WELCOME! OPEN HOUSE & VISIONING SESSION CAROLINE AND AREA PLANNING AUGUST 29-30, 2018
WELCOME TO THE CAROLINE AND AREA COMMUNITY PLANNING PROJECT! The Village of Caroline and Clearwater County are working together to prepare plans for the long-term future of the Caroline and Area community. These plans will set the desired path for future development in and around Caroline. The plans being created are: Municipal Development Plan (MDP) for the Village of Caroline; Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF) between the Village and County; and Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) for the Village and surrounding lands in the County. WHAT IS THE PLANNING PROCESS? The broad steps that will take place to develop these community plans are expected to take place between May 2018 and July 2019: Phase 1 Inventory of services and background information related to plan area. (Complete) Phase 2 Gathering input and ideas and setting vision and principles (July -Sept 2018) Includes: a read of existing MDP and related plans; collection of suggestions about issues and improvements that should be considered; opportunities for all who are interested to put forward their ideas. Phase 3 Confirming directions and drafting IDP/MDP revisions/framework (Oct Nov 2018) Includes: building on the ideas and suggestions, a draft set of policy changes will be prepared. Phase 4 Public engagement and input on draft plans/framework (Dec 2018 April 2019) WHAT S NEXT AND HOW CAN YOU BE INVOLVED? This open house is the first of the community consultation sessions, others will be held as project progresses and a draft IDP and revised MDP is prepared. There are several ways for you to participate in the planning process. Review materials on Village or County website and submit comments, all information can be found here, http://www.clearwatercounty.ca/p/caroline-and-area-plan Attend a visioning session on August 29 or 30. Attend an open house and provide input, stay informed and ask questions. For further information or to share your comments please contact: Craig Teal, Director, PCPS Email: craig.teal@pcps.ab.ca Phone: 403-343-3394 Includes: proposed policy changes will be available for public review and comment. Natasha Wright, Planner, PCPS Email: natasha.wright@pcps.ab.ca Phone: 403-343-3394 Phase 5 Finalizing plans/framework (May July 2019) Includes: Village of Caroline Council will consider adoption of updated MDP, and County and Village Councils will consider adoption of IDP and ICF frameworks, following opportunity for comments in a public hearing.
TODAY S OPEN HOUSE AND VISIONING SESSION Please take the opportunity to review the background materials about the Village of Caroline and surrounding area, and provide your thoughts and suggestions. You can do this in several ways: Review the display boards, talk to Steering Committee representatives, County and Village staff and project consultants, Attend a visioning session to discuss your ideas and values with other community members, Fill out a comment form, Post a note on the vision boards for others to see. WHY IS COMMUNITY PLANNING IMPORTANT? Building positive and mutually beneficial relationships between municipalities and better understanding of each other s interests; Avoiding potential land use conflicts resulting from incompatible land use patterns; Achieving common purpose for growth and development in (broader) area; Achieving more certainty around types of land use allowed and development standards, both in urban fringe and rural area surrounding; Confirming future urban growth directions and land requirements; Facilitating more timely annexations, responsive to urban growth and avoiding premature annexation applications; Enabling both parties to jointly consider effects a specific development in one municipality might have on the other; Promoting effectiveness and efficiency in delivery of services and transportation planning; Allowing development of planned areas and diversification of assessment base without putting these efforts at risk of future transfer to neighbouring municipalities. WHAT IS THE PLAN AREA? The plan area is all of the lands that we will be creating these community plans for. For these planning exercises, the plan area consists of the entire Village of Caroline corporate boundary and the lands in a 3.2 km (2 miles) radius around the Village. Map 1: Study Area and Airphoto show the extent of the plan area. The plan area includes the quarter sections on the west side of Burnstick Lake Road. To the south the plan area is bounded by Township Road 360, with the north boundary 1.6 km (1 mile) south of Township Road 370. The east boundary of the plan area includes the quarter sections on the east side of Range Road 55. Highway 54 serves as the central axis east-west through the plan area, with Caroline Road North/South being the main north-south route through the plan area.
WHAT IS A MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN? A Municipal Development Plan (MDP) is a key policy plan that communicates the long term desired land use for your community. It is a high level blueprint that shows how your community is expected to change over time and the shape it will take in the future. It is often described as the view from 30,000 feet to reflect the conceptual, big picture role of the plan. Much like a blueprint that guides the construction of a house, a MDP helps many decision makers collectively build their shared and desired physical setting. The resource that is being managed is the land base that is occupied by all members of the municipality. This land base is typically limited and is expected to accommodate many activities and functions. This means that choices have to be made. A MDP involves a process to help make these decisions and serves as a record of the choices that have been made for the community s benefit. WHAT IS AN INTERMUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN? An Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) between two or more municipalities is a land use planning policy designed to deal with expected or future growth and ensures development takes place in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner, one that is beneficial to both municipalities. An IDP recognizes the ongoing effort between two or more municipalities to make land use planning decisions in a manner that reflects the mutual and individual interests of the affected municipalities. An IDP provides a comprehensive long-range land use based plan that reduces potential development conflicts, addresses community concerns and provides a framework for ongoing consultation in areas of mutual concern. PROVINCIAL LEGISLATION & LAND USE POLICIES The Municipal Government Act now requires all municipalities to adopt Municipal Development Plans, and municipalities with common boundaries to create Intermunicipal Development Plans and Intermunicipal Collaboration Frameworks (ICFs). The County and the Village are also located within the North Saskatchewan Region within Alberta s Land-use Framework. The North Saskatchewan Regional Plan (NSRP) is being developed by the Province and will influence future growth and development within both municipalities. WHAT IS AN INTERMUNICIPAL COLLABORATION FRAMEWORK? Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICFs) are intended to highlight and formalize existing collaborative work and provide a forum for neighbouring municipalities to work more closely together to better manage growth, coordinate service delivery and optimize resources for citizens. The frameworks will need to address intermunicipal land-use planning and how servicing will support development, as well as regional service delivery and funding. Mandatory Services to consider in an ICF: Transportation Water/Wastewater Solid Waste Emergency Services Recreation Any other, where service(s) benefit residents in more than one of the municipalities.
CLEARWATER COUNTY MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN PRINCIPLES The County s Municipal Development Plan (MDP) developed in 2010, is the statutory plan that establishes the priorities and strategic direction of the County. The guiding principles of the MDP are: Protect environmentally significant areas; Conserve agricultural land and support agricultural land uses; Land use compatibility; Coordinate infrastructure expansion with land use; Encourage the diversification of the local economy; Promote hamlet growth; Provide for a range of rural residential opportunities; Promote locally appropriate tourism opportunities. MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN PRIORITIES The MDP is divided into policy areas, dedicated to addressing different aspects of the County, below are summaries of the policy priority areas. Natural Capital and Protection of the Environment Protect agricultural lands, soils, waters, forests, woodlands, wildlife and amenity area of Clearwater County. Recreation and Special Places Allow for recreation, tourism and quality of life activities, wilderness areas, wildlands, rivers, streams etc. Rural Residential Provide range of rural residential housing opportunities. Economic Development Encourage retention and expansion of existing business and industry and attraction of new business and industry to diversify the County s economic base. Infrastructure Maintain a good road network, which is vital for access to homes, schools, and jobs as well as to link County with other economic and social centres throughout the Province. Services Collaborate with other authorities (health care, protective, education and recreation services) to provide facilities and programs that meet desires and aspirations of a growing population throughout the County. Intermunicipal Planning Plan together with neighbours for beneficial use of resources and infrastructure, to conserve the environment and to integrate economics; this includes referral of plans, redesignations, subdivisions and development. COUNTY LAND USE BYLAW The Land Use Bylaw (LUB) provides detailed regulations for the use of various properties and development of various types of land uses. Most of the County lands within the IDP study area are zoned Agriculture District A and are used as farm lands. There are also several residential acreage parcels in the study area with Country Residence District CR or Country Residence Agricultural District CRA zoning. Agriculture District A Range of agricultural land uses and preserve good agricultural land. Country Residential Agriculture District CRA Country residences with minor agricultural pursuits; The district allows for the keeping of livestock for one s own use; greenhouses and tradespersons businesses (discretionary uses). Country Residence District CR Country residences while not permitting the keeping of livestock (except as a discretionary use on an isolated parcel). Recreation Facility District ( RF ) Recreational buildings and uses. Highway Development District ( HD ) Regulates development adjacent to public roads, including highway maintenance uses, recreation facilities and highway commercial types of development. Alberta Transportation approvals are required along primary and secondary highways. Institutional P Public or private facilities that provide cultural, social, religious, educational, or rehabilitative services
VILLAGE OF CAROLINE MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN The Village of Caroline adopted a Municipal Development Plan in 1998 to establish priorities for the Village and a land use concept map. A MDP should be kept up to date to reflect current planning priorities and the changing physical context of the Village and surrounding lands. Map B below shows the Land Use Concept for the current MDP. The Land Use Concept is a visual representation of the vision for the community, and future land use goals. CAROLINE MDP PRIORITIES Concern for people and values. Develop a caring community based on values of family and friendship while allowing for physical and economic development. Economic and social well-being of community will be based on tradition of trade, commerce and family way of life. CAROLINE MDP SUMMARIZED The general land use pattern of the Village s MDP identifies commercial development mainly along Highway 54 corridor through the Village. Desire to have amenities and infrastructure needed to facilitate desired economic and social growth which will sustain and enhance the community. Provide a framework for private and public decision making. The plan contemplates future extension of highway commercial development beyond the Village s current boundaries to east and west. Current areas for residential uses include the lands directly north and south of highway commercial area along Highway 54. Further residential expansion in north west, north-east and south-west are contemplated. Industrial uses are generally directed to areas in north-east and south-east of the existing Village boundaries. A large new industrial park has been developed in the north-east portion of the Village. Further industrial expansion in the south is contemplated. CAROLINE MDP S SIX GOALS 1. Economic a diverse, active and buoyant local economy. 2. Social provide for the social, cultural and recreational needs of the community. 3. Transportation, Communication and Utility Networks modern, safe and efficient transportation, communication and utility networks and public improvements. 5-year capital works plan regarding public improvements. 4. Municipal Administration effective and efficient municipal administration. 5. Village Growth and Development manage Village growth including the protection of significant resources. Conservation of better agricultural land. 6. Regional Responsibilities a cooperative and joint planning approach between the Village and County, for land located near or adjacent to the Village boundary.
CAROLINE LAND USE BYLAW The Village s Land Use Bylaw (LUB) provides detailed regulations for use of various properties and development of various types of land uses. All of the lands within the Village boundary are divided into districts, as shown on the map. Low Density Residential District (R1) Low density residential development in form of detached dwellings and accessory residential buildings. General Residential District (R2) Variety of dwelling types including detached dwellings, duplexes and accessory residential buildings. Manufactured Home District (R3) Development and use of land for manufactured homes, either on separately registered parcels or in comprehensively designed parks wherein sites are rented or owned as part of a condominium. Very Low-Density Residential District (R4) Very large lot residential development in form of detached dwellings and compatible uses. Highway Commercial District (HC) Commercial uses adjacent to a major thoroughfare, requires large open areas for parking, primarily accessible to motor vehicles. Industrial District (I) Industrial intended to accommodate uses which do not cause objectionable nuisance or dangerous conditions beyond the parcel boundary. Permitted uses include light manufacturing, repair services, sales and service outlets for farm machinery, veterinary clinic and warehousing. Public/Institutional District (PI) Public and institutional lands for multi-use facilities, including parks and playgrounds. Reserved for Future Development District (RD) Reserve land for future subdivision and development until an overall plan is prepared for an approved by Council. Permitted uses include farms and farming operations and existing uses. Central Commercial District (C1) Intensive commercial use, offering a wide variety of goods and services, an attractive environment for pedestrians, but which will be accessible to motor vehicles.
CAROLINE NORTHEAST AREA STRUCTURE PLAN The Northeast Area Structure Plan (ASP) covers 54.3 hectares (134.0 acres) of land held in three parcels located in the NW 13-36-05 W5M. The ASP provides the Village of Caroline with the framework to subdivide and develop residential, highway commercial and industrial properties. Open spaces will separate the residential from those other land uses. The ASP as required by the Municipal Government Act, describes the proposed sequence of development for the area, the proposed land uses, the density of population, and the general location of roads and public utilities. MASTER PLANS AND REPORTS In addition to the various land use plans the Village and County rely on plans and studies to guide future development decisions. These plans, studies and reports often focus on a single service or function (eg. environment) and cover broad areas of the entire municipality. Caroline Growth and Infrastructure Master Plan 2004 This plan provides the Village a snapshot in time with information and necessary tools to manage long term infrastructure needs; based on residential, commercial and industrial growth, and to assess existing infrastructure requirements. Key findings and proposals in the plan include: The Land Use Concept map for this plan shows the land uses assigned in the Plan Area. The plan area is expected to be developed as Highway Commercial along Highway 54. Industrial uses will be set behind the Highway Commercial uses and at the north edge of the plan area. Residential uses will occur in the west part of the plan area. residential development should be concentrated in areas currently serviced with water and sanitary sewer mains, to minimize development costs. As warranted by infill development, existing Village gravel roads should be paved. Detailed projections and upgrading requirements for Village s Municipal water, sanitary sewer and stormwater management.
DEMOGRAPHICS AND POPULATION TRENDS The following population information has been captured form the Census of Canada information. Historic Population Trends The table below outlines the population for the Village of Caroline, Clearwater County and the Province of Alberta from 1991 to 2016. Village of Caroline Clearwater County Province of Alberta Change in Population 1991 1996 2001 2006 2011 2016 407 472 556 515 501 512 10,133 10,915 11,505 11,826 12,278 11,947 2,545,553 2,696,826 2,974,807 3,290,350 3,645,257 4,067,175 The table below shows the percentage the populations have changed over the same period. These calculated changes can be used to create future population growth scenarios. Age Demographics The table below shows the breakdown of the Village, County and Provincial populations by age category. For each jurisdiction the number of people in each age category and the percentage of the total population are stated. Age Group 0-19 Years 20-34 Years 35-49 Years 50-64 Years Village of Caroline Clearwater County Alberta Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage 125 24.0% 2920 24.4% 1,019,190 25.1% 80 15.4% 1860 15.6% 905,945 22.3% 100 19.2% 2175 18.2% 855,740 21% 105 20.2% 3035 25.4% 786,080 18.9% 1991-1996 1996-2001 2001-2006 2006-2011 2011-2016 65+ Years 110 21.2% 1955 16.4% 500,215 12.3% Village of Caroline Clearwater County Province of Alberta 16% 17.8% -7.4% -2.7% 2.2% 7.70% 5.40% 2.80% 3.80% -2.70% 5.9% 10.3% 10.60% 10.80% 11.60%
POPULATION GROWTH In order to plan for the future of the Village of Caroline and area, we need to have an understanding of what the future population of the area will be. This is done with growth projections, based on previous years of population change data. Population projections have been generated for the Village of Caroline and Clearwater County based on the Change in Population data table. For each jurisdiction population projections have been calculated for a 25 year planning horizon. Village of Caroline The Village of Caroline has 3 population projection scenarios. The first being a 1.72% (low) growth rate, a second 2.2% (medium) growth rate and a third 5.18% (high) growth rate. The table below summarizes the scenarios. Growth Rate Future Population by Year 2016 2021 2026 2031 2036 2041 Clearwater County Clearwater County population projections include 4 different growth scenarios. The first scenario is a 1.72% (low) growth rate, the second a 2.8% (medium) growth rate, third is a 3.4 % (high) growth rate and the fourth is a 7.7% (very high) growth rate. Growth Rate Future Population by Year 2016 2021 2026 2031 2036 2041 1.72% 11,947 13,010 14,168 15,430 16,803 18,299 2.8% 11,947 13,716 15,747 18,078 20,755 23,828 3.4% 11,947 14,121 16,690 19,727 23,317 27,560 7.7% 11,947 17,312 25,085 36,349 52,671 76,322 1.72% 512 558 607 661 720 784 2.2% 512 571 636 710 791 882 5.18% 512 659 848 1,092 1,406 1,810
DEVELOPMENT TRENDS A snap shot of development trends and rate of new development over a 5 year period can be seen in the number Development Permits issued. The tables below outline the number of Development Permits issued for each land use type or development type for the Village of Caroline and Clearwater County from 2013 to 2017. Clearwater County Development Type Number of Permits by Year 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Village of Caroline Number of Permits by Year Development Type 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Commercial 0 0 0 0 1 Industrial 0 0 0 1 1 Dwelling Units 46 47 33 24 32 Manufactured Homes 44 45 56 34 24 Residential Shops 23 24 10 14 17 Garages 15 20 8 25 11 Other Uses (business, legalization, towers) 27 28 52 12 1 Institutional 1 0 0 0 0 Dwelling Units 2 3 0 2 0 Total Permits 3 3 0 3 2 Other Construct Over $500,000 (pole sheds, business shops, guest house, other ancillary buildings, riding arenas, additions, gravel pits) Other Construct Under $500,000 (pole sheds, business shops, guest house, other ancillary buildings, riding arenas, additions) Compassionate Residence (Temporary) 10 6 3 10 10 33 25 15 6 36 4 2 2 2 4 Shop with Living Quarters 0 0 5 0 2 Campground 0 0 0 4 1 Total 202 172 184 131 129
Percentage SOCIOECONOMIC PATTERNS The Village of Caroline plays the role of a small local service center that is located between two major local service centers and sub-regional employment centers, those being the Town of Rocky Mountain House and the Town of Sundre. The population in the region surrounding the Village of Caroline is approximately 3,000 residents. Village has a veterinary clinic, a few restaurants, a butcher shop, two grocery stores, two bars, a parts supply store and a convenience store and gas bar. Commute Duration The table below summarizes how long it takes for people to commute to work. The values are shown as the percentage of the population commuting. Approximately 63% of the commuting population of the Village drive less than 30 minutes to work. Approximately 61% of the Clearwater County commuters drive less than 30 minutes to work. The Caroline Hub is home to a gym, doctor s office, community hall, daycare facility, hockey rink and curling rink. The Village also has a Kindergarten to Grade 12 school operated by the Wild Rose School Division. As of 2017 the school had a student enrolment of 320 students. 240 students that attend the school make use of the bus transportation. Employment Statistics The table below outlines the employment rates of the Village of Caroline and Clearwater County, and also includes the Provincial numbers for comparison. The percentages presented represent the percent of the total labour force, being the population over 15 years. Employment Statistics 40.0% 35.0% 30.0% 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0% Less than 15 minutes Commuting Duration 15 to 29 Minutes 30 to 44 minutes 45 to 59 minutes 60 minutes and over Village of Caroline 35.4% 27.1% 22.8% 6.3% 8.3% Clearwater County 24.4% 36.3% 20.0% 8.1% 11.0% Alberta 26.90% 36.70% 21.90% 7.70% 6.80% 100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% 88.1% 88.2% 91% 68.9% 71.8% 63.4% 36.6% 31% 28.2% 13.6% 11.8% 9% In the labour force Employed Unemployed Not in the labour force Village of Caroline Clearwater County Alberta
PHYSICAL / NATURAL FEATURES & USES The Village of Caroline is the only centre located along Highway 22 between Sundre and Rocky Mountain House, second largest regional service centre in Clearwater County, and gateway to recreation areas to the west. Clearwater County comprises an agricultural community based largely on cow-calf operations in the white zone on the east portion of the County and a recreational/resource extraction nature in the green zone to the west. Maps 2: Significant Features, illustrates the features and activities that will influence the land use patterns and policies of the intermunicipal development plan. This encompasses natural and man-made elements. Nature The most notable natural feature in study area is the Raven River, which is a class A fishery. The Raven runs diagonally through the south half of the study area, just to the south of the Village of Caroline. Recreation activities and amenities are present along the river. The river and the lands adjacent also represent an important corridor for wildlife and habitat for a variety of species. Map 3: Farmland Assessment Ratings identifies farmland values within the study area of this report in Clearwater County. There are a number of areas on the map that are green and indicate a low farmland assessment rating. On Map 3 the assessment ratings are broken down into increments of 10, except for at the value of 34%. Clearwater County s Municipal Development Plan policy 6.2.13 requires that most of the land proposed to be subdivided has a farmland assessment rating of less than 34%. Infrastructure Maps 2: Significant Features, shows the impact of oil and gas infrastructure on the study area. Substantial areas are crossed by numerous pipelines in different directions. There is a significant sour gas pipeline that runs east-west, north of the Village. This line (these lines) and the required setbacks from residential development pose significant restrictions on the possibility of any development north of Caroline, or even within the current Village boundary. Highway 54, which runs east and west out of the Village, is the main route for vehicle traffic through the study area and also acts as a major highway commercial corridor through the Village. The Village s sewage lagoons are identified on Maps 2 & 4 and are located in the County just south of the Village boundary. Recreation Existing recreation facilities identified on Map 4: Existing Uses and Facilities in Village include: County Uses Caroline HUB that contains curling rinks and an arena in the southwest corner of the Village, 2 ball diamonds and a bathroom/concession facility located within the County directly south of the arena and the Village, Caroline campground as well as the museum are located within the County directly east of the Village. These facilities can be found and identified within, and a large green space and park located within the Village on the north end directly adjacent to the Caroline North Road. Lands in the County are agricultural or residential in nature. Although the lands may fall under these zonings there are some uses that are listed in these districts that are more commercial in nature. Some of these uses that exist in the study area are a feed store, pump truck business, mobile welding and tank container business, and pump jack business.
SERVICING ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES Stantec along with PCPS completed a Growth & Infrastructure Master Plan for the Village of Caroline in 2004 Sanitary Sewer Aeration system at lagoon end of life (2013). Distribution pump motor should be upgraded to 15 hp when the population reaches 736. Fire Pump will need to be upgraded to 235 liters per second when the population reaches 640. Storm Water Management and Drainage Storm water management facilities are required for developments that would increase surface water runoff. Village and County currently rely on overland routes and road side ditches leading into creeks and rivers to the South. Additional blower added to cell one. 2018 feasibility study identified most cost-effective way to increase capacity that meets Federal and Provincial guidelines is to build a new cell downstream from the existing cells. Storm water infrastructure such as storm water retention ponds may be required as the Village expands. Storm water management plans are required for any multi parcel subdivision within the County. A new cell would provide capacity for a population of 933. Private Water and Wastewater Systems Majority of rural development is serviced by private water wells and sewage treatment systems. Developer is responsible for the installation. All systems must meet provincial standards. Municipal Water Communal Water and Wastewater Raw water supply can be met until 2019 (population of 911). Additional water filter would not be required until 2019. No additional pumps required until population reaches 1122. Water storage capacity can be met prior to reaching a population of 847. As per County s 2010 MDP, all residential estate subdivisions require communal water and waste water systems. No residential estate subdivisions located within the plan area. A developer would be responsible to install these systems. o County would take over the operation of system after a period of time that the system has been in operation
FUTURE LAND USE OPPORTUNITIES Potential future land use scenarios to be considered for IDP study area Preservation of agricultural lands. Protection of key natural features. o Raven River and its banks Opportunity for future residential lots within Village. Opportunity for Future Village expansion. o Residential, commercial and industrial Opportunity for construction of a new lagoon. o Opportunity for future country residential living Future recreation opportunities. Locations for industry that are compatible with existing uses. Locations for commercial development that is compatible with existing uses. o High visibility highway frontage PLAN ISSUES 1. Future of the existing sewage lagoon 2. Existing Oil and Gas facilities 3. Explore opportunities for green space development existing pipeline infrastructure west of the Village 4. Major transportation routes 5. Residential growth encouraged away from Highway 54 6. Identify future land use patterns and standards to avoiding conflicting land uses. 7. Preserve significant natural areas and environmental features. 8. Explore opportunities for urban expansion and future annexation. 9. Opportunity for joint development and economic development zones. 10. Aesthetic guidelines for development along Highways should be developed. Opportunity to incrementally remove residential use in high visibility locations. 11. Policies are required to provide for a system of implementation. 12. Policies for future Confined Feeding Operations may be required. 13. The IDP should identify phasing and control of development to avoid premature fragmentation of agricultural land, leap-frog development which increases infrastructure costs
WHAT IS A VISION STATEMENT? A vision statement is a description of the condition or type of setting that we wish to see at some point in the future. A typical vision statement for urban development tries to describe the desired appearance or characteristics of an area 20 to 30 years from the present date. The role of the vision statement is to give a general guide about what the overall effort is trying to achieve. If questions arise in the future about how to proceed, it gives a touch stone point to use in checking to see if a proposed action or decision advances or detracts from the vision. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND IDEAS! Your thoughts count! We will be using this feedback to develop the vision for your community, so make sure you have your say. Once you have had an opportunity to brain storm what your answers to the questions are, please leave your comments on the graffiti boards so others may see. We would like participants to offer new ideas and build off of previous ideas and suggestions. WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR CAROLINE AND AREA? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts on what the future of Caroline and Area will look like. What should the community look like/be like in the future? What key features/characteristics do you envision? What type of community would you like to leave to your children and/or grandchildren? What types of development do you see occurring in the community in the future? What do you value most in new development for your community?