FAQs • Cochrane, AB • CivicEngage

Who maintains parks and roads in new areas?: Developers of new subdivisions install infrastructure to service new homes: water mains, hydrants, storm ponds, swales, sewers, roads, sidewalks, pathways, parks and more. Infrastructure must comply with regulations and pass Town inspections. After they pass inspections, Construction Completion Certificates (CCC) are issued and maintenance periods (1-3 years) are served. The Town performs a final inspection; if the infrastructure is in acceptable condition, the Town issues a Final Acceptance Certificate (FAC). Once an FAC is issued, the Town accepts ownership of the infrastructure and takes over service and maintenance.

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Neighbourhoods

1. Who maintains parks and roads in new areas?: Developers of new subdivisions install infrastructure to service new homes: water mains, hydrants, storm ponds, swales, sewers, roads, sidewalks, pathways, parks and more. Infrastructure must comply with regulations and pass Town inspections. After they pass inspections, Construction Completion Certificates (CCC) are issued and maintenance periods (1-3 years) are served. The Town performs a final inspection; if the infrastructure is in acceptable condition, the Town issues a Final Acceptance Certificate (FAC). Once an FAC is issued, the Town accepts ownership of the infrastructure and takes over service and maintenance.

2. Where can I find what's planned for my neighbourhood?: No development can go ahead without a Council-approved planning document, whether that’s an Area Structure Plan, Neighbourhood Plan and others. To find out what’s been approved in your area, go to cochrane.ca/Neighbourhoods and look for plans in your area.

3. How does the Town decide where pathways are built?: Cochrane’s 60+ km of pathways connect neighbourhoods and increase our mobility options. All new areas must include parks and pathways. In general, locations are part of the neighbourhood approval process There are challenges in some areas because of proximity to highways and railway tracks. The Town is currently updating the Transportation Master Plan (Connecting Cochrane) to identify future links. For more on long-term transportation network plans, go to cochrane.ca/Transportation. For neighbourhood plans and maps, go to cochrane.ca/LocalInfo

4. Can I give feedback on Town plans?: Town planning follows a legislated process, and becomes more specific with each step. This ensures consistency across services (connecting to Town water, for instance), and allows the Town a view of the big picture: sustainability, long-term impact and managed growth. There are parts of the process where the public can provide input More info and a map are on cochrane.ca/Planning.