|
Red Deer
County
Develops
Plan
for Gasoline
Alley
Red
Deer Plans
Strategy for
City of 300,000
Background
Reports:
City & County
Enter New Era
of
Co-operation
Dynamics of
Competitive
Growth
Maps:
City of Red Deer
Red Deer Area
Red Deer Region
Future Growth
|
Jan. 2007
(updated Nov. 2007)
Growth
clusters promoted
County plans balance growth with preservation of agricultural land and
environmentally sensitive areas
--
fastest growth demand close to urban centre
Red Deer County Corporate Strategic Plan
For the first time in Alberta history, a
municipality, in this case Red Deer County, adopted in principle four major
planning documents in one package, developed by one team of consultants
in 2006.
The Growth Management Strategy, the Economic Growth Strategy (both
general planning concept documents), the new Municipal Development Plan
and the new Land Use By-law (much simpler and shorter documents than the
previous versions) have been released. The latter two were revised and
adopted in 2007.
The strategy involves protecting
all natural waterways, protecting the best soils for agriculture,
developing nodes for residential growth around the existing hamlets of Springbrook, Spruceview and Benalto, creating residential nodes
south of Red Deer and around the high profile recreation areas of
Sylvan Lake, Glennifer Lake and Pine Lake, and developing industrial
nodes south of Red Deer at Springbrook/Red Deer airport, near Highway
42, near Bowden and possibly near Innisfail.
Springbrook-Gasoline Alley Area Structure Plan
 The largest Area Structure Plan ever undertaken by
Red Deer County covering an area of more than 165 quarter sections was given first reading
in 2006. The plan
covers the area from the Red Deer River on the west to
30 Ave. on the east, and from Red Deer city limits on the north to Highway 42
on the south. The plan was developed by the University of
Calgary Faculty of Environmental Design and takes into consideration
both agricultural and environmental issues as well as residential,
commercial and industrial demand.
The plan features a Springbrook town
centre with a commercial zone and new road on the west side of the swale,
a community
institutional, recreational and ecological zone on the south side of Airport Road,
integration of the various parts of Springbrook and new roads and trails
north to the C & E Trail.
The plan would also create a town centre
approach to Gasoline Alley with a major residential, recreational and
ecological component added to the current commercial and light
industrial. Other medium and light industrial development will be encouraged
around the airport, south of Red Deer east of Highway QE2 and at
the junction of Highway QE2 and 42.
More info and maps at Springbrook-Waskasoo Life:
Area Structure Plan Map or
Concepts and
Summary of Springbrook Plan or go to
Red Deer County website.
The Area Structure Plan was disputed by the
city of Red Deer and will be revised as a result of the new
Intermunicipal Development Plan adopted in July 2007. The county is also
undertaking a new Springbrook Heritage Urban Design Plan.
Gasoline Alley Community Plan
Developed by Consultation
Red Deer County was presented with a consultant's framework proposal
recently for the development of west Gasoline Alley, a highway
commercial and industrial area south of Red Deer on both sides of
Highway QE2, that could include not only the expansion of the current
light industrial and commercial area but also a pedestrian-friendly
residential cluster of 5,000 to 8,000 people, called Liberty
Crossing, a school, park and trails around Waskasoo Creek.
The focal
point of the area would be a main street, tentatively called 'the
Cruise', with an automotive theme, including dealerships, retailers,
farmers markets and possibly a car museum.
 It
would be anchored by a multi-screen movie theatre that is under construction. Several
major businesses exist in the area including Costco, Staples, Leons, car
dealerships, motels, gas stations, restaurants, fast food outlets and
specialty stores. The area of the proposal consists of the land between
Highway 2 and 2A from the southern limit of Red Deer to McKenzie Road. A
similar plan could be developed on the east side of Highway 2 in the
future.
New Business Parks South of Red Deer Approved or Pending
One business park south of Red Deer
is already under construction, another one pending and a third approved
but tied up in a dispute with the city. The first two are industrial
parks called Clearview and McKenzie, each occupying a quarter section of
land. The third is a
proposed new business park with
both commercial and light industrial lots east of Petrolia business park and close to
Piper Creek. The plans attempt to preserve the environmental features of
the area as well as meet a growing need for serviced land.
Highway Improvements Coming to Innisfail Area
Better access and driver safety are behind several highway improvements
to Highways 2A and 54 in or near Innisfail. Improved left turning lanes
will be constructed at the intersection of the two provincial highways.
Highway 2A will be extended further south to connect with the new South
Innisfail interchange with Highway QE2. Highway 54 is being improved
through town and west and will eventually be rerouted south and west of town from
the new overpass. Highway 2A from Innisfail to Penhold is also expected
to be upgraded in the near future.
Profile: Red Deer County
News Headlines - Red Deer County
News Headlines - City-County
Relations
News Headlines - Towns within the
County
News Flash - City and County
Working Together for Growth
Economic Sectors
County Population and Demographics
|
RED DEER COUNTY
A Great Place to Live, Work and Grow
Population 19,108
(2006)
Population including all municipalities 125,000
|
