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City seeking input for future plan |
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Written by Jeff Wiebe LETHBRIDGE HERALD
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Monday, March 30 2009, 9:51 PM |
Have you ever wanted to tell city officials exactly how you think Lethbridge should operate in the future? Now’s your chance.
Starting in April, the City of Lethbridge will begin seeking public input for its new municipal development plan. The plan hasn’t had a makeover since 1995, and city council decided it was time for an update.
“It’s been tweaked a few times over the years, but not to the depth and scope we’re going to see this time,” said Ald. Ken Tratch.
“Really what we want to do is find out what residents value in the current community, and more importantly, what values they want to see in the future.”
One of the ways local residents can share their ideas is by attending one of four public workshops in late April. The interactive workshops, or visioning sessions, will use a unique system called Metroquest, which will allow attendees to see the effects of their ideas in real time: each participant will be given a handheld keypad they can use to respond to a series of questions, and the audience’s answers will be instantly tabulated and used to create a model of Lethbridge’s future development. The city model, along with accompanying taxation, policing and other figures, will be projected onto a screen at the front of the room.
“You’ll walk into a session here and have an idea of what you want, and when you see the results, you might change your mind,” said Ald. Jeff Carlson.
“It’s an amazing tool, it gives people something to think about. Through the visioning sessions, I hope people can get some common theme, some common vision.”
Those who can’t attend the workshops will still be able to provide feedback. An online tool, available at www.lethbridge.ca, will allow residents to create and submit their own ideal future scenario and fill out a feedback sheet and survey that will reflect their ideas.
“What we’re trying to reflect is an ongoing vision,” said Ald. Barbara Lacey, adding the public’s priorities have changed since the plan was last overhauled.
“Fifteen years ago we weren’t talking about sustainability or the stewardship of the environment the way we are now. Things are changing, life in cities in changing all over the country.”
The plan will be used to guide the city’s development and will address issues of housing density, zoning, environmental focus, and road systems. Carlson said he hopes the document will play a vital role in the decisions of city hall.
“I want it to be a living document that’s used every day in this building,” he explained, adding he hopes it will outline a sustainable plan for the city’s future.
“It’s about making sure your grandkids’ kids have the same opportunities you do.”
The interactive workshops will run April 22 from 7-9 p.m. at Park Meadows School, April 23 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Lethbridge Lodge, April 24 from 7-9 p.m. at Children of St. Martha’s School, and April 25 from 2-4 p.m. at the Fritz Sick Gymnasium. Anyone wishing to attend a workshop must register with the city by calling 403-320-4041 or e-mailing
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