City administration is reaching out to the public for input on a document that will shape Lacombe over the next 20 years.
On Oct. 7th, City of Lacombe administration held an open house at the Lacombe Memorial Centre seeking input into the Lacombe Municipal Development Plan (MDP), Growing Lacombe.
During the open house, citizens heard a brief presentation on what the MDP was actually about and what kind of feedback was being sought. Members of the public were then invited to share their opinions on whether or not the City’s goals were worth reaching, if they felt anything was missing from the draft MDP and suggest ways that goals might be achieved.
Manager of Planning and Development Lyla Peter said that last year, the City began an awareness and public consultation campaign designed to get people thinking about the MDP. Now, the City is looking for specifics to incorporate into the MDP.
“We’re going to take the input that we get and we’re going to try and fashion some policies for the public to review at a future date and see if we’ve taken their input and come up with something that is correct, that meets what they’ve asked for,” said Peter. “From there we will hopefully put it into our MDP and get it adopted and from there that shapes how the community grows.”
Peter added she was impressed with the turnout for the event. She said it is often hard to get people engaged with something like the MDP so it is encouraging to see people participating. At least 30 people showed up to participate in the open house, not all of them from Lacombe.
Gerrit and Christina Eggink live in the Rosedale Valley Enclave and would like to see it annexed by the City.
They came to the open house mostly for information about the direction the City was headed but also shared their thoughts on how the City could improve. “We know a few people are against (annexation),” said Gerrit. “We just want to know what the next steps (for the City) are.”
Several different displays and posters were set up for the open house, each dealing with different aspects of the MDP and separated into different stations. Those in attendance were encouraged to attend as many stations as possible to share their thoughts.
Mayor Steve Christie said the discussion taking place was a positive sign. He said that it showed both the City and those who live in it have similar visions for the future of Lacombe. “What I’m learning is that community-wide we are unified with the direction we want to see Lacombe go.”