NEWS of the Red Deer Region - Feb. 17-28, 2006

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

Feb. 28, 2006
Red Deer's Dispute With Red Deer County Escalates
Early on Monday, the Red Deer Municipal Planning Commission accused the County of 'aggressive' growth tactics which limit the City's ability to grow and is determined to 'fight back'. Later in the day, City Council followed up by unanimously passing three resolutions to dispute the County's plans close to the City, including their new Municipal Development Plan, the new Land Use By-law and the proposed Springbrook Gasoline Alley Area Structure Plan, in each case citing that the County's plans are not consistent with the Intermunicipal Development Plan and could be detrimental to the City. It was also resolved to set up a meeting of the Intermunicipal Affairs Committee to address the City's concerns as soon as possible. The decision was made following a presentation by the planning department suggesting that the County had not involved them in the planning process.
City Approves $11 Million Condo Project Near Hospital
A 4 storey 51-unit condominium building featuring a sleek modern design and overlooking a natural area where wildlife can often be seen was given approval by Red Deer's Municipal Planning Commission Monday. The project will be built on three lots where existing homes will be demolished and construction is expected to start this spring or summer.

Feb. 25, 2006
Red Deer Mayor Says High Speed Rail on Track
Mayor Morris Flewwelling believes that a high speed rail system between Calgary and Edmonton with a stop in Red Deer is a real possibility within 5 years. He suggested that for both transportation and environmental reasons, the proposed rapid train link only makes sense. People already commute between Red Deer and the two larger cities and the existing Highway QE2 has become very busy. The rail project would cost between $1 and $5 billion but adding lanes to the highway would cost well over a $1 billion and the environmental and safety benefits would be significant. Fare costs and travel time would be major factors in determining its feasibility.

Feb. 24, 2006
City of Red Deer Intends to Dispute Several Red Deer County Documents
At its meeting on Monday, February 27, Red Deer City Council is expected to dispute Red Deer County's Municipal Development Plan, Land Use ByLaw and Springbrook Gasoline Alley Area Structure Plan. Primary reasons for the move are that the City believes that the three documents are inconsistent with the Intermunicipal Development Plan adopted by both municipalities in 1999 and that there could be negative impact on the City's future plans or its support services. Several pages of supporting information, comments and background on the agenda suggest inconsistencies within each of the documents, insufficient data to support its objectives and neglecting to consult with the City based on the policies of the Intermunicipal Development Plan. The County's Growth Strategy also discourages City expansion west of Highway QE2 and other areas that could limit the City's options for future development. Recommendations include convening a meeting of the Intermunicipal Affairs Committee prior to the March 21 scheduled County public hearings for the proposed plans.
Town of Bowden in Dispute With Red Deer County
Red Deer County is finding itself in a dispute with another municipality, partly for similar reasons. The Town of Bowden wants to annex County land on the east side of Highway QE2 primarily for commercial and industrial development in order to create a land use balance with the Town's existing residential areas. The County has developed a policy of not encouraging existing towns to cross major roadways.
Red Deer County Approves Light Industrial Expansion South of City
Nearly 180 acres of land representing three different parcels south of Red Deer and close to Highway QE2 have been rezoned from agriculture to light industrial by Red Deer County. The largest parcel is about 155 acres immediately south of the City's landfill and east of Highway QE2. The developer was given approval to subdivide the parcel into 25 lots. Another 18 acre parcel west of Highway QE2 was also approved, to be divided into 14 lots. The City doesn't plan to specifically dispute these plans as they fall outside of the Intermunicipal Development Plan. However, all three areas are within the Springbrook Gasoline Alley Area Structure Plan which may be disputed.
 
Feb. 23, 2006
Red Deer County Plans Open Houses Concerning Planned Changes
Changes to electoral boundaries, the new Municipal Development Plan and the new Land Use ByLaw will be discussed at a number of open houses around the County next month. Between March 13 and 20, meetings are scheduled for Benalto, Pine Lake, Spruce View, Bowden and the Red Deer County Centre west of Red Deer on 32 St. in order to get feedback from County residents. At the March 20 meeting at the Red Deer County Centre, the Springbrook Gasoline Alley Area Structure Plan is also scheduled for discussion and comment.
For a brief synopsis of the Springbrook Gasoline Alley Area Structure Plan, click here.
The complete ASP and the Growth Strategy can be found at the Red Deer County website.

Feb. 22, 2006
Land Dispute Heating Up
Red Deer County is proceeding with a dispute resolution process to try to come to terms with the City's recent Notice of Dispute regarding a proposed development immediately south of the City east of Highway QE2. County officials believe it is a retaliatory move by the City because the County refused to sell land to the City in an area the City wants to annex west of Highway QE2 and south of Highway 11A. City officials say there is no relationship between the two issues and its move to stall the south development is only because there is no Area Structure Plan for the area in question nor has the County consulted with them to assure them that it won't have a negative impact on the City or the ecology around Piper Creek and the extension of the trail system.
(My article 'City and County Need Joint Vision' and Background)
Pilot Project Focuses on First Nations Entrepreneurship
The Business Development Bank of Canada has initiated a pilot project called the Aboriginal Youth Lending Circle at the Ponoka Outreach High School. First Nations students are asked to propose a business plan for consideration and, if accepted, are provided loans and guidance to implement the plan.
Red Deer County Study Shows Benefits of Industrial and Commercial Development
A study based on 2004 figures shows that for every $1 generated from commercial land, it cost $1 to provide services. But for industrial land, it only costs $0.14 per $1 income generated. On the other hand, it costs $1.66 per $1 generated for residential land. The conclusion is that industrial development is necessary to subsidize the cost of providing services to residential areas. Because of rapidly changing development patterns, a follow up study will occur in 2008.
Two More Companies Expanding in the Red Deer Area
Oilpatch equipment maker Lee Specialties is planning a major expansion in the Edgar Industrial Park in Red Deer while oilpatch servicing company Pure Energy Services is completing its expanded facilities in the Belich Business Park in Red Deer County. The Lee Specialties building will add 15,000 sq. ft. to its facility and the Pure Energy building will add 10,000 to theirs.
 
Feb. 21, 2006
Market Feasibility Study For High Speed Rail to Proceed
The provincial government will choose a consultant in March to launch a market feasibility study on whether there would be sufficient ridership to warrant the building of a high speed rail link between the two largest Alberta cities in the rapidly expanding Calgary Edmonton corridor. Speculation is that if the trip takes between one and two hours, it would be feasible as there would be sufficient demand. But if the trip takes longer than 2-1/2 hours, there would not. The proposed project would cost between 1 and 5 billion dollars. It has been assumed for some time that the only stop on the rail link if built would be Red Deer.

Feb. 18, 2006
New Regional Water Line East of Lacombe Requested
Lacombe County is asking the provincial government for $13 million for a new regional water line connecting communities in the eastern part of the County to facilities in Stettler. An 8.5 km line from Stettler to Alix is particularly urgent and it is hoped that construction could start this spring. The line that would take water from the Red Deer River may be extended to Mirror and possibly Bashaw at a later time.
Future of Sylvan Lakeshore to be Studied
A workshop will be held Feb. 27 by Lacombe County to get some feedback on what residents want to see for future development around Sylvan Lake. Several residential projects have been approved recently that have been somewhat controversial and there are many who want to see future development restricted. The County wants to provide a vision based on how much and what type of development should be encouraged around the lake based on the views of residents in the area.

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