Coalhurst & Lethbridge County to partner in planning and development
The Town of Coalhurst and Lethbridge County are pleased to announce a new regional partnership that will create one shared service model for land use planning and development.
Launching in January 2027, Lethbridge County Regional Planning and Development will provide a central point of service for planning and development matters in Coalhurst and Lethbridge County, including:
- Long-term planning strategies, including Municipal Development Plans, Land Use Bylaws and growth studies
- Planning applications, including Area Structure Plans, land use redesignations, and subdivision applications
- Development permits
- Compliance certificates
- Safety codes services through third-party agency
- Planning and development inquiries
Once the new model is in place, residents, businesses, developers and investors working on land development projects in Coalhurst or Lethbridge County will be able to access support through one centralized department.
The partnership follows a review by both municipalities of how planning and development services are currently delivered. Through that review, Coalhurst and Lethbridge County determined that a regional model would help improve service consistency, reduce duplication, make better use of shared expertise and create a more streamlined process for applicants.
By working together, Coalhurst and Lethbridge County can better support responsible growth while maintaining local decision-making and accountability.
“Through this partnership, Coalhurst has an opportunity to build capacity in an area that is essential to our community’s future,” says Town of Coalhurst Mayor Deb Florence. “As we continue to grow, it is important that residents, businesses and developers have clear, reliable access to planning and development support, which is why we approached Lethbridge County to find a regional solution that works smarter for us all. This collaboration allows us to provide that service in a more sustainable way, while keeping Coalhurst’s local priorities and decision-making at the centre. This is about preparing our community for thoughtful growth and ensuring we have the right supports in place for the people who live, work and invest here.”
“By thinking from a regional and collaborative lens, we can find solutions to common challenges and provide more effective service delivery to our communities,” says Lethbridge County Reeve Tory Campbell. “Planning and development are critical services for the growth and well-being of our communities. A strong program allows homes to be built, businesses to grow and expand, and continued investment to take root. By working together with Coalhurst and combining our resources, we can offer residents, businesses, developers and investors better access to the services they need and a more streamlined experience than under our previous model.”
Under this new model, staff will be shared across both municipalities.
What to expect:
- All in-progress planning and development applications will be transitioned to Lethbridge County Regional Planning and Development on January 1, 2027.
- Subdivision applications will transition in stages:
- Subdivision applications are currently administered by the Oldman River Regional Services Commission, also known as ORRSC. Both municipalities have provided notice to ORRSC to end their agreements by December 31, 2026.
- Starting August 1, 2026, Lethbridge County will begin accepting subdivision applications for properties within Lethbridge County only.
- Any County subdivision applications still in progress with ORRSC will transfer to the County on September 1, 2026, and then to Lethbridge County Regional Planning and Development after December 31, 2026.
- Subdivision applications within Coalhurst will continue to be managed by ORRSC until December 31, 2026. Any Coalhurst applications still in progress at that time will transfer to Lethbridge County Regional Planning and Development.
More information will be shared in the coming months as the municipalities prepare to move to the new model. Coalhurst and Lethbridge County are committed to ensuring a smooth transition for residents, businesses, developers and investors working through land use planning or development projects.