Municipal Development Plan Review
The Town of Hanna is working with Palliser Regional Municipal Services (PRMS) in a comprehensive review and update of the Town’s Municipal Development Plan (MDP) in collaboration with the Town Council and its residents. The new MDP will replace the current MDP Bylaw 968-2013. Municipalities typically perform a comprehensive review of their MDP’s every ten years to ensure that background information is current to support the policy directions.
What is an MDP?
The MDP is a high-level plan that guides and directs the framework for future growth, land use and development towards the long-term vision of the community. An MDP is a statutory plan, and the provincial government requires all municipalities in Alberta to adopt an MDP by bylaw. As a statutory plan, the Town is required to follow its policy statements in the MDP when making any planning and development decisions.
The MDP considers the current and future needs of the community, including housing, commercial goods and services, transportation and utility systems, economic development opportunities, and municipal services like parks and recreation.
What is the Goal?
What is the Process?
There are four major steps in the MDP review process.
A) Council will review and approve the MDP Review Terms of Reference.
B) Palliser Regional Municipal Services and Town of Hanna Administration will gather and analyze information. A part of this step in the process is to accept input into the new plan from residents, landowners and business owners. A workshop will be held and a report presented with the findings.
C) Palliser Regional Municipal Services and Town of Hanna Administration will prepare a draft version of the new MDP which will be presented to Council for information. At this point, an Open House will be scheduled to present the draft to the public and to gather feedback.
D) Town of Hanna Administration will prepare and lead the bylaw approval process with Council that will include 3 readings and a public hearing held after the first reading.
Step A has been completed and Steps B, C and D will be well advertised, using the Town ofHanna’s advertising channels.
- Electronic Newsletter (sign up by inputting your email address in the footer of every page).
- Town of Hanna website at https://hanna.ca
- Flyer (distributed through bulk mail in Hanna and surrounding areas)
What is the Timeline?
Always check the Community Event Calendar for coming events and opportunities to be heard.
Statutory plans are legal documents that the municipality, residents, and developers must follow. These plans are required through the Municipal Government Act and must be approved by Council.
The new MDP must comply with provincial requirements of the Municipal Government Act {see Section 632(3) and 636(1)}
Date
Jan 13, 2026
Completed
Tactic
Approval of the Terms of Reference.
Feb 2026
Detailed information will be posted on the Town of Hanna website, electronic newsletter, printed flyer and social media outlining the MDP project and timelines.
Mar 2026
Inform the community of upcoming MDP workshop. Details will be posted on the Town of Hanna website, Community Event Calendar, electronic newsletter, printed flyer and social media with date, time and RSVP process.
Mar 12, 2026
Workshop to kick off the new Town of Hanna MDP project.
Thurs Mar 12, 2026 at 6:00 pm at Hanna Community Centre
Dinner is served at 6:00 pm followed by a presentation and workshop.
RSVP is required before Mar 5 (to confirm catering & food allergies).
RSVP to Tracy at twoitenko@palliserservices.ca or 877-854-3371
Apr 2026
Report from the Mar 12 workshop to be available to the public. This is an official record of the workshop and will be available on the Town website after it is provided to Council Committee of the Whole.
Sept 2026
PRMS to prepare and deliver a presentation to Council Committee of the Whole to inform them of what will be presented to the public in the Draft MDP.
Draft MDP will be available on the Town website and also advertised through the electronic newsletter, flyer and social media.
Public Input
The Municipal Government Act (MGA) requires a public hearing to be held prior to second reading of an MDP bylaw. While this is the minimum requirement, the Town of Hanna and PRMS will provide additional opportunities for the public to provide their input prior to the bylaw being presented to Council for final reading.
The formalized Public Participation Plan can be viewed in it’s entirety or visit the Timeline section of this website for the most up to date information.
Workshop to kick off the new Town of Hanna MDP project.
Thurs Mar 12, 2026 at 6:00 pm at Hanna Community Centre
Dinner is served at 6:00 pm followed by a presentation and workshop.
RSVP is required before Mar 5 (to confirm catering & food allergies).
RSVP to Tracy at twoitenko@palliserservices.ca or 877-854-3371
Supporting Documents
Municipal Development Plan Vol 1
Volume 1 contains Background Studies and Issues. It is not adopted by bylaw but was approved by Council in 2013.
Municipal Development Plan Vol 2
Volume 2 contains the Municipal Development Plan Bylaw #968-2013 and policies.
Terms of Reference
This project will be a complete replacement of the Town's MDP to comply with the requirements of Section 632(3) of the MGA. This Terms of Reference was approved by Council in Jan 2026.
Public Participation Plan (MDP Review)
This document outlines how Palliser Regional Municipal Services and the Town of Hanna aim to communicate with and involve the community.
Project Team
Tracy Woitenko
Senior Planner
Palliser Regional Municipal Services
twoitenko@palliserservices.ca
877-854-3371
David Mohl
Development Officer
Town of Hanna
dmohl@hanna.ca
403-854-4433
Matthew Norburn
Chief Administrative Officer
Town of Hanna
mnorburn@hanna.ca
403-854-4433