St. Albert is one of multiple municipalities that have rejected Sturgeon County’s plan for the Villeneuve Airport, leaving the county mayor “deeply disappointed” and questioning the effectiveness of the regional board.
On Thursday, Sturgeon County presented their plan for the Villeneuve Airport area to the Edmonton Metropolitan Regional Board (EMRB) where it was rejected by six of the 13 members.
“We are deeply disappointed that nearly five years of collaboration and cooperation with multiple partners has resulted in rejection of this plan — a plan that would support thousands of jobs and attract nearly two billion in investment for the benefit of the entire region,” Sturgeon County Mayor Alanna Hnatiw said in a press release.
For the plan to succeed, it needed the support of nine municipalities, including Sturgeon County and the City of Edmonton.
“While most municipalities were in support, the City of Edmonton’s rejection resulted in defeat due to the voting structure of the EMRB,” read a release from the county.
St. Albert, Fort Saskatchewan, Leduc and Beaumont, and the Town of Stony Plain also voted against the plan.
The county’s mayor said the lack of support from municipalities shows there is a focus on “short-term self-interest and prioritization of red tape.”
“These concerning actions bring into question the effectiveness of the regional board as a mechanism to serve residents and meet its provincial mandate to manage growth, promote sound planning and drive economic development.”
The Gazette will have more coverage of the decision and the impact it will have on the region in next Thursday’s edition.
