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The current Municipal Development Plan (MDP), was developed through three years of public engagement and built on numerous studies and strategies. On May 9, 2023, Council granted second and third readings to Bylaw 1132/22 and adopted the current MDP available here.
Upcoming Public Hearing on Proposed MDP Update
Council will hold a public hearing on April 14, 2026 (10:00 am in Council Chambers) to gather feedback on proposed amendments to the Municipal Development Plan (MDP), with a specific focus on Section 10: Subdivision of Land. Although the broader project to merge the Caroline and Clearwater County MDPs is still in progress, Council has identified several subdivision‑related changes they believe should take a more immediate priority.
Click here to learn how to participate in the public hearing.
Bylaw 26/078, which received First Reading on February 24, 2026, proposes updates to subdivision policies by reducing individual residential subdivisions, reintroducing fragmented parcels with clearer guidelines, and revisions to several sections and figures to better reflect Council's long-terms vision for land use in the municipality.
What's Changing
A major element of the proposed update is the removal of the option for landowners to create more than one residential parcel from agricultural quarter sections without an outline plan or Area Structure Plan (ASP).
In recent years, public input on the MDP has shown a mix of views:
Some residents have asked for more flexible rules, including more parcels, varied parcel sizes, and different uses.
Others have expressed concern about increasing the division of agricultural land and the long‑term impacts on rural character.
Council’s priority is to preserve agricultural land and maintain the County’s rural character. In line with this direction, the proposed amendments tighten subdivision allowances and strengthen policies that protect agricultural areas from further subdivision.
What This Means for Residents
If adopted, the updated policies would:
Limit subdivision opportunities in agricultural areas to maintain larger, intact quarter sections
Reduce the number of new residential or non‑agricultural lots that can be created from a quarter section (additional residential multi-lot subdivisions are still allowed but additional plans and studies are required)
Provide clearer, more consistent rules for evaluating subdivision applications
- Support Council’s broader goal of supporting agricultural character into the future