New Municipal Development Plan sets Rocky View County’s future

Rocky View County (RVC) Council has approved a new Municipal Development Plan (MDP). The plan will guide how the County grows and develops over the next 20 years. 

According to RVC, the newly approved MDP replaces the previous plan, referred to as the ‘County Plan,’ and introduces a forward-looking, community-specific approach to development. The plan sets out clear objectives and policies governing land use, infrastructure, services, and environmental stewardship, all grounded in public feedback and best planning practices.

"This plan gives us a clear direction for the future while staying true to the values that make Rocky View County unique," said Deputy Reeve Don Kochan. "It supports responsible growth, creates opportunities for our communities, and reflects the input we heard from residents, businesses, and community groups. Thank you to everyone who contributed to building this thoughtful and forward-looking plan."

RVC stated that public engagement played a key role in shaping the new MDP.

"Through surveys, open houses, phone calls, and meetings, residents helped influence policies on everything from agricultural land use to economic development and environmental protection."

The MDP is guided by five core goals: promoting focused growth with efficient services, celebrating the County’s diversity, supporting agriculture, protecting land and water resources, and strengthening the local business community.

"As the County’s main planning document, the MDP sets the long-term direction for how our community will grow and change. It guides other planning documents and County policies to ensure decisions are consistent and coordinated. The MDP also connects our local goals with regional and provincial opportunities, while keeping the unique character of our community front and center."

According to RVC, the plan includes:

• Introduces Distinct Areas tailored to the local community's character and needs.
• Supports agricultural producers by providing more flexibility for on-farm housing and subdivision, while protecting larger tracts of agricultural land
• Safeguards the environment with new requirements that limit groundwater usage, mandate best practices for construction and land conservation, and clarify regulatory responsibilities with the provincial government.
• Manages thoughtful growth through the identification of Growth Hamlets and Employment Areas as primary locations for higher-intensity development.
• Establishes Regional and Highway Business Hubs to support economic growth in designated areas.
• Includes policies for energy resource development, including directing solar energy away from prime agricultural land.
• Incorporates newly approved aggregate resource polices to manage aggregate extraction in the County.

The new Municipal Development Plan Bylaw takes effect on September 30, 2025.

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