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City of Red Deer

City offering first come-first served plant and mulch rebate for local gardeners

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From The City of Red Deer: Plant and Mulch Rebate Programs

Using native and drought-tolerant plants and permeable mulch in your home landscaping can save you time and money as your yard will require less watering and fertilizer.

New for 2019, The City of Red Deer is offering a Plant Rebate Program where residents who purchase plants that are native and/or drought-tolerant and plant them in their home landscaping can apply for a rebate of up to $50.

Application forms will be available:

New for 2019, The City of Red Deer is offering a Mulch Rebate Program where residents who purchase and install permeable mulch in their home landscaping can apply for a rebate of up to $50.

Who qualifies for a rebate?

You qualify if you:

  • Are a city of Red Deer resident
  • Have a City of Red Deer utility (water bill) account
  • Purchase a plant from the 2019 Qualifying Plants List (pdf) in the 2019 calendar year
  • Plant the approved plant on your own property located in the city of Red Deer
  • Include an original or copy of the receipt of your plant purchase. The receipt must clearly indicate the name of the store, product name, price and date of purchase. Your name must be clearly written on the receipt.
  • Include before and after photos of the landscaped area
  • Include photos of the plant, ensuring the photo includes a plant identifier tag or label

The program will run from June 10 to October 25, 2019. A limited number of rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis. A rebate of 50 per cent of the cost of approved plants, up to $50, is applied to your utility account. Please allow eight to twelve weeks for the credit to be applied to your account.

Maximum one plant rebate per utility account. Plants in pots or planters do not qualify.

How to select the right plants for my yard

  • Rebates are only provided for the purchase of plants that are identified on the City of Red Deer qualifying plants list. This list includes plants that adapt well to Red Deer’s local conditions and that are low maintenance.
  • When selecting plants and designing your yard consider the following:
  • Location: does the location get full sun, partial shade, or lots of shade?
  • Spacing: some plants grow high or spread out wide, plan the planting area for plant full maturity size.
  • Soil texture: Red Deer’s soil can range from black loam to heavy clay. Consider adding mulch, compost, or conditioners (like manure, sand and perlite) to improve drainage and growing conditions.
  • Soil pH and nutrient levels: some plants have specific pH and nutrient requirements. Select plants that can grow well in your soil’s current conditions. You may also work to adjust the pH and nutrient levels by using amendments like lime, compost, and slow-release organic fertilizers.
  • Climate: how hot and dry does your yard get during the growing season?

How to care for my plants

  • Applying mulch around your plants has multiple benefits, including conserving water, preventing weed growth, preventing soil erosion, and improving soil quality. Apply a layer of 2 to 4 inches of mulch, approximately 3 inches from the base of the plant. Apply for a mulch rebate today (see below).
  • Native and drought-tolerant plants require more water during their first year, to ensure that the root system is strongly established. Water 1-2 times per week spring and fall months, and 2-3 times per week during the summer months of July and August. Use rainwater to water your plants. Apply for a rain barrel rebate today.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why do before and after photos have to be taken?

Mulch that qualifies for a rebate must be used for the purpose of:

  • Conserving water in a landscaped area
  • Reducing erosion and stormwater pollution

Before and after photos demonstrate that the mulch was applied as landscaping or groundcover, rather than for cosmetic purposes.

Native/drought-tolerant plants that qualify for rebates must be used for the purpose of conserving water in a landscaped area. Before and after photos demonstrate that the plants were planted directly in the yard, rather than in pots or planters.

Why is there a qualifying plants list?

The qualifying plants list was developed to ensure that only non-invasive plants are purchased and planted. The list includes native and drought-tolerant plants that The City has determined grow well under local conditions and support the water conservation and water quality protection goals of the program.

Why can’t I receive a rebate for mulch or plants that were purchased prior to 2019?

There is a limited annual budget. Each year has its own budget and we want to ensure that as many residents have the opportunity to participate as possible.

How many rebates can I get? 

Maximum one (1) Plant Rebate and one (1) Mulch Rebate per utility account is permitted.

How many rebates are available? 

Funding is available for approximately 100 rebates in 2019. Rebates are issued on a first-come, first-served basis.

How long will it take for my rebate to be processed? 

A credit will be applied to your utility account within 8-12 weeks.

For more information, please contact [email protected] or call 403-342-8750.

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City of Red Deer

Nominations are in for the by-election to replace beloved citizen and City Councillor Michael Dawe

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Nominations are in for the 2024 By-Election

The nominations are in for the historic By-Election that will take place in Red Deer on April 22, 2024.

“This is history in the making,” said Jessica Robinson, Returning Officer for The City of Red Deer. “For the first time, Red Deer residents will take to the polls to fill a vacant Councillor seat, and these 10 candidates have added their names on the ballot.”

The 10 candidates running for Councillor in the upcoming By-Election are:

  • BUCHANAN, S.H. (Buck)
  • CHILIBECK, Jason
  • COLLINGS, Mark
  • CULLEN-SAIK, Linda
  • HUIZING, Hans
  • KRAHN, Chad
  • MACDONALD, Ashley
  • MILANEY, Liam (The Level)
  • TWEEDLE, Jaelene
  • YZERMAN, Calvin

By-Election Day is Monday, April 22, 2024, with advance voting days on April 18, 19 and 20.

Residents are encouraged to visit elections.reddeer.ca for information about the Election including the full list of candidates, voting opportunities, and frequently asked questions.

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City of Red Deer

Land Use Bylaw changes to promote more housing options and more overlap between commercial, industrial and residential

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Public Hearing on updated Land Use Bylaw on April 15

At Monday’s regular City Council meeting, City Council passed first reading on the Land Use Bylaw, also known as the Zoning Bylaw, triggering a legislatively required public hearing to be held on April 15.

Notable proposed changes include:

  • Reducing 11 residential districts to 9 zones
  • Reducing 7 commercial districts to 6 zones
  • Reducing 5 industrial districts to 3 zones
  • More permitted uses in each zone
  • More gentle density options to provide increased housing options, including house suites, backyard suites, tiny homes, and duplexes
  • Increased building heights, that considers sightlines and privacy of existing dwellings
  • Greater flexibility for development applications
  • New regulations to gently transition existing neighbourhoods to maintain characte

A summary of all proposed changes can be viewed online at reddeer.ca/LUBreview.

Items not changing in the proposed Zoning Bylaw include:

  • Waskasoo and Woodlea Character Statements
  • Signage regulations
  • Any property with existing regulations

With the passing of first reading, the public is invited to provide additional input at the Public Hearing during the regular City Council meeting on April 15, 2024. Following the Public Hearing, City Council can consider additional amendments to the proposed bylaw.

“The changes won’t result in drastic changes to our cityscape overnight, but instead will lead to slow and gentle changes, including making development easier and allow for more permitted uses,” said Emily Damberger, Manager of City Planning & Growth. “We invite our public to read the proposed bylaw, including the summary of potential changes in advance of the Public Hearing on April 15.”

The proposed Land Use Bylaw or Zoning Bylaw can be viewed in its entirety on reddeer.ca/LUBreview.

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