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To continue growing in a way that meets the needs of our community in the long term, the County of Grande Prairie is reviewing and updating the plans, bylaws, strategies, and guidelines that shape local development.

Entitled “Plan Your County”, the project will begin with the creation of a Hamlet Resiliency Strategy and a review of the current Municipal Development Plan, which is the high-level land use vision for the County. The results of this work will set the stage for the Land Use Bylaw and Area Structure Plan reviews that will happen during 2024.

“The County of Grande Prairie is unique, we have our own needs and culture, so it's essential that our growth and development planning reflects that,” says County Planning Manager, Reed Desroches. “Ultimately, this work will improve the development process, create appropriate development opportunities, and ensure the County is growing in a way that aligns with the vision that residents have for our County.”

Public feedback is essential
The County is inviting community members to participate throughout the Plan Your County initiative and there will be multiple opportunities for residents to have their say over the course of the project, both in person and online.

"Considering how important the future of the County, our communities, growth, and development is, we need to hear from as many residents as possible to make Plan Your County a success,” explains Desroches.

One of the first opportunities for residents to provide input will be around the Hamlet Resiliency Strategy. A short survey on what residents love and would like to see within the County’s nine rural hamlets, Bezanson, Demmitt, Dimsdale, Elmworth, Goodfare, Huallen, La Glace, Teepee Creek, and Valhalla, is available at https://bit.ly/CGPHamlets.

In person and online Plan Your County events will be advertised throughout the County, promoted through social media, and posted on the project’s webpage www.countygp.ab.ca/planyourcounty.

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Media contact:

Reed Desroches
Planning Manager
780-532-9842 ext. 3506

                                               

Backgrounder: Upcoming Plan Your County feedback opportunities

Drop-In Events for Hamlet Resiliency Strategy
Residents are invited to drop-in to learn about the Plan Your County project and share their thoughts about the needs and opportunities in the County's rural hamlets.

April 24, 2023
Bezanson
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Location: Knelsen Centre, 9901 100 Ave

April 25, 2023
Valhalla
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Mercantile Cafe, 9928 100 Ave

April 25, 2023
La Glace
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Twilight Centre, 9936 97 Ave

Community Workshops
Throughout the project, the team will hold community workshops throughout the County. At these events, attendees will learn about the project, see the guiding ideas that local students created during their school workshops and take part in other planning activities. The activities will ask participants to tell team members about their vision for the County, what they would like to see the revised plan achieve and what opportunities they see for the County.

The feedback we receive from the workshops will be used to create the draft Principles and Goals for the plan and each of the policy topics. The feedback will also be used to set the direction we will use when reviewing and revising policies in the plan.

April 27, 2023
Teepee Creek Community Workshop
Time: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Location: Teepee Creek School, 10101 - 100 Street

May 11, 2023
Bezanson Community Workshop
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Bezanson School, 9804 100 Street (Range Road 32)

May 18, 2023
Hythe Community Workshop
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Hythe Regional School, 10401 103 Street

May 25, 2023
Valhalla Community Workshop
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Valhalla Community School, 9702 100 Avenue

June 8, 2023
Whispering Ridge Community Workshop
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Whispering Ridge Community School, 10320 149 Ave, Clairmont

After these initial events, there will be additional opportunities to participate in the future. For regular project updates, we recommend subscribing to the County’s project webpage www.countygp.ab.ca/planyourcounty.