After an initial stumble, St. Albert’s revamped municipal development plan (MDP) got approval from its regional neighbours.
The Capital Region Board (CRB) approved changes to the city’s municipal development plan that will allow the city to consider rezoning more land for industrial development.
The board normally has a sub-committee of administrators approve such changes, but votes have to be held with the full board of 24-municipalities, if the administrators are not unanimous in their support.
Sturgeon County CAO Peter Tarnawsky raised two concerns with St. Albert’s plan. Firstly, was the lack of employment forecasts for proposed industrial areas and the second issue was the proposed population growth in St. Albert.
St. Albert’s prior forecast called for an eventual community of 105,000 people, but the new draft called for just 90,000 people, which would appear to run counter to the board’s goals of densification.
At the board hearing Thursday, City manager Patrick Draper explained that adding the industrial land would reduce the city’s population, because it would replace land for homes.
Mayor Nolan Crouse said he was pleased to have the board’s approval so council can move further with its plans for industrial land.
“I am pleased that this step is finished and will come back to council,” he said. “At least it is one step of the way.”
