Frequently Asked Questions
*Contact us for any questions, that are not listed below.
What are the benefits of a District Planning Commission?
A District Planning Commission will provide regional standards for growth; common approaches to development; it will ensure the protection of sensitive environmental areas; and will enable the area the power of an 18,000 person voice towards more successful lobbying efforts. It will provide regional planning to the area and the delivery of services to support the participating municipalities, using the South Saskatchewan River and Lake Diefenbaker as the tie that binds them, not the boundary that separates.
What is a “Corporate Advisory” Planning District mean?
The advisory planning district does not replace any of the powers of the participating municipalities. The elected council members are still responsible for all of the decision making regarding land use and service delivery within their municipality.
What is the role of a District Planning Commission?
It will be to make recommendations to the affected council(s). It provides professional expertise and advise for councils to ensure information to enable evidence based decisions.
What would the District Planning Commission meet to discuss?
Over the initial year, it will be developing its governance structure. In addition it will be ensuring that all of the players at the table are meeting common development standards and bylaws. In the future they would meet to discuss development issues that challenge the status quo, and make recommendations to the host municipality.
How will each individual municipality be represented?
Each municipality will be entitled to a seat at the regional level, meeting once or twice per year. Each municipality will have the opportunity to elect representatives from their area to serve on subcommittees.
What is the role of the Executive?
The executive will be comprised of approximately 10 representatives from around the Planning Commission area. They would act on behalf of the Planning Commission between the annual/semi-annual meetings. This executive would prioritize the regional planning priorities and services and give direction to the regional support staff.
What would the subcommittees do?
The subcommittees would provide technical and community review to any changes proposed in the area. (Technical Committee, Water Protection Committee, etc.)
What is the initial fee structure and the cost of membership?
The Rural Municipalities would be charged a flat fee of $1,500. The Urban Municipalities would be charged $3/per capita (according to the 2006 Census), with a base fee of $500 and a ceiling of $2,500.Which services will be available for no cost and which will be fee for service?
The initial membership fee will cover basic administration of the District Planning Commission, retainer fee for a planner, a common table for regional issues, investigation of other regional issues such as building inspectors, water technicians, etc. in the future.
What about the future?
The common regional table with municipal representation from around the area offers opportunity to discuss a variety of shared services as we go forward.
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