Planning Documents

Land use planning is focused on overall community development and the coordination of private development on private property to contribute to the broader economic, social, cultural and environmental goals of the MD.

THE MD'S SUBDIVISION & DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY IS BOUND BY THE HIERARCHY OF STATUTORY PLANS WHEN REVIEWING ANY APPLICATION.

Land Use Planning in Alberta must follow plans at both the provincial and municipal level of government. With the implementation of the Provincial Land Use Framework and the Alberta Land Stewardship Act, some planning decisions will be made at the regional level as well. Land use may also be subject to other federal and provincial regulations.

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Planning Document Hierarchy

The Municipal Government Act (MGA) is the legislative framework under which all municipalities and municipal entities across the Province of Alberta operate. The MGA provides the governance structure for cities, towns, villages, municipal districts, specialized municipalities, and other forms of local government. The current MGA is one of Alberta’s largest pieces of legislation, containing 21 parts and more than 700 sections.

The MGA contains three major “themes” or areas of focus:

Governance
Assessment and taxation
Planning and development

Click Here to view the Municipal Government Act.

The Land-use Framework (LUF) sets out an approach to managing our province's land and natural resources to achieve Alberta's long-term economic, environmental and social goals. The LUF establishes seven new land-use regions and calls for the development of a regional plan for each.

Click Here to view the Provincial Land Use Framework.

This guiding document is still in progress. Until the Upper Athabasca Regional Plan is completed, the Land Use Policies document from Alberta Municipal Affairs will guide local statutory plans and Land Use Bylaw.

Click Here to view the Land Use Policies document from Alberta Municipal Affairs
Placeholder for the Upper Athabasca Regional Plan (Pending)

Intermunicipal Development Plans (IDPs) are statutory land use plans prepared in accordance with the Municipal Government Act (MGA) by two (or more) municipalities that share a common border. Each IDP addresses land uses that occur in proximity to two different municipalities and sets forth criteria for how future growth and disputes should be managed.

Click Here to view the Tri-Council Regional Growth Plan Background Report
Click Here to view the Tri-Council Regional Growth Plan Policies and Agreements

An Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF) provides a framework for collaborative ventures between adjacent municipalities and provides a forum to work together. The primary goal of ICFs is ensuring neighbouring municipalities work together regarding service delivery and cost-sharing.

Click Here to view the 2018-09 ICF with the MD of Opportunity
Placeholder for new ICF Documents (Pending)

The Municipal Development Plan (MDP) is a high-level plan that establishes the vision for the future for the Municipal District.

It is the goal of this MDP to protect and develop communities within the MD in accordance with the communities’ vision while providing the necessary opportunities for maximizing the economic use of the MD’s resource land base, and providing for industrial and economic diversification within the overall context of well-planned growth, change and development.

Click Here to view the Municipal Development Plan

Subsections of the Municipal Development Plan

Area Structure Plans (ASPs) are documents that have been approved by the MD of Lesser Slave River as bylaws. The MD's ASPs provide a framework that articulates proposed land uses; population densities; sequence of development; general location of major roadways; public utilities in the area; and any additional requirements that Council may require. An ASP is the first step in obtaining planning approval for a new community. MD staff work with stakeholders like community residents, landowners and developers to create these long-range documents

Current MD Area Structure Plans for the MD of Lesser Slave River are available for viewing and download below in PDF format. For further information and assistance with ASPs, please contact the Planning & Development department.

The current Land Use Bylaw became effective September 22, 2004. The Land Use Bylaw sets out the rules for what kind of building or activity can take place on private property and it outlines the process for issuing Development Permits that gives approval for that new building or activity.

Click Here to view the Land Use Bylaw

The intent of the Municipal Servicing Standards Manual is to provide an information guide to set standards governing design, preparation and submission of plans and specifications for construction of municipal improvements in the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River No. 124.

Click Here to view the Municipal Servicing Standards Manual

Municipal policies provide guidance for Lesser Slave River Council and staff during the handling of local matters and procedures. In this spirit, all relevant policies that guide MD Planning & Developmenbt protocols are linked below.

Bylaws are created to address the issues and concerns of the residents, as well as to protect the environment, public health and public safety in the Municipality. MD bylaws relevant to Planning & Development are linked below.

2014 Schedule of Fees (2005-11)
Placeholder for 2000-09 Offsite Levies (Pending)

Placeholder for the Development Agreement - Long Version (Pending)
Placeholder for the Development Agreement - Short Version (Pending)
Placeholder for the Utilities Agreement (Pending)
Placeholder for the Encroachment Agreement (Pending)