Results from a recent community engagement survey in Blackfalds were released at the Aug. 26 Blackfalds council meeting. Earlier this year, council requested that input from residents be gathered and incorporated into the 2014 Municipal Sustainability Plan (MSP), a document which outlines the goals and strategies needed to create a successful, healthy and self-sustained community.

Lacombe, AB -- (SBWire) -- 09/09/2014 --Jennifer Hartigh, economic development and communications officer for the Town of Blackfalds, said, “(The survey) was done during June and July of this year and that was comprised of an online survey put on our town website. There were also numerous posts on the town’s Facebook page which invited comments and messages from residents. We also had a display table set up.”

Residents were asked five questions:

What does one value most about Blackfalds?
What is it like for one to live here?
What changes would one most like to see?
What are the hopes and dreams for Blackfalds in the long term?
How can one help to make those hopes and dreams a reality?

In total, 92 residents filled out the survey with the majority of people responding in-person at display tables or through the online survey. Data was compiled and compared to the current MSP draft to see if any changes needed to be made to more accurately reflect the goals and visions of Blackfalds residents.

Hartigh said the current MSP draft “adequately addresses the vast majority of those comments,” but recommended some changes to the current draft of the MSP.

Residents who took the survey mentioned their willingness to shop and support local businesses, therefore Hartigh recommended an amendment in the MSP to include support for home-based businesses as well as small and medium enterprises.

Other responses included providing more accessible housing for those who have mobility issues and are concerned about their ability to age in place. More emphasis on accessible housing was added to the Housing Options section of the MSP draft.

Those surveyed also said they valued Blackfalds’ small town feel, its family-oriented atmosphere and the availability of recreational activities.

Coun. William Taylor said he found it interesting that residents wanted to keep the small town feel of Blackfalds, but have continued growth by increasing amenities and shopping.

“Those aren’t necessarily small town things. One kind of have to give up something to get what we want,” Taylor said. “It’s interesting how people perceive that and what that actually means.”

Hartigh recommended adding in the MSP draft that a sustainable approach will be taken in terms of community growth.

“I wasn’t convinced that some of the wording we had in the Community Growth portion reflected intentional planning for sustainability to reassure people we weren’t trying to grow too fast. We’re doing this in a very intentional, sustainable way,” Hartigh said.

A new statement was suggested by CAO Myron Thompson to include both an emphasis on sustainable growth as well as a push for strong commercial and industrial development.

Amendments were made to the current MSP draft and were carried unanimously by council.

Mayor Melodie Stol said, “I think the municipal sustainability plan and the recommended changes remain to be a good way to continue to bring the community forward.”

Despite 1,000 fewer builds than 2014, new construction of multi-family housing in the Calgary area should still out-pace all urban centres in Alberta next year, says CMHC. The Edmonton area is expected to come in second with 6,400 multi-family starts next year. But in 2015, the Calgary area is expected to lose the lead in single-family starts, with the Edmonton area slated for 6,500. Across Alberta, housing starts are expected to grow by seven per cent this year, with shovels turning out 38,600 homes. That total should recede next year, with 36,800 slated to break ground, CMHC says.

“The resale market will (become) more competitive, drawing some sales away from the new home market in 2015,” says Cho. In Alberta this year, 69,900 homes are expected to change hands on the resale market. Next year, it’s slated for a three per cent uptick to 71,900 sales.

Behind Alberta’s two biggest cities, Red Deer is forecast to see 865 starts on a variety of homes in 2014, 10 per cent more than the 784 homes a year earlier.

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