WEST RAIL OUTLINE PLAN EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN
Prepared for: Cantiro Presented by: Select Engineering Consultants Ltd. Date: July 16, 2026 RPT-0265-25024-8.5-ERP-260716
Emergency Response Plan
1.0
Background Information ___________________________________________________________________________ 1 1.1
Purpose....................................................................................................................................................................1
1.3
Outline Plan Planning Process........................................................................................................................1
1.2
2.0
3.0
1.4
Outline Plan Vision and Concept ..................................................................................................................1
Transportation ______________________________________________________________________________________ 3 2.1
Access.......................................................................................................................................................................3
3.1
Rail .............................................................................................................................................................................6
2.1.1 Road Network 3 2.1.2 Sturgeon County General Municipal Servicing Standards 3 Risk Mitigation ______________________________________________________________________________________ 6
3.2 4.0
Location ...................................................................................................................................................................1
3.1.1 Risk Assessment and Mitigation 6 Protective and Emergency Services .............................................................................................................6
3.2.1 Sturgeon Valley South Area Structure Plan 6 3.2.2 Fire Safety 7 Conclusion ___________________________________________________________________________________________ 8
List of Figures Figure 1: Context Plan ....................................................................................................................................................... 2 Figure 2: Transportation ................................................................................................................................................... 5
West Rail Outline Plan Emergency Response Plan July 16, 2026
Table of Contents RPT-0265-25024-8.5-ERP-260716
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Emergency Response Plan
1.0 Background Information 1.1 Purpose The purpose of this report is to explore the proposed West Rail Outline Plan through the lens of emergency access to ensure compliance with Sturgeon County’s General Municipal Servicing Standards (GMSS). This report is a requirement for new Outline Plans as identified in the Neighbourhood Area Structure Plan/Outline Plan Terms of Reference.
1.2 Location The subject lands are located within River Lot 57 and River Lot 58. These lots are in the northwest portion of Sturgeon Valley South Planning Area 1 (see Figure 1). The site is located east of Sturgeon Road across from the River’s Gate residential neighbourhood. The legal descriptions for the site are listed in the table below.
#
Legal Description
Owner
1 2
River Lot 57 River Lot 58
Private Owner Private Owner
1.3 Outline Plan Planning Process The West Rail Outline Plan was guided by the land uses, policies, and transportation network outlined in higher order statutory plans. This includes the Sturgeon Valley South Area Structure Plan (ASP) which was approved in 2021, and the Sturgeon Valley South Planning Area 1 Neighbourhood Area Structure Plan (NASP) which was approved in 2025. The West Rail Outline Plan is the first detailed Outline Plan to move forward within the Sturgeon Valley South Planning Area 1 NASP area.
1.4 Outline Plan Vision and Concept The vision for the West Rail Outline Plan is a vibrant, well-connected, and sustainable community that acknowledges the traditional country living of nearby existing residents with thoughtful transitions. The plan consists of 48 ha of land that will become a unique community with approximately 690 homes. Gradual transitions are planned from nearby existing neighbourhoods through open space features such as storm ponds and greenways, and compatible housing with larger lots and more landscaping.
West Rail Outline Plan Emergency Response Plan July 16, 2026
1.0 Background Information RPT-0265-25024-8.5-ERP-260716
1
STURGEON COUNTY HIGHWAY 2
AIL
CN R
CFB EDMONTON
A
1
B
UD
RE
AU
ER
V
RI
3
4
2
D
E
VALOUR AVE.
F T. 7S 12
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C
RGE. RD. 250
ST U
RG EO N
RD .
5
ST. ALBERT
ON GE UR
HIGHWAY 28
HIGHWAY 37
RD .
R.
A
E
YH
ON
H NT
D AY ND
167 AVE.
ST
West Rail Outline Plan
B
East Rail Outline Plan
C
North Outline Plan
D
Central Outline Plan
E
Southwest Outline Plan
F
Southeast Outline Plan
82 ST.
A
97 ST.
Sturgeon Valley South Planning Areas
CASTLE DOWNS RD.
1
127 ST.
LEGEND
142 ST.
VE. 153 A
137 AVE.
EDMONTON YELLOWHEAD HIGHWAY 16
FIGURE 1
Context Plan
Emergency Response Plan
2.0 Transportation 2.1 Access As demonstrated in Figure 2, there are two main collector road accesses into the neighbourhood from Sturgeon Road. Having two main accesses allows for an alternate route for entry and exit into the neighbourhood in case one access is blocked.
2.1.1
Road Network The neighbourhood is planned with a modified grid network, consisting of looping road networks throughout the neighborhood that provide alternate routes in case a road or street is blocked. There are four cul-de-sacs planned within the neighbourhood, which are all less than 120 m and do not require emergency access. One cul-de-sac includes an adjacent Public Utility Lot (PUL) with a walkway that can be utilized in the event of an emergency. This PUL is not required to be built to emergency access standards. The wellintegrated road network and multiple entries and exits ensures that Emergency and Protective Services have adequate access to all locations within the Plan area. 127 Street, to be located along the south border of the Plan area, is planned to be extended from the City of Edmonton to Sturgeon Road on the west border, creating a major transportation linkage for County residents and regional traffic. As a major arterial connector, 127 Street will connect to Anthony Henday Drive freeway and provide a key linkage west past Sturgeon Road to the City of St. Albert. It will also function as a Transportation Utility Corridor (TUC). The road networks will allow safe and efficient movement of traffic through the West Rail Outline Plan area and Planning Area 1 as a whole.
2.1.2
Sturgeon County General Municipal Servicing Standards All roads built within the West Rail Outline Plan will adhere to the Sturgeon County General Municipal Servicing Standards (GMSS). Volume 3, Urban Development, outlines roadway standards that would be adhered to with detailed road design provided as part of engineering drawings. The roadway classifications (see Figure 2) that apply to this development are a mix of the Sturgeon Valley South Roadway designations for 20 du/ha local roadways with separate walk (drawing 6.1.2); 35 du/ha local roadway with separate walk (dwg 6.1.0); 20 du/ha collector road with asphalt trail (dwg 6.1.7); 35 du/ha collector road with asphalt trail (dwg 6.1.5); and a hybrid of the commercial collector (dwg 6.1.10). The GMSS cross-sections for local roads include 10 m wide pavement which allows for two parking lanes and two lanes of traffic movement. This ensures there is plenty of space for emergency vehicle access, and in the case of an obstruction, there is space for vehicles to navigate within parking lanes provided around stalled vehicles.
West Rail Outline Plan Emergency Response Plan July 16, 2026
2.0 Transportation RPT-0265-25024-8.5-ERP-260716
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Emergency Response Plan
According to Section 3.1.14 of the GMSS, in residential subdivisions, all dead-end roads shall contain a cul-de-sac or turnaround that meets the minimum requirements set forth in these Standards and the applicable Transportation Association of Canada standards. The cul-de-sacs provided within the West Rail Outline Plan are planned to meet the standards and are all less than 120 m and do not require a dedicated emergency access PUL. According to Sections 1.9.1 and 5.5.11 of the GMSS, PULs must be a minimum of 6 m wide, and if used to provide pedestrian connectivity, can provide a 3 m wide asphalt trail with chicane bollards or a 1.8 m concrete walkway. An emergency access would require 4 m wide asphalt according to the GMSS. Traffic calming techniques will be used in accordance with County standards to reduce automobile speeds, minimize shortcutting, improve the streetscape, and ultimately improve safety of active users.
West Rail Outline Plan Emergency Response Plan July 16, 2026
2.0 Transportation RPT-0265-25024-8.5-ERP-260716
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PL ROYAL GLE N
TW
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54
2A
6.1
75 .2 m
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6.1 .2 .2 6.1
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6.1
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6.1
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6.1
.0
Future East Rail Outline Plan (TBD)
6.1.0
RG ST EON .A LB COU ER N T TY
Road Cross Section Type
6.1.0
ST U
FU
6.1.0
TU
RE
127
RIVER LOT
ST R
56
LEGEND
EE
T Proposed Railway Bridge
6.1.0
22.0m Sep. Walk 35 du/ha
6.1.2
20.0m Sep. Walk 20 du/ha
6.1.5
26.0m Asphalt Trail 35du/ha
6.1.7
24.0m Asphalt Trail 20du/ha
6.1.10
22.5 m Commercial (Hybrid) Residential Lane (3.1.13)
/
Outline Plan Boundary
Park/Open Space
Arterial Road Dedication
Railway Buffer
Pedestrian Crossing
Collector Road
Subdivision Access Point
Proposed Roundabout
Local Road
Proposed Railway Bridge
Existing/Proposed Paved Trail
FIGURE 2
Transportation
Emergency Response Plan
3.0 Risk Mitigation 3.1 Rail 3.1.1
Risk Assessment and Mitigation An existing Canadian National (CN) north-south single track railway line is located along the east border of the plan area. Appropriate safety buffers from the railway line shall be implemented in accordance with the Guidelines for New Development in Proximity to Railway Operations (2013). The West Rail Outline Plan will meet the mitigation requirements by having a 23 m naturalized buffer from the rail property line to the fence along the back of the residential property line, with a minimum distance of 7 m from the house to the backyard fence to ensure a 30 m setback from the building edge. A Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) was completed by Bercha Group Limited in June 2024 for the NASP. which concluded that if characteristics within the NASP and/or risk sources do not change, no further risk assessment is needed. Bercha Group reviewed the QRA in conjunction with the Outline Plan in May 2026 and confirmed that no revisions to the QRA would be needed for the West Rail OP area. The QRA determined that risks are minimal for the West Rail Outline Plan area. A 35 m setback from the railway centerline would be required only for Sensitive Developments, which includes land uses such as hospitals, childcare facilities, and aged care housing developments. Because there are no Sensitive Developments planned for West Rail, the 30 m setback from building edge to rail property line will be sufficient for risk mitigation. Railway risks from human activities include trespassing on the railway right-of-way (ROW) and careless crossing of the railway when a train is approaching. Mitigation measures to reduce these risks and increase public safety will be implemented, which will consist of fencing along the rail property line, fencing at the back of lots, and signage. If the CN Railway has changes such as increased train traffic, higher amounts of dangerous goods cargo, or a reconfiguration of the tracks, the QRA should be reviewed and revised as necessary.
3.2 Protective and Emergency Services 3.2.1
Sturgeon Valley South Area Structure Plan Policies established in the Sturgeon Valley South Area Structure Plan (ASP) ensure that sufficient emergency services will be provided in the Plan area. Per Policy 5.8.1.3 in the ASP, the County shall use the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to provide policing services in the Plan area until other services are needed. Additionally, as identified in Policy 5.8.1.5, the County will work with Alberta Health Services to provide ambulance and other medical support services to the Plan area. The Sturgeon Community Hospital, located in the City of St. Albert, is within 5 km from the site and will be easily accessible to residents. As per policy 5.8.1.6, the County will identify opportunities to provide shared
West Rail Outline Plan Emergency Response Plan July 16, 2026
3.0 Risk Mitigation RPT-0265-25024-8.5-ERP-260716
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Emergency Response Plan
protective and preventative services with neighboring municipalities. This may include the City of St. Albert, which has a fire station located less than 5 km from the plan area, or the Town of Morinville, located approximately 20 km north.
3.2.2
Fire Safety As per the Sturgeon Valley South ASP, the County requires future subdivision and development in the Plan are to meet all fire protection requirements as outlined in the National Building Code – Alberta Edition & National Fire Code – Alberta Edition. Residents will be encouraged to implement the Government of Alberta’s FireSmart principles on their property to further minimize the risk of fires. FireSmart principles will also be utilized in the landscaping and design of public spaces, where feasible.
West Rail Outline Plan Emergency Response Plan July 16, 2026
3.0 Risk Mitigation RPT-0265-25024-8.5-ERP-260716
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Emergency Response Plan
4.0 Conclusion The road network within the West Rail Outline Plan area was planned in alignment with higher order statutory planning documents and aligns with the broader Sturgeon Valley South ASP, Sturgeon Valley South Planning Area 1 NASP, and the Sturgeon Valley South vision. The road network is planned with two main accesses and a modified grid looping road network to provide connectivity throughout the neighbourhood and opportunity for entry and exit in case of emergency situations. The roadways will meet the criteria outlined within the GMSS and details will be provided through detailed engineering drawings that will be submitted to the County during later development stages. Risk mitigation measures reflect the quantitative risk analysis of the NASP area and recognize the potential risks and how to minimize them. Having sufficient protective and emergency services available for the West Rail Outline Plan area will also help minimize and reduce risks and ensure the plan area is adequately prepared for any potential emergencies.
West Rail Outline Plan Emergency Response Plan July 16, 2026
4.0 Conclusion RPT-0265-25024-8.5-ERP-260716
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