An "exciting commercial development" proposed by West Edmonton Mall owners Triple Five International Holdings is pitting established planning rules against the need for more highway commercial in north St. Albert.
In an email from Mathew McLash, vice-president of development with Triple Five, the company has been in talks with both the city and developers about the almost 75 hectares it owns on the west side of Highway 2 at the very northern tip of St. Albert.
Triple Five has asked the city Monday to change the municipal development plan to allow leapfrog development so the area can be serviced ahead of land immediately south.
City administration has recommended council turn down the request, saying if development is not contiguous it could lead to extra costs to extend services like transit and snow removal.
A public hearing on the issue is set for Aug. 16 when officials from Triple Five are expected to present their plans for the land.
"We believe the sooner we develop our commercial land, the sooner the City of St. Albert will be able to expand its commercial tax base," McLash wrote.
Business friendly
Patrick Shaver, project manager of Landrex's Erin Ridge North development, said they are discussing the possibility of extended services underneath St. Albert Trail into Triple Five's lands.
Coun. Roger Lemieux, who has been involved in talks between Triple Five and the city with Mayor Nolan Crouse, said he was unsure about the exact type of development planned for the area. He's heard many different commercial developments proposed for the land over the last couple of years.
However, Lemieux said the development of the north commercial corridor is important for the city, not just from an economic perspective, but also from a taxation relief perspective by lessening the load on residential homeowners. Ultimately, he wants to ensure the city opens its doors to businesses that want to do business in St. Albert.
"I'm somewhat in favour because it's progress," he said. "I know we have to be careful, but we also have to be business friendly."
More details
St. Albert Chamber of Commerce executive director Lynda Moffat said she was pleased to hear of the potential for commercial development in the city. Developing commercial lands would only benefit St. Albert's economy, she said.
"Every time you see something like this, we see hundreds of millions of dollars in economic growth," she said. "If people are willing to shop here … the stronger our local business community is here."
If leapfrog development isn't allowed in city bylaws, council should take another look at the bylaws to ensure they don't stifle development, she added.
