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The current Municipal Development Plan (MDP) was drafted over the course of three years of public engagement, and it builds on multiple other studies, strategies, and plans completed by Administration over the past several years.
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 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.
Bylaw 26/078, which received First Reading on February 24, 2026, proposes updates to subdivision policies, clearer direction for fragmented parcels, and revisions to several sections and figures to better reflect Council’s long‑term vision for land use in the new municipality.
What's Changing
A major element of the proposed update is the removal of the option for landowners to create more than one parcel from agricultural quarter sections.
In recent years, public input on the MDP has shown a mix of views:
Some residents have asked for more flexible subdivision rules, including more parcels, varied parcel sizes, and different uses.
Others have expressed concern about increasing fragmentation of agricultural land and the long‑term impacts on rural character.
Following the most recent municipal election, Council believes the community’s priorities lean toward supporting agricultural land and rural character and limiting further subdivision. The proposed amendments reflect this direction by tightening subdivision allowances and reinforcing the protection of agricultural areas.
What This Means for Residents
If adopted, the updated policies would:
Limit subdivision opportunities in agricultural areas to maintain larger, intact parcels
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