The final draft of the Glenbow Ranch Area Structure Plan is ready for review by local residents..

On Monday, April 3 between 6 to 8 pm, the County of Rocky View is holding an Open House at the RockPointe Church on Highway 1A with displays and copies of the final draft report.

The Area Structure Plan (ASP) has been in the works since January 2015 and released publicly in July 2016. RVC Councillor Bruce Kendall says the ASP for the parcel of land is a first for the Province of Alberta in terms of the conservation development concept with a focus on protecting the lands and lessening the impact on the natural surroundings.

"It really is ground breaking, I think we have had something like nine open houses with the community and this will be the unveiling of the final draft that will come before council on the 25th of April for a public hearing and public comment; at that point in time, council will be faced with making one of several decisions."

Th last public feedback and comments were taken through August and September, and Kendall feels the community has had a lot of time to chew on the facts and impacts of the development.

"It is going to be very interesting to see if Monday night is any different from the other engagement sessions with the community. For the most part the community has been very engaged in some very good comments in terms of how the plans could be made better. I am looking forward to Monday evening."

Commentary on how residents feel about the development, what needs to be improved, what is looking great, and community members overall impression of the development are being encouraged.

"We aren't going to let you off the hook with a yes or no answer. We want to hear from you, we want you to become engaged, we want you to spend the time to take a look at what has taken so long for the group of consultants and team members in house to pull this plan together over two years."

The draft ASP will be presented to Rocky View council in April; if the plan becomes approved, Glenbow Ranch will create a residential community adjacent to the Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park.