Background

The City of Medicine Hat is updating the Municipal Development Plan (2004), now branded as the Medicine Hat Plan, which is a long term comprehensive planning document that guides development and growth in the city.

The City has engaged Planning Alliance from Toronto to work with the public, stakeholders and city departments to establish a growth strategy and vision to guide Medicine Hat’s land use and planning decisions as we grow to a population of 100,000+.

Since the last Municipal Development Plan in 2004, the city has experienced significant growth which has resulted in challenges and opportunities for the city. The Medicine Hat Plan will provide an exciting opportunity for citizens of the city to explore what is currently working well and what changes they would like to see as we grow to be a sustainable city of 100,000+.

Current Municipal Development Plan
The current Municipal Development Plan was adopted by Council on August 17, 2004.  Please take a look at the current vision, policy document and amendments that help guide development in Medicine Hat.

		Municipal Development Plan (1.7MB)
		Municipal Development Plan Amendments (7.6MB)

Equally, Council adopted a Smart Growth Strategy on July 7, 2007 that will be a part of the development of the Medicine Hat Plan. The objective of the City’s Smart Growth strategy is to build communities:

• that use less energy;
• reduce the use of automobiles;
• consume less land and other natural resources;
• create a “walkable” environment, and
• provide a more vibrant place to live and work.

See Smart Growth for more details on the Smart Growth Strategy

Municipal Development Plan Public Open House

Planning Services, along with the consultant team would like to invite the public to provide input on the Medicine Hat Plan on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 from 6:30 to 9:00 pm in Higdon Hall at the Stampede Grounds.  Planning staff and the consultants will present the planning process, considerations of “smart growth” and engage the public on a number of key topics related to the city’s growth.  There will be a presentation at 7:00 pm followed by the opportunity for the public to participate in workbook discussions at specific topic stations.  Following the open house, a workbook and on-line survey will also be made available on this website for the public to provide their feedback on the Medicine Hat Plan.

		MDP Invitation
		Medicine Hat Plan Open House - Media Release

Share with us your thoughts by filling out the following workbook:

Medicine Hat Plan - Workbook

Timeline

May 12, 2010		Public Open House for the Medicine Hat Plan.  6:30 pm to 9 pm at Higdon Hall at the Stampede Grounds
June 2010 - Sept 2010		Consultants to refine public input into Growth Strategies Options
Sept 2010		Growth Strategies Options Open House
November/December 2010		Preferred Growth Strategy Open House
January 2011 – Fall 2011		Development of Vision, Principles and Policies to support the Growth Strategy.  Public engagement opportunities will be provided at a later date.

Medicine Hat Plan Contact:
Jeanie Gartly
Superintendent, Planning Services
403-525-8820
email: jeagar@medicinehat.ca