What is a MDP?
Municipal Development Plan (MDP)
A Municipal Development Plan is the County’s long‑range guide for how land will be used and how the community will grow and evolve over time. It outlines a shared vision for the future and sets the policies that help achieve it. These policies shape decisions about land use, environmental protection, economic growth, infrastructure, and community services.
Council uses the MDP to evaluate more detailed planning documents (such as area structure plans, outline plans, and Land Use Bylaw amendments) before development can move forward. Residents and landowners use it to understand what types of development may be considered in different parts of the County. The MDP also provides the policy framework for subdivision decisions.
Why the MDP Matters
The MDP ensures that future growth is well‑planned, cost‑effective, and aligned with the community’s long‑term goals. It balances environmental stewardship, economic opportunity, and quality of life. Looking 25–30 years ahead, the plan describes the kind of community residents want to build and identifies the steps needed to get there.
Key topics addressed in the MDP include:
- Preservation of important natural features and environment protection
- Protecting special places and providing recreation opportunities
- Expectations relating to rural residential development
- The role and future of hamlets
- Economic development and the County's various economic sectors
- Infrastructure planning, including transportation networks, water and wastewater systems, stormwater management, and telecommunications
- Community services such as health care, education, emergency response, and protective services
- Collaboration with neighbouring municipalities, regional partners, and the Province on land‑use matters
- Support for agriculture and long‑term agricultural land use