The town's planning department wants to encourage public feedback early in the development application process by posting highly visible signs.

During a June 25 public hearing, town council heard how the planning department believes the requirement of signage will help encourage public feedback earlier. Input is currently restricted to the circulation period and at public hearings and the majority of comments come forward in the latter part of the process.

"Administration is, therefore, recommending providing advance notice and giving the opportunity to comment earlier, which can lead to more transparent decision making and involvement of the wider community in the process," states Drew Hyndman, senior manager of Development Services, in his public hearing presentation.

The signs placed on proposed development sites would vary in size to reflect the magnitude of the project. Area structure plans and neighbourhood plan developments of one hectare or more, for example, would require an 8' by 4' sign and include the information specified by the town. At the other end of the scale, a development permit sought for a single residential parcel would only require an 11"x8.5" notice to be posted.

The applicants would be required to pay for the signs and maintain them. They would also be allowed to include information beyond what the town requires, such as a rendering and elevations of the proposed buildings. Such inclusions would be subject to approval by the town.

The proposal far exceeds requirements outlined in the Municipal Government Act and reflects similar actions being taken by both Calgary and Edmonton that have proven to be successful, says Hyndman. 

Feedback received from the public was taken into consideration in adding this information piece, but it was also part of an ongoing process by Hyndman's department to improve awareness and encourage feedback. Prior to this, they began publishing development applications in progress on the town's website. 

"We did have some inquiries on specific applications, but we also looked at the process and thought there could be improvements. I wouldn't say it was one more than the other; it was really a combination."

He considers the proposal another step forward.

"I think it does raise awareness because they will be right on the site and people can stop and see what's happening."

Should council okay the change, the signs will not initially include a Quick Response (QR) code utilized by Edmonton and Calgary, but Hyndman says they may be incorporated in the future.

He also sees the potential of other future measures, like directly contacting residents on developments in their area, which could be made possible as part of a Smarties Cities initiative.