Public engagement was designed to incorporate previous stakeholder comments and inputs as identified in Section 1.7 of this Plan. The methods used to involve residents, property and business owners, and other stakeholders in the ASP review process are summarized below:
Meetings were held with specific groups and representatives of landowners; industry; and Alberta’s Industrial Heartland Association and its related sub- committees.
Drop-in storefronts were held on November 29, 2006 in Gibbons and December 6, 2006 in Redwater. The storefronts were open between 11:00 to 1:00, 3:00 to 5:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 pm each day. They provided stakeholders and residents an opportunity to review the ASP plans and policy concepts, provide comments, ask questions and discuss issues with County representatives and consultants. Display boards included previous public comments, the draft ASP concept and maps to provide a catalyst for discussion. Storefront participants were given an exit survey to provide written comments on the proposed plans and ASP ideas.
In total 136 people attended the storefronts. Generally participants found the events helpful, indicating that they received the information they needed, had their questions answered and issues identified. Generally, written and verbal feedback received at the storefronts indicated that the revised ASP has acknowledged and addressed many of the key issues and concerns identified in earlier public involvement activities related to the Heartland ASP.
The draft ASP was delivered to Council and the Ad Hoc Committee on January 9, 2007. Comments on the first draft were generally positive on all major issues with the exception of the setbacks. Industry representatives indicated that the one-mile setback proposal would make it very difficult if not impossible to accommodate future industrial upgraders to the north and west of the PetroCanada property. In addition, the proposal to include residents within a one mile distance outside the ASP boundary in the Alberta Industrial Heartland Land Trust Voluntary Property Purchase Program area was not feasible. After receiving comments in January and February 2007 through a variety of consultations with various stakeholders in the County, as well as with and between County staff and Consultants, this revised draft was prepared and delivered to Sturgeon County and the Ad Hoc Committee in March 2007.
Public involvement activities and results have been incorporated into this draft ASP. The ASP draft was made available to the public in April 2007 and a public hearing is tentatively scheduled for May 22, 2007.