NEWS of the Red Deer Region - January 17-31, 2006

 
News of the Red Deer Region
snippets and summaries of news reports from local media (primarily Red Deer Advocate and Red Deer Express)
January 2006 Part 2

Jan. 31, 2006
Springbrook-Gasoline Alley Area Structure Plan Given First Reading
At a special meeting of County Council today, unanimous approval was given to first reading of a major development concept plan for the next 20 to 25 years. It is the largest Area Structure Plan ever undertaken by the County covering an area of more than 165 quarter sections. 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. Prior to going to 2nd and 3rd reading, public meetings will be held to give residents of the area an opportunity to comment. 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.
Area Structure Plan maps: Springbrook or Gasoline Alley or overall plan.
Four Part Corporate Strategic Plan Endorsed by Red Deer County Council
For the first time in Alberta history, a municipality, in this case Red Deer County, has adopted four major planning documents in one package, developed by one team of consultants. County Council adopted the Growth Management Strategy and the Economic Growth Strategy (both general planning concept documents) by special resolution and gave first reading to the new Municipal Development Plan and the new Land Use By-law (much simpler and shorter documents than the previous versions). Both latter documents will go to public meetings before second and third reading. 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 new residential nodes east and west of Red Deer and around the high profile recreation areas of Sylvan Lake, Glennifer Lake and Pine Lake, and developing industrial nodes south and northwest of Red Deer, Red Deer airport, near Highway 42, near Bowden and possibly near Innisfail.
Region's Building Boom Sees Increase in Area Towns
Over $275 million in building was approved in 16 Central Alberta towns outside of Red Deer in 2005, up nearly 60% over 2004. $167 million was for residential construction, up 40% from last year. Sylvan Lake recorded the largest number of permits with $86 million. In Innisfail, $52 million was recorded - $36 million of the total was for one project, the Johns Manville expansion.  Stettler recorded $25 million, Blackfalds almost $20 million, Rocky Mountain House almost $20 million, Lacombe $15 million, Olds $15 million, Three Hills almost $11 million, Ponoka $10 million, Rimbey almost $8 million, Sundre $7 million and Penhold $3 million. Sylvan Lake, Blackfalds, Innisfail, Stettler, Lacombe and Rocky Mountain House are expecting similar growth in 2006.
Affordable Housing Project in Red Deer Gets Boost
A 95-unit apartment building under construction as an affordable housing project got a million dollar boost on Monday from the provincial government. Construction costs for the development in Riverside Meadows have increased substantially since the project was first proposed two and one half years ago. The new grant will allow the development to proceed as originally planned.
Horses Win Out Over Proposal For Heritage Ranch
Due to huge support from area residents, the proposal to replace the equestrian services at Heritage Ranch with a Discovery Centre and eco-garden have been nixed. Other proposals in the recently completed Waskasoo Park Special Gathering Places Plan were approved in principle by City Council. Instead of a new 'Discovery Centre', it is likely that Kerry Wood Nature Centre will be expanded. Heritage Ranch is situated on Highway QE2 on the west side of Red Deer.

Jan. 28, 2006
Innisfail's Wild Mile Adding More Commercial Development
UFA Farm Supply and Boston Pizza are constructing new buildings in a new serviced area at the corner of Highways QE2 and 2A. It's expected that more construction will follow soon. In the meantime, the extension of Highway 2A to the new south Innisfail interchange will necessitate the replacement of a berm with a fence separating residences from the noise of Highway QE2 in order to allow for the right of way for Highway 2A.
 
Jan. 27, 2006
Two New Hamlets Proposed for Red Deer County
A few kilometers to the east and to the west of Red Deer are sites of proposed new hamlets, each with a town centre, shops, parks, trails and a variety of housing. These developments conform to a new Strategic Plan currently being discussed by Red Deer County that is expected to be adopted within a few weeks. Eight kilometers to the east of the City on Delburne Road is the proposed site of Timber Rock, 1,400 acres in the Divide Hills. Three kilometers west of the City and south of Highway 11 near the Alberta Springs Golf Course is the proposed site of Hidden Springs.
 
Jan. 26, 2006
Sylvan Lake and Red Deer County Agree on Annexation Plan
The Town of Sylvan Lake, one of the fastest growing communities in Canada, is expanding again with the annexation of seven quarters of land on the south side of town to Highway 11. Much of the land is already owned by developers.
Direct Flights Between Red Deer and Grande Prairie Established
Peace Air has announced that direct weekday flights to Grande Prairie from Red Deer Regional Airport are now operating. Previously the flights stopped at Edmonton first before continuing on.
 
Jan. 25, 2006
Health Region Announces New Seniors Housing in Red Deer
The David Thompson Health Region is partnering with Extendicare to replace the aging Red Deer Nursing Home and Valley Park Manor with 220 modern continuing care beds in a facility to be built on 13.5 acres of undeveloped Michener Centre land. The first phase will also contain 45 assisted living condominiums available for purchase by seniors. Construction should start in the fall.
Red Deer County Delays Decision on Major Strategic Plan
A ground-breaking corporate strategic plan drafted by a team of consultants over the past year and a half was presented to Red Deer County Council Tuesday. County officials had hoped Council would approve the plan immediately as there has been considerable pressure over that time for various kinds of development in the heart of one of the fastest growing regions in the country. Several components including a new Municipal Development Plan and a new Land Use Bylaw address everything from preserving agricultural land to creating new hamlets to allowing for a future high speed rail line. There is also growing demand for industrial land and preserving the environment which requires a balanced approach to meet a variety of interests. Councillors wanted more time to digest the major document and perhaps make a few minor changes before approving the plan. As a result of the delay, the presentation of another major document, the Gasoline Alley - Springbrook Area Structure Plan, was also postponed to the next meeting.
New Business Park South of Red Deer Gets Tentative Approval
Red Deer County Council gave first reading to a new business park with both commercial and light industrial lots south of Red Deer and close to Piper Creek. The plan attempts to preserve the environmental features of the area as well as meet a growing need for serviced land. It's expected that the City trail system will eventually be extended along the creek.
 
Jan. 24, 2006
Trendy Shops Line Historic Red Deer Street
At the northern edge of the commercial area of downtown Red Deer where it transitions to residential, several trendy shops have emerged, all owned by women. The cluster of shops are located on 54 St. between 48 and 49 Ave. in houses that have been standing for a hundred years preserving some of Red Deer's heritage. They include a Dutch import store that also serves food and operates an art gallery, a women's wear consignment boutique, a spa and guesthouse, a hair salon and spa, and a home accessories and gift shop. The entrepreneurs are considering giving the area a special name and promoting the street together.
 
Jan. 23, 2006
Innisfail Gets Government Funding For Seniors Project
The 57 unit Innisfail Country Lodge is getting $2.6 million to expand the facility for supported living care for seniors by an additional 30 units. Earlier in the month, the provincial government presented similar grants to Lacombe and Ponoka.

Jan. 18, 2006
Gasoline Alley Community Plan Proposed
On Jan. 17, Red Deer County was presented with a consultant's framework proposal for the development of west Gasoline Alley (a highway commercial/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, tentatively called Creek Crossing Village, 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 has already been announced. 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.

Jan. 17, 2006
Springbrook-Gasoline Alley Area Structure Plan to be Discussed by Red Deer County Council
One of the largest and most ambitious area structure plans every developed for Red Deer County (165 quarter sections) will be presented and discussed at County Council on Tues. Jan. 24. The Gasoline Alley - Springbrook Area Structure Plan encompasses a large area south and southwest of Red Deer to Highway 42 and between 30 Ave. and the Red Deer River. The County anticipates two major residential communities within the area --  Springbrook and Gasoline Alley (tentatively being called Creek Crossing Village) -- each with an ultimate population of between 5,000 to 10,000 residents, possibly within the next 5 to 10 years but more likely over the next 15 to 20 years. The Plan also calls for a large area of light industrial on the east side of Highway 2 to 30 Ave., along McKenzie Road north to the southern limit of Red Deer. One area east of Petrolia Park and west of Piper Creek, tentatively called Piper Creek Business Park, has already had considerable interest and is already being prepared for servicing even though the Area Structure Plan and rezoning have not officially been adopted by Council. Several information meetings were held with residents and interested stakeholders last spring and fall. Since the County is focusing much of its attention and resources in this area, it is wanting assurances from the City that the area will not be annexed in the foreseeable future.

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