Intermunicipal Collaboration

As part of the updated Municipal Government Act (MGA), Intermunicipal Collaboration Frameworks (ICFs) are required for municipalities that share a border.

An Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework is a tool to facilitate cooperation between neighbouring municipalities to ensure municipal services are provided to residents efficiently and cost effectively.

The Clearwater County has successfully completed ICFs with the following municipalities through collaborative discussions:

  • Town of Rocky Mountain House
  • Village of Caroline
  • Summer Village of Burnstick Lake
  • Red Deer County
  • Lacombe County
  • Ponoka County
  • Yellowhead County
  • MD of Bighorn
  • Brazeau County
  • Improvement District 9 (Banff)
  • Improvement District 12 (Jasper)

What is an ICF?

An Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF) allows two or more municipalities to address growth and coordinate planning activities on the boundary areas of the municipalities. The primary goal of ICFs is ensuring neighbouring municipalities work together regarding service delivery and cost-sharing.
 

An Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF) must include:

  •     minimum requirements regarding intermunicipal land-use planning;
  •     minimum list of shared regional services;
  •     a dispute resolution process for when partnering municipalities cannot agree;
  •     timelines for completion;
  •     authority to exempt municipalities in certain cases; and
  •     other matters as required.
  

What is an IDP?

An Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) is a high-level policy plan created between adjacent municipalities and provides a forum for neighbour municipalities to work together. An IDP is designed to foster cooperation and integrated development near the municipal boundaries so that unnecessary costs and negative impacts for the municipalities are avoided. The principles and objectives established in the IDP guide the growth of future development by identifying general locations for major land uses and servicing. In addition to guiding future growth, if there is a disagreement between municipalities on development, IDPs provide a framework for dispute resolution.


On April 23, 2021, the Town of Rocky Mountain House, the Village of Caroline and Clearwater County signed four new solid waste related agreements, including:

Background Information

The Village of Caroline and Clearwater County worked together to prepare plans for the long term future of the Caroline and area community. These plans will set the desired path for future development in and around Caroline. The two plans are:
  • Municipal Development Plan (MDP) for the Village of Caroline; and
  • Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) for the Village and surrounding lands in the County.
The planned area is shown in the attached study area drawing (see image below or click here).

 
Municipal Development Plan (MDP) is the conceptual blueprint for a community. It describes the desired future and the steps that will be taken to get there. An Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) is a policy plan agreed upon between two municipalities to coordinate their land use planning, infrastructure planning and service delivery decisions. More information about the role of the two plans is provided below. 


What does this mean to you?

The two plans will help shape the future of the Caroline and Area community. The MDP will describe how the village is expected to grow and change over the next 30 years. This includes new residential areas and new commercial and industrial development.

The IDP will describe how the lands around the village will be used over the next several decades. It will also include ways the Village and County can work together to accomplish the desired future for the area.

If you are a resident of Caroline or the County, these plans will influence the location of future services, activities and amenities that you may use occasionally or in your day to day routine.

Materials and Resources for Review

Information and materials from earlier steps in the process can be viewed in this section.

Copies of the background information reports are available for viewing here:
 

What is the Overall Process to Create the Plans?

The major steps and target dates for the Village of Caroline Municipal Development Plan and the Caroline-Clearwater Intermunicipal Development Plan are:

  • Phase 1: Project Start-Up and Background Information – completed end of July 2018
  • Phase 2: Public Input and Vision Setting – completed end of September 2018
  • Phase 3: Writing the Draft Plan – completed end of December 2018
  • Phase 4: Public Review of Draft Plan – completed January and February 2019
  • Phase 5: Plan Adoption – completed in May 2019

Village of Caroline Municipal Development Plan – More Detail

The Municipal Development Plan guides and directs future physical growth and development. It seeks to ensure that it is orderly, economical and beneficial while balancing the environmental, social and economic needs and desires of the community. It is visionary, strategic and long-term in its outlook and application.

The Municipal Development Plan should reflect the kind of community residents wish to see in the future and identify ways to achieve this future. It provides a policy framework for development and planning decisions far into the future. A thirty (30) year period is the planning or time horizon typically considered.

Topics usually covered in a Municipal Development Plan include:

  • Land use patterns showing the locations for major existing and future residential, commercial and industrial areas of activity;
  • Major road and pedestrian corridors and networks;
  • Preservation of significant natural features;
  • Open space, park and recreation areas;
  • Design of subdivisions and neighbourhoods;
  • Economic development and locations for employment related needs;
  • Cultural and heritage preservation; and
  • Directions for future growth and expansion.


Caroline – Clearwater Intermunicipal Development Plan – More Detail

The Intermunicipal Development Plan guides the land use planning decisions of the Village and County to reach a mutually desired future for the area. It seeks to establish a clear understanding of each municipality’s long term planning interests and ways to build upon the positive and mutually beneficial relationship between the County and the Village. The IDP promotes common purpose and fosters certainty for landowners and the municipalities through a clear policy framework and ongoing dialogue.

Similar to the MDP, the Intermunicipal Development Plan should reflect the type of community that area residents wish to see develop over the next several years.

Topics usually covered in an Intermunicipal Development Plan include:

  • Land use patterns showing the locations for major existing and future residential, commercial and industrial areas of activity;
  • Major existing and future road and pedestrian corridors and networks;
  • Preservation of significant natural features;
  • Coordination of municipal infrastructure related to water, wastewater and storm drainage;
  • Coordination of economic development efforts;
  • Sharing of facilities and services;
  • Processes for ongoing communication and resolution of issues that may arise; and
  • Future changes in municipal boundaries.
On April 23, 2021, the Town of Rocky Mountain House, the Village of Caroline and Clearwater County signed four new solid waste related agreements, including:

The Town of Rocky Mountain House and Clearwater County have also prepared plans for the long term future of the Rocky Mountain House and Area community, including: