The following documents provide important direction and policy context for Alberta’s Industrial Heartland ASP.
The existing MDP for Sturgeon County shows that within the Industrial Heartland ASP area the following policy areas apply: Industrial, Agriculture and Environmental Protection. The stated purpose of each policy area is as follows:
This policy area encourages heavy industrial uses to be concentrated in those areas designated Heavy Industrial in the LUB to ensure these uses are in areas with low population densities, are removed from residential subdivisions, compatible with adjacent land uses and where possible located on poorer agricultural land.
Agricultural policies generally allow for the enhancement and protection of valuable agricultural lands while providing for a diversity of opportunities for agricultural development and rural residents. Several policies are stated for residential subdivisions, Confined Feeding Operations and specialized farming operations. For residential subdivisions, agricultural parcels must be a minimum of 32 ha (80 ac). A maximum of three subdivisions is permitted per quarter section including two residential subdivisions.
The purpose of this policy is to protect environmentally significant areas including the North Saskatchewan, Sturgeon and Redwater Rivers, which are present in the ASP area (refer to Map 6 - Environmentally Sensitive Areas). Policies of relevance include a 30 m (98 ft) development setback from the valley crest and no permanent structures within the 1:100 year flood plain of major rivers. Furthermore, the Policy Area encourages new and expanding livestock operations to adhere to the setbacks from rivers, streams and water bodies as stated in the Code of Practice. Within this Policy Area, the Agricultural-Natural Conservation Land Use District will continue to apply along Sturgeon County’s major rivers.