Osborne Acres NSP | Airdrie, Alberta

Osborne Acres
Neighbourhood Structure Plan

GDS Communities is in the early stages of planning a legacy neighbourhood in Airdrie that embodies the elements of a complete community - where residents can live, work, grow and play within a thoughtfully designed, walkable environment.

OUR VISION

Osborne Acres is an inclusive neighbourhood offering a range of low- to medium-density housing, including affordable, seniors, and special needs homes, Osborne Acres will welcome people of all backgrounds and life stages, supporting inclusion, equity, sustainability, and aging in place. At full build-out, Osborne Acres is expected to accommodate about 3,100 residents.

A Connected and Engaged Community nurtures a lifestyle enriched by relationships, collaboration, and shared experiences. The centrally located node at Osborne Common is designed to cultivate a culture of engagement, where neighbours can gather, play and connect.

A Place to Thrive in a vibrant and connected community that supports healthy living. The grid street network and pathway network will give choices for multimodal connectivity.

A Commitment to Excellence builds a foundation of quality, safety, and innovation. The streetscapes and open space amenities give the neighbourhood a sense of identity – a place to call home.

A Sustainable Community that ensures long term fiscal, environmental and social sustainability. The hub at Osborne Junction will meet the needs of residents within a convenient walking distance and help with long-term economic sustainability in Airdrie.

A Legacy for Generations, the project celebrates the legacy of the Osborne family embedded in interpretive trails around Osborne Pond and the constructed wetlands.

CONTEXT

The Osborne Acres NSP is made up of a quarter section in southwest Airdrie that is bordered by:

The South Windsong neighbourhood to the north;
8 Street (a future 6-lane arterial road) and vacant agricultural land (planned for open space and residential uses) to the east;
- The NW Balgray NSP is also proposed in the north half of the quarter section to the east.
Vacant agricultural lands (future residential and employment uses) to the west; and
56 Avenue SW/Township Road 264 (a future 6-lane arterial road), which shares the boundary with Rocky View County to the south.

Osborne Acres is strategically positioned near a range of services and amenities, including the future Airdrie Covenant Health Centre and SW Recreation Centre.

The project will leverage the existing amenities in the broader community, such as nearby schools, public parks, playfields and grocery stores, making it a complete and well-connected neighbourhood.

THE CONCEPT

Details of the Osborne Acres NSP include:

Population: over 3,100
Number of units: 1,180 for a range of units (low density single, semis, townhomes and apartments)
Density: 8.8 units per acre
Commercial area, anchored by a grocery store
Mixed use and employment area
More than 18% of the area is open space

POLICY ALIGNMENT

An NSP is a statutory document that outlines future growth, is illustrated by a development concept and aligns with local planning initiatives. The NSP has been designed in alignment with the following policy:

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The Osborne Acres NSP falls within the Airdrie/ Rocky View County Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP). The IDP addresses the coordination of future land use and development and serves as a means of information exchange between the municipalities. When the NSP is submitted for City review, Rocky View County will also have an opportunity to participate in the review process.
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Lands within the Osborne Acres NSP are currently designated General Agriculture District (AG). Future land use amendments will be required to align with the proposed uses and in accordance with the land use districts in the Land Use Bylaw.
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The Southwest Community Area Structure Plan (SW CASP) is the main document guiding the development of Osborne Acres.

There are four Character Areas in the SW CASP, each providing different approaches to community design. Osborne Acres falls within Character Area 4, which is intended to provide a transition from residential to increased mixed-use and employment opportunities.

OPEN SPACE & KEY ELEMENT DESIGN

Osborne Acres NSP features a well-connected open space network that links key destinations while promoting active transportation and healthy lifestyles. About 19% of the project is dedicated to open space,and includes:

Central Osborne Pond and Wetlands
Joint Use Site (future school site)
Linear Open Space and Pathways
Neighbourhood Parks
Open Space Dedication

Osborne Common will serve as the social hub and central gathering space of the neighbourhood and is anchored by:

Osborne Gate, the primary entrance road framed by two wetlands to the north and south, a treelined boulevard with indented parking and street-oriented development to create an inviting and dynamic streetscape.

A Joint Use School Site that fosters community engagement and accessibility to educational and recreational amenities.

The east recreation area, a gathering place located at the end of Osborne Gate on Osborne Pond.

Proximity to Osborne Pond, an open space amenity.
This central constructed wetland is designed for stormwater management, passive recreation and ecological sustainability, and includes:

Naturalized areas to support local habitat and enhance biodiversity.

Linear pathways and interpretive trails celebrate the Osborne family legacy and provide scenic routes for walking and cycling.

Play areas and active recreational spaces that maximize accessibility for all ages.
At the intersection of 8 Street SW and 56 Avenue SW, Osborne Junction forms the commercial and employment hub, and includes:

A mix of uses, including retail, employment, local services, and high-density residential developments.

Senior, special needs and affordable housing potential.

Architectural and landscape treatments, ensuring a visually appealing transition from neighbouring rural areas.

Convenient access to 56 Avenue SW, facilitating smooth traffic flow and intermunicipal connectivity.
Osborne Pond is proposed as a stormwater management facility at the existing wetland location, creating a sustainable amenity that incorporates a constructed wetland in the south to support native plant life and wildlife habitat. Recreation areas on both sides of the pond will offer welcoming spaces for residents to gather and connect.

The East Wetlands, two constructed wetlands located north and south of Osborne Gate, will frame the entrance to Osborne Acres. Water, native planting, gentle grading, and naturalized open space will create a welcoming gateway that reflects the neighbourhood’s nature-oriented character.
Neighbourhood parks and tot lots are distributed throughout the residential areas, ensuring convenient walking access, safe connections, and visibility from public streets. The north pocket park extends the existing open space into South Windsong, strengthening connections between neighbourhoods.

TRANSPORTATION & MOBILITY

External Road Network

The proposed road network will have multiple access points and establish connections to the existing and future neighbourhoods to the north and west.

The following external road connections are proposed:

One primary access point off 8 Street SW to the east (future 6 lane arterial road), in alignment with access into proposed NW Balgray NSP.
Two access points to commercial, employment and residential uses off 56 Avenue SW.
Two connections at Osborne Link and Windsong Boulevard into the existing neighbourhood of South Windsong to the north.
Provision for two connections into the future development on the parcel to the west, slated for future residential and non-residential uses.

Internal Road Network

The internal road network provides safe, convenient access throughout Osborne Acres and connects to existing and planned surrounding roadways. Designed to support active transportation and a pedestrian-friendly environment, the network encourages multiple travel options and street-oriented development.

A Transportation Impact Assessment reviewed roadway classifications, active transportation, proposed transit routes, and existing and future capacity and confirmed that the proposed road network can accommodate the development.

Multi-modal Connectivity

Osborne Acres supports multi-modal transportation through an interconnected network of pathways and sidewalks. A pathway linking Osborne Pond to South Windsong will provide further connections.

Transit

The collector road network will support transit connections to South Windsong, 8 Street SW, 56 Avenue SW, and future development to the west. Proposed transit routes will connect key destinations, including the school site, higher-density multifamily areas, and the commercial hub along 56 Avenue.

SERVICING

Water Servicing

Initial water servicing will be provided through the existing 200 mm watermain along Windbury Road and the 400 mm watermain along Windsong Boulevard. Additional watermain connections will be stubbed to the west, with another connection extending east to Balgray.

Stormwater

Stormwater servicing aligns with the Master Drainage Report for the SW CASP. Both major and minor stormwater systems will direct runoff to a central stormwater pond, which will control flows and mitigate post-development impacts.

Wastewater Servicing

The internal wastewater system will follow the NSP layout and drain to the southeast corner of Osborne Acres. Off-site servicing requires capacity improvements, either through upgrades to a lift station and a new main to Calgary or a gravity main connecting Airdrie to Calgary.

APPROVAL TIMELINE

OPEN HOUSE

Join us!

You are invited to a public open house for the Osborne Acres Neighbourhood Area Structure Plan.

Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Time: 5:00 – 7:00pm

Location: DayBreak Community Church
(2104 Yankee Valley Blvd)

Drop in to meet the team, learn about the project, ask questions and share your feedback.