Bragg Creek Area Structure Plan 2025 - Draft
Bragg Creek Area Structure Plan 2025 Draft (pdf)
A summary of the introduction
Plan Area
The Plan area measures approximately 4,757 hectares (11,754.80 acres). It is bounded to the west by Kananaskis Country, to the south by Foothills County, and to the north and east by the Tsuut’ina Reserve.
Complex drainage patterns form part of the headwaters of the Elbow River, through the Bragg Creek and the Jumping Pound Creek tributary systems. The watershed holds regional significance as it supplies drinking water for approximately one sixth the province’s population. Extensive riparian habitat supports a diverse array of fish, birds, and mammals.
Slope instability, high water tables, potential aquifer contamination, and ground water recharge are all issues that need to be addressed in relation to future development.
The Greater Bragg Creek area is located within a “wildland/community” interface. The existing land uses have developed in and amongst an old growth forest, which extends into the area from the adjacent forestry reserve.
Land Use
The Hamlet of Bragg Creek is now home to 245 residences and 678 people.
The unique commercial core that contains the majority of the business development within the Plan area and provides goods and services that range from those purchased by the local population on a year-round basis to those that attract national and international tourists during the height of the summer season.
The Expansion Lands south of the existing Hamlet, now added to the Plan area—have been historically identified for future residential growth. This 220 Acres of addition of the lands are envisioned to support “pocketed” neighbourhoods that maintain the forested character of their surroundings.
The natural landscape of the Greater Bragg Creek area has created opportunities for regional and provincial recreational amenities. The public day use amenity of Bragg Creek Provincial Park and the privately owned and operated Wintergreen golf course are located within the Plan area. Kananaskis Country, a significant year-round provincial recreational area, lies immediately to the west of the Plan area, resulting in Bragg Creek frequently being referred to as “The Gateway to the Kananaskis”.
Full upgrades of the wastewater treatment plant may accommodate a population up to 8,700 at full build-out (dependent on non-residential development that uses wastewater capacity).
The Plan
Greater Bragg Creek is identified in the Municipal Development Plan (MDP) as a Country Residential Community containing a Growth Hamlet. The purpose of Growth Hamlets is to support diverse employment, institutional and residential uses by co-locating uses in a commercial core.
A significant block of provincially-owned lands to the north sustains extensive agriculture. These lands are currently leased to individuals for grazing purposes. While these lands are currently owned by the Crown and can be accessed by the public, recent changes to provincial policy have made it possible for them to be sold to individuals under fee simple titles. Finally, the Tsuut’ina Nation Reserve #145 lies immediately to the east and, while these lands are currently First Nations reserve lands used for traditional purposes, they are able to be surrendered and subsequently developed for a broad range of uses, in a manner similar to the development that has occurred at Redwood Meadows, east of the Plan area.
8.2 Goals
There are 22 goals that guide the Bragg Creek ASP. These goals are based on:
- the Rocky View County Municipal Development Plan;
- the vision and direction of previous Bragg Creek Area Structure Plans;
- the existing physical characteristics of the area;
- public input;
- the key issues, constraints, and opportunities identified during the planning process.
8.2.1 Land Use Strategy
- Ensure that new development aligns with the direction of municipal and regional policies and plans.
- Allow for future residential growth within the hamlet growth area that complements the existing low density built form.
- Promote a strong sense of place by preserving environmental and historic heritage assets and expanding community focal points, open space connections, and recreational opportunities, where practicable.
- Conserve and enhance valued landscapes including views, wildlife habitat and ecological connectivity, natural areas, slopes, coulees, wetlands, and riparian areas.
- Ensure an ordered approach to development through the implementation of well-defined land use areas, together with appropriate transition between land uses.
- Ensure that new development is supported by efficient and adequate servicing infrastructure.
8.2.2 Community Character and Appearance
Complement the existing character and appearance of Bragg Creek through high-quality design that:
- respects the existing landscape and natural environment
preserves the low-density and distinct western character within the hamlet - delivers diverse housing options that are appropriate for the landscaped context and locality
- enhances connectivity within the community in terms of active transportation and vehicular linkages
8.2.3 Housing
- Establish a framework to facilitate diverse housing options within the Expansion Lands to promote affordability.
- Maintain a rural lifestyle within the Plan Area outside of the Expansion Lands.
8.2.4 Business
Ensure sustainable and sensitive growth of business uses in a way that is supported by market trends, desired growth size, and limitations of servicing.
8.2.5 Tourism
- Promote sustainable tourism practices in business and recreation activities.
- Mitigate potential negative tourism impacts on the natural assets through thoughtful environmental design.
- Ensure tourism is developed with due regard to the existing residential nature of the community.
8.2.6 Agriculture
Support agricultural uses until alternative forms of development are determined to be appropriate.
Provide for diversification of agricultural operations as a means of maintaining an agricultural land base.
8.2.7 Environment
- Demonstrate sensitivity and respect for environmental features, particularly through protection of wildlife corridors, provincial parks, the existing groundwater resource, and drainage patterns within the Elbow River watersheds.
- Protect, conserve, and enhance existing natural amenities and minimize impacts on natural areas through sensitive development.
8.2.8 Transportation Network
- Ensure that new development is integrated smoothly into the existing transportation network, with appropriate upgrades as necessary as the community grows.
- Ensure connectivity of the open space system and pathway connections to adjacent communities and natural features.
- Collaborate with neighboring municipalities and provincial agencies to promote a safe and efficient regional transportation network.
8.2.9 Servicing
Ensure that appropriate potable water, wastewater, stormwater, and transportation infrastructure is provided within the Plan area in a safe, cost-effective, and sustainable manner.
8.2.10 Resilience
- Promote community resilience against wildfire events by requiring new development to meet fire resistant design standards.
- Promote the implementation of FireSmart principles in the community.
8.2.11 Intermunicipal Cooperation
Collaborate with government agencies, adjacent municipalities, and other stakeholders to address regional growth in accordance with the region-level planning framework.
Objectives
- Ensure that future development identifies and considers biophysical and heritage assets within the Plan Area.
- Minimize the disturbance caused by development to the topography, landscape features, and natural assets.
- Support development that preserves wetlands, watercourses, and riparian areas within the Plan Area.
- Identify existing natural amenities, such as wetlands, watercourses, riparian areas, and forested land.
- Identify and conserve ecologically sensitive and high-value wildlife habitats, including riparian zones, forested areas, and known movement corridors.
- Guide land use patterns, development forms, and recreational activities to reduce undesired human wildlife contact.