Projected population was distributed based on outline plans and area structure plans available for the Town of Lacombe:
· North Area Structure Plan (Elizabeth Park, Northwest, College Heights and Terrace Heights Outline Plans)
· Southeast Area Structure Plan (MacKenzie Ranch Outline Plan)
· West Area Structure Plan
It was
found that based on available residential areas within Town Limits, the
population can increase beyond the 20,000 population horizon. Therefore the
possible population in some areas needed to be decreased. Areas without outline
plans (within transportation Zones 2, 14, and 21) were chosen to be reduced by
35% to achieve a population limit of 20,000 people.
The 2001
Municipal Census indicated that in Lacombe there were 2.65 persons per
household. This value was applied to calculate the future population based on
the number of dwelling units in the planned communities. Future communities with
outline plans indicate the expected number of dwelling units within the
community, the exception was Elizabeth Park, where the number of dwelling units
was not estimated in the outline plan; this information was obtained from Town
of Lacombe staff.
According
to the Land Use map, there are lands zoned residential which do not yet have
outline plans. The number of dwelling units on these lands was estimated by the
expected density per hectare (10 units/ hectare for single family and 80 units/
hectare for multi-family) which was also provided by Town of Lacombe staff. When
all the possible residential developments were summarized, it was found that the
maximum population of Lacombe based on the outline plans and residential land
zoning would be greater than 20,000 (approximately 22,500). To reduce the
population to the 20,000 horizon, the areas within Zones 2, 14, and 21 without
outline plans were reduced by 35%. Table 8.2 summarizes the existing and expected population per zone
(only zones with residential areas are shown).