Paula Bernat

This strategic plan for the Town of Okotoks outlines a vision for a resilient community where people, businesses, ideas, and a sense of community thrive. It focuses on three main priorities: People, aiming to strengthen belonging and community wellbeing; Place, striving for a connected community with vibrant public spaces; and Business, seeking a thriving local economy through retention and attraction. These priorities are supported by strong organizational foundations focusing on financial health and modernized systems, all guided by the principle of preserving Okotoks' unique identity.

The Town of Okotoks Strategic Plan 2027-2030 is designed to shape future growth while protecting the community's unique identity. It prioritizes fostering a strong sense of belonging among its people through accessible services and trust, creating quality places by preserving natural areas and investing in infrastructure, and developing a robust local economy with opportunities for businesses. The plan is supported by a strong organizational foundation, focusing on financial health, efficient processes, and modern systems to ensure reliable and affordable service delivery, aiming for a thriving community where people, businesses, and ideas flourish.

This Corporate Progress Report details the Town of Okotoks' advancements towards its 2022-2025 Strategic Plan goals. The plan is designed to foster a vibrant, resilient, and connected community that prioritizes the well-being of its land and people. Key strategic outcomes include responsibly managed growth, a strong local economy, enhanced culture and community health, demonstrated environmental leadership, integrated and accessible transportation, and organizational excellence. The report tracks progress on various initiatives and measures to achieve these outcomes and nurture an environment where residents can thrive in harmony with the community.

This What We Heard Report details public feedback received during an open house on December 6, 2023, concerning the proposed amendment to the North Okotoks Area Structure Plan (NOASP) and initial ideas for the Neighbourhood Area Structure Plan (NASP). The NOASP amendment seeks to adjust its boundary, update policies on land use, transportation, open space, sustainability, and servicing, aligning with the Town's Municipal Development Plan to foster a walkable, complete community with increased density. Key themes of public input included concerns about traffic intersections, preferences for bungalow-style and affordable housing, and desired neighborhood amenities such as restaurants, spas, gas stations, and various park features like dog parks and leisure skating.

This document establishes a common understanding of the process, content, and submission requirements for Area Structure Plans (ASP) and Neighbourhood Area Structure Plans (NASP) within the Town of Okotoks. It articulates a general process for various stakeholders to follow, aiming to facilitate and expedite the plan review and decision-making process. The plans themselves are described as key statutory planning tools that implement the vision and guiding principles of the Municipal Development Plan and Okotoks Growth Plan, shaping new community development by defining land use patterns, infrastructure needs, and supporting long-term capital planning and investment.