Bylaw 17-25: Municipal Development Plan — full text

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Leduc County Municipal Development Plan BYLAw No. 17-25 LEDUC COUNTY A BYLAW TO ADOPT THE LEDUC COUNTY MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN WHEREAS the Council of Leduc County deems it to be in the public interest to repeal and replace the Leduc County Municipal Development Plan Bylaw No. 03--24 to align with the Municipal Government Act, RSA 2000, Chapter M--26, and related Ministerial Orders. NOW THEREFORE be it resolved that the council of Leduc County, duly assembled, enacts as follows: 1. That Leduc County Municipal Development Plan, being Schedule 'A' attached to and forming part of this Bylaw, be adopted. 2. That Leduc County Municipal Development Plan Bylaw No. 03--24 be repealed upon this bylaw coming into force. 3. This bylaw shall take effect on the date ofthird reading. Read a first time this 26'" day of August, 2025. Read a second time this 26th day of August, 2025. Read a third time and finally passed this 26th day of August, 2025. @{L County Manager Leduc County Municipal Development Plan August 26, 2025 LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 ii LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 i Leduc County Municipal Development Plan August 26, 2025 LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 ii Contents and Maps Chapter 1 - IntroducƟon and Context ..................................................................................... 1 1.1 Deﬁning Success ...................................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Leduc County: Growing. Diverse. Connected. ......................................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Leading by Example: A Vision for Tomorrow ........................................................................................................................... 5 1.4 SupporƟng Research ............................................................................................................................................................... 5 1.5 Community Input and Engagement ........................................................................................................................................ 5 Map 1 | Leduc County Regional Context .................................................................................................................................. 6 Chapter 2 - Goals and Structure of the Plan ............................................................................ 7 2.1 Bringing a Vision to Life: Plan Goals ........................................................................................................................................ 7 2.2 Plan Structure ......................................................................................................................................................................... 9 2.3 Plan InterpretaƟon .................................................................................................................................................................. 9 Map 2 | Planning Structure ....................................................................................................................................................10 Chapter 3 - Greater Nisku Area ............................................................................................ 11 3.1 Vision for the Greater Nisku Area ......................................................................................................................................... 11 3.2 General Greater Nisku Area Policies ..................................................................................................................................... 13 3.3 Urban Agriculture.................................................................................................................................................................. 15 Map 3 | Greater Nisku Area Land Use Concept .......................................................................................................................16 3.4 Economic CompeƟƟveness and Employment ....................................................................................................................... 17 3.4.1. Major Employment Area ............................................................................................................................................... 18 3.5 CommuniƟes and Housing .................................................................................................................................................... 20 3.5.1 Urban Centre ................................................................................................................................................................. 21 3.5.2 Home-Based Business .................................................................................................................................................... 23 3.5.3 ExisƟng Country ResidenƟal Areas (Vistas) .................................................................................................................... 23 Chapter 4 - Rural County ...................................................................................................... 25 4.1 Vision for the Rural County ................................................................................................................................................... 25 4.2 General Rural County Policies ............................................................................................................................................... 27 Map 4 | Rural County Land Use Concept.................................................................................................................................29 4.3 Agriculture ............................................................................................................................................................................ 30 4.3.1 Subdivision of Agricultural Land..................................................................................................................................... 32 4.3.2 Conﬁned Feeding OperaƟons ........................................................................................................................................ 35 4.4 Economic CompeƟƟveness and Employment ....................................................................................................................... 36 4.4.1 Local Employment Areas ................................................................................................................................................ 37 4.4.2 Hamlet Employment ...................................................................................................................................................... 38 4.5 CommuniƟes and Housing .................................................................................................................................................... 39 4.5.1 Country ResidenƟal Development ................................................................................................................................. 40 LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 iii 4.5.2 Hamlet ResidenƟal and Mixed-Use Development ......................................................................................................... 41 4.5.3 Lakeshore CommuniƟes ................................................................................................................................................. 42 4.5.4 Home-Based Businesses ................................................................................................................................................ 42 Chapter 5 - Natural Resources .............................................................................................. 43 5.1 Natural Resource ExtracƟons ................................................................................................................................................ 43 5.2 Oil and Gas FaciliƟes and Pipelines ....................................................................................................................................... 45 Map 5 | Development ConsideraƟons ....................................................................................................................................46 5.3 Genesee Power Plant Area .................................................................................................................................................... 47 5.4 Soil ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 48 Chapter 6 - Natural Environment ......................................................................................... 49 6.1 Environmentally Signiﬁcant Areas ......................................................................................................................................... 49 Map 6 | Environmentally Signiﬁcant Areas .............................................................................................................................52 6.2 Watershed Systems ............................................................................................................................................................... 53 6.3 Green Building and Low-Impact Development PracƟces ...................................................................................................... 55 6.4 Environmental and ConservaƟon Reserves and Easements .................................................................................................. 56 Chapter 7 - RecreaƟon, Open Space, and Community Assets .................................................... 57 7.1 RecreaƟon and Open Space .................................................................................................................................................. 57 Map 7 | RecreaƟon, Open Space, and Community Assets .......................................................................................................60 7.2 Municipal Reserves ............................................................................................................................................................... 61 7.3 Community Assets ................................................................................................................................................................ 63 Chapter 8 - Infrastructure .................................................................................................... 65 8.1 TransportaƟon Infrastructure ................................................................................................................................................ 65 Map 8 | TransportaƟon Infrastructure ....................................................................................................................................67 8.1.1 Roads ............................................................................................................................................................................. 68 8.1.2. Rail ................................................................................................................................................................................ 70 8.1.3. Transit ............................................................................................................................................................................ 70 8.1.4. Edmonton InternaƟonal Airport and Other Airports/Aerodromes ............................................................................... 71 8.2 UƟlity Service Infrastructure ................................................................................................................................................. 72 8.2.1 Water ............................................................................................................................................................................. 73 8.2.2 Wastewater .................................................................................................................................................................... 73 8.2.3 Stormwater .................................................................................................................................................................... 74 8.2.4 Solid Waste .................................................................................................................................................................... 75 8.2.5 Shallow UƟliƟes ............................................................................................................................................................. 75 8.2.6 Energy Corridors ............................................................................................................................................................ 76 8.2.7 CommunicaƟon and Data Transmission ......................................................................................................................... 76 8.3 Financing Infrastructure ........................................................................................................................................................ 77 Map 9 | UƟlity Service Infrastructure .....................................................................................................................................78 LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 iv Chapter 9 - CollaboraƟon with Neighbours and Regional Partners ......................................... 79 Map 10 | Intermunicipal Development Plans and CollaboraƟon .............................................................................................82 Chapter 10 - Plan ImplementaƟon ....................................................................................... 83 10.1 Land Use Bylaw Amendments ............................................................................................................................................. 85 10.2 Ongoing Monitoring and Review ........................................................................................................................................ 86 10.3 Review of Statutory and Non-Statutory Plans ..................................................................................................................... 87 Map 11 | Area Structure Plans and Local Area Structure Plans ...............................................................................................88 A DeﬁniƟons.................................................................................................................................................................................. 90 B Hierarchy of Plans .................................................................................................................................................................... 100 C Community, Input, and Engagement ........................................................................................................................................ 102 List of Maps Map 1 Leduc County Regional Context ............................................................................................................................................. 6 Map 2 Planning Structure ............................................................................................................................................................... 10 Map 3 Greater Nisku Area Land Use Concept ................................................................................................................................. 16 Map 4 Rural County Land Use Concept........................................................................................................................................... 29 Map 5 Development ConsideraƟons .............................................................................................................................................. 46 Map 6 Environmentally Signiﬁcant Areas ....................................................................................................................................... 52 Map 7 RecreaƟon, Open Space, and Community Assets ................................................................................................................ 60 Map 8 TransportaƟon Infrastructure .............................................................................................................................................. 67 Map 9 UƟlity Service Infrastructure ................................................................................................................................................ 78 Map 10 Intermunicipal Development Plans and CollaboraƟon ...................................................................................................... 82 Map 11 Area Structure Plans & Local Area Structure Plans ............................................................................................................ 88 LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 v LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 1 Chapter 1 IntroducƟon and Context 1.1 DEFINING SUCCESS Successful futures happen with careful and thoughƞul planning. Leduc County is diverse, bringing together prairie landscapes, rural communiƟes, urban areas, and economic growth. This Municipal Development Plan supports growth and prosperity across all regions of the County by idenƟfying and recognizing the County's unique assets and building upon them. It contains policy approaches to enhance opportuniƟes within rural and urban areas, honouring the unique nature of each. Growing opportuniƟes for tomorrow requires laying a strong path forward today. This Plan includes a 50-year vision emphasizing the County's economic, social, cultural, and environmental goals. SupporƟng this vision is a 30-year land use plan to accommodate the County's expected populaƟon and employment. The growth and expansion of Edmonton InternaƟonal Airport (EIA), together with the Inter-JurisdicƟon CooperaƟon Accord and the implementaƟon of the Aerotropolis Viability Study 2016, will be the key to a more resilient economy. This Plan intends to accommodate Leduc County's populaƟon growth within exisƟng planned areas. It anƟcipates the majority of the populaƟon will be accommodated in the Urban Centre with a small porƟon accommodated in the Rural Area, within hamlets, lakeshore communiƟes, and planned Country ResidenƟal Areas. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 Chapter 1 | INTRODUCTION AND CONTEXT 2 Sustainability requires responsible growth management strategy and pracƟces. As Leduc County's populaƟon conƟnues to grow, growth will need to be managed sustainably. Sustainability can be deﬁned in many ways. In this Municipal Development Plan, sustainability means working towards integrated, concentrated, and cost-eﬀecƟve growth. A responsible growth paƩern not only reduces the development footprint of the County and conserves agricultural lands, but also contributes to a high quality of life for residents, visitors, business owners, and employees. A diversiﬁed economy is a resilient economy. Leduc County oﬀers an economic advantage to land developers, business owners, and residents alike. While agriculture, both crop and animal, is the main business across the County, Nisku has enabled a strong economy primarily centred on supporƟng the oil and gas industry. DiversiﬁcaƟon is a necessary next step to managing the economic cycles and creaƟng a more resilient future for business and government. Chapter 1 | INTRODUCTION AND CONTEXT LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 3 Agriculture is the past and the future. Agriculture is a mainstay of the County's economy and its way of life. The County is taking steps to protect high-quality agricultural lands. The Leduc County Agricultural Strategy (2016) asserts that for agriculture to grow and prosper, a long-term commitment must be made towards the protecƟon and conservaƟon of agricultural areas. The Leduc County Economic Development and Growth Management Strategy (2016) idenƟﬁes opportuniƟes for the expansion and diversiﬁcaƟon of the agricultural sector. The transportaƟon hub created by Edmonton InternaƟonal Airport, highway corridors and rail lines, makes new regional and internaƟonal markets accessible to local agricultural producers. As implementaƟon of the Aerotropolis Viability Study moves ahead, Leduc County has a signiﬁcant opportunity to advance and diversify the County's agriculture sector. In addiƟon to providing a source of livelihood and contribuƟng to the local and regional economy, agriculture also shapes the County's landscape and residents' way of life. Agriculture is the foundaƟon of many close-knit communiƟes. A goal of the Municipal Development Plan is to champion agriculture now and into the future and strive to maintain Leduc County as an agriculture-friendly place for residents to live, work, and play. CollaboraƟon and implementaƟon are keys to success. Leduc County has a strong history of entering into cost-sharing and mutual-aid agreements with neighbouring municipaliƟes for services, such as transit, libraries, recreaƟon, and ﬁre services. Other collaboraƟve iniƟaƟves have also been undertaken, such as the Inter-JurisdicƟon CooperaƟon Accord and the Intermunicipal Planning Framework Agreement. In partnership with adjacent municipaliƟes and organizaƟons, the County is commiƩed to exploring future eﬃciencies and service delivery opƟons. In partnership, a regional infrastructure and integrated land use paƩern will maximize the opportuniƟes created through investment within the region. By working together, the County can achieve a more sustainable future for all. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 Chapter 1 | INTRODUCTION AND CONTEXT 4 1.2 LEDUC COUNTY: GROWING. DIVERSE. CONNECTED. Leduc County comprises 256,944 ha (2,569 square kilometres) of land area as shown in Map 1: Leduc County Regional Context. The County is situated to the south of the City of Edmonton and extends 105 kilometres from east to west and 32 kilometres from north to south. It is home to high-capability agricultural lands; Canada's largest internaƟonal airport by physical size;1 and Nisku, a 3,782-hectare (9,345 acre) business park. It has extensive road and rail transportaƟon routes and oﬀers a range of recreaƟonal acƟviƟes and residenƟal lifestyles. The City of Leduc, City of Beaumont, Town of Devon, Town of Calmar, Town of Thorsby, Village of Warburg, and the summer villages of Golden Days, Itaska Beach, and Sundance Beach are all located within Leduc County boundaries but are governed as disƟnct municipaliƟes. LEDUC COUNTY IS DIVERSE. Leduc County is a predominately rural but urbanizing municipality and is known for its large business park. In addiƟon, Leduc County is home to Edmonton InternaƟonal Airport, Capital Power's Genesee GeneraƟng StaƟon, agricultural operaƟons, aggregate extracƟon operaƟons, and more. In recent years, Leduc County has seen signiﬁcant urban residenƟal development. East Vistas became the County's ﬁrst urban community when it was approved by council in 2010. LEDUC COUNTY IS CONNECTED. Leduc County has infrastructure, geographic locaƟon, and assets that establish its strong economic posiƟon. These include, but are not limited to:  The proximity to the City of Edmonton that provides links to other services and employment opportuniƟes;  The CANAMEX Trade Corridor, which includes the Queen Elizabeth II Highway, that provides links to Calgary, northern and southern Alberta, and other key markets reaching from Alaska to Mexico;  Edmonton InternaƟonal Airport that enables businesses to have ease of access for exporƟng products into naƟonal and internaƟonal markets;  The Canadian NaƟonal Railway (CN) and Canadian Paciﬁc (CP) rail that provide quick and eﬃcient delivery of goods to the east and west coasts; and  The Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) that enables companies involved in handling or moving goods to reduce or eliminate normal trade barriers, such as tariﬀs, quotas, and compliance costs. FTZ points are used by investors around the world and are important drivers of internaƟonal trade. 1 Source: Edmonton InternaƟonal Airport Master Plan 2 Source: Leduc County Economic Development and Growth Management Strategy, March 2016, Appendix A, pg. 50 , LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 5 1.3 LEADING BY EXAMPLE: A VISION FOR TOMORROW Through this Municipal Development Plan, Leduc County commits to growing towards a bright and sustainable future for today's generaƟon and for future generaƟons. Achieving the County's vision requires a commitment to the implementaƟon of the guiding principles and policies established by this Plan. The County must lead by example to meet the environmental, economic, social, and cultural challenges ahead. The County's 50-year vision speaks to a sustainable and vibrant future for all areas of the County: 1.4 SUPPORTING RESEARCH The direcƟons and goals of this Municipal Development Plan were created through feedback received during the public engagement process combined with the recommendaƟons and direcƟons of supporƟng studies. The supporƟng studies provide researched and thoughƞul recommendaƟons to establish a strong foundaƟon for this Municipal Development Plan. This Municipal Development Plan was also guided by the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Growth Plan (EMRGP), which emphasized strategic, sustainable growth through clear policy guidance; however, that plan has since been rescinded. The following supporƟng studies informed this Plan:  Agriculture Strategy (2016);  Economic Development and Growth Management Strategy (2016);  Aerotropolis Viability Study (2016);  Environmentally Signiﬁcant Areas Study (2015); and  Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board Regional Agriculture Master Plan (2021). 1.5 COMMUNITY INPUT AND ENGAGEMENT Leduc County is commiƩed to working with its residents and stakeholders on an ongoing basis. The key principles of this Municipal Development Plan were iniƟally developed in 2019 through workshops, surveys, face-to-face meeƟngs, discussion forums, and open houses -- all designed to capture, deﬁne, and present the goals and needs of County residents. InformaƟon relaƟng to public consultaƟon and engagement acƟviƟes undertaken in the development of this Plan is in Appendix C. "Leduc County is a globally compeƟƟve municipality that oﬀers an economic advantage, a sustainable agricultural network, environmental leadership, and an unsurpassed quality of life for our residenƟal and business customers." LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 Chapter 1 | INTRODUCTION AND CONTEXT 6 Map 1 | Leduc County Regional Context Map 1 Leduc County Regional Context LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 7 Chapter 2 Goals and Structure of the Plan 2.1 BRINGING A VISION TO LIFE: PLAN GOALS The following goals form the core of the County's strategic direcƟon related to planning and development and are the foundaƟon of this Municipal Development Plan. PROTECT AGRICULTURAL LAND AND SUPPORT DIVERSITY IN AGRICULTURE Leduc County recognizes and champions the importance of agriculture, is commiƩed to ensuring its long-term viability, and will minimize the loss of agricultural land and conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural uses. PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Leduc County strengthens and enhances its reputaƟon as a leader in business development and entrepreneurialism by creaƟng synergies between businesses, transportaƟon, and high-quality places to live and work. The implementaƟon of the Inter-JurisdicƟon CooperaƟon Accord and Aerotropolis Viability Study, combined with leadership in Edmonton Global, form the core of the County's economic development strategy. DEVELOP COMPLETE COMMUNITIES Leduc County supports the development of complete communiƟes within exisƟng hamlets and the Urban Centre as part of its plan for sustainable development. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 8 Chapter 2 | GOALS AND STRUCTURE OF THE PLAN PROMOTE THE RESPONSIBLE USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES AS AN ECONOMIC ASSET Leduc County supports the responsible use and extracƟon of natural resources as a means of economic development and a way to provide lower cost materials to the regional market. PROTECT AND ENHANCE THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT Leduc County values the environment and is commiƩed to ensuring its long-term health and viability. The environment supports biodiversity, helps sustain human life, and is a source of natural beauty. IDENTIFY AND ACT ON OPPORTUNITIES FOR RECREATION AND TOURISM Leduc County values recreaƟon and tourism throughout the County as a way of enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors. DEVELOP EFFICIENT AND COST-EFFECTIVE TRANSPORTATION AND UTILITY SERVICE INFRASTRUCTURE Leduc County encourages new development to be located in close proximity to exisƟng development and infrastructure, to maximize municipal service delivery eﬃciencies, and to promote a cost-eﬀecƟve paƩern of development. COLLABORATE AND SEIZE OPPORTUNITIES TO CREATE EFFICIENCIES Leduc County will conƟnue to work with its residents, key stakeholders, intermunicipal neighbours, regional partners, and other levels of government to ensure decisions are based on dialogue, common understanding, and informed decision-making as part of good governance. IMPLEMENT THE POLICIES OF THE MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN Leduc County is commiƩed to the consistent and equitable implementaƟon of this Municipal Development Plan and its supporƟng studies. Chapter 2 | GOALS AND STRUCTURE OF THE PLAN LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 9 2.2 PLAN STRUCTURE Within this Municipal Development Plan, there are two disƟnct policy areas: The Greater Nisku Area and the Rural County. This structure enables the Municipal Development Plan to reﬂect the County's role in guiding land use decisions in both urban and rural development. The plan also provides guidance related to the infrastructure, transportaƟon, and the natural environment that Ɵe the Urban and Rural County together. The plan outlines the goals, principles, form, and character of development within each area of the County. While the policies aﬀecƟng the Greater Nisku Area support compact, urban, and mixed- use development, policies aﬀecƟng the Rural County are intended to maintain the rural character and conserve agricultural land. The Greater Nisku Area idenƟﬁes planned areas that will accommodate the populaƟon and employment growth forecasts anƟcipated within the 30- year Ɵmeframe of this Municipal Development Plan, as well as areas where growth is anƟcipated in the future beyond that Ɵmeframe. The Greater Nisku Area, and the Rural County area deﬁned by this Municipal Development Plan are idenƟﬁed on Map 2: Planning Structure. The Municipal Development Plan, while organized into secƟons, is intended to be read and used in a comprehensive manner. SecƟons and policies are closely connected to each other and need to be read in their enƟrety and not in isolaƟon from each other. 2.3 PLAN INTERPRETATION Maps have been provided as part of this Municipal Development Plan to show the general locaƟon of proposed land uses and future transportaƟon and uƟlity corridors. Boundaries will be reﬁned through subsequent stages of planning, including Area Structure Plans, Local Area Structure Plans, Area Redevelopment Plans, outline plans, concept plans, redistricƟng, and subdivisions. Minor changes to alignments or locaƟons of map features may be undertaken as part of subsequent planning processes without amendment to this Plan. If a development is proposed within the plan area of a higher-order statutory plan, including the North Saskatchewan Regional Plan, and/or a relevant Intermunicipal Development Plan, the development must consider and conform to the policies of the higher-order statutory plan. If there is a conﬂict with a policy or regulaƟon within a higher-order plan and the policies of this Municipal Development Plan, the higher-order plan shall prevail. All provincial and federal policies and regulaƟons in eﬀect shall apply and shall prevail over the policies contained within this Municipal Development Plan. This Plan may be revised from Ɵme to Ɵme to reﬂect updates in provincial and federal policies and legislaƟon. CHAPTER 3.0 gives direcƟon for the GREATER NISKU AREA CHAPTER 4.0 gives direcƟon for the RURAL COUNTY LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 10 Chapter 2 | GOALS AND STRUCTURE OF THE PLAN Map 2 | Planning Structure Map 2 Planning Structure LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 11 Chapter 3 Greater Nisku Area 3.1 VISION FOR THE GREATER NISKU AREA The Greater Nisku Area is located near the center of Leduc County, south of the City of Edmonton, north of the City of Leduc, and west of the City of Beaumont. It is currently the base of signiﬁcant economic development and a growing urban community. The Greater Nisku Area is an area where higher density, fully serviced development is to be concentrated. The Greater Nisku Area oﬀers a central locaƟon for a range of businesses, services, housing types, and ameniƟes. The non-residenƟal land uses envisioned for the Greater Nisku Area will be comprised of high-quality development located in planned business parks. Economic compeƟƟveness and employment growth will be driven, in large part, by the concept of Aerotropolis and the Inter- JurisdicƟon CooperaƟon Accord. The residenƟal land uses envisioned for the Greater Nisku area will be located in East Vistas. East Vistas will accommodate diverse communiƟes with a range of housing choices mixed with employment, recreaƟon, commercial uses, and professional services. Housing will be located in close proximity to jobs, services, and higher order transit so as to create a more sustainable live-work system. Quality recreaƟon, parks, and open spaces will be integrated with transit and pathways to connect to key services and community features that establish an integrated mulƟ-modal transportaƟon and recreaƟon system. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 12 Chapter 3 | GREATER NISKU AREA PRINCIPLE The County promotes a concentrated and diverse mix of responsible and sustainable development in the Greater Nisku Area to meet the needs of County residents and business owners. OBJECTIVES 1. To provide housing choices and access to a range of employment and services by planning for a diverse mix of residenƟal and non- residenƟal land uses. 2. To make eﬃcient use of land and infrastructure by planning for an orderly progression and staging of compact and conƟguous development. 3. To provide transportaƟon choices by planning for mulƟ-modal transportaƟon. 4. To minimize land use conﬂict by ensuring land use compaƟbility. 5. To foster innovaƟon by ensuring land uses that support technological advances and emerging trends. 6. To ensure coordinated land use and eﬃcient infrastructure by implemenƟng the agreements held with neighbouring municipaliƟes. Chapter 3 | GREATER NISKU AREA LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 13 3.2 GENERAL GREATER NISKU AREA POLICIES The following policies apply to all development proposals within the Greater Nisku Area. The purpose of these policies is to ensure all development is comprehensively planned to an urban standard that emphasizes sustainability and quality. POLICIES 3.2.0.1 The development paƩern in the Greater Nisku Area shall be conƟguous. 3.2.0.2 The County shall promote an orderly progression and staging of development to prevent the premature conversion of agricultural land to non-agriculture uses and to minimize land use conﬂicts with exisƟng agricultural operaƟons. 3.2.0.3 All new residenƟal, commercial, and industrial development within the Greater Nisku Area shall be planned and developed to urban standards in accordance with Leduc County Municipal Standards. 3.2.0.4 Subdivision and development of greenﬁeld areas within the Greater Nisku Area must be comprehensively planned and guided by an Area Structure Plan or Area Redevelopment Plan. 3.2.0.5 New Area Structure Plans, Local Area Structure Plans, or Area Redevelopment Plans and amendments to these plans within the Greater Nisku Area where applicable, must idenƟfy and/or demonstrate: a. the short- and long-term ﬁnancial viability of the proposed development; b. all required on- and oﬀ-site upgrades to roadways, interchanges, and uƟlity infrastructure necessary to support the development, the Ɵming of the required upgrades in relaƟon to the phasing of the development, esƟmated capital costs of the upgrades, and a funding strategy; c. interconnected street networks and mulƟ-modal transportaƟon systems, including an open space network to support acƟve transportaƟon; d. transit services which prioriƟze locaƟons that serve areas of high demand, and integrate other modes of travel; e. stormwater and how it will be eﬃciently and eﬀecƟvely managed; f. the environmental impacts which may occur as a result of increased development acƟvity and the miƟgaƟon measures to minimize potenƟal adverse impacts on natural and Environmentally Signiﬁcant Areas through a biophysical assessment prepared by a qualiﬁed professional; g. Crown ownership of the bed and shore of permanent and naturally occurring bodies of water under the Public Lands Act; h. the phasing of development and the anƟcipated rate of land consumpƟon; i. the demand for, and ability to provide "soŌ" services such as schools, police, and ﬁre protecƟon; j. the demand for, and ability to provide adequate recreaƟon and open space opportuniƟes; LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 14 Chapter 3 | GREATER NISKU AREA POLICIES CONTINUED k. how the streetscape, landscaping, and building orientaƟon will incorporate aƩracƟve and funcƟonal urban design consideraƟons; l. how the proposed development will integrate with exisƟng and planned development on adjacent lands; m. compaƟbility of land use paƩerns to minimize risks to public safety and health; n. the potenƟal adverse impacts of the proposed development on agricultural lands and exisƟng agricultural operaƟons, as well as the potenƟal for exisƟng agricultural operaƟons to remain as a use through an Agricultural Impact Assessment; and o. any other maƩers deemed necessary by the County. 3.2.0.6 The County shall develop a term of reference for Area Structure Plans and Local Area Structure Plans to deﬁne project-speciﬁc applicaƟon requirements and plan boundaries. 3.2.0.7 Expansion of the Greater Nisku Area idenƟﬁed on Map 3: Greater Nisku Area Land Use Concept may be considered subject to the following criteria: a. the proposed development is conƟguous with exisƟng built areas; b. the proposed land uses are clearly deﬁned and the need for those land uses to accommodate municipal employment and/or populaƟon projecƟons can be demonstrated; and c. the exisƟng or planned infrastructure to accommodate the proposed land use is to the saƟsfacƟon of the County. d. The impact of the expansion on adjacent municipality(s) shall be assessed, and miƟgaƟon measures shall be implemented where appropriate. 3.2.0.8 Expansion of the Greater Nisku Area shall require an amendment to the Municipal Development Plan supplemented by an Area Structure Plan that meets the goals of this Plan and any applicable Intermunicipal Development Plan and agreement. 3.2.0.9 Subdivision in the Greater Nisku Area should be limited to maintain large parcel sizes to support ongoing agricultural use unƟl the lands are needed to support populaƟon and/or employment growth. 3.2.0.10 The Planned Employment Area will be developed subject to preparaƟon of an Area Structure Plan. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 15 3.3 URBAN AGRICULTURE PRINCIPLE Leduc County recognizes ongoing agricultural pracƟces within the Greater Nisku Area as valuable acƟviƟes that contribute to community development, environmental awareness, posiƟve social interacƟon, learning, health, and access to fresh food. The intent of the agriculture policies in the Greater Nisku Area are to promote urban agriculture and provide residents with an opportunity to grow their own food. OBJECTIVES 1. To promote diversity and tradiƟon in agriculture through urban agricultural pracƟces. 2. To encourage the development of agribusiness and value-added agriculture. POLICIES 3.3.0.1 The County shall develop a food and urban agriculture strategy to guide urban agricultural acƟviƟes within the Greater Nisku Area including, but not limited to, urban indoor and outdoor farms, farmers markets, food processing and distribuƟon, and the keeping of poultry or bees within residenƟal areas. 3.3.0.2 Farmers markets and other methods of connecƟng residents with local agricultural producers are encouraged within the Greater Nisku Area. 3.3.0.3 Community gardens for social and self-suﬃciency purposes are supported throughout the Greater Nisku Area and may be developed in public parks and open spaces as community focal points to enable residents to parƟcipate in local food producƟon, as may be approved by the County. 3.3.0.4 Agribusiness and value-added agriculture are encouraged in the Major Employment Area idenƟﬁed on Map 3: Greater Nisku Area Land Use Concept. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 16 Chapter 3 | GREATER NISKU AREA Map 3 | Greater Nisku Area Land Use Concept Map 3 Greater Nisku Area Land Use Concept LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 17 3.4 ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS AND EMPLOYMENT A wide range of business development and employment opportuniƟes in the Greater Nisku Area provide economic vitality to the Leduc region. Within this Municipal Development Plan, business development and employment areas are provided at the regional, subregional, community, and neighbourhood levels as shown in Map 3: Greater Nisku Area Land Use Concept:  The Major Employment Area provides opportuniƟes for a wide range of business development opportuniƟes, including commercial, and light and medium industrial development that can be serviced by transit.  The Planned Employment Area was previously idenƟﬁed in the City of Leduc/Leduc County Intermunicipal Development Plan (repealed) and will be further deﬁned through forthcoming technical work. Development in the Planned Employment Area will be subject to the policies for the Major Employment Area.  Within the Urban Centre, local business is provided within community and neighbourhood nodes and through home- based businesses. Policies related to local business in the Urban Centre are found within SecƟon 3.5.1 of this chapter. PRINCIPLE The County supports a wide range of business development to grow the economy, create ﬁnancial sustainability, and provide employment opportuniƟes within the County. OBJECTIVES 1. To aƩract a share of regional growth in employment and new industrial and commercial development through a compeƟƟve environment for investment, business incubaƟon, and employment. 2. To build economic resilience through diversiﬁcaƟon and adaptaƟon to changing economic condiƟons. 3. To support the growth and development of Edmonton InternaƟonal Airport and surrounding area through the implementaƟon of the Aerotropolis Viability Study and Inter-JurisdicƟon CooperaƟon Accord. 4. To encourage the development of agribusiness and value-added agriculture. 5. To promote the Major Employment Area as a prosperous business park by creaƟng aestheƟcally pleasing major roadway and thoroughfare landscapes. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 18 Chapter 3 | GREATER NISKU AREA 3.4.1. MAJOR EMPLOYMENT AREA The Major Employment Area is idenƟﬁed on Map 3: Greater Nisku Area Land Use Concept. Development in the Major Employment Area is guided by an overarching Area Structure Plan for the Nisku Major Employment Centre (Nisku MEC). The following local Area Structure Plans/Area Redevelopment Plans are located in Nisku MEC: QE II Business Park, WAM, Blackmud Creek, Northwest Saunders Lake, and Royal Cubera. Encouraging a diversity of employment opportuniƟes within the Major Employment Area is a key aspect of achieving sustainable growth for the County. Over Ɵme, the Major Employment Area is expected to evolve and respond to changing local, regional, and global economic condiƟons. The Major Employment Area is intended to accommodate commercial, light industrial, and medium industrial development, which creates signiﬁcant concentraƟons of business and economic acƟviƟes. Edmonton InternaƟonal Airport, a regionally signiﬁcant economic generator, is located adjacent to the County's Major Employment Area. Edmonton InternaƟonal Airport is federally regulated and, according to YEG Master Plan 2048, is poised for conƟnued growth. To complement and support the development at Edmonton InternaƟonal Airport and to leverage the opportuniƟes it provides, the County intends to implement the Aerotropolis Viability Study and the Inter-JurisdicƟon CooperaƟon Accord. The Aerotropolis Viability Study proposes economic clusters that leverage proximity to the Airport. Moving into the future, the County will conƟnue to strive for synergies with Edmonton InternaƟonal Airport's recent investments in Cargo Village, a dedicated air cargo apron; its airside building faciliƟes; numerous developments such as an outlet mall and casino/racetrack; and improvements in road and land servicing to establish an import and export base for northern Alberta. The Inter-JurisdicƟon CooperaƟon Accord is a collaboraƟve iniƟaƟve between Leduc County, the City of Edmonton, the City of Leduc, and the Edmonton Regional Airport Authority to create condiƟons that will allow Edmonton InternaƟonal Airport to achieve its potenƟal as a key economic driver and contributor to the Region's sustainability and success. A key component of aƩracƟng and sustaining a strong employment base within the Major Employment Area will be ensuring a high-quality work environment for the local employment base. Pathways, commercial, retail, insƟtuƟonal uses, open space, and recreaƟon should be incorporated within the Major Employment Areas, where appropriate, to support the needs of the local employment base. POLICIES 3.4.1.1 The Major Employment Area shall be established within the Greater Nisku Area as shown on Map 3: Greater Nisku Area Land Use Concept. 3.4.1.2 A broad range of employment uses are encouraged within the Major Employment Area with a focus on light and medium industrial development and agribusiness. 3.4.1.3 Commercial, retail, and insƟtuƟonal uses are encouraged within the Major Employment Area where they meet the needs of the local employment base and are compaƟble with adjacent land uses. 3.4.1.4 The County will ensure land use adjacent to Edmonton InternaƟonal Airport is compaƟble with and complements the commercial, retail, entertainment, aviaƟon-related, and other uses at Edmonton InternaƟonal Airport. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 19 POLICIES CONTINUED 3.4.1.5 The redevelopment or intensiﬁcaƟon of lands is encouraged within the Major Employment Area to increase the density of development over Ɵme. 3.4.1.6 The conversion of employment to non-employment uses in the Major Employment Area will only be considered if: a. there is a demonstrated need for the conversion to support populaƟon growth; b. there is suﬃcient employment lands aŌer the conversion to accommodate projected employment growth within the County; c. the conversion and proposed uses will not adversely impact the overall viability of the major employment area; d. there is exisƟng or planned infrastructure to accommodate the proposed land use; and e. cross-jurisdicƟonal issues have been considered. 3.4.1.7 LogisƟcs and distribuƟon centres or other similar developments with high levels of traﬃc should be located where the planned levels of traﬃc do not adversely aﬀect neighbouring businesses or the local transportaƟon network. 3.4.1.8 Heavy industrial development is not supported within the Major Employment Area due to its oﬀ-site impacts. 3.4.1.9 The County may work with businesses and industry within the Major Employment Area to develop appropriate methods and guidelines for redeveloping brownﬁeld sites and/or under-uƟlized properƟes in order to fully realize the business development objecƟves of this Plan. 3.4.1.10 The County shall establish architectural and landscape design guidelines to guide landscaping of non- residenƟal development within the Major Employment Area. The architectural and landscape design guidelines shall include requirements for development adjacent to the Highway II Corridor, other major roadways, open spaces, and residenƟal areas. The architectural and landscape design guidelines shall: a. Provide general and speciﬁc guidelines for landscape plan design and installaƟon; b. Promote aƩracƟve building design that focuses on the visual aspects of development, such as building materials, rooﬂine arƟculaƟons, and entrance features; c. Enhance the beauty and prosperity of the Major Employment Area; d. Ensure that undesirable views are appropriately screened from public roads; and e. Retain ﬂexibility and encourage creaƟvity through contextually appropriate design. 3.4.1.11 Buﬀers and/or transiƟonal land uses shall be required to minimize conﬂicts between industrial and residenƟal developments. 3.4.1.12 A Local Area Structure Plan will be prepared for lands within the Major Employment Area north of Township Road 510 (and the East Vistas) that currently do not fall within a Local Area Structure Plan to provide the framework for future land use, subdivision, and the development of this area. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 20 Chapter 3 | GREATER NISKU AREA 3.5 COMMUNITIES AND HOUSING CommuniƟes, housing, and mixed-use development in the Greater Nisku Area are intended to be compact and conƟguous to increase the level of eﬃciency for the delivery of municipal services and infrastructure. The Greater Nisku Area is to be fully serviced with municipal water and wastewater and built to an urban standard to support residenƟal and commercial growth. A mix of land uses is encouraged to create areas with a strong sense of place, increase housing variety and density, and reduce distances between home, work, and shopping. PRINCIPLE The County values a diverse range of land uses, including housing, commercial and mixed-use development, ameniƟes, and open spaces in a form that creates a high-quality lifestyle for residents within the Greater Nisku Area. OBJECTIVES 1. To create communiƟes with a range of ameniƟes, open spaces, and recreaƟonal opportuniƟes. 2. To oﬀer a range of housing types and densiƟes to accommodate a broad range of demographics, incomes, and lifestyles. 3. To create communiƟes with a connected pathway and green space network that integrates with community features, commercial areas, and public open spaces. 4. To develop vibrant and aƩracƟve areas with commercial services to meet the needs of residents. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 21 3.5.1 URBAN CENTRE ResidenƟal development within the Urban Centre will provide for a sustainable community with a diversity of land uses that meet the everyday living, working, shopping, and recreaƟonal needs of County residents. The following are key elements of community development within the Urban Centre:  A community design where it is easy and safe to walk to shops and businesses;  Accessible and available recreaƟon opportuniƟes, social gathering spaces, parks, and open space;  A mix of non-residenƟal land uses such as commercial, retail, and insƟtuƟonal uses;  A variety of transportaƟon modes and acƟve transportaƟon networks for residents; and  A variety of housing forms. POLICIES 3.5.1.1 The Urban Centre shall be established within the Nisku Area as shown on Map 3: Greater Nisku Area Land Use Concept. 3.5.1.2 Outline plans will be required to implement Local Area Structure Plans within the Urban Centre. 3.5.1.3 Outline plans shall account for the allocaƟon of density and land use for the area being planned in accordance with the overarching Local Area Structure Plan. 3.5.1.4 Where residenƟal land use is planned, outline plans shall provide a diversity of housing including, but not limited to, a range of density, form, and building types to meet the needs of all ages, abiliƟes, and incomes. 3.5.1.5 To prevent premature subdivision and ensure Ɵmely compleƟon and build out of approved urban residenƟal subdivisions, the County will prepare a phasing strategy to guide the sequence of development in the Urban Centre. 3.5.1.6 Subdivision in the Urban Centre shall be in accordance with the phasing strategy referred to in Policy 3.5.1.5 above. 3.5.1.7 A broad range of service, insƟtuƟonal, commercial, and entertainment uses are encouraged in the Urban Centre where the uses can be appropriately sited and are compaƟble with adjacent land uses. 3.5.1.8 Commercial development within residenƟal areas should meet the needs of the local residents and be compaƟble with and complement exisƟng and future residenƟal development. 3.5.1.9 The County will collaborate with community groups, adjacent municipaliƟes, regional partners, and other levels of government to promote aﬀordable housing within the Urban Centre. 3.5.1.10 Both Market aﬀordable and non-market housing will be promoted by idenƟfying and implemenƟng creaƟve approaches to increase their availability, along with supporƟng services. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 22 Chapter 3 | GREATER NISKU AREA POLICIES CONTINUED 3.5.1.11 Development in the Urban Centre shall have a strong focus on alternaƟve modes of transportaƟon, including transit, cycling, and walking. 3.5.1.12 Higher-density development, such as mulƟ-residenƟal and mixed-use buildings, shall be encouraged in locaƟons where local residents have access to ameniƟes, transit, parks, and commercial opportuniƟes. 3.5.1.13 IntegraƟng alternaƟve lot designs and sizes is encouraged, including small and narrow lots, in order to provide increased opƟons for aﬀordable housing and varying housing types. 3.5.1.14 Development in the Urban Centre shall have open space for passive recreaƟon and acƟve recreaƟon that can facilitate both small- and large-scale community events. 3.5.1.15 Infrastructure, public spaces, parks, and recreaƟon areas shall incorporate barrier-free designs to maximize accessibility and support all ages, physical abiliƟes, and family types. 3.5.1.16 To improve aﬀordability, the County will support innovaƟve building pracƟces related to prefabricaƟon, building materials, and built forms with good urban design, providing it meets the Safety Codes Act. 3.5.1.17 The County shall establish architectural and landscape design guidelines to guide landscaping of commercial and residenƟal developments within the Urban Centre. The Urban Centre architecture and landscape design guidelines shall: a. provide general and speciﬁc guidelines for landscape plan design; b. promote aƩracƟve building design that focuses on the visual aspects of development, such as building materials, rooﬂine arƟculaƟons, and entrance features; c. consider form, proporƟon, paƩern, detailing, and texture, parƟcularly at the street level, to encourage human scale properƟes and respond to adjacent developments; d. retain ﬂexibility and encourage creaƟvity through contextually appropriate design; and e. consider Crime PrevenƟon Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 23 3.5.2 HOME-BASED BUSINESS Home-based businesses are encouraged throughout the residenƟal areas of the Greater Nisku Area to diversify the local economy, improve access to goods and services, and to reduce reliance on the automobile. Home-based businesses are small businesses within a dwelling or accessory building that create no negaƟve impacts on the subject property or the surrounding properƟes and do not detract from the residenƟal seƫng. Home-based businesses shall be regulated by the Leduc County Land Use Bylaw to minimize land use conﬂict. POLICIES 3.5.2.1 Home-based businesses shall be secondary to the established principal residenƟal use of the property and shall not detract from the residenƟal character or the surrounding area. 3.5.2.2 Home-based businesses shall not create nuisances in the neighbourhood or on adjoining properƟes. 3.5.2.3 Business development deemed to be incompaƟble or inappropriate for a residenƟal seƫng by way of size, appearance, or potenƟal oﬀ-site impacts shall locate in comprehensively planned areas that supports that type of use. For example, on lands designated local or major employment. 3.5.3 EXISTING COUNTRY RESIDENTIAL AREAS (VISTAS) The exisƟng Country ResidenƟal Area within the Greater Nisku Area is illustrated on Map 3: Greater Nisku Area Land Use Concept. POLICIES 3.5.3.1 The exisƟng Country ResidenƟal Area (Vistas) is expected to remain and will be supported for the duraƟon of this Plan. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 24 Chapter 3 | GREATER NISKU AREA LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 25 Chapter 4 Rural County 4.1 VISION FOR THE RURAL COUNTY Agricultural acƟviƟes are the largest and most signiﬁcant land use within Rural County, and agricultural lands are an important aspect of the regional economy, producing a wide range of agricultural products for the region and beyond. The policies of this Plan aim to support the conƟnued viability of agricultural and environmental land uses within Rural County by managing fragmentaƟon of agricultural lands, conserving key environmental features, supporƟng the diversiﬁcaƟon of agricultural products and markets, and promoƟng conƟnued growth within exisƟng rural communiƟes to help them remain viable over the long term. The general locaƟon of land uses within Rural County is shown on Map 4: Rural County Land Use Concept. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 26 Chapter 4 | RURAL COUNTY PRINCIPLE The County supports the protecƟon and enhancement of the exisƟng rural landscape by allowing development that is compaƟble with the rural environment. OBJECTIVES 1. To provide a stable environment in which agriculture may operate freely from urban expansion and non-agricultural development. 2. To promote rural communiƟes that contain living, working, and recreaƟonal acƟviƟes that respect agricultural resources. 3. To retain the rural character by promoƟng diversiﬁcaƟon of agriculture and agribusiness. Agriculture activities are the largest and most significant land use within Rural County Chapter 4 | RURAL COUNTY LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 27 4.2 GENERAL RURAL COUNTY POLICIES The following policies shall apply to all development proposals within the Rural County. The purpose of these policies is to ensure the County's rural character is maintained and valuable agricultural lands are conserved. POLICIES 4.2.0.1 In the Rural County, the Country ResidenƟal Area, Local Employment Areas, Growth Hamlet, and Lakeshore CommuniƟes shall be guided by Area Structure Plans. 4.2.0.2 New Area Structure Plans within the Rural County must, where applicable, idenƟfy and/or demonstrate: a. the short- and long-term ﬁnancial viability of the development; b. all required on- and oﬀ-site upgrades to roadways, interchanges, and uƟlity infrastructure necessary to support the development, the Ɵming of the required upgrades in relaƟon to the phasing of the development, the esƟmated capital costs of the upgrades, and a funding strategy; c. stormwater and how it can be eﬃciently and eﬀecƟvely managed; d. servicing provisions for potable water and wastewater with supporƟng site assessment documentaƟon, and if communal servicing is proposed, be backed by a ﬁnancial feasibility study that addresses long-term regulatory compliance, and user-pay ﬁnancial sustainability; e. the environmental impacts which may occur as a result of increased development acƟvity through a biophysical assessment, prepared by a qualiﬁed professional, for lands idenƟﬁed as environmentally signiﬁcant; f. Crown ownership of the bed and shore of permanent and naturally occurring bodies of water under the Public Lands Act; g. the phasing of development and the anƟcipated rate of land consumpƟon; h. the demand for and ability to provide "soŌ" services, such as schools, police, and ﬁre protecƟon; i. the demand for and ability to provide adequate recreaƟon and open space opportuniƟes; j. the need for Local Area Structure Plans and/or outline plans where more detailed planning for speciﬁc areas within an Area Structure Plan is necessary; k. the potenƟal adverse impacts of the proposed development on agricultural lands and exisƟng agricultural operaƟons, as well as the potenƟal for exisƟng agricultural operaƟons to remain as a use through an Agricultural Impact Assessment prepared by a professional; and l. any of the maƩer deemed necessary by the County. 4.2.0.3 The County shall develop a terms of reference for Area Structure Plans and Local Area Structure Plans to deﬁne project-speciﬁc applicaƟon requirements and boundaries. 4.2.0.4 The County shall track the conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural use within the Rural County with the objecƟve of ensuring such conversions do not aﬀect the overall funcƟon and viability of remaining agricultural operaƟons. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 28 Chapter 4 | RURAL COUNTY POLICIES CONTINUED 4.2.0.5 In the Rural County, agricultural lands shall remain in agricultural use unƟl required for conversion to the use designated in the Municipal Development Plan to prevent premature conversion of agricultural land. 4.2.0.6 In the Rural County, where possible and pracƟcal, a. reclaimed lands should be rehabilitated for agricultural uses; and b. consideraƟon should be given to re-designate and/or redistrict non-agricultural lands to agricultural uses. 4.2.0.7 The County will encourage the Province of Alberta and the energy industry to locate energy faciliƟes in areas where the impact to Prime Agricultural Lands and neighboring land uses are minimized. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 29 Map 4 | Rural County Land Use Concept Map 4 Rural County Land Use Concept LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 30 Chapter 4 | RURAL COUNTY 4.3 AGRICULTURE The County recognizes the importance of protecƟng the agricultural land base to ensure a range of agricultural products and/or services are provided to an accessible regional and global market. Agricultural land should not be considered simply as a holding reserve for development but as a valuable resource that needs to be protected for future generaƟons. There are two disƟnct agricultural areas as shown on Map 4: Rural County Land Use Concept. The two agricultural areas were established based on the following consideraƟons: the agricultural capaciƟes and soil quality of the land; the pressure and extent of fragmentaƟon already occurring within the area; and the exisƟng land use. PRINCIPLE The County champions the importance of agriculture and is commiƩed to ensuring its long-term viability. OBJECTIVES 1. To conserve agricultural land on a comprehensive basis as a means of ensuring the long-term viability of agriculture. 2. To minimize fragmentaƟon of agricultural land for purposes that is not supporƟve to the agricultural industry. 3. To minimize the loss of agricultural land by limiƟng the amount of land converted to a non-agricultural use. POLICIES 4.3.0.1 Agricultural uses shall take precedence within the agricultural areas. 4.3.0.2 The two disƟnct agricultural areas are as follows: a. Agricultural Area A. This is the area where prime agricultural lands predominate and is intended to provide for extensive ﬁeld crops and conﬁned feeding operaƟons on large tracts of land. Non- agricultural use is discouraged, and subdivision is to be limited to conserve prime agricultural land and enable viability of agricultural operaƟons in this area into the future. b. Agricultural Area B. This is the area outside of the Prime Agriculture Area and is intended to provide for a broad range of agriculture on large tracts of land. Non-agricultural use and subdivision may be considered but should be minimized to maintain agriculture as the priority land use; prevent land use conﬂicts; and avoid unduly encumbering or hindering exisƟng and future agricultural operaƟons in the area. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 31 POLICIES CONTINUED 4.3.0.3 Agricultural Area A is designated as the prime agricultural area. 4.3.0.4 ApplicaƟons for subdivision and development within the agricultural areas shall not interfere with the purpose and intent of the agricultural areas as described in Policy 4.3.0.2. 4.3.0.5 Notwithstanding the above policies, an Agricultural Smallholding Overlay Area, idenƟﬁed on Map 4: Rural County Land Use Concept Map, has been established to provide subdivision opportuniƟes for unique and diversiﬁed agricultural acƟviƟes on smaller tracts of land. 4.3.0.6 To conserve agricultural land, the amount of land converted to non-agricultural use shall be minimized through consideraƟon of locaƟon and site design. Where possible, non-agricultural uses should be directed to low- capability agricultural land. 4.3.0.7 Soil, clay, and sand ﬁll shall be carefully managed in the agricultural areas in order to conserve soils and prevent: a. the spread of noxious weeds or pests such as Clubroot; b. contaminaƟon of soil with hydrocarbons, metals, solvents, or any other contaminants; c. degradaƟon of soil/loss of prime agricultural land resulƟng from combining and/or mixing soil types; d. alteraƟons to wetlands and exisƟng drainage paƩerns; and e. an increase in the cost of development on lands intended for future development. 4.3.0.8 The County will encourage and promote projects and iniƟaƟves such as AlternaƟve Land Use Services (ALUS) that support conservaƟon pracƟces and agricultural stewardship. 4.3.0.9 The County will discourage the conversion of Prime Agricultural Lands for non-agricultural projects such as energy faciliƟes and corridors. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 32 Chapter 4 | RURAL COUNTY 4.3.1 SUBDIVISION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND The soil quality varies greatly in Leduc County from higher capability that supports ﬁeld crops to lower capability that supports grazing and conﬁned feeding operaƟons. These soils, regardless of their capability, are of value and allow for agriculture of diﬀerent kinds. To conserve large tracts of agricultural land for future generaƟons and limit incompaƟble land uses, subdivision of agricultural lands will be minimized. To provide landowners with an opportunity to grow their own food and be self-suﬃcient or establish an agricultural operaƟon on a small tract of land, an agricultural smallholding overlay area has been established. POLICIES GENERAL POLICIES 4.3.1.1 All subdivisions shall be designed and located in a manner that considers the topography of the land and minimizes: a. potenƟal conﬂicts with surrounding agricultural uses; b. the amount of agricultural land taken out of agricultural producƟon; c. the amount of prime agricultural land converted to non-agricultural use; d. fragmentaƟon of agricultural land by locaƟng the subdivision near quarter secƟon boundaries or in close proximity to exisƟng residenƟal sites or non-agricultural uses; and e. disturbance of Environmentally Signiﬁcant Areas and wetlands. 4.3.1.2 To ensure a physical severance or a property line issue is not created, a subdivision applicaƟon must idenƟfy Crown ownership of permanent and naturally occurring bodies of water under the Public Lands Act. 4.3.1.3 Where a Farmstead subdivision is proposed, the subdivision should: I. be limited to the size needed to accommodate the exisƟng residence, natural areas, and funcƟoning structures and faciliƟes associated with the farmstead; II. not be designed to accommodate an exisƟng open discharge system due to excessive land requirements; III. minimize the amount of agricultural land taken out of producƟon; IV. not include high-capability agricultural land; and V. not fragment water bodies; where pracƟcal, waterbodies should remain with the remnant parcel. 4.3.1.4 Where a ResidenƟal subdivision is proposed, the subdivision should: I. be directed to areas designated for residenƟal use, where possible; II. be limited to the size needed to accommodate a residence and building accessory for residenƟal use; III. minimize the amount of agricultural land taken out of producƟon; IV. be directed to low-capability agricultural land; V. not be located in the Minimum Distance Setback (MDS) of a CFO where oﬀ-site impacts of the CFO may be a signiﬁcant nuisance; VI. be located and designed to minimize fragmentaƟon of agricultural land; and VII. not fragment water bodies; where pracƟcal, waterbodies should remain with the remnant parcel. 4.3.1.5 A subdivision for the purpose of adjusƟng a lot line must comply with the policies of this Plan and be consistent with the intent and objecƟves of this Plan. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 33 POLICIES CONTINUED AGRICULTURAL AREA A 4.3.1.6 To conserve large, conƟguous tracts of prime agricultural land with minimal fragmentaƟon primarily for intensive cropping operaƟon, and to protect exisƟng and future conﬁned feeding operaƟons in Agricultural Area A, subdivision shall be limited to a(n): a. physical severance; b. farmstead subdivision; c. residenƟal subdivision; or d. lot line adjustment. 4.3.1.7 There shall be no more than one (1) subdivision (two Ɵtled lots) per unsubdivided quarter secƟon in Agricultural Area A. AGRICULTURAL AREA B 4.3.1.8 To conserve agricultural land on a comprehensive basis for a broad range of agricultural operaƟons in Agricultural Area B, subdivision shall be limited to a(n): a. physical severance; b. farmstead subdivision; c. residenƟal subdivision; d. agricultural subdivision, provided an Agricultural Impact Assessment has been undertaken and can demonstrate: I. the soil capability or topography of the subject quarter secƟon lends itself to the legal separaƟon of Ɵtle; and II. the proposed agricultural subdivision will not negaƟvely impact the agricultural use of the subject quarter secƟon or surrounding lands; e. lot line adjustment. 4.3.1.9 There shall be no more than two (2) subdivisions (three Ɵtled lots) per unsubdivided quarter secƟon in Agricultural Area B. 4.3.1.10 Of the two (2) subdivisions (three Ɵtled lots) referred to in Policy 4.3.1.9, there shall be a maximum of one ResidenƟal subdivision as deﬁned by this Plan. AGRICULTURAL SMALLHOLDING OVERLAY AREA 4.3.1.11 To support diversiﬁcaƟon of agricultural operaƟons on smaller tracts of land and to minimize potenƟal impacts on the Beaver Hills UNESCO Biosphere, in the Agricultural Smallholding Overlay Area, subdivision shall be limited to a(n): a. physical severance; b. farmstead subdivision; c. residenƟal subdivision; d. agricultural subdivision; e. agricultural smallholding subdivision; or f. lot line adjustment. 4.3.1.12 An Agricultural Smallholding subdivision: I. shall prioriƟze agricultural use on a smaller tract of land and not simply represent a large Country ResidenƟal lot; II. shall be suﬃciently large to maintain ﬂexibility for future changes in the type or size of agricultural operaƟon; and III. should be located and designed to minimize fragmentaƟon of agricultural land and natural areas. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 34 Chapter 4 | RURAL COUNTY POLICIES CONTINUED 4.3.1.13 There shall be no more than three (3) subdivisions (four Ɵtled lots) per unsubdivided quarter secƟon in the Agricultural Smallholding Overlay Area. 4.3.1.14 Of the three (3) subdivisions (four Ɵtled lots) referred to in Policy 4.3.1.13, there shall be a maximum of one ResidenƟal subdivision as deﬁned by this Plan. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 35 4.3.2 CONFINED FEEDING OPERATIONS The Province of Alberta deﬁnes, approves, and regulates Conﬁned Feeding OperaƟons under the Agricultural OperaƟon PracƟces Act. The County supports the development of new or expanded Conﬁned Feeding OperaƟons where the operaƟon is compaƟble with the surrounding land uses. POLICIES 4.3.2.1 The County supports the development of new or expanded Conﬁned Feeding OperaƟons, provided the operaƟon: a. does not create adverse impacts on environmentally signiﬁcant lands; b. has saƟsfactory access; c. is located within Agricultural Area A or B; d. is carried out in accordance with generally accepted farming pracƟces regarding the storage, disposal, and spreading of manure and the disposal of animal carcasses; and e. meets the minimum setback distances to urban communiƟes and residenƟal development as regulated by the Agricultural OperaƟon PracƟces Act. 4.3.2.2 Subdivision and development of residenƟal land uses should not be located within the separaƟon distances calculated that uƟlize the Minimum Distance SeparaƟon (MDS) formula for conﬁned feeding operaƟons. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 36 Chapter 4 | RURAL COUNTY 4.4 ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS AND EMPLOYMENT The majority of employment acƟviƟes within the Rural County are intended to be located within hamlets or within comprehensively planned Local Employment Areas. Value-added agriculture producƟon and other businesses directly related to the agricultural sector are encouraged to be located within agricultural hubs in the Rural County to support local agricultural diversiﬁcaƟon and secondary agriculture acƟviƟes. Home-based businesses are encouraged throughout the Rural County in accordance with policies found in SecƟon 4.5.4. PRINCIPLE The County encourages a wide range of employment development in the Rural County that is appropriately located to minimize land use conﬂicts with agriculture and support economic diversity within the rural landscape. OBJECTIVES 1. To minimize the conversion and fragmentaƟon of agricultural lands and manage land use conﬂict by direcƟng non- agricultural (commercial and industrial) businesses to deﬁned areas. 2. To encourage the growth of agriculture-based businesses through the creaƟon of agricultural hubs. 3. To support employment growth in comprehensively planned business parks (i.e. Local Employment Areas) and hamlets to create synergies and enhance services in the local area. POLICIES 4.4.0.1 Employment growth and business development in Agricultural Area A that is not directly related to agriculture, other than home-based businesses, is not supported and shall be directed to hamlets (subject to the policies within SecƟon 4.4.2) or Local Employment Areas (subject to policies within SecƟon 4.4.1) to create synergies, prevent the conversion and fragmentaƟon of prime agricultural land, and minimize conﬂict with agricultural operaƟons. 4.4.0.2 Employment growth and business development in Agricultural Area B that is not directly related to agriculture may be considered, providing: a. it can be demonstrated that the non-agricultural use could not reasonably or pracƟcally be located in areas of the County that are designated for, or support, employment growth and business development; b. agriculture will remain the predominate use in the area; c. the non-agricultural use will not hinder the surrounding agricultural operaƟons or uses; d. the non-agricultural use is directed to low-capability agricultural land, where possible; e. the amount of agricultural land taken out of producƟons is minimized; f. the non-agricultural use is located and designed to minimize fragmentaƟon of agricultural land; and g. transportaƟon and servicing can be addressed to the saƟsfacƟon of the County and other regulatory bodies. 4.4.0.3 Agriculture-based businesses are encouraged to be located in Local Employment Areas and hamlets where they are compaƟble with adjacent land uses and can be serviced to the saƟsfacƟon of the County and other regulatory bodies. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 37 POLICIES CONTINUED 4.4.0.4 In Agricultural Areas A and B of the County, as shown on Map 4: Rural County Land Use Concept, an Area Structure Plan shall be prepared to idenƟfy and deﬁne an agricultural hub(s) for agriculture-based businesses to create synergies and maximize eﬃciencies in providing services and infrastructure. 4.4.0.5 Notwithstanding Policy 4.4.0.3 and 4.4.0.4, an agriculture-based business may be located in the Agricultural Areas of A and B: a. it can be demonstrated that it is not pracƟcal or feasible from a funcƟonal perspecƟve for the agriculture-based business to be located within an agricultural hub, Local Employment Area, or hamlet; b. the agriculture-based business will not hinder surrounding agricultural operaƟons and uses in the surrounding area; c. the agriculture-based business is directed to low-capability agricultural land, where possible; d. the amount of agricultural land taken out of producƟon is minimized; and e. transportaƟon and servicing can be addressed to the saƟsfacƟon of the County and other regulatory bodies. 4.4.0.6 To manage value-added agricultural operaƟons in Agricultural Areas A and B, the County may establish regulaƟons regarding the percentage of raw materials to be derived from the lands subject to a value-added agriculture applicaƟon for the use of that operaƟon. 4.4.0.7 Business developments within the Rural County that are highly visible from a major transportaƟon corridor shall provide landscaping treatments, fencing, buﬀering, and other site design features to the saƟsfacƟon of the County. 4.4.1 LOCAL EMPLOYMENT AREAS Local Employment Areas accommodate a concentraƟon of industrial, commercial, and insƟtuƟonal land uses in the Rural County. Local Employment Areas may include developments that require lower levels of municipal servicing or have signiﬁcant outdoor storage requirements. POLICIES 4.4.1.1 Local employment is encouraged in the Local Employment Area, as illustrated on Map 4: Rural County Land Use Concept. 4.4.1.2 Local Employment Areas shall be comprehensively planned and guided by an approved Area Structure Plan. 4.4.1.3 Local Employment Areas in the Rural County shall generate a concentraƟon of employment for the local area and support a range of industrial, commercial, or insƟtuƟonal land uses and economic acƟviƟes. 4.4.1.4 Local Employment Areas shall not adversely impact agriculture lands, exisƟng agricultural operaƟons, and neighbouring land uses. 4.4.1.5 Local Employment Areas shall have suﬃcient water, wastewater, stormwater, and transportaƟon capacity to the saƟsfacƟon of the County and province, where applicable. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 38 Chapter 4 | RURAL COUNTY 4.4.2 HAMLET EMPLOYMENT Hamlet businesses provide local economic and employment opportuniƟes and services within the County's exisƟng hamlets. The Growth Hamlet of New Sarepta is disƟnct from other hamlets because it oﬀers a higher level of municipal servicing and, therefore, presents an opportunity for higher residenƟal and non-residenƟal growth rates. The higher residenƟal development, with a variety of housing choices, along with appropriate commercial and insƟtuƟonal uses, is to be located within the exisƟng core residenƟal areas of the hamlet, while light industrial development may be supported at the periphery. POLICIES 4.4.2.1 Commercial and light industrial development within the Growth Hamlet of New Sarepta shall be guided by the approved Area Structure Plan. 4.4.2.2 Commercial and light industrial development is encouraged within the Rural County's hamlets where the proposed development: a. is consistent in scale and character with neighbouring land uses; b. represents a logical and conƟguous extension of exisƟng development; c. can demonstrate suﬃcient water, wastewater, stormwater, and transportaƟon capacity to the saƟsfacƟon of the County and province if applicable; and d. does not adversely impact neighbouring land use. 4.4.2.3 Commercial and light industrial development within hamlets should provide aƩracƟve building design, landscaping, and fencing. 4.4.2.4 Farmers markets and other methods of connecƟng residents with local agricultural producers are encouraged within hamlets. 4.4.2.5 The County may undertake an Area Structure Plan to prioriƟze infrastructure and guide future development within a hamlet. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 39 4.5 COMMUNITIES AND HOUSING Rural living oﬀers beneﬁts that many residents in the region value, including the provision of space, connecƟon to the land and the agricultural community, and a strong sense of rural character. A goal of this Plan is to provide housing in the Rural County, in a sustainable way, that reduces the conversion of land to non-agricultural uses, minimizes agricultural land fragmentaƟon, is cost-eﬀecƟve, and encourages a compact form of development. To achieve this goal, new residenƟal developments in the Rural County are encouraged to be located in exisƟng hamlets, localiƟes, Lakeshore CommuniƟes, and comprehensively planned Country ResidenƟal Areas that are on non-prime agricultural land and in close proximity to similar uses. PRINCIPLE The County supports a wide range of appropriately located and sustainable residenƟal development within the Rural County to facilitate a range of residenƟal lifestyles. OBJECTIVES 1. To encourage housing development to be located in the Growth Hamlet, hamlets, localiƟes, Lakeshore CommuniƟes, and comprehensively planned Country ResidenƟal Areas, thereby minimizing its eﬀect on agricultural lands and environmental areas and opƟmizing infrastructure investment. 2. To encourage aﬀordable housing opƟons. POLICIES 4.5.0.1 New residenƟal development in the Rural County should be concentrated in the Growth Hamlet, hamlets, Lakeshore CommuniƟes, and comprehensively planned Country ResidenƟal Areas. 4.5.0.2 Subdivision for residenƟal use in Agricultural Areas A and B will be accommodated in accordance with the policies in secƟon 4.3.1. 4.5.0.3 Subdivision for residenƟal use in the Country ResidenƟal Areas will be accommodated in accordance with the policies in secƟon 4.5.1. 4.5.0.4 The County shall develop guidelines for the keeping of animals and livestock in residenƟal areas of the Rural County. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 40 Chapter 4 | RURAL COUNTY 4.5.1 COUNTRY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT Country ResidenƟal development has historically been concentrated on lower-capability soils in the northeast area of the County. To conƟnue to provide rural living opportuniƟes, lands districted as Country ResidenƟal or designated as Country ResidenƟal by this Plan will conƟnue to accommodate this type of development. POLICIES 4.5.1.1 Country ResidenƟal development within the Rural County will be located on lands districted as Country ResidenƟal or within the Country ResidenƟal Area as idenƟﬁed in Map 4: Rural County Land Use Concept. 4.5.1.2 One or more Area Structure Plans will be prepared to guide subdivisions and the development of the Country ResidenƟal Area, as idenƟﬁed in Map 4: Rural County Land Use Concept, to promote interconnected neighbourhoods, transportaƟon and stormwater infrastructure, drainage paƩerns, natural areas, and wildlife habitats. 4.5.1.3 One (1) subdivision (two Ɵtled lots) per quarter secƟon may be considered prior to the preparaƟon of an Area Structure Plan on lands designated Country ResidenƟal, providing: a. the subdivision is limited to the size required to accommodate a residence and buildings accessory to residenƟal use; b. does not fragment natural areas; and c. does not impede the future conversion of the land to the designated Country ResidenƟal use. 4.5.1.4 A concept plan may be considered in place of an Area Structure Plan for lands districted to Country ResidenƟal that fall outside of the Country ResidenƟal Area idenƟﬁed in Map 4: Rural County Land Use Concept, providing: a. the subdivision is consistent in scale and character with the neighbouring land uses; b. the subdivision is comprehensively designed; c. the scale and form of the proposed subdivision makes eﬃcient use of the available lands; d. the subdivision is serviced by water, wastewater, stormwater, and transportaƟon infrastructure to the saƟsfacƟon of the County and province, where applicable; e. the subdivision incorporates natural areas, and if on or adjacent to an Environmentally Signiﬁcant Area, potenƟal environmental impacts have been idenƟﬁed and miƟgated through the preparaƟon of a biophysical assessment; and f. an Agricultural Impact Assessment has been completed and miƟgaƟon measures recommended through the Agricultural Impact Assessment are incorporated in the planning and design of the proposed development to minimize the potenƟal adverse impacts on agricultural lands and agricultural operaƟons on-site and oﬀ-site in the surrounding area to the saƟsfacƟon of the County. 4.5.1.5 Country ResidenƟal development must not exceed 50 residenƟal lots per quarter secƟon. 4.5.1.6 Inﬁll of exisƟng Country ResidenƟal subdivisions is encouraged where it is sensiƟve to the exisƟng development. 4.5.1.7 Inﬁll of exisƟng Country ResidenƟal subdivisions must: a. have a suitable building site as deﬁned within the Leduc County Land Use Bylaw; b. be serviced by water, wastewater, stormwater, and transportaƟon infrastructure to the saƟsfacƟon of the County and province, where applicable; c. not fragment conƟguous natural areas or negaƟvely impact adjacent Environmentally Signiﬁcant Areas; and d. respect the character of the exisƟng subdivision. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 41 4.5.2 HAMLET RESIDENTIAL AND MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT Hamlets form a tradiƟonal part of the rural landscape. The County's hamlets range from those with a wide variety of services to those with limited services. The County supports growth in hamlets where adequate infrastructure and land are available. Hamlet residenƟal and mixed-use development is intended to include a diversity of land uses and a range of services and housing types that ﬁt in seamlessly with the exisƟng character of the area. In the majority of the County's hamlets, growth is expected at a rate and type similar to tradiƟonal paƩerns. New Sarepta has been idenƟﬁed as a Growth Hamlet that, due to its ability to provide municipal levels of piped water and wastewater servicing, has been idenƟﬁed for higher density and more mixed-use growth at a higher rate than may have occurred in the past. POLICIES 4.5.2.1 The Growth Hamlet of New Sarepta, idenƟﬁed in Map 4: Rural County Land Use Concept, will be developed as a full-service rural community that provides a range of land uses, housing types, and rural services to the local area. 4.5.2.2 ResidenƟal development in the Growth Hamlet of New Sarepta will be guided by the approved Area Structure Plan. 4.5.2.3 The hamlets of Buford, Kavanagh, Looma, Rolly View, Sunnybrook, and Telfordville will be developed as rural communiƟes that oﬀer a level of service appropriate to the size and scale of the community. 4.5.2.4 ResidenƟal development is encouraged within hamlets where the proposed development: a. is consistent in scale and character with neighbouring land uses; b. represents a logical and conƟguous extension of exisƟng development; c. can demonstrate suﬃcient water, wastewater, stormwater, and transportaƟon capacity to the saƟsfacƟon of the County and province where applicable; and d. does not adversely impact neighbouring land uses. 4.5.2.5 Churches, community centres, and other social and insƟtuƟonal uses are encouraged in hamlets to create complete communiƟes. 4.5.2.6 Community infrastructure and services appropriate to the size and scale of the hamlet should be developed to meet the needs of area residents. 4.5.2.7 The County may undertake an Area Structure Plan to prioriƟze infrastructure and guide future development within a hamlet. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 42 Chapter 4 | RURAL COUNTY 4.5.3 LAKESHORE COMMUNITIES The County has a diversity of Lakeshore CommuniƟes centred on Pigeon Lake and Wizard Lake. The County supports recreaƟon and residenƟal development around the lakes provided the development can be supported in an ecologically sensiƟve way. POLICIES 4.5.3.1 The approved Area Structure Plans for Pigeon Lake and Wizard Lake will guide subdivision and development in those areas. 4.5.3.2 Agricultural pracƟces should be sensiƟve to environmental features in accordance with the Agricultural OperaƟon PracƟces Act to protect the local watershed. 4.5.3.3 The County shall develop a strategy to acquire land along the immediate lakeshore and within the Lakeshore CommuniƟes to facilitate public access. 4.5.3.4 Proposals for development or redevelopment within Lakeshore CommuniƟes should consider opportuniƟes to enhance or renew disturbed riparian areas. 4.5.3.5 Development within Lakeshore CommuniƟes shall: a. employ designs that protect the natural environment and health of the lake; b. conserve aestheƟc views; c. maintain the character of the community; and d. provide suﬃcient water, wastewater, stormwater, and transportaƟon capacity to the saƟsfacƟon of the County and province, where applicable. 4.5.4 HOME-BASED BUSINESSES Home-based businesses provide self-employment opportuniƟes for rural residents and are encouraged throughout the Rural County. POLICIES 4.5.4.1 Home-based businesses shall be secondary to the established principal residenƟal use of the property and shall not detract from the rural or residenƟal character of the surrounding area. 4.5.4.2 Home-based businesses shall not create nuisances on the neighbourhood or adjoining properƟes. 4.5.4.3 Business development deemed incompaƟble or inappropriate for a residenƟal seƫng by way of size, appearance, or potenƟal oﬀ-site impacts shall be located in comprehensively planned areas that support that use. For example, on lands designated as local employment or major employment. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 43 Chapter 5 Natural Resources 5.1 NATURAL RESOURCE EXTRACTIONS Leduc County has signiﬁcant natural resources including, but not limited to: sand, gravel, oil, gas, coal, soil, and forests. Natural resources in the County saƟsfy local, regional, and provincial resource needs and generate employment growth within the Rural County. The County supports resource- related acƟviƟes, provided the acƟviƟes do not have a signiﬁcant impact on adjacent land uses and the environment. The extracƟon or harvesƟng of natural resources is controlled through provincial legislaƟon. For aggregate operaƟons, the County is responsible for approving land use and issuing development permits for all aggregate extracƟon acƟviƟes. Aggregate pits of all sizes are subject to provincial legislaƟon, with pits greater than ﬁve hectares on private land being further regulated by the Province through the Code of PracƟce for Pits. The Code of PracƟce addresses a number of items, including pit operaƟons, reclamaƟon, and environmental monitoring. Aggregate (sand and gravel) extracƟon must be carefully developed in ways that miƟgate oﬀ-site impacts. Aggregate deposits are idenƟﬁed in Map 5: Development ConsideraƟons. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 44 Chapter 5 | NATURAL RESOURCES PRINCIPLE The County promotes land use paƩerns that minimize land use conﬂict associated with natural resource extracƟon. OBJECTIVES 1. To minimize conﬂict between natural resource extracƟon acƟviƟes and neighbouring land uses. 2. To encourage the safe and eﬃcient integraƟon of natural resource extracƟon with other compaƟble uses. 3. To encourage the Ɵmely and appropriate reclamaƟon of lands used for natural resource extracƟon. 4. To assist the natural resource sector and provincial agencies in making land use decisions related to natural resources. POLICIES 5.1.0.1 The County encourages the extracƟon of natural resources prior to the subdivision and/or development of the land for other uses to ensure deposits of natural resources, such as sand and gravel deposits, are not sterilized. 5.1.0.2 Resource extracƟon acƟviƟes should be directed away from Environmentally Signiﬁcant Areas where possible. Where it is unavoidable, applicaƟons for resource extracƟon acƟviƟes will: a. consider and assess potenƟal adverse eﬀects on Environmentally Signiﬁcant Areas both on- and oﬀ-site through a biophysical assessment; b. demonstrate how adverse environmental impacts will be miƟgated to the saƟsfacƟon of the County; and c. incorporate buﬀers and setbacks to minimize and miƟgate potenƟal impacts on Environmentally Signiﬁcant Areas. 5.1.0.3 An Agricultural Impact Assessment shall be prepared by a qualiﬁed professional to idenƟfy and miƟgate potenƟal adverse impacts of natural resource extracƟon proposals on agricultural lands and operaƟons, both on- and oﬀ- site, to the saƟsfacƟon of the County. 5.1.0.4 Proposals for natural resource extracƟon shall assess and miƟgate potenƟal adverse impacts on neighbouring land use to the saƟsfacƟon of the County. 5.1.0.5 The County may require aggregate operaƟons less than 5 ha (12.36 ac) in size that are not regulated through the Province through the Code of PracƟce for lots to provide security and to ensure land disturbance is minimized and progressive reclamaƟons are undertaken. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 45 5.2 ENERGY FACILITIES AND PIPELINES In Alberta, energy development is regulated by the Province. PRINCIPLE The County promotes land use paƩerns that minimize the potenƟal conﬂict between development, Prime Agricultural Lands environmental preservaƟon, and energy faciliƟes and pipelines. OBJECTIVES 1. To minimize conﬂict between energy faciliƟes and pipelines, and neighbouring land uses. 2. To support the safe and eﬃcient operaƟon of energy faciliƟes and pipelines. 3. To assist the energy sector and provincial and federal agencies in making land use decisions related to energy faciliƟes and pipelines. 4. To encourage reclamaƟon and sealing of abandoned oil and gas wells. 5. To minimize the conversion of Prime Agricultural Lands for energy faciliƟes and corridors POLICIES 5.2.0.1 When considering subdivision and development applicaƟons, provincial and federal setback regulaƟons and guidelines shall be applied, respecƟng petroleum wells, sour gas faciliƟes, pipelines, solar and renewable energy producƟon sites and other energy faciliƟes. 5.2.0.2 The County will encourage the Province of Alberta and energy industry to remediate petroleum well sites and abandoned pipelines. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 46 Chapter 5 | NATURAL RESOURCES Map 5 | Development ConsideraƟons Map 5 Development ConsideraƟons LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 47 5.3 GENESEE POWER PLANT AREA The Genesee Power Plant Area is a signiﬁcant feature within the County. The Genesee GeneraƟng StaƟon is in the western area of the County in a predominately agricultural area. With the introducƟon of Alberta's new Climate Leadership Plan, coal-ﬁred plants will be phased out and replaced by natural gas-ﬁred electricity or other technology. To support these iniƟaƟves, opportuniƟes made possible by new technologies will be considered in the Genesee Power Plant Area to provide employment opportuniƟes and encourage growth within this community. PRINCIPLE Leduc County encourages the redevelopment of the Genesee Power Plant Area for energy-related and agricultural uses and, where appropriate, accommodate recreaƟonal and park uses. OBJECTIVES 1. To support the repurposing and/or redevelopment of the exisƟng infrastructure systems in the Genesee Power Plant Area. 2. To support the growth of energy-related or agricultural employment opportuniƟes within the Genesee Power Plant Area. 3. To allow for recreaƟonal and park opportuniƟes where compaƟble with energy-related and agricultural uses. POLICIES 5.3.0.1 Previously mined lands within the Genesee Power Plant Area should be returned to their natural state or be used for agricultural purposes. 5.3.0.2 The Genesee Power Plant Area, as idenƟﬁed on Map 4: Rural County Land Use Concept, shall be protected for resource extracƟon, energy-related uses, and new technology, including green technology. 5.3.0.3 A transiƟon of land uses will be required within the boundaries of the Genesee Power Plant Area in order to prevent or miƟgate the adverse eﬀects from odour, noise, and other impacts, and to minimize risk to public health and safety. TransiƟonal land uses may include, but are not limited to, passive open space, berms, and agricultural uses. 5.3.0.4 Notwithstanding Policy 5.3.0.1 and 5.3.0.2 above, recreaƟon development may be considered within the Genesee Power Plant Area where it is compaƟble with exisƟng and planned adjacent land uses. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 48 Chapter 5 | NATURAL RESOURCES 5.4 SOIL Soil is the basis for food, feed, fuel, and ﬁbre producƟon as well as many ecosystems. As the populaƟon conƟnues to grow, there will be an increasing demand to saƟsfy these needs. To ensure these needs can be met now and into the future, steps will be taken to conserve this valuable non-renewable resource. PRINCIPLE The County recognizes soil as a highly valuable non-renewable natural resource and will promote the wise management of it. OBJECTIVES 1. To promote best-management pracƟces and techniques that contribute to soil health. 2. To invesƟgate and support opportuniƟes to re-use soil. 3. To minimize the impact of soil import and export on neighbouring land use. POLICIES 5.4.0.1 An Agricultural Impact Assessment prepared by a qualiﬁed professional may be required to idenƟfy any adverse agricultural impacts resulƟng from the import or export of soil in the County. 5.4.0.2 Proposals for the import or export of soils in the County shall assess and miƟgate potenƟal adverse impacts on neighbouring land use to the saƟsfacƟon of the County. 5.4.0.3 The County may require security from proponents proposing to import or export soils in the County to ensure reclamaƟon to the saƟsfacƟon of the County. 5.4.0.4 The County shall explore and idenƟfy opportuniƟes to re-use soils removed from agricultural lands to accommodate urban and industrial growth. 5.4.0.5 Proposals for the import of soil on prime agricultural lands shall not be supported unless there is a demonstrable beneﬁt to those lands receiving the soil. 5.4.0.6 Soil shall be further managed in accordance with policy 4.3.0.7. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 49 Chapter 6 Natural Environment 6.1 ENVIRONMENTALLY SIGNIFICANT AREAS County residents have a strong connecƟon to the natural environment and value the protecƟon of important environmental features. Development should consider how to minimize or avoid impacƟng environmentally signiﬁcant features and ensure that the important ecological values within the natural environment can be maintained for the present and future beneﬁt of the residents and visitors of Leduc County. Environmentally Signiﬁcant Areas are natural areas that provide habitat for a variety of species, contain rare landforms, or serve as stop over locaƟons or concentraƟon points for migratory wildlife. Environmentally Signiﬁcant Areas play an important ecological role, provide opportuniƟes for people to experience and learn about nature, and oﬀer quiet places of refuge. Leduc County's Environmentally Signiﬁcant Areas are idenƟﬁed in Map 6: Environmentally Signiﬁcant Areas. PRINCIPLE The County values Environmentally Signiﬁcant Areas for their ecological role, recreaƟon, and health beneﬁts and is commiƩed to ensuring their long-term health and viability. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 50 Chapter 6 | NATURAL ENVIRONMENT OBJECTIVES POLICIES 1. To minimize adverse impacts of development on Environmentally Signiﬁcant Areas. 2. To provide recreaƟonal access to Environmentally Signiﬁcant Areas where it can be undertaken without compromising the funcƟon of the Environmentally Signiﬁcant Area. 3. To restore natural areas subjected to disturbance. 4. To support the sustainable integraƟon of economic and human development with the conservaƟon of biodiversity on lands located within the Beaver Hills UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. 6.1.0.1 The County will use the Environmentally Signiﬁcant Area Study 2015, as may be updated from Ɵme to Ɵme, as a guide in reviewing subdivision and development proposals. 6.1.0.2 Where there is evidence of an Environmentally Signiﬁcant Area within the boundaries of, or adjacent to, a proposed development or subdivision, a biophysical assessment may be required to delineate the boundary of the Environmentally Signiﬁcant Area and idenƟfy and miƟgate the potenƟal impact that development or subdivision may have on the Environmentally Signiﬁcant Area. 6.1.0.3 The County encourages the retenƟon of trees and vegetaƟon within and adjacent to Environmentally Signiﬁcant Areas. Trees prevent soil loss, intercept, and slow down stormwater, improve air quality, provide habitat, are aestheƟcally appealing, and provide property owners with greater privacy. 6.1.0.4 When development is proposed adjacent to slopes of 15% or greater, a geotechnical study by a qualiﬁed professional shall be undertaken to determine slope stability and required development setbacks. Chapter 6 | NATURAL ENVIRONMENT LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 51 POLICIES CONTINUED 6.1.0.5 The County shall develop setbacks from the top of slope/bank in the Land Use Bylaw to ensure public safety, protect the environment, and conserve aestheƟc views. 6.1.0.6 Development within and adjacent to the Beaver Hills UNESCO Biosphere Reserve will incorporate conservaƟon buﬀers, linkages, and ecological design features to miƟgate and minimize potenƟal adverse impacts to the saƟsfacƟon of the County. 6.1.0.7 The County may work with private and public agencies to conserve Environmentally Signiﬁcant Areas pursuant to the policies within SecƟon 6.4 of this Plan. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 52 Chapter 6 | NATURAL ENVIRONMENT Map 6 | Environmentally Signiﬁcant Areas Map 6 Environmentally Signiﬁcant Areas LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 53 6.2 WATERSHED SYSTEMS Watersheds support habitats for plants and animals and provide drinking water for people and wildlife. They also provide the opportunity for recreaƟon and enjoyment of nature. To maintain the health and well-being of living things, both now and in the future, the County will endeavour to protect its watershed health and current inventory of wetlands. PRINCIPLE The County values the long-term sustainability of its watersheds and wetlands. The County is commiƩed to ensuring watershed and wetland health through eﬀecƟve conservaƟon and management pracƟces. OBJECTIVES 1. To ensure that development adjacent to or near watercourses within the County do not have a detrimental impact on habitat, water quality, and quanƟty. 2. To reduce the potenƟal of ﬂood damage and/or drainage problems that may cause health or safety concerns. 3. To protect wetlands in a manner that achieves a no net loss of wetlands through subdivision and development, and, where possible, create a net gain. POLICIES 6.2.0.1 ApplicaƟons for subdivision and development will consider and incorporate natural areas, such as wildlife habitat and passageways, tree stands, wetlands, and water courses into their design. 6.2.0.2 ApplicaƟons for subdivision and development should consider the cumulaƟve eﬀects of the proposed development on surface water, groundwater quality, and quanƟty. 6.2.0.3 The restoraƟon of sensiƟve ecosystems, natural areas, and habitat corridors that have been previously disturbed is encouraged. 6.2.0.4 The County will cooperate with the Government of Alberta to acƟvely support and complement its Wetland Policy through the following acƟons: a. where appropriate, acquire wetlands, riparian areas, and buﬀers in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Government Act's deﬁniƟon of environmental reserve and/or environmental reserve easement, conservaƟon reserve, and/or conservaƟon reserve easement (as further described in SecƟon 6.4); b. where privately held wetlands cannot be protected through other means, encourage their dedicaƟon through conservaƟon easements; and c. may establish a wetland conservaƟon policy to prioriƟze wetlands to be protected and wetlands to be restored. d. On-site wetlands and low-lying areas should be idenƟﬁed into statutory and non-statutory documents with a vision to incorporate and protect these areas into subdivision planning and development to the greatest extent possible. 6.2.0.5 Statutory plans will protect, enhance, and restore the water quality in the County by: a. conserving natural areas along waterways; b. incorporaƟng best pracƟces to minimize soil erosion, protect and enhance riparian zones, and conserve and enhance areas that contain habitat for signiﬁcant, rare, or endangered plant species; and c. conserving wetlands with suﬃcient buﬀers to maintain their water quality and hydraulic funcƟon, as well as the upland habitat necessary to support the life-cycle needs of the wetland ecosystem. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 54 Chapter 6 | NATURAL ENVIRONMENT POLICIES CONTINUED 6.2.0.6 The County considers the North Saskatchewan River Valley to be important natural open space corridors and will endeavour to: a. protect it from encroachment by incompaƟble development; b. allow only the integraƟon of uses which are considered compaƟble with the landscape and sensiƟviƟes of the river valley; c. encourage the retenƟon and conservaƟon of the river and ravine natural features; d. acquire land as environmental reserve to establish an open space corridor through the subdivision process where possible and pracƟcable; and e. restrict uses within this corridor to maintain compaƟbility with the natural environment. 6.2.0.7 The preservaƟon of wetlands for the long-term beneﬁt of the region is encouraged. 6.2.0.8 Development, with the excepƟon of ﬂood control devices, is prohibited within provincially recognized ﬂoodways and ﬂood fringes to ensure the safety of residents and the health of the waterway. Land within the ﬂoodway will be dedicated as Environmental Reserve at the Ɵme of subdivision. 6.2.0.9 The County will promote iniƟaƟves and organizaƟons that seek to improve the health and funcƟon of Wizard Lake, Pigeon Lake, the North Saskatchewan River, and other watercourses and water bodies. 6.2.0.10 The County shall establish setbacks to water bodies in the Land Use Bylaw. The setbacks may be guided by the County's Riparian Matrix Model, the provincial guidelines, Stepping Back from the Water: A Beneﬁcial Management PracƟces Guide of New Development Near Water Bodies in the Alberta's SeƩled Region (2012), or other recognized method of establishing setbacks. 6.2.0.11 Development and subdivision within the Cameron Drainage District or the Big Hay Lakes Drainage District should not interfere with the operaƟon of drainage works within those districts. 6.2.0.12 The County may work with private and public agencies to conserve watersheds pursuant to policies within SecƟon 6.4 of this Plan. 6.2.0.13 Where there is potenƟal for a development or subdivision to adversely impact a wetland or water body, a biophysical assessment will be required to idenƟfy and miƟgate the potenƟal impact that development may have on the water body or wetland to the saƟsfacƟon of the County. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 55 6.3 GREEN BUILDING AND LOW-IMPACT DEVELOPMENT PRACTICES Green building and low-impact development pracƟces focus on the design, construcƟon, and operaƟon of developments in an environmentally sensiƟve manner, promote eﬃcient water and energy use, and support vegetaƟon to clean air. The County encourages green buildings and community design that supports well-being and achieves social, economic, and environmental beneﬁts. PRINCIPLE The County supports green building and low-impact development pracƟces across the County as a way to reduce impacts on the environment. OBJECTIVES 1. To promote eﬃcient energy use within buildings and support the development of alternaƟve sources of energy, such as solar and geothermal. 2. To encourage landscaping pracƟces that will reduce the environmental impact of stormwater and lessen the need for irrigaƟon. 3. To promote development pracƟces that will retain or reclaim natural and environmental features. POLICIES 6.3.0.1 The planning, design, and construcƟon of new development and infrastructure will incorporate low-impact development and green building pracƟces. 6.3.0.2 Landscaping techniques that reduce water consumpƟon are encouraged. Such landscaping techniques include, but are not limited to, the planƟng of materials that are hardy and naƟve to the region; planƟng of drought- tolerant species; and use of permeable surface materials. Landscaping, which requires irrigaƟon, pesƟcides, and cosmeƟc ferƟlizers, is discouraged. 6.3.0.3 The County will promote sustainable site design that reduces peak run-oﬀ volumes and rainwater contaminants through elements, such as on-site retenƟon, pervious surfaces, green space, and planƟngs. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 56 Chapter 6 | NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 6.4 ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSERVATION RESERVES AND EASEMENTS At the Ɵme of subdivision, a subdivision authority may require that the landowner provide lands to the municipality as environmental reserve where there is a wetland, gully, ravine, coulee, or natural drainage course or land is unstable, subject to ﬂooding, or adjacent to the bed and shore of any water body. This type of reserve is to remain in its natural state or be idenƟﬁed as a public park. The subdivision authority may also require the landowner to provide natural areas as ConservaƟon Reserve. PRINCIPLE The County values natural areas and will use available land use tools to conserve natural areas within the County. OBJECTIVES 1. To preserve natural areas within the County through the dedicaƟon of reserves. POLICIES 6.4.0.1 Lands subject to potenƟal erosion or other maƩers consistent with the Municipal Government Act shall be dedicated as Environmental Reserve. 6.4.0.2 Where the County determines public use is not desirable, land qualifying as Environmental Reserve may be designated as an environmental reserve easement in accordance with the Municipal Government Act. 6.4.0.3 Where the boundaries for Environmental Reserve need to be delineated, the County may require the landowner/developer to provide a biophysical assessment. 6.4.0.4 Natural areas that do not qualify as Environmental Reserve may be required as ConservaƟon Reserve in accordance with the Municipal Government Act. 6.4.0.5 A ConservaƟon Easement, in accordance with the Alberta Land Stewardship Act, may be used to preserve areas that do not qualify as environmental reserves or environmental reserve easements under the Municipal Government Act. The conservaƟon easement may be executed as a legal agreement between the private landowner and the County or a conservaƟon organizaƟon. 6.4.0.6 For subdivisions adjacent to water bodies, Environmental Reserves shall include suﬃcient lands so as to prevent polluƟon of the land or the bed and shore of the water body; preserve the natural features of the land; ensure public access to the shoreline; and prevent development where the natural features of the land present a signiﬁcant risk of personal injury or property damage. In these areas, the Environmental Reserve allocaƟon may be supplemented by the Municipal Reserve or ConservaƟon Reserve in accordance with the Municipal Government Act. 6.4.0.7 The County shall develop speciﬁc policies for the dedicaƟon of Environmental Reserves, Environmental Reserve Easements, ConservaƟon Reserves, and ConservaƟon Easements as directed by the County's RecreaƟon and Parks Master Plan. 6.4.0.8 Crown ownership of permanent and naturally occurring water bodies shall be idenƟﬁed prior to subdivision approval to delineate environmental reserve boundaries. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 57 Chapter 7 Recreation, Open Space, and Community Assets 7.1 RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE Art, culture, heritage, educaƟon, and recreaƟonal acƟviƟes are important to the residents of Leduc County. As the County grows, it will promote cultural, educaƟonal, and recreaƟonal opportuniƟes to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse populaƟon of residents in the community and surrounding region. RecreaƟon is an important aspect of providing a high quality of life within the County. Lakes, rivers, and other geographic features represent regional recreaƟonal opportuniƟes for residents, but these opportuniƟes must be balanced with the need to protect Environmentally Signiﬁcant Areas, agricultural lands, and agricultural operaƟons. Leduc County operates two campgrounds (Jubilee Park Campground on Wizard Lake and Centennial Park Campground on Joseph Lake) as well as two parks (Genesee Heritage Park and Sunnybrook Creek Park). In addiƟon, numerous provincial and privately-operated campgrounds and parks are located in the County. Campgrounds and parks in the County are idenƟﬁed on Map 7: RecreaƟon, Open Space, and Community Assets. PRINCIPLE The County values recreaƟon throughout the County as a way of enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors to the County and will pursue opportuniƟes to enhance recreaƟonal systems through private and public investment. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 58 Chapter 7 | RECREATION, OPEN SPACE, AND COMMUNITY ASSETS OBJECTIVES 1. To design parks and recreaƟonal faciliƟes in ways that will achieve mulƟple beneﬁts and accommodate a diversity of people and acƟviƟes. 2. To establish well-connected, clearly idenƟﬁable, and mulƟ-funcƟonal networks of open space and recreaƟon corridors across the County. 3. To develop a regional open space system that connects to environmental features such as wetlands, rivers, creeks, habitat areas, and tree stands that are an important part of maintaining environmental funcƟon. 4. To support partnerships that enhance the development of recreaƟon systems related to regional open spaces, tourism, and recreaƟonal faciliƟes. POLICIES 7.1.0.1 The County will develop a comprehensive trail and open space corridor plan that links local trails and open space corridors to regional trails and open space corridors. 7.1.0.2 UnƟl such Ɵme as the comprehensive trail and open space corridor plan is complete, opportuniƟes to protect and link the open space corridors as idenƟﬁed on Map 7: RecreaƟon, Open Space, and Community Assets shall be pursued. 7.1.0.3 AcquisiƟon of land for recreaƟon and open space corridors may occur through the dedicaƟon of a Municipal Reserve, Environmental Reserve, ConservaƟon Reserve, voluntary reserve dedicaƟon, land purchase, or other means. 7.1.0.4 Development of public recreaƟon acƟviƟes in the County should: a. support acƟve living; b. promote inclusion and access to recreaƟon services; c. provide a supporƟve environment to parƟcipate in recreaƟon and parks; and d. build the recreaƟon capacity for the provision of recreaƟon services. 7.1.0.5 Proposals for mulƟ-lot residenƟal subdivisions near water bodies should idenƟfy and/or include opportuniƟes for public access for swimming, boaƟng, ﬁshing, and other water-based recreaƟonal acƟviƟes. 7.1.0.6 The County should protect exisƟng public access to developed and/or undeveloped road rights-of-way access to waterbodies, unless demonstrated that there is a clear community-wide beneﬁt to removing access. 7.1.0.7 UƟlity funcƟons will not be considered in parks and open spaces where they compromise the planned funcƟon of those spaces. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 59 POLICIES CONTINUED 7.1.0.8 New outdoor recreaƟonal faciliƟes may be supported near lakes and natural areas when the faciliƟes are low impact in nature (such as picnic areas, camping and trails) and do not compromise the environmental integrity of the area. 7.1.0.9 Development and improvement of parks, trails, faciliƟes, and recreaƟon programing services will be guided by the County's RecreaƟon and Parks Master Plan. 7.1.0.10 A large-scale recreaƟonal facility, such as a new golf course or resort development must demonstrate to the County's saƟsfacƟon that the: a. intensity and scale of development is appropriate for the site; b. development can be eﬃciently serviced; c. uses are sensiƟve to the environment and natural landscape on and adjacent to the site; and d. potenƟal impacts on the adjacent land uses can be miƟgated. 7.1.0.11 Agricultural Impact Assessments, to be prepared by a qualiﬁed professional, shall be required for new recreaƟon development where there is potenƟal for the development to have adverse impacts on agriculture lands. 7.1.0.12 The County will partner and collaborate with adjacent municipaliƟes, the Province of Alberta, school boards, conservaƟon agencies, community groups, home associaƟons, developers, and other organizaƟons to develop and maintain a network of parks, open spaces, pathways, trails, and associated ameniƟes and acƟvely explore new ways of acquiring funding and managing these spaces. 7.1.0.13 The County will promote iniƟaƟves and organizaƟons that seek to deﬁne and develop economic development strategies related to tourism and recreaƟon. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 60 Chapter 7 | RECREATION, OPEN SPACE, AND COMMUNITY ASSETS Map 7 | RecreaƟon, Open Space, and Community Assets Map 7 RecreaƟon, Open Space, and Community Assets LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 61 7.2 MUNICIPAL RESERVES Municipal Reserves enhance the community by providing land for parks, schools, and recreaƟonal ameniƟes. Public and private schools as well as parks and recreaƟonal ameniƟes in the County are idenƟﬁed on Map 7: RecreaƟon, Open Space, and Community Assets. PRINCIPLE The County requires the dedicaƟon of reserve land in accordance with the Municipal Government Act in order to meet the educaƟonal, recreaƟonal, and social needs of residents. OBJECTIVES 1. To acquire reserve lands for schools, parks, open spaces, pathways, and trail development. 2. To ensure that Municipal Reserve dedicaƟon meets the needs of the County. POLICIES 7.2.0.1 Municipal and school reserves shall be provided at no less than 10 percent in land, money in place of land, or a combinaƟon of land and money in accordance with the Municipal Government Act to ensure the educaƟonal, recreaƟonal, and social needs of residents are met. 7.2.0.2 The acquisiƟon, deferral, and disposiƟon of reserve land and money in place of municipal and school reserve shall adhere to County Policy, agreements with local school boards, and the requirements of the Municipal Government Act. 7.2.0.3 The County will develop a reserve strategy to ensure appropriate allocaƟon of reserves for parks and schools County-wide. 7.2.0.4 UnƟl such Ɵme as the reserve strategy is approved by council, where reserve land can be acquired at the Ɵme of subdivision approval, reserves will be dealt with in the following manner as deemed appropriate by the County: a. dedicaƟon of reserve land where the land has immediate beneﬁt for public use; b. deferral of reserve by caveat, where it is determined that reserve land is not needed at present, but may be provided through future subdivision; c. payment of money in place of reserve land, where it is determined that land is not required at present or in the future; or d. a combinaƟon of land and money. 7.2.0.5 The dedicaƟon of Municipal Reserve should be guided by the County's RecreaƟon and Parks Master Plan. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 62 Chapter 7 | RECREATION, OPEN SPACE, AND COMMUNITY ASSETS POLICIES CONTINUED 7.2.0.6 The County will conƟnue to consult with public and private school boards to idenƟfy future school requirements and will enter and maintain joint use and planning agreements with those boards. 7.2.0.7 The County supports and encourages the design and locaƟon of new school sites that opƟmize the use of reserve land and provides for shared lands and faciliƟes between the school boards (public and separate) and the County. 7.2.0.8 The amount, type, locaƟon, and shape of reserve land shall be suitable for public use and accessible to the public. Whenever possible, reserve land should be integrated with the community pathway, open space network, and natural environment. 7.2.0.9 The County should not accept, as part of a required municipal reserve dedicaƟon: a. legally encumbered rights-of-ways or other limitaƟons which would reduce or limit usability of the site; b. stormwater management faciliƟes that can be accommodated within a public uƟlity lot; c. lands within oil and gas well setback areas; d. local walkways that can be accommodated within a rights-of-way or uƟlity lot; or e. contaminated lands, unless miƟgated to the saƟsfacƟon of the County. 7.2.0.10 Municipal reserve may be disposed for development purposes only where there is a clear community-wide beneﬁt that outweighs any negaƟve eﬀect it may have on a parƟcular area of the County. 7.2.0.11 Crown ownership of permanent, and naturally-occurring water bodies shall be idenƟﬁed prior to subdivision approval to determine municipal reserve requirements. Chapter 7 | RECREATION, OPEN SPACE, AND COMMUNITY ASSETS LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 63 7.3 COMMUNITY ASSETS Public gathering places foster cohesive communiƟes. In the County, there are a number of community halls, community groups, and other organizaƟons that provide spaces where people can connect with their community around shared interests. The County recognizes their importance in building a strong community. The County also recognizes the importance of heritage sites and seeks to preserve these features as a testament to the rural history and intrinsic character of Leduc County. The County's historic sites include features such as Rundle's Mission, Leduc #1 oilwell, and Leduc West AnƟque Society. Sites of historical, cultural, and social signiﬁcance are idenƟﬁed on Map 7: RecreaƟon, Open Space, and Community Assets. PRINCIPLE The County supports community development and the preservaƟon of historic sites for all to enjoy. OBJECTIVES 1. To minimize the number of signiﬁcant historic and archaeological sites lost to development. 2. To foster cohesive communiƟes by supporƟng eﬀorts of community groups and organizaƟons in building a sense of community. POLICIES 7.3.0.1 The County will support the eﬀorts of community groups and organizaƟons as idenƟﬁed on Map 7: RecreaƟon, Open Space, and Community Assets in providing spaces where people can connect with their communiƟes. 7.3.0.2 Buildings and features, which have made a signiﬁcant contribuƟon to the seƩlement, cultural, and religious character of the County, should be idenƟﬁed, catalogued, conserved and, where pracƟcable, used for the general beneﬁt of the community. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 64 Chapter 7 | RECREATION, OPEN SPACE, AND COMMUNITY ASSETS POLICIES CONTINUED 7.3.0.3 Historic features should be idenƟﬁed as part of the land use and subdivision process. The County and the development proponent will work together to determine how to plan for the preservaƟon of historic sites idenƟﬁed through the planning process. 7.3.0.4 Developments likely to cause land surface disturbance may be subject to historical resources impact assessments pursuant to the Historical Resources Act. Evidence of Historic Resources Act clearance is required prior to the disturbance of land for development. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 65 Chapter 8 Infrastructure 8.1 TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE Development paƩerns in the County will be concentrated in nodes to reduce the cost to build, maintain, and operate infrastructure and services. To ensure the eﬃcient movement of people, goods, and services to and from this region, the County will work in collaboraƟon with applicable service commissions, adjacent municipaliƟes, and the Province to enhance regional infrastructure. TransportaƟon infrastructure supports local, regional, and global connecƟvity. It provides County residents with an eﬃcient road network that supports all acƟviƟes within the municipality. It also provides businesses with the opportunity to transport goods eﬃciently and eﬀecƟvely. These systems are essenƟal to the prosperity of the County and the region. Leduc County supports the coordinaƟon and integraƟon of transportaƟon infrastructure systems between regional partners to ensure eﬀecƟve and eﬃcient service delivery. The Joint Infrastructure Master Plan and Services EvaluaƟon (JIMPSE), Inter-JurisdicƟon CooperaƟon Accord and Intermunicipal Planning Framework Agreement are examples of how Leduc County is coordinaƟng and integraƟng infrastructure with regional partners. PRINCIPLE The County fosters an eﬀecƟve and ﬁscally sustainable mulƟ-modal transportaƟon system that is integrated with land use. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 66 Chapter 8 | INFRASTRUCTURE OBJECTIVES 1. To support the coordinated planning and delivery of regional and local transportaƟon iniƟaƟves by parƟcipaƟng in regional transportaƟon iniƟaƟves with Edmonton InternaƟonal Airport, the Province, and neighbouring municipaliƟes. 2. To opƟmize transportaƟon infrastructure by encouraging new development to locate near exisƟng development. 3. To develop and maintain the County's transportaƟon infrastructure in a safe, eﬃcient, and cost-eﬀecƟve manner. 4. To ensure the transportaƟon network is well-designed, mulƟ-modal, integrated, and interconnected. 5. To ensure transportaƟon modes funcƟon eﬀecƟvely together as a system. 6. To support Edmonton InternaƟonal Airport in achieving its potenƟal as a regional economic generator. 7. To take advantage of funding opportuniƟes to invest in infrastructure that will maximize economic development opportuniƟes at Edmonton InternaƟonal Airport and surrounding area. POLICIES 8.1.0.1 The County will work collaboraƟvely with adjacent municipaliƟes, organizaƟons, and regional partners to support and enhance the growth of regional and global connecƟvity. 8.1.0.2 As part of any land use decision, the County shall consider the safe, eﬃcient, and cost-eﬀecƟve provision of transportaƟon infrastructure services to ensure a sustainable development paƩern within the County. 8.1.0.3 MulƟ-modal transportaƟon networks shall be developed in the Greater Nisku Area. MulƟ-modal transportaƟon includes, but is not limited to, an interconnected system of pathways, bikeways and sidewalks, and transit service to facilitate pedestrian and cycling movements, where appropriate. 8.1.0.4 A plan to develop and integrate acƟve transportaƟon with exisƟng built areas of the Greater Nisku Area should be developed. Chapter 8 | INFRASTRUCTURE LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 67 Map 8 | TransportaƟon Infrastructure Map 8 TransportaƟon Infrastructure LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 68 Chapter 8 | INFRASTRUCTURE 8.1.1 ROADS Vehicular traﬃc remains the primary mode of transportaƟon within the County. Maintaining the eﬀecƟve movement of goods and people through the County is important in terms of economic development and quality of life. POLICIES 8.1.1.1 Development and subdivision adjacent to local and regional roads and over dimensional corridors as idenƟﬁed in Map 8: TransportaƟon Infrastructure shall not impede the exisƟng or future ﬂow of traﬃc on local and regional roads or over dimensional corridors. 8.1.1.2 The County shall prepare a TransportaƟon Master Plan to plan, coordinate, and prioriƟze future roadway and other transportaƟon systems. 8.1.1.3 Roads and transportaƟon systems proposed as part of any development within the County shall be in accordance with the County's TransportaƟon Master Plan and the County's Municipal Standards to ensure it can support future growth, and safely and eﬃciently manage the anƟcipated traﬃc generated by the development. 8.1.1.4 The County shall develop a road dedicaƟon policy that guides the dedicaƟon of road rights-of-way to ensure the protecƟon of long-term transportaƟon corridors. 8.1.1.5 Subdivisions proposed adjacent to regional and municipal roads shall dedicate road rights-of-way at the Ɵme of subdivision pursuant to the County's road dedicaƟon policy. 8.1.1.6 In addiƟon to the provisions in the County's Municipal Standards, the following should be considered in the design of new roads or upgrade of exisƟng roads: a. provision for the safe and eﬃcient movement of emergency and protecƟve services; b. provision of secondary emergency access and egress in the case of an event from idenƟﬁed hazards such as a wildﬁre or ﬂood; c. layout of sidewalks and pathways that reduce walking distances and provide direct connecƟons, including the limiƟng of the size of residenƟal street blocks to promote eﬃcient development paƩerns and walkable transportaƟon networks, where applicable; d. provision of bicycle lanes, where applicable; e. noise abatement measures, where applicable; f. provisions for snow clearing, maintenance, and construcƟon acƟviƟes to minimize impacts on the ability to use the street for walking, cycling, or transit; g. adequate marking and spacing of walkways to provide a safe pedestrian environment; h. designs that encourage appropriate speeds for drivers and cyclists; i. approaches to maintain ﬁeld access and local roads suﬃcient to accommodate agricultural machinery; j. provision for mulƟ-modal connecƟons between neighbourhoods and places of interest; and k. logical traﬃc ﬂow paƩerns, interconnected roadway paƩerns that avoid cul-de-sacs or dead-end roadways, and the provision of road connecƟons to adjacent lands. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 69 POLICIES CONTINUED 8.1.1.7 As part of the subdivision and development process, development proponents shall idenƟfy any required oﬀ-site infrastructure upgrades to roadways and interchanges required to support the development and the esƟmated capital costs of the upgrades. 8.1.1.8 As part of an applicaƟon for an Area Structure Plan, outline plan, subdivision or development, the County may require a Fiscal Impact Assessment that considers the life-cycle cost to the County for maintaining the transportaƟon infrastructure required to service the development. 8.1.1.9 All development proposals must include informaƟon assessing the traﬃc and intersecƟon implicaƟons of the development on road networks to the saƟsfacƟon of the County and, where applicable, Alberta TransportaƟon. 8.1.1.10 A traﬃc impact assessment, prepared by a qualiﬁed engineer, may be required for development proposals, including Area Structure Plans, Land Use Bylaw amendments, subdivisions, and development permit applicaƟons as deemed necessary by the County. 8.1.1.11 The County will collaborate and cooperate with its regional partners, adjacent municipaliƟes, and the Province to ensure there is an eﬃcient and integrated road system established. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 70 Chapter 8 | INFRASTRUCTURE 8.1.2. RAIL Rail infrastructure plays a criƟcal role in long-term economic growth and the eﬃcient and eﬀecƟve movement of goods. Goods movement by rail is a key aspect of the County economic development strategy as it connects the County to regional, naƟonal, and internaƟonal markets. POLICIES 8.1.2.1 The County will work with rail service providers to maximize rail access to appropriate locaƟons throughout the County to ensure eﬀecƟve movement of goods. 8.1.2.2 All proposed developments adjacent to railways shall ensure that appropriate safety measures, such as setbacks, berms, and security fencing, are provided to the saƟsfacƟon of the County and in consultaƟon with the appropriate railway. 8.1.2.3 Abandoned railway corridors should be considered for incorporaƟon into an open space system. 8.1.3. TRANSIT Eﬃcient public transit supports many social, economic, and environmental goals. It enables people to move easily within a community and within the region for employment, social connecƟon, and daily needs. EﬀecƟve systems coordinate major transit staƟons with higher-intensity development and supporƟve land uses. Well-planned and well-used transit systems help alleviate traﬃc congesƟon, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and improve overall air quality. Leduc County is a partner in Leduc Transit with the City of Leduc. Leduc Transit provides public transit (bus) to East Vistas and connects Leduc and Greater Nisku areas to Edmonton InternaƟonal Airport and the Century Park LRT staƟon in south Edmonton. POLICIES 8.1.3.1 The County will protect higher-order transit as idenƟﬁed on Map 8: TransportaƟon Infrastructure. 8.1.3.2 The County will work to expand transit service within the Greater Nisku Area. 8.1.3.3 The County will collaborate with neighbouring municipaliƟes, the Province, and non-governmental agencies to develop lifeline transportaƟon services with the potenƟal for local and commuter transit services in the Rural County. 8.1.3.4 The County will collaborate with neighbouring municipaliƟes to develop the transit service to be the most eﬃcient and cost-eﬀecƟve as possible and to saƟsfy the changing travelling needs of residents within the region. 8.1.3.5 Area Structure Plans and outline plans in the Greater Nisku Area must demonstrate how local transit routes and transit faciliƟes are integrated with other modes of transportaƟon, including driving, cycling, and pedestrian. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 71 8.1.4. EDMONTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND OTHER AIRPORTS/AERODROMES The County is home to Edmonton InternaƟonal Airport, a signiﬁcant asset to the Region. It is also home to small private aerodromes. The development and operaƟon of airports and aerodromes are regulated by Transport Canada. POLICIES 8.1.4.1 All subdivision and development must comply with the Airport Vicinity and ProtecƟon Area RegulaƟon (AVPA RegulaƟon) where applicable. The AVPA area is idenƟﬁed in Map 5: Development ConsideraƟons. 8.1.4.2 The County will collaborate with the City of Edmonton, the City of Leduc, the Edmonton Regional Airport Authority, and other levels of government in areas of land use, services, transportaƟon, and economic development to allow Edmonton InternaƟonal Airport to achieve its potenƟal as a key economic driver in accordance with the Inter-JurisdicƟon CooperaƟon Accord. 8.1.4.3 The County will support the development and implementaƟon of the Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) that enables companies involved in handling or moving goods to reduce or eliminate normal trade barriers, such as tariﬀs, quotas, and compliance costs. 8.1.4.4 Business or mulƟ-lot residenƟal development associated with the operaƟon of an airport other than Edmonton InternaƟonal Airport shall be comprehensively planned as part of an Area Structure Plan. 8.1.4.5 Proponents of a new or altered aerodrome shall engage and provide an opportunity to the public to respond to the proposal in accordance with the Canadian AviaƟon RegulaƟon. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 72 Chapter 8 | INFRASTRUCTURE 8.2 UTILITY SERVICE INFRASTRUCTURE UƟlity Service Infrastructure planning plays an important role in developing the County in a sustainable manner. UƟlity systems must be designed and constructed in a manner that is safe and reliable. PRINCIPLE The County will maintain an eﬀecƟve, safe, and ﬁscally sustainable infrastructure system appropriate to the scale of the community. OBJECTIVES 1. To accommodate growth through strategic improvements to, and the eﬃcient use of exisƟng uƟlity infrastructure and the provision of new/expanded infrastructure. 2. To manage wastewater to safeguard public health and to protect the environment. 3. To establish and maintain a safe and cost-eﬀecƟve system to supply and distribute potable water. 4. To establish and maintain an integrated approach to stormwater management in coordinaƟon with watershed planning. 5. To work with uƟlity providers to enhance electricity, gas, and telecommunicaƟon services appropriate to the context and scale of the community proposed. 6. To promote cost-eﬀecƟve, environmentally sustainable approaches to infrastructure development through coordinated intermunicipal and regional land use planning. POLICIES 8.2.0.1 The County will protect long-term infrastructure corridors as idenƟﬁed in Map 9: UƟlity Service Infrastructure to ensure eﬃcient infrastructure servicing that is integrated and coordinated with land use planning and development. 8.2.0.2 As part of the subdivision and development process within the Greater Nisku Area, development proponents shall idenƟfy any required oﬀ-site uƟlity infrastructure upgrades required to support the development, the Ɵming of the required upgrades based in relaƟon to the phasing of the development, and the esƟmated capital costs of the upgrades. 8.2.0.3 UƟlity infrastructure within the Greater Nisku Area shall be planned and developed to urban standards in accordance with the County's Municipal Standards 8.2.0.4 The County shall prepare an Infrastructure Master Plan to plan and coordinate eﬃcient management and operaƟon of uƟlity infrastructure to ensure long-term aﬀordability for the County, businesses, and residents. 8.2.0.5 Water and wastewater systems proposed as part of any development within the County shall be in accordance with the County's Infrastructure Master Plan and provincial approvals that may be required to ensure the systems can eﬀecƟvely and eﬃciently support the proposed development. 8.2.0.6 As part of an applicaƟon for an Area Structure Plan, outline plan, subdivision, or development, the County may require a Fiscal Impact Assessment that considers the life-cycle cost to the County for maintaining the uƟlity infrastructure required to service the development. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 73 POLICIES CONTINUED 8.2.0.7 The County may require any permits, licenses, or reports issued by provincial authoriƟes with respect to water, wastewater, or stormwater to be submiƩed prior to, or as a condiƟon of, an approval. 8.2.0.8 The County will collaborate and co-operate with its regional partners, regional service commissions, and other levels of government to ensure eﬃcient and integrated uƟlity systems are established and maintained. 8.2.1 WATER Water is a life source - everyone needs access to clean and safe drinking water. Managing water properly ensures a healthy, secure, and sustainable supply. Leduc County is a member of the Capital Region Southwest Water Services Commission, a regional cooperaƟon providing clean, safe drinking water. POLICIES 8.2.1.1 Development in the County shall connect to municipal water systems where available. 8.2.1.2 Development may be serviced by on-site wells, cisterns, or communal systems in accordance with provincial regulaƟon in the Rural County where municipal services are not available. 8.2.1.3 When a communally serviced development is proposed, in addiƟon to provincial requirements, the County may require a study on communal servicing that idenƟﬁes the beneﬁts and risks of such a system, speciﬁes project ownership maintenance requirements, and recommended construcƟon standards. 8.2.1.4 Proposals for communal systems shall, as part of their applicaƟon, idenƟfy a plan for capital replacements, major rehabilitaƟon, maintenance, and construcƟon that is acceptable to the County, and complete a Fiscal Impact Assessment that considers the life-cycle costs of maintaining the infrastructure required to service the subdivision and/or development. 8.2.2 WASTEWATER Wastewater from households, industrial, commercial, and insƟtuƟonal sources contains a broad range of substances that may pose risks to human and environmental health. Proper management of wastewater will reduce these risks. Leduc County is a member of ARROW UTILITIES, a regional cooperaƟon providing safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible wastewater transmission and treatment. POLICIES 8.2.2.1 Development in the County shall connect to the municipal sanitary sewer systems where available. 8.2.2.2 Development may be serviced by private or communal sewage systems in accordance with provincial regulaƟons in the Rural County where municipal services are not available. 8.2.2.3 When a communally serviced development is proposed, in addiƟon to provincial regulaƟon, the County may require a study on communal servicing that idenƟﬁes the beneﬁts and risks of such a system, speciﬁes project ownership, maintenance requirements, and recommended construcƟon standards. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 74 Chapter 8 | INFRASTRUCTURE POLICIES CONTINUED 8.2.2.4 Proposals for communal wastewater systems shall, as part of their applicaƟon, idenƟfy a plan for capital replacements, major rehabilitaƟon, maintenance, and construcƟon that is acceptable to the County, and complete a Fiscal Impact Assessment that considers life-cycle costs of maintaining the infrastructure required to service the subdivision and/or development. 8.2.2.5 The County shall develop and implement procedures, policies, and bylaws for developments proposing to be serviced with private or communal systems. The procedures and policies shall include the idenƟﬁcaƟon of suitable types, uses, and locaƟons of wastewater treatment and/or disposal systems to promote sustainable and safe management of these systems in accordance with provincial legislaƟon. 8.2.2.6 The procedures, policies, and bylaws described in Policy 8.2.2.5 above shall be used to inform and evaluate development, subdivision, and Area Structure Plan applicaƟons where private or communal systems are proposed. 8.2.3 STORMWATER Urban and other development generates more stormwater runoﬀ than undeveloped land. Impervious services - hard surfaces like concrete, asphalt, and roofs - do not allow water to soak into the ground. Leduc County will employ best management pracƟces to collect and treat stormwater to reduce ﬂood risks; lower peak stormwater ﬂows which can reduce infrastructure costs; and reduce polluƟon of drinking water supplies, natural habitat, wetlands, and recreaƟon areas. POLICIES 8.2.3.1 A Stormwater Master Plan shall be developed for the Greater Nisku Area. 8.2.3.2 A Stormwater Management Plan, to be prepared by a qualiﬁed engineer, shall be required as part of subdivision and development permit applicaƟons within the Greater Nisku Area to ensure stormwater is eﬃciently and eﬀecƟvely managed and that the stormwater will not adversely impact adjacent lands or the environmental integrity of the North Saskatchewan River Valley and its key drainage corridors. 8.2.3.3 A Stormwater Management Plan, to be prepared by a qualiﬁed engineer, may be required as part of subdivision and development applicaƟons within the Rural County to consider the impacts of development within the larger drainage catchment area. 8.2.3.4 The County shall establish a lot-grading policy for all areas of the County to ensure lot grading is completed properly and is in compliance with municipal requirements. 8.2.3.5 To provide for the comprehensive review of stormwater management pracƟces, stormwater management plans shall include provisions for both the larger drainage corridor and for the individual lot(s). 8.2.3.6 Stormwater Management Plan should align with Watershed Master Plans and must be to the saƟsfacƟon of the County. 8.2.3.7 Development in the Blackmud/Whitemud basin shall be guided by the Blackmud/Whitemud Creek Surface Water Management Study Final Report. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 75 8.2.4 SOLID WASTE Leduc County is a regional partner in the Waste Management Authority and recognizes the importance of sustainable, environmentally friendly pracƟces that minimize the impact on the environment. The goal of solid waste management in the County is to provide every household with convenient access to environmentally responsible and cost-eﬀecƟve ways to dispose of solid waste. POLICIES 8.2.4.1 The County shall make provision for the disposal of solid waste and will cooperate with private organizaƟons, government agencies, and other municipaliƟes in invesƟgaƟng alternaƟve methods for disposing waste. 8.2.4.2 The County will conƟnue to work with regional partners to explore ways to reduce solid waste, including reuse, recycling, and organic diversion to extend the life of the exisƟng landﬁll as idenƟﬁed on Map 9: UƟlity Service Infrastructure. 8.2.4.3 The County will conƟnue to provide and maintain transfer staƟons and explore new locaƟons or expand exisƟng staƟons where warranted. 8.2.5 SHALLOW UTILITIES The goal of shallow uƟliƟes in the County is to ensure safe, reliable, and eﬃcient service delivery. POLICIES 8.2.5.1 UƟlity services such as gas, electrical, and telecommunicaƟons lines shall be extended by developers to service new developments. 8.2.5.2 The County will encourage the transiƟon of all electrical and communicaƟon lines underground in the Greater Nisku Area to make for aƩracƟve streetscapes and improve the reliability of service. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 76 Chapter 8 | INFRASTRUCTURE 8.2.6 ENERGY CORRIDORS CoordinaƟng key regional infrastructure into energy and mulƟ-use corridors is an important and eﬃcient way to provide infrastructure services to the region and limit their conﬂict with other types of land uses. While oil and gas exploraƟon and energy development are outside the jurisdicƟon of the County, the County will be proacƟve in seeking to engage with industry to miƟgate the impacts these acƟviƟes have on land use and local infrastructure. POLICIES 8.2.6.1 The County will protect long-term energy corridors as idenƟﬁed in Map 9: UƟlity Service Infrastructure to provide eﬃcient servicing and integrate the corridors with land use. 8.2.6.2 Future pipelines, parƟcularly sour gas, high-pressure lines, and major power transmission lines are encouraged to be located in exisƟng and planned energy corridors that avoid incompaƟble land uses and Environmentally Signiﬁcant Areas. 8.2.6.3 A subdivision proposed adjacent to an energy corridor shall allow for a suﬃcient development setback from the energy corridor to promote safety and risk management. 8.2.6.4 A transiƟon of land uses such as passive open space, berms, light and medium industrial, business, commercial, and agriculture will be required from future energy and mulƟ-use corridors to minimize the risk to public health and safety. 8.2.6.5 The County will work with landowners and regional partners to plan and coordinate future regional infrastructure and energy corridors in collaboraƟon with uƟlity commissions, the Province, and the energy sector. 8.2.7 COMMUNICATION AND DATA TRANSMISSION CommunicaƟon and data transmission, whether it is a cell phone, radio, or wireless internet, is playing an increasingly important role in the development of communiƟes striving to support modern business and communicaƟon requirements into the future. ApplicaƟons for communicaƟon faciliƟes fall under the jurisdicƟon of Industry Canada. Procedures put into place by Industry Canada require that the proponent of a new communicaƟon facility, which is subject of federal approval, must consult with the municipality. The consultaƟon process is designed to allow community input into the installaƟon of a communicaƟon tower. POLICIES 8.2.7.1 To promote economic development and meet the business and safety needs of residents, the County will support the development of telecommunicaƟon towers that are located and designed to minimize aestheƟc and environmental impacts. 8.2.7.2 Proponents of a new or amended communicaƟon facility shall engage and provide an opportunity for the public to respond to the proposal in accordance with Industry Canada's established process. 8.2.7.3 The County will develop a strategy to deliver high-speed internet access to businesses and residents across the County through towers and ﬁbre-opƟc expansions. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 77 8.3 FINANCING INFRASTRUCTURE TransportaƟon and uƟlity infrastructure are costly in terms of capital investment and ongoing maintenance and operaƟons. To fund infrastructure, the County will explore viable opƟons, including but not limited to, oﬀ-site levies, local improvement tax, and redevelopment levies. PRINCIPLE The County will ensure infrastructure is developed to meet the needs of residents and businesses and will require the cost of new infrastructure to be borne by the land developer and landowners beneﬁƟng from the infrastructure to minimize the impact on County taxpayers. OBJECTIVES 1. To minimize the costs on taxpayers by requiring the costs of new on-site infrastructure to be borne by the land developer or landowner beneﬁƟng from the infrastructure. 2. To transparently and equitably allocate oﬀ-site infrastructure costs to those that beneﬁt using funding mechanisms available to the County. 3. To ensure capacity is available for adjacent future development. POLICIES 8.3.0.1 Oﬀ-site levies shall be collected for sanitary sewer, stormwater, roads, and water infrastructure in accordance with the Municipal Government Act. 8.3.0.2 The County will explore oﬀ-site levies for land and buildings for community recreaƟon faciliƟes, ﬁre halls, police staƟons, and libraries in accordance with the Municipal Government Act. 8.3.0.3 Levies shall be collected for new development or subdivision pursuant to Leduc County's Greater Nisku and Area Oﬀ-Site Bylaw, and to ensure large infrastructure investments are appropriately funded. 8.3.0.4 The County will develop, implement, and maintain a 10-year revolving asset management plan as recommended in the Economic Development and Growth Management Strategy. 8.3.0.5 Developers shall be responsible for the design, construcƟon, installaƟon, and oversizing of on-site and oﬀ-site infrastructure and uƟlity systems. 8.3.0.6 Developers shall be responsible for front-end costs of on-site and oﬀ-site infrastructure and uƟlity systems. The County will, where applicable, enter into front-end servicing agreements and endeavour to assist in cost recovery of over-sizing and extension of municipal improvements that accommodate future development. 8.3.0.7 The County will explore cost and revenue-sharing opportuniƟes and arrangements with adjacent municipaliƟes. 8.3.0.8 The County may impose local improvement taxes, redevelopment levies, or other mechanisms of funding new infrastructure in accordance with the Municipal Government Act. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 78 Chapter 8 | INFRASTRUCTURE Map 9 | UƟlity Service Infrastructure Map 9 UƟlity Service Infrastructure LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 79 Chapter 9 CollaboraƟon with Neighbours and Regional Partners Leduc County is a leading municipality in working collaboraƟvely with other municipaliƟes and agencies for the good of the County and the region. A compeƟƟve Region can only be achieved when municipaliƟes act together to build the regional systems that are needed to leverage the region's strengths. In addiƟon to the municipaliƟes with which the County shares its borders, the County must also strengthen its partnerships with other levels of government, First NaƟon communiƟes, non-government organizaƟons, and private sector enƟƟes. PRINCIPLE The County conƟnues to work with its residents, key stakeholders, intermunicipal neighbours, First NaƟon communiƟes, regional partners, and various levels of government to ensure decisions are based on dialogue, common understanding, and informed decision-making. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 80 Chapter 9 | COLLABORATION WITH NEIGHBOURS AND REGIONAL PARTNERS OBJECTIVES 1. To work with surrounding municipaliƟes, other levels of government, and non-governmental organizaƟons to idenƟfy common visions, areas of common interest, and opportuniƟes for strategic collaboraƟon in undertaking iniƟaƟves of sub- regional and regional signiﬁcance, such as investments in major public faciliƟes, transportaƟon, and economic development projects. 2. To jointly plan land uses and infrastructure with the County's rural and urban neighbours. 3. To ensure the development of statutory and non-statutory plans adopted by the County that aﬀect future land use and development are strengthened through public and stakeholder engagement. 4. To foster strong collaboraƟon with municipal neighbours, regional partners, all levels of government, and First NaƟon communiƟes. POLICIES 9.0.0.1 The County will work with surrounding municipaliƟes, other levels of government, and non-governmental organizaƟons to protect and maintain agricultural lands through policy mechanisms such as Intermunicipal Development Plans. 9.0.0.2 The County will work with neighbouring municipaliƟes, other levels of government, and non-government organizaƟons to undertake iniƟaƟves of sub-regional and regional signiﬁcance including, but not limited to, aﬀordable housing and investments in major public faciliƟes, transportaƟon, and economic development projects. Chapter 9 | COLLABORATION WITH NEIGHBOURS AND REGIONAL PARTNERS LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 81 POLICIES CONTINUED 9.0.0.3 The County will work with surrounding municipaliƟes, other levels of government, and non-government organizaƟons to improve air quality, reduce environmental impacts, and manage the eﬀects of climate change. 9.0.0.4 The County will explore intermunicipal alliances and partnerships that facilitate the joint development of transportaƟon and infrastructure. 9.0.0.5 The County will work with neighbouring municipaliƟes and the Edmonton InternaƟonal Airport to coordinate well-planned and cost-eﬀecƟve growth. 9.0.0.6 The County will conƟnue to support its Intermunicipal Development Plans with adjacent municipaliƟes as idenƟﬁed on Map 10: Intermunicipal Development Plans and CollaboraƟon. 9.0.0.7 The County will monitor and review its Intermunicipal Development Plans to ensure they remain current and reﬂect the needs of the respecƟve municipaliƟes and area residents. 9.0.0.8 The County will refer to an adjacent municipality for review of any development, subdivision, or statutory plan as outlined within the Intermunicipal Development Plans. 9.0.0.9 Where no Intermunicipal Development Plan exists, the County will refer to an adjacent municipality or neighbouring First NaƟon community for review any of the following which aﬀect lands within 0.8 km of the adjacent urban municipality or within 1.6 km of the adjacent rural municipality: a. statutory plans and amendments thereto (21 calendar days); b. non-statutory plans and proposals, including outline plans, master plans, transportaƟon, and servicing proposals (21 calendar days); c. Land Use Bylaw amendments and redistricƟng (21 calendar days); d. Subdivision applicaƟons (21 calendar days); or Development Permit applicaƟons for discreƟonary uses (14 calendar days). 9.0.0.10 Notwithstanding Policy 9.0.0.9 above, the referral distance may be greater than 0.8 km if the proposed development or subdivision creates oﬀ-site impacts that may aﬀect the adjacent municipality or neighbouring First NaƟon. 9.0.0.11 The County will prepare Intermunicipal CollaboraƟon Frameworks (ICFs) and Intermunicipal Development Plans (IDPs) with neighbouring municipaliƟes in accordance with the Municipal Government Act. 9.0.0.12 The County will collaborate with the City of Edmonton, the City of Leduc, and the Edmonton Regional Airports Authority to ensure coordinated, complementary, and coherent short-, medium-, and long-term planning and implementaƟon in accordance with the Inter-JurisdicƟon CooperaƟon Accord. 9.0.0.13 The County will collaborate with the City of Edmonton and the City of Beaumont to ensure coordinated and complimentary land use, transportaƟon, and infrastructure planning in accordance with the Intermunicipal Planning Framework Agreement. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 82 Chapter 9 | COLLABORATION WITH NEIGHBOURS AND REGIONAL PARTNERS Map 10 | Intermunicipal Development Plans and CollaboraƟon Map 10 Intermunicipal Development Plans and CollaboraƟon LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 83 Chapter 10 Plan ImplementaƟon ImplementaƟon of this Municipal Development Plan will occur through a number of mechanisms and processes, including:  Review of exisƟng statutory and non- statutory plans to ensure alignment and consistency with this Plan;  PreparaƟon and adopƟon of new statutory and non-statutory plans and policies to implement various objecƟves of this Plan;  The land use redistricƟng process;  The subdivision process;  The development permit process; and  Ongoing collaboraƟon with neighbouring municipaliƟes and other organizaƟons on an ongoing basis to achieve regional goals. In using these mechanisms and tools, the County will aim to provide scruƟny of a proposal relaƟve to the community interest. The approach will be systemaƟc and consider the best interests of the County and established planning principles. Another key element in informed decision-making and implementaƟon related to this Plan will be ongoing monitoring. This enables County administraƟon and council to have greater qualitaƟve and quanƟtaƟve data to inform its planning processes and outcomes within the greater context of the County's vision. A key goal of strong implementaƟon and monitoring is to achieve eﬀecƟve growth management and consideraƟon of lifecycle costs. Through eﬀecƟve growth management, the County will be able to promote and enhance their economic well-being over the short, medium, and long terms. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 84 Chapter 10 | PLAN IMPLEMENTATION PRINCIPLE POLICIES The County implements the principles and objecƟves of this Plan through clear and open processes, while adapƟng to changing condiƟons in the County and broader regional context. 10.0.0.1 All County plans, policies, and bylaws that are prepared subsequent to the adopƟon of this Plan, shall include an oﬃcial consistency statement that: a. References the related goals, objecƟves, and policies of this Plan; and b. Generally describes how the proposed plan, policy, or bylaw will advance the objecƟves of this Plan. OBJECTIVES 1. To ensure raƟonale for future Plan amendments is clear and transparent. 2. To use regulatory tools strategically to support and implement this Plan's goals and objecƟves. 3. To ensure County council and administraƟon have the data needed to make informed land use and planning decisions in keeping with the principles of this Plan. 4. To implement a monitoring system for the Municipal Development Plan and its supporƟng studies, including baselines and benchmarks. Chapter 10 | PLAN IMPLEMENTATION LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 85 10.1 LAND USE BYLAW AMENDMENTS The Land Use Bylaw is one mechanism by which the intent and policy statements embodied within this Plan are implemented. PRINCIPLE The County ensures the success of the Municipal Development Plan by considering Land Use Bylaw amendments that are consistent with the intent, principles, and objecƟves of the Municipal Development Plan. OBJECTIVES 1. To consider applicaƟons for amendment to the Land Use Bylaw and support those where the proposed amendments are in the best interest of the County. 2. To prevent incompaƟble land uses. POLICIES 10.1.0.1 Land Use Bylaw amendments shall be consistent with the applicable overarching land use designaƟon and subject policies of this Plan. 10.1.0.2 In considering amendments to the Land Use Bylaw, in addiƟon to all other criteria as set out in the policies of this Plan, council shall have regard for the following: a. the ﬁnancial capability of the County to absorb any costs relaƟng to development; b. the adequacy of municipally-approved water and wastewater services or, if services are not provided, the adequacy of the physical site condiƟons for private on-site sepƟc and water systems to service the proposed development; c. the adequacy and proximity of school, recreaƟon, and any other community faciliƟes that may be required to service the proposed development; d. the potenƟal for the proposed development to reduce agricultural land uses, and the impact on the surrounding agricultural operaƟons; e. the adequacy of exisƟng or proposed road networks to service the proposed development in, adjacent to, or leading to the development; f. the potenƟal for the proposed development to contaminate watercourses or create erosion or sedimentaƟon; and g. the likelihood of creaƟng a leapfrog, scaƩered, or ribbon development paƩern as opposed to compact and orderly development. 10.1.0.3 ApplicaƟons to amend the Land Use Bylaw may require a submission of professional reports that may include, but not be limited to: a. geotechnical reports; b. soil chemistry and permeability analysis; c. evaluaƟon of surface drainage or a detailed stormwater management plans; d. TransportaƟon Impact Assessments; e. Agricultural Impact Assessments; f. biophysical assessments; g. Industrial Risk Assessments; h. dangerous goods impact assessments; i. any other informaƟon or study deemed necessary to evaluate the suitability of the site in relaƟon to the proposed use; and/or j. Environmental Site Assessments. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 86 Chapter 10 | PLAN IMPLEMENTATION 10.2 ONGOING MONITORING AND REVIEW Like any plan, the success of this Municipal Development Plan will only be achieved through implemenƟng the acƟons recommended and developing a comprehensive ongoing monitoring system. This enables the County to measure the performance of the Plan and enable it to be updated to reﬂect poliƟcal and economic shiŌs. To achieve the vision of this Plan, a number of projects have been recommended. These projects need to be considered in relaƟon to other prioriƟes and budget constraints. Thus, while numerous projects have been recommended, in accordance with the Municipal Government Act, the County is not required to undertake any of the projects referred to in this Plan. PRINCIPLE The County will, on an ongoing basis, conƟnually assess whether this Plan and its related implementaƟon acƟons achieve its goals. OBJECTIVES 1. To establish a monitoring framework and assess the eﬀecƟveness of the Municipal Development Plan policies. 2. To communicate the eﬀecƟveness of the Municipal Development Plan policies. POLICIES 10.2.0.1 The County will monitor and annually report Plan progress to learn and adapt as needed. 10.2.0.2 The County shall establish a monitoring framework along with benchmarks and indicators required to carry out the eﬀecƟve monitoring of this Municipal Development Plan, including: a. baseline measures; b. appropriate targets and target years; and c. a methodology of measurement for the indicators. 10.2.0.3 A major Municipal Development Plan review should be undertaken every 10 years. If there are recommendaƟons in an annual report that extensive changes are necessary, then a more thorough review may be undertaken before 10 years have passed. 10.2.0.4 The Agricultural Strategy (2016) should be regularly monitored and updated every ﬁve years to examine the status, trends, fragmentaƟon, and conversion of agriculture lands to non-agriculture uses and provide informaƟon to support broader planning, management, and preservaƟon iniƟaƟves. 10.2.0.5 The Environmentally Signiﬁcant Areas Study (2015), including the wetland inventory, should be updated every ﬁve years to monitor the status, trends, or loss of ecologically signiﬁcant areas and provide informaƟon to support broader planning, management, and conservaƟon iniƟaƟves. 10.2.0.6 The Economic Development and Growth Management Strategy (2016) should be updated every ﬁve years to ensure the municipality remains sustainable, diverse, prosperous, and innovaƟve over the long term. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 87 10.3 REVIEW OF STATUTORY AND NON-STATUTORY PLANS The Municipal Government Act establishes a framework and hierarchy of plans that enable municipaliƟes to guide the development and management of land. This planning hierarchy is intended to ensure Leduc County can work towards its vision for the future through its land use and development control authority. Under the provisions of the Municipal Government Act, all lower-level plans must align with the policies of this Municipal Development Plan. ExisƟng Area Structure Plans are shown on Map 11: Area Structure Plans. PRINCIPLE To provide clarity and transparency, the County will ensure its lower-level plans align with the policies of the Municipal Development Plan. OBJECTIVES 1. To review and update all lower-level plans to ensure conformance with the Municipal Development Plan. POLICIES 10.3.0.1 The County will undertake a review of exisƟng Area Structure Plans, the Land Use Bylaw, and other non- statutory plans to ensure these documents are in compliance with this Municipal Development Plan as required under the Municipal Government Act. 10.3.0.2 Further planning studies and technical analysis to implement the policies of this Municipal Development Plan may be undertaken. These are as follows:  Architectural and landscape design guidelines for the Major Employment Area (including requirements for development along the QE II Corridor and other major roadways);  Architectural and landscape design guidelines for the Urban Centre;  Area Structure Plan for Agricultural Hubs;  Area Structure Plans to guide subdivision and development in the area designated as Country ResidenƟal;  Comprehensive trail and open space corridor plan;  ExploraƟon and idenƟﬁcaƟon of opportuniƟes to re-use soil;  Guidelines for keeping animals and livestock in residenƟal areas of the Rural County;  IDPs and ICFs with adjacent municipaliƟes;  Infrastructure Master Plan;  Local Area Structure Plan for lands north of Township Road 510 in the North Major Employment Area;  Lot grading policy for all areas of the County;  Methodology to monitor Municipal Development Plan;  Phasing strategy to guide the sequence of development in East Vistas;  Plan to develop and integrate acƟve transportaƟon with exisƟng built areas in the Greater Nisku Area;  Policies/procedures and bylaws for private and communal wastewater systems;  Reserve strategy to ensure appropriate allocaƟon of reserves for parks and schools countywide;  Road dedicaƟon policy;  Setbacks from top of bank;  Setbacks to the waterbodies;  Stormwater master plan;  Strategy to acquire land along the immediate lakeshore of the Lakeshore CommuniƟes;  Strategy for the delivery of broadband;  10-year revolving Asset Management Plan; and  TransportaƟon Master Plan. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 88 Chapter 10 | PLAN IMPLEMENTATION Map 11 | Area Structure Plans and Local Area Structure Plans Map 11 Area Structure Plans & Local Area Structure Plans LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 89 Appendix APPENDICES A DeﬁniƟons B Hierarchy of Plans C Community Input and Engagement LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 90 APPENDIX A DeﬁniƟons The following deﬁniƟons provide clarity to the terms used within this Municipal Development Plan: AcƟve RecreaƟon - RecreaƟonal acƟviƟes, such as organized sports and playgrounds that require extensive faciliƟes and development, or that have a considerable environmental impact on the recreaƟon site. AcƟve TransportaƟon - Human-powered travel, including but not limited to: walking; cycling; skateboarding; inline skaƟng; and travel with the use of mobility aids, including motorized wheelchairs and other power-assisted devices moving at comparable speeds. Aerotropolis - An economic development and land use planning concept whereby a core area on and adjacent to the airport brings together aviaƟon and air cargo-focused businesses, along with retail, oﬃce, accommodaƟon, educaƟonal, recreaƟonal, and business ameniƟes in a dynamic hub of acƟvity. The Aerotropolis concept provides a broad base of economic beneﬁts to all municipaliƟes in the region. Aﬀordable Housing - Rental or owned housing that is aﬀordable and targeted for long-term occupancy cosƟng less than 30 percent of before-tax household income. Shelter costs include the following: for renters (rent and any payments for electricity, fuel, water, and other municipal services); and for owners (mortgage payments for principal and interest, property taxes, and any condominium fees, along with payments for electricity, fuel, water, and other municipal services). Agriculture - Agriculture is the growing, raising, managing, and/or sale of livestock, crops, horƟculture, and agriculture-related products or services, including food, feed, ﬁbre, energy, and other complementary value-added acƟviƟes. Agricultural Areas - Area A - Prime Agricultural Area and Area B - All Other Agriculture Area as idenƟﬁed on Map 4: Rural County Land Use Concept. Agriculture-Based Business - Business directly related to agriculture including, but not limited to, agribusiness, value-added agriculture, and agri-tourism. Agriculture-Related Uses - Uses directly related to agriculture, primarily support agriculture, beneﬁt from being in close proximity to agriculture and provide direct products and/or services to agriculture. Agriculture, Value-Added - AddiƟon of a process or service to an agricultural raw material being produced by the (farmer) producer. This may include some form of processing (such as milling, drying, cleaning, sorƟng, slaughtering, disƟlling, reﬁning or direct markeƟng through farm gate sales, farmer's markets, or direct distribuƟon). Agribusiness - Agribusiness is an industry engaged in the producing operaƟons of a farm, the manufacture and distribuƟon of farm equipment and supplies, and the processing, storage, and distribuƟon of farm commodiƟes. Agri-Tourism - Farm-related tourism uses, including limited accommodaƟon, direct-to-consumer sales, agricultural educaƟon, recreaƟon, and acƟviƟes that involve observaƟon and parƟcipaƟon in the farming operaƟons. Agricultural Hub - Means a comprehensively planned concentraƟon of agriculture-based businesses guided by an Area Structure Plan. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 91 Agricultural Impact Assessments - An assessment to determine if a development proposal will adversely aﬀect exisƟng and future agricultural acƟviƟes on-site and in the surrounding area. The assessment describes the proposed development, the on- site and surrounding land uses, and the physical and socioeconomic components of the agricultural resource bases; idenƟﬁes the direct and indirect impacts of the proposed development on exisƟng agricultural operaƟons and on the ﬂexibility of the area to support diﬀerent types of agriculture; considers miƟgaƟon measures of reducing any adverse impacts; considers compensaƟon, such as the provision of agricultural protecƟon easements; and makes recommendaƟons in that regard. It has consideraƟon for the cumulaƟve eﬀects of other potenƟal developments. Agricultural Land - Land that is or can be used for agriculture. Agricultural OperaƟon - Means an agricultural acƟvity conducted on agricultural land and includes, but is not limited to, the culƟvaƟon of land; raising of livestock; the producƟon of agricultural ﬁeld crops, fruit, vegetables, sod, trees, shrubs; the producƟons of eggs, milk, honey; and the applicaƟon of manure, ferƟlizers, etc. Agricultural Resources - The land and on-farm buildings, equipment, processing and handling faciliƟes, and agribusiness acƟviƟes that contribute to the producƟon, preparaƟon, and markeƟng of crops, livestock, and livestock products as a commercial enterprise. Agricultural Smallholding Subdivision - The subdivision of a smaller tract of land for agricultural purposes. The subdivision shall be suﬃciently large to maintain ﬂexibility for future changes in the type or size of agricultural operaƟon in the area subject of the subdivision. Agricultural Subdivision - The subdivision of a larger tract of land approximately 32.4 ha (80 acres) in size from a quarter secƟon for agricultural purposes. Agricultural Uses - Land uses directly associated with agriculture and includes buildings and structures accessory to and supporƟve of the acƟviƟes. All Other Agriculture Area - Agricultural lands outside of the prime agricultural area idenƟﬁed as Area B on Map 4: Rural County Land Use Concept. Appropriate - Suitable or proper in the circumstances. Area Structure Plan (ASP) or Local Area Structure Plan (LASP) - A statutory plan adopted by a municipal council bylaw that provides a framework for future subdivision and development of a deﬁned area in accordance with SecƟon 633 of the MGA. ASPs are typically adopted to guide future subdivision and development in greenﬁeld areas. Within this Plan, policies that apply to ASPs generally also apply to LASPs and Area Redevelopment Plans. Biophysical Assessment - An assessment of the biological and physical elements of an ecosystem, including geology, topography, hydrology, and soils. Brownﬁeld - Undeveloped or previously developed properƟes that are contaminated. Business Development - Business development encompasses commercial, light and medium industrial, logisƟcs and distribuƟon, retail, value-added and secondary agriculture, and home-based acƟviƟes. Commercial Development - Commercial Development includes uses, such as retail commercial, oﬃce commercial, hotel, and entertainment uses. Community Infrastructure and Services - Public faciliƟes and services that support the needs of a municipality including, but not limited to: libraries, recreaƟon centres, police staƟons, social services, medical oﬃces, parks, and playgrounds. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 92 APPENDIX Commuter Transit Service - Regional transit service from larger urban communiƟes to key desƟnaƟons in the region. Commuter Shed - See Regional Commuter Shed. Complete CommuniƟes or CommuniƟes - Complete CommuniƟes or CommuniƟes includes housing for all ages and income levels, provides residents with easy access to jobs, local ameniƟes, services, and community faciliƟes. The elements of a complete community will vary depending on the size and scale of the community. Concept Plan - A non-statutory land use plan that provides greater detail of the proposed development and/or subdivision. Conﬁned Feeding OperaƟons - The Province of Alberta deﬁnes, approves, and regulates conﬁned feeding operaƟons under the Agricultural OperaƟon PracƟces Act. Conﬁned feeding operaƟons are the fenced or enclosed land or buildings where livestock are conﬁned for the purpose of growing, sustaining, ﬁnishing, or breeding by means other than grazing, and any other building or structure directly related to that purpose but does not include residences, livestock seasonal feeding and bedding sites, equestrian stables, aucƟon markets, race tracts, or exhibiƟon grounds. Conserve -Means to protect, use, or manage wisely. ConƟguous - Means being in actual contact, sharing a common border, touching, or connected through an unbroken sequence. Conversion of Agricultural Land - The change from an agricultural use to a non-agricultural use (e.g., Country ResidenƟal, industrial, linear infrastructure, such as roads and energy corridors, etc.). Corridor - A designated rights-of-way or route for moving people and goods as well as accommodaƟng above and below ground linear service infrastructure piped services. This includes, but is not limited to: major arterial roads, transit routes, product pipelines, uƟlity lines, power transmission corridors, regional water and waste corridors, and recreaƟon corridors. Country ResidenƟal - The subdivision of rural lands to create mulƟple residenƟal lots. Only those lands idenƟﬁed on Map 4: Rural County Land Use Concept as Country ResidenƟal or those lands designated Country ResidenƟal by the approved Area Structure Plans in the Lakeshore Community Areas may be considered for Country ResidenƟal development. Country ResidenƟal Lands, Districted - Those lands which have been districted by Leduc County Council to accommodate Country ResidenƟal development as deﬁned by the Leduc County Land Use Bylaw, as of the date the Municipal Development Plan was adopted. Crime PrevenƟon Through Environmental Design (CPTED) - A mulƟ-disciplinary approach to deterring criminal behaviour through environmental design. CPTED principles aﬀect elements of the built environment ranging from the small-scale (such as the strategic use of shrubbery and other vegetaƟon) to the overarching, including building forms of an enƟre urban neighbourhood and the amount of opportunity for "eyes on the street." Development - As deﬁned in law under the Alberta Municipal Government Act, development includes any excavaƟon or stockpile, construcƟon, renovaƟon, or major repairs to a building, change in the use of land, or change in the intensity of the use of land. Dwelling, Principal - The primary dwelling unit on a parcel of land. Ecological Design - Any form of design that minimizes environmentally destrucƟve impacts by integraƟng itself with living processes (e.g., low-impact development). LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 93 Energy Corridor - IdenƟﬁed mulƟ-use corridors for regional power infrastructure and regional pipeline infrastructure within and beyond the region. Environmentally Signiﬁcant Area (ESA) - A landscape element or area with important and/or unique environmental characterisƟcs essenƟal to the long-term maintenance of biological diversity, soil, water, or other natural processes, both within the ESA and in a regional context. Farm - An agricultural operaƟon that produces at least one of the following products intended for sale: crops (tree fruits or nuts, berries, vegetables, and seed); livestock (caƩle, pigs, sheep, horses, game animals, and other livestock); poultry (hens, chickens, and turkeys); or other agricultural products (trees, greenhouse or nursery products, mushrooms, sod, honey, and maple syrup). Farm Operators - Farm operators are deﬁned as those persons responsible for the day-to-day management decisions made in the operaƟon of a census farm or agricultural operaƟon. Farmstead - Farmstead means an exisƟng development, including a habitable dwelling, accessory building, and structures located in a rural area. Farmstead Subdivision - The subdivision of an exisƟng farmstead from a quarter secƟon. Floodway - The porƟon of the ﬂood hazard area where ﬂows are deepest, fastest, and most destrucƟve. The ﬂoodway typically includes the main channel of a stream and a porƟon of the adjacent overbank area. Flood Fringe - The porƟon of the ﬂood hazard area outside the ﬂoodway. Water in the ﬂood fringe is generally shallower and ﬂows more slowly than in the ﬂoodway. FragmentaƟon - The process of reducing the size and connecƟvity of an area. In the context of the natural environment, fragmentaƟon of an eco-region or habitat results in reducƟon in the total habitat area, the isolaƟon of patches of habitat from each other and the increase in edge eﬀects that can aﬀect the ability of organisms to maintain healthy populaƟons and to survive. In the context of rural lands, fragmentaƟon occurs when a conƟguous agricultural area is divided into isolated parcels separated by non-agricultural land uses that can impact the producƟvity of the land. FragmentaƟon can also occur within a given agricultural parcel of land by access roads, oil and gas developments, and/or linear infrastructure. Greater Nisku Area - Those lands as idenƟﬁed on Map 3: Greater Nisku Area Land Use Concept. The Greater Nisku Area includes the Major Employment Area, Edmonton InternaƟonal Airport, Urban Centre, and exisƟng Country ResidenƟal Area. Lands within the Greater Nisku Area are to be planned, compact, and conƟguous, with a mix of land uses and prescribed urban development densiƟes. Green Building - The pracƟce of creaƟng structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource- eﬃcient throughout a building's life cycle. From siƟng to design, construcƟon, operaƟon, maintenance, renovaƟon, and demoliƟon, this pracƟce expands and complements the classical building design concerns of economy, uƟlity, durability, and comfort. Greenﬁeld - An undeveloped or agricultural tract of land. Growth Hamlet - New Sarepta has been idenƟﬁed as a Growth Hamlet to accommodate growth. Hamlet - An unincorporated urban community within a municipal district or specialized municipality with ﬁve or more dwellings (the majority of parcels less than 1,850 sq metres); a generally accepted name and boundary; and contains parcels of land that are used for non-residenƟal purposes. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 94 APPENDIX High-Capability Agricultural Land - Means: a. culƟvated and/or improved land with a farmland assessment raƟng of 41% or higher; or b. wooded and/or unimproved land with a Canadian Land Inventory of raƟng of Class 1, 2, or 3. High-Load Corridor - High load corridor is as deﬁned by Alberta TransportaƟon. Higher Order Transit - Higher Order Transit provides service that is high-speed, frequent, reliable, and comfortable. It may include heavy rail, light rail, commuter, and express or limited bus services using dedicated corridors or lanes and other transit- preferenƟal features. Home-Based Businesses - Home-based businesses are suitable ancillary uses to the principle residenƟal use of the site, are small in scale, do not change the residenƟal character of the site, and are appropriate to the character of the neighbourhood. Industrial Development, Heavy - Industrial uses where risk and nuisance extend beyond the property line. Heavy Industrial uses includes, but is not limited to, reﬁneries and large-scale upgrades. Heavy Industrial Development requires a Risk Management Assessment be completed and implemented in accordance with accepted leading pracƟces. Industrial Development, Medium - Wholesale, warehousing, manufacturing, and processing uses, some of which have outdoor storage or acƟviƟes, that are generally not located adjacent to residenƟal areas because of potenƟal nuisance factors including, but not limited to, smoke, gas, odour, dust, noise, vibraƟon of earth, soot, or lighƟng. Risk does not extend beyond the property line. Industrial Development, Light - Wholesale, warehousing, manufacturing, and processing uses that do not create or generate nuisance factors outside an enclosed building. Outdoor storage is limited and completely screened from roads and adjacent properƟes. Inﬁll - The development of vacant lots within previously developed areas. Infrastructure - Infrastructure provides services related to, and including but not limited to: sewage, water, irrigaƟon, storm water management, waste management, electricity (generaƟon, transmission, and distribuƟon), communicaƟons/telecommunicaƟons, broadband, transit and transportaƟon modes (including road, rail, air, and airports), oil and gas pipelines, and associated faciliƟes. InsƟtuƟonal Uses - InsƟtuƟonal Uses include a wide range of acƟviƟes, such as public and private schools, places of worship, libraries, seniors and youth centres, emergency services, health care faciliƟes, government faciliƟes, and special care faciliƟes. IntensiﬁcaƟon - Development at a higher density than currently exists in built-up urban areas, the Major Employment Area, and Local Employment Areas through redevelopment; the development of underuƟlized lots within previously developed areas; or the expansion or conversion of exisƟng buildings. Inter-JurisdicƟon CooperaƟon Accord - An agreement signed by the City of Edmonton, Leduc County, the City of Leduc, and Edmonton Regional Airport Authority aimed at supporƟng Edmonton InternaƟonal Airport in its role as a key economic generator for the Region. Intermunicipal CollaboraƟon Framework (ICF) - An ICF is an agreement between two or more municipaliƟes in accordance with the Municipal Government Act. The purpose of the framework is to provide integrated and strategic planning, delivery, and funding of intermunicipal services, steward resources eﬃciently to provide local services, and ensure municipaliƟes contribute funding to services that beneﬁt their residents. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 95 Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) - A statutory plan adopted by two or more municipal councils by bylaw in accordance with the Municipal Government Act that applies to lands of mutual interest to the parƟcipaƟng municipaliƟes, typically along their shared boundaries. An IDP includes procedures to resolve or aƩempt to resolve conﬂicts between the parƟcipaƟng municipaliƟes, procedures to amend or repeal the IDP, provisions relaƟng to administraƟon of the IDP, and prescribed future land use and development as well as other maƩers considered necessary by the municipal councils. Intermunicipal Planning Framework Agreement - An agreement signed by the City of Edmonton, the Town of Beaumont, and Leduc County, commiƫng to the development of a high-level conceptual framework to address joint intermunicipal land use, transportaƟon, servicing, and shared cost for shared beneﬁt. Lakeshore Community - A policy area to manage growth and land uses around a lake. Lands designated Lakeshore Community require an Area Structure Plan. Lifeline TransportaƟon - A transportaƟon service that connects smaller communiƟes to larger ones to saƟsfy irregular or occasional travel needs otherwise not available, for medical, shopping, and recreaƟonal purposes. Lifeline transportaƟon services may include various modes of public transportaƟon, including a community bus, a large passenger van, a contracted taxi services, or a variety of privately provided services. Local Arterial - Local arterials are roadways intended to have no direct property access. They have "at grade" intersecƟons controlled with signage or traﬃc lights. The intersecƟng roads can be local or collector roads. Local arterials start and end within the County with local traﬃc as a focus. They provide connecƟons between development areas and regional arterials, or freeways where traﬃc warrants. Local Employment Areas - Local Employment Areas provide localized areas of industrial, commercial, and/or insƟtuƟonal land uses that have locally signiﬁcant business and economic acƟviƟes and generate a small concentraƟon of employment for the local or Rural County. Long CombinaƟon Vehicle Route - Is as deﬁned by Alberta TransportaƟon. Lot - Any quarter secƟon of land or any lot shown on an oﬃcial plan as deﬁned in the Surveys Act, cerƟﬁcate of Ɵtle; as per the deﬁniƟon of the Municipal Government Act. Low Impact Development (LID) - A land planning and engineering design approach for managing stormwater runoﬀ. LID emphasizes the conservaƟon and use of on-site natural features to protect water quality. This approach implements engineered small-scale hydrologic controls to replicate the predevelopment hydrologic regime of watersheds through inﬁltraƟng, storing, evaporaƟng, and detaining runoﬀ close to its source. Low-Capability Agricultural Land - Land which is not high-capability agricultural land. Major Employment Area - An area within which there is an exisƟng or planned node of industrial, commercial, and/ or insƟtuƟonal land uses that have regionally signiﬁcant business and economic acƟviƟes and generate a high concentraƟon of employment. Within this Plan, the Major Employment Area refers to Nisku Business Park and the land surrounding the Edmonton InternaƟonal Airport as described by Map 3: Greater Nisku Area Land Use Concept. Market Aﬀordable Housing - Market Aﬀordable Housing is rental or ownership housing that is modest in form and speciﬁcaƟon and is capable of being produced for moderate income households without upfront or ongoing direct government subsidies. May - A permissive and/or discreƟonary term that denotes a choice in applying the policy. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 96 APPENDIX Mixed-Use Development - Mixed-use development mixes compaƟble residenƟal, commercial, insƟtuƟonal, and recreaƟonal land uses within a building or in close proximity to increase density and reduces the development footprint. MulƟ-Modal TransportaƟon - MulƟ-modal transportaƟon is the availability or use of more than one form of transportaƟon such as automobiles, walking, cycling, transit, rail (commuter/freight), trucks, air, and marine. MulƟ-Use Corridors - A dedicated land area for co-locaƟon of linear infrastructure that supports economic linkages. May include highways, roads, electricity transmission lines, pipelines, water management, ﬁbre-opƟc cables, and recreaƟon trails. MulƟple - ConsisƟng of, including, or involving more than one. Natural Environment - A system of natural features and areas, linked and connected by natural corridors necessary to maintain biological and geological diversity, natural funcƟons, viable populaƟons of indigenous species (including ﬂora and fauna), and ecosystems. Natural Resources - A material source of wealth, such as gravel, sand, soil, oil, and gas, that occurs in a natural state and has economic value. Neighbourhood - A residenƟal area with an appropriate mix of housing types with convenience-type commercial faciliƟes and where appropriate, schools or park faciliƟes. Non-Agricultural Uses - Land uses other than agricultural uses and agriculture-related uses. Non-Market Housing - Non-market housing includes aﬀordable and subsidized housing. It is housing that is funded, created, and operated through direct government subsidies and includes diﬀerent categories of housing based on needs of the clients. Nuisance - Anything that, in the opinion of the County, may cause adverse eﬀects to ameniƟes of the neighbourhood or interfere with the normal enjoyment of adjacent land or building. This could include that which creates or is liable to create noise, vibraƟon, smoke, dust, odour, heat, electrical interference, glair, light, fumes and unsightly storage of goods, salvage, junk, waste, or other materials. Open Space - Passive and structured leisure and recreaƟon areas in the region that enhance the aestheƟc quality and conserve the environment. Outline Plan - Outline plans are non-statutory planning documents used to obtain greater detail of the proposed development and its future impact on adjacent lands. An outline plan must comply with the overarching Area Structure Plan. Over Dimensional Corridor - The high-load and long-combinaƟon vehicle route as deﬁned by Alberta TransportaƟon. Passive RecreaƟon - RecreaƟonal acƟviƟes are acƟviƟes that require a minimum of faciliƟes or development and that have minimal environmental impact on the recreaƟonal site. Physical Severance - A piece of land that is separated from the balance of a quarter secƟon by a legal barrier, such as a road or railway, or a physical barrier, such as a ravine or permanent watercourse or water body. Preserve - To maintain something in its original or exisƟng state. Prime Agricultural Area - An area where prime agricultural lands predominate and idenƟﬁed as Agriculture Area A on Map 4: Rural County Land Use Concept. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 97 Prime Agricultural Lands - Agricultural lands idenƟﬁed through the EMR Land EvaluaƟon Site Assessment (LESA) tool that meet or exceed the idenƟﬁed threshold. Principle Use - The primary purpose for which a building or site is used. Private Sewage Systems - Means the whole or any part of a system for the management, treatment, and disposal of sewage on the site where the sewage is generated but does not include anything excluded by the regulaƟons pursuant to the Safety Codes Act. Protect - To maintain the long-term land use or corridor. RecreaƟonal FaciliƟes - RecreaƟonal faciliƟes include golf courses, campgrounds, wellness centres, ice arenas, aquaƟcs, plazas and squares, resort developments or similar, as deﬁned in the Land Use Bylaw, that enhances the overall funcƟon of the County's recreaƟon system. RecreaƟon FaciliƟes, Community - Means municipal faciliƟes used primarily by members of the public to parƟcipate in recreaƟonal acƟviƟes conducted at the facility as deﬁned by the Municipal Government Act. Regional Arterial Roads - Arterial roads that carry relaƟvely high numbers of people and goods within and between municipaliƟes that typically do not provide direct property access, but typically connect with lower order roadways (e.g., collectors and locals), which provide direct property access by way of level intersecƟons that are controlled by yield control, stop control, or traﬃc signals. Spacing of intersecƟons along arterials can vary widely but should generally fall in the 250 to 400m range, depending on the adjoining development paƩerns. Regional Expressway - Expressways are a form of arterial roads that are intended to operate at speeds of 70 to 100km/h and typically intersect with other arterials in a roadway network. IntersecƟons along expressways are typically further apart, 800 - 1,600 metres, and may be either at-grade or may be grade separated. Expressways may or may not be an interim stage towards a fully free-ﬂowing facility with no at-grade intersecƟons. Expressways should be planned and designed to respect the adjoining context in terms of access spacing, rights-of-way, speed, and design standard; expressways in urban areas should have lower speeds and closer intersecƟon spacing than in Rural County Areas. Regional Freeway - Freeways are a type of arterial roadway that convey people and goods across mulƟple municipaliƟes or across mulƟple regions and provinces. Freeways have no at-grade intersecƟons with other crossing roadways; all intersecƟons are grade-separated and there are no direct accesses to any adjoining lands. Speeds along freeways are typically higher than on arterial roadways and fall in the 80 to 110km/h range with the higher speed range being more common and appropriate in rural environments. Interchange spacing on urban freeways should be in the 1,600 to 3,200m range with actual spacing to be determined by the needs and development paƩerns and intensiƟes of the adjoining areas. ResidenƟal Subdivision - The subdivision of an undeveloped lot from a quarter secƟon to accommodate a residence. Risk - Anything that in the opinion of the Development Authority may, or has the potenƟal to cause harm, damage, or danger to the people and ameniƟes of the neighbourhood or adjacent land or buildings. This could include toxic fumes, ﬁre, explosion, or any other hazard to safety or health. Rural - Areas where there is a lower concentraƟon of seƩlement compared to urban areas. Rural County - Those lands outside the Greater Nisku Area as idenƟﬁed on Map 4: Rural County Land Use Concept Map. Includes Agricultural Areas, Country ResidenƟal development, hamlets, Genesee Power Plant Area, Local Employment Area, and Lakeshore CommuniƟes. The Rural County is intended to support agriculture, accommodate growth within exisƟng rural communiƟes, and maintain the rural character of the County. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 98 APPENDIX Shall, Must, or Will - DirecƟve terms that indicate the acƟons outlined are mandatory and apply to all situaƟons. Should or May - A direcƟve term that indicates a preferred outcome or course of acƟon but one that is not mandatory. Subdivision - Means the division of a parcel of land by an instrument, as per the deﬁniƟon in the Municipal Government Act. Sub-Regional - An area larger than one community in which urban and rural communiƟes share common infrastructure, regional assets, and services, and have the potenƟal to leverage related economic areas and link proximate areas to accommodate people and job growth. Top of Bank - The upper natural topographical break that signiﬁes the upper edge of the slope to a watercourse or water body, as determined by a qualiﬁed professional. Top of Slope - Break line represenƟng the upper boundary of an area having a constant slope in the terrain surface, as determined by a qualiﬁed professional. Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) - Compact mixed-use development that has high levels of employment and/or residenƟal densiƟes to support higher-order transit service and opƟmize transit investment and makes development more accessible for transit users. Features can include roads laid out in a grid network, a pedestrian-friendly built-form environment along roads to encourage walking to transit, reduced setbacks and parking requirements, placing parking at the sides/rears of buildings, and improved access between arterial roads and interior blocks in residenƟal areas. Transit-Oriented Development Centre - Areas around major transit staƟons, where transit-oriented development with mixed- uses and/or intensive employment uses are planned. TransiƟonal Land Use - Land that is in the process of changing from one form of land use to another. Unsubdivided Quarter SecƟon - The original quarter secƟon of land of approximately 64.8 ha (160 ac) more or less, and the remainder of a quarter secƟon of land following subdivision of: public uƟlity lots, roadway, pipeline, or other rights-of-way or lots to accommodate public or insƟtuƟonal use. Urban - Means areas where there is a concentraƟon of people and buildings, such as ciƟes, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated urban communiƟes (e.g., East Vistas, New Sarepta). Urban Agriculture - Refers to growing food within urban areas and may include community gardens, farmers markets, backyard chickens, shared garden plots, and edible landscapes. Urban Centre - An urban area intended to accommodate mixed-used development. Urban Community - An urban municipality (village, town, or city), or exisƟng unincorporated urban community within rural and specialized municipaliƟes (e.g., urban service area, hamlet, etc.). This does not include neighbourhoods, areas, or districts within larger communiƟes. UƟlity - A term for services provided by a public or private organizaƟon and consumed by the public. The service may include, but is not limited to, electricity, water, wastewater, natural gas, or broadband. Watershed - An area of land, bounded by topographic features, that drains into a shared desƟnaƟon, such as a river, stream, lake, pond, or ocean. The size of a watershed can be Ɵny or immense and its boundaries and speed of ﬂow are determined by landforms such as hills, slopes, and mountain ranges that direct water. Within each large watershed, there are many smaller watersheds. For example, a small creek that ﬂows into the North Saskatchewan River has its own watershed, but is also part of the larger North Saskatchewan River. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 99 Water Body - Refers to an accumulaƟon of water on the earth's surface. It includes, but is not limited to stream, river, and lake. Wetland - Low-lying areas of land covered by water long enough to support aquaƟc plants and wildlife for part of their lifecycle. LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 100 APPENDIX B Hierarchy of Plans Development in Leduc County is governed by a hierarchy of plans. These plans are designed to ensure Leduc County can meet its vision for the future through its land use and development control authority. As deﬁned in law under the Alberta Municipal Government Act, "development" includes any excavaƟon or stockpile, construcƟon, renovaƟon, or major repairs to a building, change in the use of land, or change in the intensity of the use of land. INTERMUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS AND INTERMUNICIPAL COLLABORATION FRAMEWORKS Leduc County has approved a number of Intermunicipal Development Plans, as idenƟﬁed on Map 10: Intermunicipal Development Plans and CollaboraƟon. This Municipal Development Plan and all Leduc County Area Structure Plans and Local Area Structure Plans that are subject to an Intermunicipal Development Plan must align with the relevant Intermunicipal Development Plan. An Intermunicipal Development Plan is a statutory plan developed and adopted in partnership with an adjoining municipality and prepared in accordance with the Municipal Government Act. An Intermunicipal Development Plan is adopted by bylaw and contains policies that coordinate land use and development for boundary lands between adjacent municipaliƟes. An Intermunicipal CollaboraƟon Framework is an agreement between two or more municipaliƟes in accordance with the MGA to provide for the integrated and strategic planning, delivery, and funding of intermunicipal services. Alberta Land Stewardship Act (North Saskatchewan Regional Plan in progress) Intermunicipal CollaboraƟon Frameworks / Intermunicipal Development Plans Leduc County Municipal Development Plan Area Structure Plans Local Area Structure Plans Outline Plans and Other Non-Statutory Plans Hierarchy of Plans LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 101 LEDUC COUNTY MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN The Municipal Development Plan is the County's principal statutory planning document. It is prepared in accordance with the Municipal Government Act and adopted by bylaw. It provides strategic growth direcƟon, overall guidance for land use planning, and service delivery policies. The Municipal Development Plan also provides speciﬁc policy guidance for areas that do not fall within the boundaries of an Area Structure Plan or other subordinate plan. AREA STRUCTURE PLANS OR AREA REDEVELOPMENT PLANS Area Structure Plans or Area Redevelopment Plans are a high-level framework to guide the long-term growth and development of a larger area of land. Area Structure Plans are statutory plans and must fulﬁll the requirements of the Municipal Government Act. ExisƟng Area Structure Plans are idenƟﬁed in Map 11: ExisƟng Area Structure Plans. Area Structure Plans are subordinate to this Municipal Development Plan and provide a land use strategy for redistricƟng and development of a speciﬁc area of land in the County. It contains maps, goals, and policies which set out general locaƟons for major land use areas (residenƟal, commercial, insƟtuƟonal, schools, parks, and open space networks), major roadways, uƟlity servicing, recreaƟon, ﬁnancial impacts of development, and any other maƩer as determined by the County. LOCAL AREA STRUCTURE PLANS OR LOCAL AREA REDEVELOPMENT PLANS Local Area Structure Plans are statutory plans that are subordinate to an Area Structure Plan. Local Area Structure Plans provide detailed informaƟon about the planned growth and development of new CommuniƟes, Major Employment Areas, or Local Employment Areas. Each Local Area Structure Plan shall address those maƩers idenƟﬁed in the Municipal Government Act, SecƟon 633(2), but the County may, at their sole discreƟon, request applicants to include addiƟonal consideraƟons in their applicaƟon to ensure the County can properly evaluate the proposed development against the goals and policies of this Municipal Development Plan. OUTLINE PLANS Outline plans are non-statutory documents used to obtain greater detail of the proposed development and its future impact on adjacent lands, as well as to demonstrate how this individual applicaƟon complies with any applicable Area Structure Plan, Area Redevelopment Plan, Local Area Structure Plan, and the Municipal Development Plan. It is at the discreƟon of Leduc County to determine when an outline plan is required to implement a statutory plan. CONCEPT PLANS Concept plans are non-statutory land-use plans used to obtain greater detail of the proposed development and/or subdivision. It is at the discreƟon of Leduc County to determine when a concept plan is required. 1. Source: Leduc County Agriculture Strategy (2016) 2. Source: Edmonton InternaƟonal Airport Master Plan 3. Source: Leduc County Strategic Plan 2015-2019 4. Source: Edmonton Airports Strategic Plan 2015 to 2020 LEDUC COUNTY | MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN | August 26, 2025 102 APPENDIX C Community, Input, and Engagement The County undertook an extensive eﬀort to ensure all residents and stakeholders had the opportunity to parƟcipate and make suggesƟons throughout the preparaƟon of this iniƟal Plan. The engagement strategy included four phases with council, public, and stakeholder engagement in each phase. SEPTEMBER 2015 Development of iniƟal online survey - How do you want to be consulted? Raise awareness - AƩended four community events to explain to residents and stakeholders what an MDP is, why it needs to be updated, and the process for updaƟng it. OCTOBER 2015 Online visioning survey - What do you value about the County? Workshops - Held workshops with County administraƟon to gather input on the MDP update and with County council to determine their values and prioriƟes. NOVEMBER 2015 Workshop - Held three public events to establish resident and stakeholder goals and prioriƟes for future growth in the County. Key stakeholder meeƟngs - Held small meeƟngs with various stakeholder groups (including watershed groups) to idenƟfy their values, goals, and prioriƟes related to growth management. JANUARY 2016 Online MetroQuest survey - What are your land use and development prioriƟes? Raise awareness - AƩended nine community events to encourage residents and stakeholders to provide their input on land use and development prioriƟes by compleƟng the MetroQuest survey. APRIL 2016 Open houses - Held three public events to review and discuss the prioriƟes idenƟﬁed for growth and development in the County with residents and stakeholders. JULY 2017 Open houses - Held three public events to review and garner input on the draŌ MDP. AUGUST 2018 Open houses - Held three open houses to review and garner input on the revised draŌ MDP.