Town of Carlyle Community Plan

The Town of Carlyle created a sustainable Official Community Plan (OCP) in accordance with the Planning and Development Act, 2007. The plan drew on lessons learned from communities that had already developed sustainability plans, such as the Towns of Airdrie, Olds and Canmore. The resulting plan aimed to ensure “sustainable, orderly and rational development” in response to an expected population boom. It also aimed to address issues in municipal corporate operations. Carlyle had over 100 businesses, with oil and agriculture as its main industries. The plan considered both the community’s profile and the town’s corporate operations. It examined existing human and financial resources, infrastructure and services, and considered the impact of development on environmentally sensitive areas and existing neighborhoods. In preparing for the planning process, the project team held a public consultation, prepared a vision statement, collected and analyzed data on quality of life indicators and identified target areas for improvement. After conducting an environmental assessment of public works, the team held a strategic planning session with town council to develop sustainability goals and targets for each of the town’s 14 community goals. The town had an existing protocol and practice in place to ensure sustainability issues were integrated across departments, using the Administrator position as the connector. The OCP expected to plan for enhanced water infrastructure to support population growth; a pedestrian friendly environment; energy efficiency and alternative, renewable energy sources; redevelopment strategies such as infill development, rehabilitation and restoration; and waste management.