The Town is working on Our Plan for Downtown. This plan will guide what private and public spaces look like when owners decide to redevelop. This plan is formally known as the Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan and will be one of the Town’s statutory documents. This means it will be a Town bylaw and must include specific information based on provincial legislation.

Creating this plan isn’t about starting over from scratch for the downtown vision.

The plan will use existing Town plans and past community input. Over the last few years, the Town completed several studies, reports, and plans (e.g. Municipal Development Plan, Downtown Urban Design Master Plan and Land Use Bylaw) to improve the downtown area. As part of these past project engagements, the feedback and input we heard from downtown residents, businesses and the Okotoks community will be used to create the plan. We intend to create a plan to enhance downtown, keeping it vibrant, fun and economically viable.

To start, we’re using the vision, goals, and principles from the Downtown Urban Design Master Plan and guidance from the Municipal Development Plan as the foundation for the plan. We will develop the plan by engaging with the community on the details of long-term downtown redevelopment.

There will be a lot going on in downtown in the next few years; this plan will be created while the Unique Main Street project is happening. The Unique Main Street project will determine the design standards for the public spaces along Main Street. This information will be included in the plan when drafted.

The idea is to remain agile, respect previous community engagement and demonstrate action on downtown enhancements.

We know that policy sets out the framework for a vibrant downtown, and action does the work of building it. These projects are meant to work together to set out the future direction for a cohesive downtown and to start now with improvements along the main street.

Vision:
Downtown Okotoks projects an image of contemporary sustainability along its warm main street that celebrates its vibrant heritage.

Goals:

Project Sustainability
The image of sustainability should be visible through green streets lined with buildings that feature sustainable elements.

Establish a Warm and Contemporary Main Street
Downtown should be defined by a fine-grained pattern of shops that are built with a contemporary palette of warm natural materials.

Celebrate the Heritage of Downtown
The existing heritage buildings should be protected and celebrated as part of the defining characteristics of the town.

Guiding Principles:

Sustainability & Active Living
Places, buildings and streets are designed with the environment in mind. The urban infrastructure creates opportunities for residents to enjoy an active lifestyle that nurtures community well-being.

Public Spaces
Public spaces are well connected to one another and are cherished, safe and inviting for the community to gather year-round.

Connectivity & Ease of Movement
The transportation infrastructure is a multi-modal network allowing for the environmentally responsible and cost-effective movement of people and goods through downtown.

Character & Identity
The Downtown represents Okotoks with an identity of sustainability and innovation while anchoring in the heritage values of its neighbourhoods.

Active Streetscape
The downtown is animated with a mix of businesses and contemporary infrastructure creating lively and engaging streets where people can move around in a safe and inclusive manner.

Architectural Innovation
Downtown Okotoks is a leader of environmental stewardship through low-impact and environmentally conscious architecture and infrastructure with creative resources and advanced technologies.

The proposed boundaries of Our Plan for Downtown generally include the lands south of Crescent Road and the escarpment, north of the shoreline of the Sheep River, east of Poplar Avenue and west of the commercial development along Northridge Drive as illustrated below. Please click on images and left click to increase size.

The character areas noted below were established by the Downtown Urban Design Master Plan and the Land Use Bylaw. They highlight characteristics and differences between the main areas of the downtown. Our Plan for Downtown will further refine and define these areas:

• Main Street
• Elma Street East
• Elma Street West
• Riverfront