It will likely take several decades before Martensville’s plans for residential and commercial development on the west side of Highway 12 are fully realized.

But the guidelines for that expansion, which could see the population of the city increase by another 11,000 people, more than double its current size, are being laid down now.

Martensville City Council reviewed the first draft of the municipality’s West Sector Plan during a video-conference council meeting on Tuesday, July 14.

The 71-page comprehensive document was drafted by B&A Planning Group in conjunction with North Prairie Developments and CanWest Commercial Land Corporation.

The draft plan outlines future land use, transportation and utility servicing networks for the area that will be phased in as the city grows. The plan is designed to mesh with the city’s Official Community Plan (OCP) as well as the regional Partnership for Growth (P4G) guidelines.

The draft plan, which can be viewed online on the city’s website, has not yet been adopted by council.

The City of Martensville recently annexed land on the west side of Highway 12 from the RM of Corman Park. It currently owns most of the 272 hectares (671 acres) earmarked in the plan for long-term development.

Some of the land is still within the RM of Corman Park.

The Plan area is comprised of fifteen (15) parcels owned by seven (7) different landowners. However, 75% of the land area within the Plan boundaries is owned by MWL Holdings Ltd, which has served as the project sponsor for the Martensville West Sector Plan. The remainder consists of smaller acreage holdings owned by private individuals.

The plan envisions a phased-in approach to growth for the area, with the first two phases, consisting of residential and neighbourhood commercial development immediately adjacent to Highway 12 in the vicinity of the Main Street overpass. A total of nine phases are projected, with each phase consisting of a complete neighbourhood with several amenities.

With full commercial development once the area is built to capacity several decades down the road, the plan anticipates as many as 2,000 additional jobs could be created.

The vision outlined in the draft West Sector Plan states:

“Martensville West will be a vibrant and dynamic mixed-use community that shall cater to all demographics of Martensville residents.

“With a land use mix guided by a comprehensive market assessment, the Plan area will develop as a complete community woven together via an integrated parks and open space systems, containing a diverse range of housing options, local and community commercial services, institutional uses, and recreational and social opportunities.”

The draft plan is slated to be discussed by council and is subject to revisions. Formal adoption of the West Sector Plan by council will be through an amendment to the city’s OCP. The OCP itself is undergoing an update that is scheduled to come to city council in the fall.