Stettler town council gave first reading to Bylaw 2194-25 and Bylaw 2195-25 at the regular council meeting held on Aug. 5.

Bylaw 2194-25 would repeal and replace the 2009 Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) between the Town of Stettler and the County of Stettler No. 6.. The updated plan lays the groundwork for how the two municipalities will coordinate land use, infrastructure, and long-term development over the next 50 years.

The new IDP features a revised boundary to reflect shared infrastructure, expanded protection of natural areas and airport operations, and updated policies for residential, mixed business and rural development. It also outlines collaborative approaches to annexation, utilities, environmental protection and transportation.

The plan was developed with Dillon Consulting and MPE Engineering, funded through a $200,000 Alberta Community Partnership (ACP) grant awarded in 2020. The project included four rounds of public engagement between 2020 and 2022, before being paused to finalize a joint water and wastewater agreement. That agreement was passed by both councils in March 2024, allowing the IDP work to resume.

A final draft of the plan was presented at a public open house on June 26, 2025. Input gathered through the event was summarized in a What We Heard report and used to shape the final version of the IDP.

If passed at second and third reading, the bylaw will formally guide coordinated growth and development along the shared municipal boundary.

SE Area Structure Plan 

Council also gave first reading to Bylaw 2195-25, which proposes repealing the Southeast Stettler Area Structure Plan (SE ASP), originally adopted under Bylaw 1637.

The decision follows an agreement between the Town and County to withdraw the SE ASP due to the approaching ACP grant deadline of Dec. 31, 2025, which cannot be extended. The timing of the upcoming municipal election was also a consideration in streamlining planning efforts.

Rather than updating the existing SE ASP, the municipalities agreed that a new area structure plan would be developed only when a specific development is proposed for the area. This approach allows for greater flexibility and ensures alignment with current infrastructure agreements and land use goals.

Council passed motions to repeal Intermunicipal Development Plan Bylaw 1989-09 and give first reading to Bylaw 2194-25, which would adopt the updated IDP. In addition, first reading was given to Bylaw 2195-25 to repeal the Southeast Area Structure Plan, Bylaw 1637.

Both bylaws must pass second and third reading before coming into effect.