Regional Evaluation Framework (REF) Overview

The Capital Region Board uses the Regional Evaluation Framework (REF) to implement its Growth Plan. Under the REF, the board reviews and approves statutory plans and amendments from its 24 municipal members to ensure regional planning decisions are coordinated and consistent with the direction and intent of the integrated Growth Plan. 

GIS Map.

REF Application Process

Pre-application resources

CRB consultation:

Neal Sarnecki, Manager Regional Projects
780.638.6003
nsarnecki@capitalregionboard.ab.ca
Administrative Process Overview

  • Criteria for submitting a statutory plan or statutory plan amendment
  • Submit REF Application at any time after Council’s first reading of the proposed bylaw and before third reading

  • CRB Administration determines the completeness of the application according to the criteria established in Section 3.5 of the REF
  • Within 25 working days of the plan or amendment being deemed complete, CRB Administration submits a report and recommendation to the Board to either approve or reject

  • Third party land use planning consultants are contracted to provide an independent evaluation of the application in accordance with the Growth Plan
  • Evaluation report required approximately half way through the 25 working day period
  • CRB Administration prepares the report and provides a recommendation within the 25 working day period

  • To prepare the recommendation deliberations may include the Project Manager – Land Use, the Chief Executive Officer and the Board Chair
  • CRB Administration is not bound by the third-party evaluation
  • Ministerial Order requires a recommendation be made by CRB Administration to either approve or reject the application

  • A CRB Administration recommendation for approval of an application stands as the final decision if there is no appeal
  • Any member municipality can appeal an application decision; the appeal period is 28 days from the date of the posting to the CRB website
  • If there is an appeal, the REF application is referred to the Board for a decision

  • If CRB Administration recommends an application be rejected, it is referred directly to the Board and placed on the next CRB meeting agenda

  • A decision by the Board, or an unappealed CRB Administration recommendation to approve a REF, is final and not subject to further appeal

  • A municipality may withdraw their REF application after submission
  • Typically this is done when the municipality decides more can be done to strengthen the application
  • CRB Administration records the application as ‘withdrawn’; the applicant municipality can resubmit the application at any time
  • The CRB considers resubmissions as a new application

Related links


REF Application Resources