Springbrook Heritage Urban Design Plan
   
 

A handful of residents and several other stakeholders, along with 5 consultants from T-Six, developed an innovative draft plan between August 20-23, 2007 for the future growth and development of Springbrook.
 
Stakeholders included the Red Deer Regional Airport Authority, Harvard Park Business Centre, Springbrook Community Association, Central Alberta Regional Trails, Harvard Heritage Aviation Society, Chinooks Edge School Division, Alberta Transportation, Fortis, Telus, various sports groups and Red Deer County officials.
 
With an ultimate buildout that would house 5,000-6,000 people, the plan maintains the hamlet's character and promotes its heritage.
 
Highlights of the plan include two more road accesses to the community from the north, a dedicated transit right of way, an aviation historical centre, mounted aircraft at various points through the community, a town centre at the confluence of the major new roadways, a K-6 elementary school, a prominent community centre, a continuous green zone including both sides of the creek through which the TransCanada Trail would go, a major recreation sports field facility, other recreation and civic facilities, five residential neighbourhoods, a large industrial zone close to the airport and possibly a regional high school. There is also a strong possibility of the Calgary-Edmonton high speed rail running alongside the community.
 
The planning principles encourage integration of the various components of the hamlet, walkable and attractive streets, preservation of the surrounding agricultural land and a celebration of the area's aviation and rail history. The consultants promoted a concept that encourages a European-style neighbourhood centre where the greatest commercial and residential density is in the centre with lower density moving away from the centre.
 
After further consultation with Red Deer County planners, a draft report will be shared with the community for comment at an open house in late October or November prior to going to county council for adoption.