Preparation of a new Northwest Area Structure Plan is underway for the area primarily located within the NE quarter of 16-16-28-W4M (between Township Road 163 and the Westview neighbourhood), which is approximately 182 acres (73.6 ha). A map of the plan area can be viewed below by clicking on the link in the “Where is the Plan area?” tab.
An Area Structure Plan (ASP) is an essential step in ensuring that we can support future development in this area in a sustainable and thoughtful way, while also addressing infrastructure needs like transportation, water supply, sewage disposal, and various land uses.
This plan is a long-term vision of how the area will be built as the Town grows. An ASP will help support future applications for subdivision, re-districting, and infrastructure planning, whenever that time comes.
This spring, separate visioning sessions will be held with the landowners within the impacted area and with Town Council, for both parties to provide their visions for the future development area. The Oldman River Regional Services Commission, the Town's planning agency and author of the ASP, will engage with landowners and Council, and collect the information provided at the visioning sessions to form a concept for development and begin drafting the ASP based on the input received.
We know there will be many questions about the plan, such as why it is needed, how it will be created and how it will impact the future growth of our community. We've posted more details, including answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), below. We will also keep you updated on how you can stay involved in the planning process. If you have questions or comments, please submit them below to ensure they are added and recorded.
Information and Frequently Asked Questions
Note at the end there is a web form for any questions you may have that you would like to see added to this area.
An Area Structure Plan (ASP) is a statutory planning document that provides a long-range vision and policies for subdivision and development of a defined area of land within a municipality. Through the ASP processes a development concept is established that addresses the land uses proposed for the area, population density, and general location of major transportation routes and public utilities. Once adopted, all future subdivision and development proposals within the plan area must comply with the ASP in order to proceed. Where a proposal does not comply with the ASP, an amendment to the ASP is required to be passed by Council, by bylaw. This provides a level of certainty to residents, developers, and Council in what is to be expected for development within the plan area.
The plan area is primarily located within the NE quarter of 16-16-28-W4M, with some lands located within the NW quarter of 15-16-28-W4M and contains approximately 182 acres (73.6 ha) as shown below. The plan area is bound by the municipal boundary on the west and north sides, with the northeast corner extending to Highway 2, the Westview neighbourhood to the south, and 26 Avenue to the east. The most northerly portion of the plan area extends beyond 26 Avenue to include a portion of Town-owned lands along Highway 2, southbound, and the commercial lands north of the Town-owned lands. Click here to see the map
It is anticipated that the project will take up to eighteen months from project commencement to adoption of the plan. Landowners within the plan area will be engaged and are encouraged to participate in visioning sessions this coming spring to provide input and discuss the land use concept. Further communication will be sent to landowners throughout the process.
Once the draft has been prepared, a public open house will be held to allow the public to view the proposed plan, ask questions, and provide feedback. It is anticipated the open house will be held in the spring of 2026 with the document being brought forward to Council to begin the adoption process in the summer of 2026.
Questions and or comments regarding the Northwest Area Structure Plan process can be directed to Georgina Sharpe, Planning and Development Officer at 403-336-6564 or develop@nanton.ca
We understand the concerns about the availability of water and the infrastructure needed for future growth. The Town of Nanton is welcoming to new development that serves residents and the business community, however, without an Area Structure Plan, it’s difficult to accurately determine the resources and investments required and how to address infrastructure needs.
The ASP will provide a clear framework for development that will inform future engineering of the development area, helping the Town and Developers to plan the necessary resources and infrastructure to support Nanton’s growth in a sustainable manner. The ASP will also outline who is responsible for bearing the cost of developing such infrastructure. One of the reasons that a new ASP is needed is that Nanton was not clearly able to support the level of density on display in the former Lancaster Landing Area Structure Plan.
The Area Structure Plan is not a step toward direct development by the Town. An ASP is a planning document designed to guide future development at a conceptual level. It will not tell us exactly what will be developed, but will provide some limits or parameters that are in the public interest such as what types of development (commercial, industrial, or residential) can be expected within certain areas of the plan area. The ASP must address land uses, density, the general location of major transportation routes and utilities, as well as the sequence for development. This can help Council to determine future capital priorities over time and expectations for land consumption within the Town.
Unlike the Westview ASP, where the Town owned most of the land within the plan area, the Town owns only a small portion of lands within the NW ASP plan area. These lands include the ball diamonds along Highway 2 south and 22nd Ave, and two triangular shaped parcels on the east side of 26th Ave. How these lands may be developed and/or redeveloped will be proposed through the ASP.
The ASP ensures that any future development occurs in a strategic and sustainable manner, based on the town’s and land-owners’ long-term vision. It is also an opportunity for all land stakeholders and the general public to weigh in with their views, concerns and interests in order to enhance existing development, create new opportunities, and build a sense of community in northwest Nanton.
The ASP will provide a long-term vision of how the community would like to see northwest Nanton grow and develop. With input from residents and businesses, the plan will build a community within northwest Nanton that is based on shared values that support Nanton’s residents and business community. It is intended that the plan will enhance the existing development in northwest Nanton to create a framework that includes a variety of housing types, employment centers, and parks and open spaces that complement existing development within and adjacent to the plan area. It will outline requirements for subdivision and development, and set policies respecting land use, population density, transportation routes, and public utilities. Once adopted, all future development in the area must align with the plan. By having the ASP in place, we are ready for future development in a way that is well thought out and aligned with the community’s needs and limitations.
The adoption of an ASP does not bind landowners into developing their lands within a certain timeframe. The ASP does guide how development will take place in the future, when current or future landowners are ready to do so. Development on existing parcels may continue to remain and new buildings and structures may be permitted in accordance with the Town of Nanton’s Land Use Bylaw. The subdivision of land must be consistent with the ASP and large developments may require a further outline plan with detailed design and engineering to further determine the specific requirements for that area.
The largest parcel of land in the plan area is currently designated as Future Urban Development Land Use District. The district provides minimal opportunities for subdivision and development as the district is used to prevent incompatible or premature development and subdivision. Adoption of the ASP will provide the necessary framework to allow redesignation of these lands to other land use districts within Land Use Bylaw 1389/24 in a way that is compatible with the land use concept and policies of the ASP, bringing the lands “online” for development.
The adoption of the ASP by Council provides for a level of certainty to residents, developers and Council in expectations for development by setting a framework for future subdivision and development. If the original vision and design intent is proposed to be significantly modified, an amendment to the Plan is required. Consideration of an amendment by Council, like adoption of the plan, requires allowances for public participation through a Public Hearing, allowing all parties to participate in the amendment process.
The new ASP shall primarily take into account landowner, stakeholder and resident feedback on what type of development the Town needs for the future. The 2010 Lancaster Landing Area Structure Plan was rescinded in 2023 and was concerned only with the development of a single parcel – this year’s initiative is very different as it includes many surrounding properties, uses and existing infrastructure that have not been discussed in terms of organized development for decades. One of the reasons that a new ASP is needed is that Nanton was not clearly able to support the level of density on display in the former Lancaster Landing Area Structure Plan.
This time around, we really want to hear from:
other owners of bare land within the plan area: what their aspirations and thoughts on this part of Town might be;
26th Ave residents within the plan area: what their priorities and future concerns around development might be (e.g. future subdivision, placement of future roads and laneways, visual buffers for existing properties and more).
