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Response to Rockview's Growth Management Strategy
May 7, 2009
Municipal District of Rocky View
Attention: Gordon Branson, Mitch Yurchuk, Jared Kassel, Stuart Jewison
Dear Sirs,
Re: Response to the Growth Management Strategy of the Municipal District of Rocky View
On behalf of the Springbank Police Advisory Committee, I am expressing concern about the effect the
Growth Management Strategy (GMS), if approved as is, will have on safety in our community,
specifically on policing and road safety.
I attended the Calgary Regional Partnership’s
open house to learn about the Draft Regional Plan, reviewed the Municipal District of Rocky
View’s Growth Management Strategy, reviewed the Alberta Government’s Land-use Framework and am
familiar with portions of the Alberta Land Stewardship Act. I understand the necessity
for planning for our future growth.
It is important for us all to recognize that developments such as these that significantly
increase our population will put increased demand on our RCMP. As we recently discovered, in
1983 the Cochrane RCMP dispatch had 12 constables assigned to the rural area, including
Springbank, but in 2006 had only 8 constables for the rural area. Despite a population increase,
policing was not increased to sustain safety.
As you know, we only recently received funding from the Municipal District of Rocky View for an
additional rural RCMP officer to focus in the Bragg Creek, Springbank and Bearspaw areas. This was
the first time that the Municipal District of Rocky View provided any funding for policing in the
Springbank area. Whether this additional officer is sufficient at this time to service the area
required is still not known. It goes without saying that any increase in population will render
this effort insufficient.
The Growth Management Strategy plans for a significant increase in population for Springbank over
the next 50 years. It also plans for minor and major business corridors along highway 1. Inevitably
this will change the requirements for policing in these areas. Additionally, safety will be affected
by the public transportation to and from Calgary that is being considered as part of the GMS. It will
change the policing requirements of the community.
I have reviewed the relevant background studies that support the GMS. I recognize that the Municipal
District of Rocky View understands that services will be required to support this growth. As Chair
of the Springbank Police Advisory Committee, I feel it is necessary to go on record to urge the
Municipal District of Rocky View to secure the funding and resources required to ensure sufficient
police services to support the development as outlined in the GMS over the next 50 years.
Furthermore, the GMS will impact community safety in its design. In Springbank the increased
development will increase traffic on roads that were not designed for high traffic use. I further
implore the Municipal District of Rocky View to commit to dedicating the resources required to
enhance our roadways to ensure safety as the community grows.
I ask the Municipal District of Rocky View to formally acknowledge the impact the GMS has on
community safety and to make a real commitment to provide increased funding for additional resources
in both policing and road safety. This acknowledgement and commitment should be part of the GMS
documents in order to make certain that over the next 50 years as the GMS takes on life that community
safety is ensured.
Historically, policing and safety has not been a priority for the Municipal District of Rocky View. I
encourage you to continue to keep Springbank’s safety in mind and urge your fellow council members to
consider the same when working on the Growth Management Strategy.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Regards,
Christine Pennell
Chair
Springbank Police Advisory Committee
www.safespringbank.ca
info@safespringbank.ca
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