The intent of the new land use bylaw is to improve the overall interpretation and function of the LUB towards orderly and effectivel development within Town of McLennan boundaries.”

The Town of McLennan is one step closer to passing a revamped version of its land use bylaw. Land Use Bylaw (LUB) 09-01, which will serve as a legislative reference point for regulating and controlling future land and structural development opportunities within the municipality in accordance with the Municipal Government Act, is set to replace the town’s current and outdated land use bylaw, Bylaw 94-02. A key step forward in terms of implementing the new municipal legislation was achieved last week following an open public hearing in town council chambers which drew no response from the public. “The amended land use bylaw is a prescriptive tool – not a persuasive tool – reflecting the municipality’s plans for future development standards in relation to land and structures,” says Naren Garg, municipal planner for Mackenzie Municipal Services Agency (MMSA), which provides land use planning and subdivision services for a large area in northwest Alberta. “The intent of these changes is to improve the overall interpretation and function of the LUB towards orderly and effectivel development within Town of McLennan boundaries.” He adds the McLennan land use bylaw is a “simple, user friendly document that forms the primary prescriptive land use planning tool to help steer all development that occurs within the town’s boundaries.” Based on discussion and consultation with town administration and town council, MMSA was directed to begin the process of a comprehensive review of the land use bylaw in the early part of 2008. Part of that process included identifying key considerations including: . Implementing the policy mandates found in the 2007 McLennan Municipal Development Plan; . Bringing the land use bylaw into conformance with the Municipal Government Act and other Provincial Regulations; . Improving readability, and usability for various audience groups (administration, developers, public at large); . Increasing clarity in the role of the development officer, the development permit process and other review processes; and . Improving land use provisions to better address current development issues and future development trends. Tammy Stout, chief administrative officer for the Town of McLennan says the next step in the process of passing the new land use bylaw will come this week when municipal councillors meet with MMSA to finalize the contents of the legislative framework.