The Southwest Area Structure Plan (SWASP) received its first reading, establishing a vision for the southwest portion of Lloydminster.
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Presented at the May 25 regular council meeting, the item moved forward with a public hearing officially scheduled for June 22.
“An area structure plan must be approved by council before any future planning or development applications can proceed within the planned area,” said Natasha Pidkowa, manager of planning with the City of Lloydminster, at the meeting.
The study area includes about 17 quarter sections of land in the southwest portion of Lloydminster. The rough boundaries of the SWASP include Highway 16 (north), 75 Ave. (east), and 12 St. (south). The plan identifies the general location of residential and commercial areas, a potential Bud Miller All Seasons Park expansion area and the general layout of open space connections.
“It is important to note the area structure plan provides a broad planning framework and more detailed planning will occur at the neighbourhood structure planning stage,” said Pidkowa. “The southwest area structure plan establishes a clear vision for future growth in the southwest of Lloydminster.”
Rear-lane access was debated by council, given how uncommon the design is in Lloydminster.
“A few years ago, when the city completed another area structure plan, this was something the development community wanted to see more of,” said Pidkowa.
She explained they want developers to know there’s options for various forms of residential developments.
“To date, our development has very minimally or modestly reflected that opportunity,” she said. “What we wanted to do in here is, talk about that with developers, making sure they know, through the area structure plan, as well as down to the land use bylaw, there is regulations in development that will support the different types of residential, one being rear-lane development.”
Pidkowa clarified having it in the plan doesn’t mandate rear-lane access.
“By no means does this mandate a percentage or that this must be included,” she said.
The SWASP also outlines space and distance from oil and gas infrastructure.
“The Southwest Area Structure Plan does include a significant portion of oil and gas development,” said Pidkowa. “At the area structure plan stage, it’s far too early to begin prescribing what those setbacks will be.
“Depending on the status of the oil and gas well at the time of development, development will need to adhere to those setbacks.”
Pidkowa added that over the plan’s 30-to-40-year lifespan, the city anticipates those setbacks will likely change.
The SWASP also outlines a number of different areas of study, including transportation, land ownership and adjacent land uses, all of which can be found on the city’s website.
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