interested in a strategic voting plan called, “the Democratic Renewal Project” at www.drpcalgary.com. These are all ways to send a message to the Stelmach government about the way it conducts itself.
Thanks.
Jody
Hello Petitioners,
On Wednesday, June 10, the MD of Foothills is has called a meeting to discuss the Draft Calgary Metropolitan Plan (CMP). This meeting will be held at the Foothills Centennial Centre, 204 Community Way in Okotoks. Since I last wrote to you, at least five members have submitted letters to the Calgary Regional Partnership, asking for significant amendments to the CMP, due largely to public feedback. Your comments and the nearly 800 signatures on the Just Say NO to a Calgary Veto campaign have played an important role in convincing municipal politicians to make some important amendments to the CMP before signing on the dotted line on June 19, 2009.
The June 10 meeting is the last public opportunity to voice your concerns about the Calgary veto and other issues. We are asking for a large turnout at the meeting and are inviting the news media to attend. At 6:30 p.m., several community groups will have speeches and a “tailgate protest” in the parking lot of the Foothills Community Centre (located behind the Okotoks RCMP office). Groups from Bearspaw and Springbank who are also opposed to the Calgary Metropolitan Plan have been invited to attend.
Detailed update
I’ve obtained a copy of the memo to the CMP steering committee from Airdrie Mayor Linda Bruce in which she says, “In reviewing the attached resolutions I was quite surprised to see the volume and extent of the CMP revisions that are being proposed by a few CRP members at this point in our process.”
At last count, four municipalities are asking for changes to the draft plan in response to concerns from the citizens. The proposed changes are substantial and will most certainly conflict with the expectations of the City of Calgary in their letter to the CRP, in which Mayor Dave Bronconnier says, “I have…made it clear to the Steering Committee and the Executive that it is the City of Calgary’s expectation that members of the Partnership would support the entire package as an integrated approach to planning, servicing and governance.” Read more…
Okotoks
The Okotoks submission states that, “Okotoks’ Council has determined that a population increase, characterized by the moderate growth strategy, may be considered over the next two years only if solutions are developed to enable the community to continue to support living within the natural carrying capacity of our watershed.” This is a slightly different spin than what was agreed to at Town Council on May 25. There is no mention of maintaining the status quo Sustainable Okotoks policy, a glaring omission given the emotional drama that played out in Council Chambers. Many feel that this is a betrayal of the Town Council’s earlier vote to keep the population cap. Read more…
MD of Rocky View
The MD of Rockyview submitted a lengthy 12-page report and says, “we wish to advise that if the key issues outlined below go unresolved, we will be unable to ratify the CMP.” The five issues are listed as: annexation/jurisdiction, public consultation, urban vs rural planning, the voting structure and water allocation. The MD is effectively giving the “thumbs down” to the Calgary veto. Read more...
County of Wheatland
The County of Wheatland reportedly tried to duck out of the whole Calgary Regional Partnership early in the process. The story goes that they received a visit from a Cabinet Minister and were back at the table. Their concerns are in the areas of governance (the Calgary veto again) and Land Use. They mention that the rural municipalities have the land base while the City of Calgary has the population base and this should be recognized in the decision-making structure.
The Calgary Metropolitan Plan currently states that “It should not be possible, therefore, for communities to cherry pick, to opt into or out of individual components of the CMP.” (Okotoks residents take note, there is no option for the Town to select anything but the urban density as determined by the CRP–in other words, even the moderate growth scenario is not guaranteed to be allowed under the provisions of the Calgary Metropolitan Plan. It is fairly certain that the full-growth is the only option should Okotoks sign on to the CMP.) The County of Wheatland is recommending that this statement be removed completely. A stroke of common sense that seems to have eluded Okotoks Town Council. Read more…
The MD of Foothills has submitted a significant list of amendments that will be outlined on June 10 starting at 7 p.m. Read more…
Please attend the meeting at the Foothills Centennial Centre at 6:30 p.m. and speak up about your concerns with the Calgary veto, the “blue blob” urban sprawl and the most important issue of water supply. If you would like to lend a hand, we are always in need of volunteers to make and distribute materials like posters, signs and flyers. Let me know if you would like to help. Thanks.
Jody
All truth passes through 3 stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
Arthur Schopenhauer
*You have received this message because you signed the Just say NO! to a Calgary VETO petition. If you wish to be removed from the mailing list, please let me know by way of a reply to this email and I will remove your name immediately.
Hello everyone,
I’m happy to say that my mailing list has grown so large that my email service provider has flagged me as a possible spammer! My apologies as this may create some delays in receiving my messages. The list which has grown to around 260 people, while the petition continues to accumulate names, albeit at a much slower pace. The petition is still hovering around 800 names.
Anyway, many of you may have heard that Okotoks Town Council voted in favour of the following recommendation:
“That Okotoks maintain the current growth management strategy (1998 MDP) during the two year transition period to be incorporated in the Calgary Metropolitan Plan. During the CMP’s two year transition period, Okotoks will work in partnership with the MD of Foothills to develop a sub-regional growth management plan for the Okotoks area that supports the current growth management strategy of the Town of Okotoks (1998 MDP) and establishes a mutually beneficial, comprehensive strategy for managing growth within the area surrounding Okotoks that aligns with the CMP and Alberta Land Use Framework. Through this transition process, the Town will further explore the potential for sub-regional utility systems to secure adequate water supply and sewage disposal and, in the event that the carrying capacity of the Highwood and Sheep River sub-basin can support additional growth, undertake further consultation with residents to consider refinements to the Town’s growth management strategy that may result in a modest growth path characterized by the Moderate Growth Management Strategy and furthermore; based on community consultation, the Town of Okotoks does not envision working toward a regional utility solution as characterized by the Full Growth Management Strategy.”
Town Council voted unanimously in favour of this motion with each Town Councillor making a speech, some tearfully talking about their commitment to sustainability (Councillor Ed Sands and Naydene Lewis), while others grudgingly agreeing to a compromise (Mayor Bill McAlpine and Councillor Beth Kish). Several Town Councillors have remained largely silent throughout the process and seemed almost bored by the drama as it unfolded (Councillors Bill Robertson and Ralph Wilson). The public gallery was full and most people applauded after the vote. However, it is clear that most did not understand that the decision by council was not the final word. The amendments proposed by Okotoks must be accepted by the Calgary Regional Partnership. Any amendments to the Calgary Metropolitan Plan are currently subject to the super-majority voting structure which includes the Calgary veto! This was not shared with the public at the time of the vote. Even the media largely misrepresented the situation. If you read the article in the Calgary Herald and the Western Wheel, there is no mention of the fact that these amendments are subject to a vote by the ENTIRE membership of the Calgary Regional Partnership, including Calgary. The assumption is that the Okotoks decision is the final word and this is NOT THE CASE. Also, amendments have been put forward by the MD of Rocky View and most likely, the MD of Foothills. All of these various and competing amendments will need to be discussed and approved by the 17 members of the partnership. After that, the Town has 90 days to change its mind about joining the Calgary Regional Partnership but it is a certainty that the Town will sign on the dotted line on June 19.
Part of the reason for the confusion is that the public largely missed the later decision by council which was delayed until 6:30 p.m. when the public gallery was practically empty and the major media outlets had gone home. This is when council discussed and voted on the following proposed amendments to the Calgary Metropolitan Plan:
“That Council support in principle the proposed Calgary Metropolitan Plan subject to the following revisions:
1. That the CRP maintain its current decision making model (June 2006 Terms of Agreement for Working Together) for a two year transition period (June 19, 2009 and end June 19, 2011; i.e. the super majority voting structure would then come into place after June 19, 2011);
2. That the CMP be revised to reflect Okotoks’ intention to retain its current growth management plan to live within the carrying capacity of the Sheep River water basin during the CMP two year transition period;
3. That the CRP revise Okotoks’ current compact urban node to protect for a possible population increase characterized by the moderate growth management strategy only if solutions are developed to enable the community to continue to live within the natural carrying capacity of our watershed and reflect the core values of Okotoks residents, as indicated in the attached map with proposed revisions to Compact Urban Nodes in Okotoks’ area (Attachment 3)”
4. The CMP be revised to include the SE growth corridor currently identified for urban expansion in the Foothills/Okotoks Intermunicipal Development Plan as illustrated on the attached map (Attachment 3).”
In a stunning turnaround from its earlier decision, council effectively gave the CRP permission to plan now for an increase of up to 45,000 under amendment #3. The assumption is that the water will be found somewhere. In a move that will likely alienate him from the rest of council, Stephen Clark was the only one to vote against the amendments and he is now calling for a referendum on the matter. The amendments were passed by a majority vote of Town Council.
It’s important to note that once Okotoks joins the partnership, the best case scenario is that they are able to delay a decision for two years on the full growth scenario (growth to 60,000 people). Once the Calgary veto is implemented in June of 2011, there are NO guarantees, in fact there is a strong likelihood that the Okotoks population cap will be completely rejected and the doubling of the population to 60,000 will be implemented. Mayor Bill McAlpine has said that he wants to use this time to convince Okotoks residents to accept the full growth scenario and will be actively working to persuade the community that he is right, when instead, he should be focusing on convincing the other members of the Calgary Regional Partnership of the wisdom of the Okotoks Sustainability principles adopted 10 years ago–the principle of living within our means.
The veto is no more acceptable in two year’s time than it is today. This is a classic case of democracy versus special interests–and it looks like the special interests are poised for victory. The decision is being handed over to the City of Calgary if not now, in two year’s time. This is hardly anything to applaud.
Jody
Jody MacPherson
http://www.nocalgaryveto.com
All truth passes through 3 stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
Arthur Schopenhauer
*You have received this message because you signed the Just say NO! to a Calgary VETO petition. If you wish to be removed from the mailing list, please let me know by way of a reply to this email and I will remove your name immediately. Thanks.
Hello everyone,
There are two important dates that I’d like to let you know about:
On MONDAY, MAY 25 at 1:30 p.m. Okotoks Town Council will vote on how to move forward with the Calgary Regional Partnership and the Calgary Metropolitan Plan. The recommendation from administration is:
RECOMMENDATION
That Okotoks maintain the current growth management strategy (1998 MDP) during the two year transition period to be incorporated in the Calgary Metropolitan Plan. During the CMP’s two year transition period, Okotoks will work in partnership with the MD of Foothills to develop a sub-regional growth management plan for the Okotoks area that supports the current growth management strategy of the Town of Okotoks (1998 MDP) and establishes a mutually beneficial, comprehensive strategy for managing growth within the area surrounding Okotoks that aligns with the CMP and Alberta Land Use Framework. Through this transition process, the Town will further explore the potential for sub-regional utility systems to secure adequate water supply and sewage disposal and, in the event that the carrying capacity of the Highwood and Sheep River sub-basin can support additional growth, undertake further consultation with residents to consider refinements to the Town’s growth management strategy that may result in a modest growth path characterized by the Moderate Growth Management Strategy and furthermore; based on community consultation, the Town of Okotoks does not envision working toward a regional utility solution as characterized by the Full Growth Management Strategy.
ALTERNATE RECOMMENDATION
That Okotoks endorse and support a moderate growth management strategy that would accommodate an estimated population of 45,000 people to be incorporated into the Calgary Metropolitan Plan. During the CMP’s two year transition period,
Okotoks will work in partnership with the MD of Foothills to develop a sub-regional growth management plan for the Okotoks area that preserves and protects urban expansion zones with sufficient flexibility to accommodate the expanded population
of 45,000 people in alignment with the CMP and the Alberta Land Use Framework. Through the transition process, the Town will further explore the potential for sub-regional utility systems to secure adequate water supply and sewage disposal. In
the event that a sub-regional utility solution cannot be found the Town of Okotoks would then pursue connection to a regional utility system.
What does this mean?
The agenda for Monday’s meeting is vague on the decision as to whether to sign on to the Calgary Regional Partnership. The report says:
“Forging and building strong partnerships and trusting relationships with Foothills and the CRP are essential. The CMP has built in a two year policy review and transition provision to create the land use policy framework that will set out Okotoks growth management strategy and responsibilities. It will also enable Okotoks and Foothills to undertake a Joint Planning Initiative and hopefully realize a mutually beneficial growth management strategy.”
Effectively, the Town of Okotoks is appears to be ready to sign on to the Calgary Regional Partnership in the hopes that the partnership will not veto whatever plan they come up with over the next two years. The two year review and transition provision is referenced and this is clearly something that would be in effect, IF the Town signs on to the CRP. There is a 90-day period following the June 19 meeting at the Lynnwood Ranch, whereby a municipality can change its mind and withdraw from the CRP, but otherwise as Municipal Affairs Minister Ray Danyluk said in the Calgary Herald on March 16, 2009: “If you’re in, you’re in. You can’t just wake up one day and say, ‘you know, I think I’m out.'”
It is disappointing that Okotoks Town Council does not appear to be willing to even raise the issue of governance and the Calgary veto. This is despite the fact that the County of Sturgeon in northern Alberta has recently experienced the Edmonton veto first hand. The Mayor wrote to residents in his newsletter that, “Your Council fears that instead of the cooperative development framework that was envisaged, we will have a planning regime that prohibits any meaningful growth, except in the City of Edmonton.”
MD of Foothills
On WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10 at 7 p.m. at the Foothills Centennial Centre, the MD of Foothills will report back to residents on the progress they have made in negotiating with the Calgary Regional Partnership on its three issues of concern. There is very little information available on what the MD Council is going to propose at this meeting.
Meanwhile, in the MD of Rocky View, the MD Council there has put forward its Growth Management Strategy ahead of the Calgary Regional Partnership. They appear to be pursuing a growth agenda that is even more aggressive than what is expected from them by the CRP. This may explain why they are rushing to complete their plans BEFORE signing on to the CRP. Residents there were given 8-9 days to respond and none of the concerns raised appear to have been incorporated into the strategy at the time of this email update.
One last word, community groups who are unhappy about this alarming accountability shift whereby municipal politicians are listening to citizens less and receiving support from the provincial government to listen less, are holding a meeting on June 13, 2009 to discuss next steps. If you represent a citizens group (or would like to start a new group) and would like more information about this meeting, let me know.
Thanks.
Just say NO! to a Calgary VETO 