School Sites for our Communities Future
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association ask the Government of Alberta to include in the new Municipal Government Act (MGA), currently addressed in Section 666 (2) of the MGA, an increase the allowable maximum percentage of land that the subdivision authority may request for reserve from 10% to 15% in subdivisions proposed to have a density of 30 dwelling units per hectare or greater.
WHEREAS schools are valuable community assets and important for the viability and sustainability of Alberta municipalities;
WHEREAS smaller neighbourhood schools are no longer being built and have been replaced by larger facilities designed to service the needs of multiple, new housing developments, predominantly in high growth areas;
WHEREAS the current inventory of designated school sites have been deemed inadequate in size by some local school authorities;
WHEREAS current Alberta legislation, under the Municipal Government Act, governs the maximum allowable percentage of new subdivision lands that are allocated to reserve and from which school sites are derived;
WHEREAS the Government of Alberta through Section 668 was already aware that areas with denser housing developments could require larger school sites and included a provision under Section 668 of the Municipal Government Act;
WHEREAS the provision under Section 668 of the Municipal Government Act is no longer able to accommodate today’s larger school facilities, including P3 designs and innovative building structures that may include strategic community partnerships between local schools boards, community agencies and municipalities; and
WHEREAS Alberta Municipal Affairs is undertaking a comprehensive review of the Municipal Government Act that involves all stakeholders, including the members of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association.
Jan. 28/14 - Education
Education is being consulted as part of the MGA review, and the department has asked that a number of issues be examined. Along with school board associations and AAMDC, AUMA has been participating on a working group struck by Alberta Education to identify issues associated with school sites. The working group had agreed that the current 10 per cent is insufficient and the Ministry tends to raise this issue with Municipal Affairs.
Feb. 27/14 - Municipal Affairs
Municipal Affairs is already well aware of this issue given they have been participating on the school sites working group. Municipalities already have authority for this issue given section 668 allows municipalities to request an additional five per cent for reserves.
AUMA considers this response.