A major planning review in Rocky View County could have long-term effects for Chestermere, particularly along the city’s western edge where residential growth, industrial development, traffic and servicing pressures are already part of the regional conversation.
Rocky View County is continuing its review of the Greater Conrich Area Structure Plan, a planning document that guides future land use in the Conrich area. The plan area sits in the southeast part of Rocky View County, neighbouring Calgary and Chestermere, and includes lands that could influence future road networks, employment areas, housing patterns and infrastructure planning near Chestermere’s boundary.
The existing Conrich Area Structure Plan was originally adopted in 2015 and includes a mix of residential, industrial and agricultural land uses. Rocky View County began reviewing the plan after the Conrich hamlet boundary was expanded in July 2025. The County says the review is intended to update the planning framework so it reflects current conditions, community values and broader regional plans adopted since the original ASP was completed.
For Chestermere residents, the review matters because growth in Conrich does not stop neatly at a municipal border. More homes, new industrial lands and additional commercial activity west of the city could affect traffic flow, regional servicing, emergency response planning and the broader pattern of development between Chestermere, Calgary and Rocky View County.
County administration launched public engagement in 2025 and released a draft land use strategy in 2026. The review is now moving through revisions based on technical studies and public feedback.
One of the strongest themes heard during engagement was concern over the scale of industrial development and how close it may be to existing or future residential areas. Residents raised concerns about noise, truck traffic, road capacity and the need for better buffers between homes and business or industrial lands.
Those concerns will sound familiar to many Chestermere-area residents. As communities grow closer together, the space between residential neighbourhoods, regional roads, agricultural lands and employment areas becomes more important. Poorly planned transitions can create long-term frustration for homeowners, businesses and municipalities alike.
Road infrastructure was another major issue raised through the review. Residents and stakeholders emphasized that roads and servicing need to keep pace with development. For Chestermere, that is a key regional concern. Traffic generated outside the city can still move through or around Chestermere, especially as commuters, commercial vehicles and service providers use connecting routes between communities.
Community safety and emergency response were also identified as important considerations. Public feedback included requests to improve response times and consider future fire service needs in the area. As growth continues around Chestermere and Conrich, emergency planning will likely require coordination between municipalities so service levels are not strained by development patterns.
The draft ASP proposes changes to the plan boundary, including an expansion to the north and the removal of some lands to the east. Rocky View County has said the northern expansion is intended to support more coordinated planning between the Conrich ASP and the neighbouring OMNI Area Structure Plan. Lands proposed for removal to the east were identified as having servicing constraints and less immediate development potential within the timeframe of the plan.
The draft strategy also proposes a more focused approach to industrial land uses, with stronger policies for transitions between business, industrial and residential areas. Development proposals would be expected to show how impacts on nearby non-industrial areas would be addressed.
At the Governance Committee discussion, councillors acknowledged the challenge of planning an area where residential and industrial expectations meet. Division 4 Councillor Samanntha Wright said the County must be respectful in how commercial and industrial development interacts with residential areas. Division 5 Councillor Greg Boehlke questioned whether the overall ASP area may be too large. Reeve Sunny Samra, who represents the division where the ASP is located, also pointed to the need for careful planning around servicing, wastewater and infrastructure before growth moves too far ahead.
Rocky View County administration is continuing to revise the draft ASP before proposed amendments are brought to council for consideration at a public hearing later this year.
For Chestermere, the Conrich review is one to watch. It is not a Chestermere planning document, but it sits close enough to matter. Decisions made west of the city could influence how growth unfolds across the region, how traffic moves, where jobs and industrial lands are located, and how neighbouring municipalities coordinate the infrastructure needed to support future residents.