Planning Hierarchy
Land use planning in Alberta is carried out at the provincial, regional and municipal level. Planning may also be subject to federal and provincial regulations. The planning hierarchy diagram outlines the relationship of different levels of land use legislation.
Statutory Plans
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.
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.
Non-Statutory Plans
Non-statutory plans encourage the direction of development in particular areas. The Town of Hanna’s non-statutory plans and studies are listed below.
Hanna Strategic Plan
Accepted by Council in Dec. 2019. Vision: A community cultivating an unparalleled quality of life through technology, agriculture, and lifelong learning.
Hanna Tactical Plan Part I
Accepted by Council in Dec 2019. Lays out a path for growing and developing regionally. Part I.
Hanna Tactical Plan Part II
Accepted by Council in Dec 2019. Lays out a path for growing and developing regionally. Part II.
Subdivisions and Appeals
The process of subdivision development is done through Palliser Regional Municipal Services and the Town of Hanna. Notify the Town of Hanna of your intent and the Development Officer can assist with the process. If you are planning to subdivide property within the Town limits you will need to file an application through Palliser Regional Municipal Services to receive approval.
Any planning, development, or subdivision process information can be found on the website of Palliser Regional Municipal Services.
The Subdivision and Development Appeals Board (SDAB) consists of 5 members appointed by the town council to adjudicate appeals under the provisions of Part 17, Section 627 of the Municipal Government Act.
Generally speaking, the first step in the development or subdivision procedure is to make an application for approval. This very important step outlines the nature of the development and defines the location, complexity of the project and any impact it may have on surrounding property owners or the community. The applicant must provide enough information for the authority and any other agencies involved to determine if the proposed project is suitable for the development or subdivision to proceed. A decision may be made by the approving authority to approve, approve with conditions or reject the application. All of these decisions are subject to appeal and may even be appealed if no decision is made within a specified time period.
The Appeal Process
The Municipal Government Act sets out the rules and conditions for grounds to appeal.
Subdivision appeals may be launched if:
- The application is refused;
- A decision is not made within 60 days or an agreed to extended date allowed under section 681 (1)(b) of the MGA;
- A decision on a subdivision under section 652(4) (lands titled before July 1, 1950) is not made within 21 days.
Who Can Appeal?
Any person who is affected by the permit decision. The subdivision and development appeal board decide who qualifies as affected, or the person applying for the permit.
An appeal may be launched if:
- A permit is issued with or without conditions;
- A permit is refused;
- A stop order is issued;
- Where a permit is not issued within 40 days or an agreed-to extended date allowed under section 684 of the MGA.
Filing An Appeal
If a person wishes to appeal a subdivision application decision, they must submit a written appeal to the Secretary of the Subdivision Authority stating the reasons for the appeal within fourteen (14) days from the time of notice of a decision. Please refer to the Town of Hanna Land Use Bylaw for details as other conditions may apply.
The timeline for appeal of a stop order differs from the other appeal processes and is subject to the complex nature of the order itself. There are however provisions in the Municipal Government Act to allow for an appeal.