City of Red Deer
City and County Mayors to promote Red Deer Regional Airport at international aviation conference
News release from the City of Red Deer, Red Deer County and Red Deer Regional Airport
Mayors of City and County travel to Chicago to showcase Central Alberta region economic opportunities
Mayor Ken Johnston of The City of Red Deer and Mayor Jim Wood of Red Deer County are gearing up for an impactful journey next week as they head to Chicago, Illinois. Their mission? To spearhead a new era of economic development and growth for the Central Alberta region, showcasing its readiness for global business endeavors.
Facilitated by the Government of Alberta and in collaboration with Red Deer Regional Airport, this excursion marks a pivotal moment to participate in Aviation Week, spotlighting Central Alberta’s flourishing aerospace sector. Renowned for its evolution and esteemed status within the global aerospace industry, Central Alberta is poised to attract further investment and attention.
“Mayor Wood and I are thrilled to build upon the discussions initiated last year at the Paris Air Show,” said Mayor Johnston. “Our message is clear: Central Alberta is the premier destination for business in the province, emerging as a dynamic logistics hub, and primed for an exhilarating future.”
Mayor Jim Wood added, “Central Alberta offers unique economic advantages which help us draw investments and foster job creation. Our efforts aim to highlight the incredible potential of our region to international partners, forging ties that will bolster trade, information transfer, and collaboration for our region’s prosperity.”
Throughout their visit, Mayors Wood and Johnston, with Red Deer Regional Airport’s Interim CEO, Nancy Paish, aim to engage in several productive conversations with government officials, industry leaders, and potential investors. Central Alberta’s strategic advantages – from its central location to its skilled workforce, diverse economy, and business-friendly atmosphere – will take center stage as they advocate for the region’s unparalleled appeal to businesses seeking growth opportunities.
“Council and I extend our heartfelt appreciation to Red Deer County and Red Deer Regional Airport for their partnership in this endeavor, and to the Government of Alberta for presenting us with this invaluable opportunity,” Mayor Johnston added. “Together, we leverage our collective strengths to firmly establish Central Alberta on the global stage.”
Positioning Central Alberta as a compelling investment destination holds promise for local businesses,
fostering new avenues for growth and bolstering the economic landscape. Notably, Mayors Johnston and Wood stand as Alberta’s sole representatives at the Paris Air Show, underscoring the significance of their presence on the international stage.
The cost of the trip for both Mayors is generously supported by the Red Deer Regional Airport, further
emphasizing the collaborative spirit driving this initiative.
City of Red Deer
City Council paving the way for more house suites, backyard suites, tiny homes, and duplexes
Council adopts new Zoning Bylaw
At Monday’s regular City Council meeting, City Council passed second and third reading of the Zoning Bylaw 3357/2024, replacing the former Land Use Bylaw.
The goal of the Zoning Bylaw is to reduce red tape, permit more uses in each zone and improve ease and understanding of the document. Notable updates include:
- Reduction from 11 residential districts to 9 zones
- Reduction from 7 commercial districts to 6 zones
- Reduction from 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 to 12.5m that considers sightlines and privacy of existing dwellings
- Greater flexibility for development applications
- Expanded definitions
- Reduction of duplex side yards, removal of side yard setbacks on corner lots, and reduced frontage in residential narrow lots to improve competitiveness
- New regulations to gently transition existing neighbourhoods to maintain character
Following adoption of the Zoning Bylaw, the following amendments were made by City Council.
Proposed Amendment | Public Hearing Date |
Increase suites from 15% to 25% of the houses in a neighbourhood. | June 24, 2024 |
Allow commercial uses on the main floor of R-H Residential High Density. | June 24, 2024 |
Correct errors in the PS Public Service Zone use list: (*Recommended) a) Gaming and Gambling Establishment (Only at the Westerner) b) Education Primary & Secondary – Add to discretionary use list | May 27, 2024 |
Returning the Cannabis Retail Sales setbacks to be consistent with the current Land Use Bylaw 3357/2006 | May 27, 2024 |
“The new Zoning Bylaw incorporates years of public feedback and best practices to make a Zoning Bylaw that will result in more housing options, easier development, and ultimately will improve our competitiveness,” said David Girardin, Major Projects Planner. “With the approval of the Zoning Bylaw today, we are not finished our community engagement as there will be future public hearings on potential amendments in the coming weeks, as well as more formal public participation for each additional phase of the Zoning Bylaw.”
The Zoning Bylaw will come into effect in 30 days. Public participation for phase two of the Zoning Bylaw will begin later this year. For more information, visit engage.reddeer.ca.
City of Red Deer
City says Red Deer residents impressed by changes to snow and ice control program
City Council reviews pilot snow and ice control program
This past winter, The City of Red Deer piloted changes to the snow and ice control program that focused on restoring mobility sooner and providing safe, accessible and well-maintained transportation infrastructure for all.
Major changes included 24/7 operations for residential street clearing, increased traction control throughout the city, additional sidewalk, trail and staircase clearing, and decreased timelines for bus stop clearing. On Monday City Council reviewed the 2023-24 snow and ice control operational report which outlined the pilot’s successes and challenges, as well as the learnings and opportunities for improvement.
“Overall, our more responsive approach to snow and ice control resulted in better mobility for motorists and pedestrians, and a greater quality of winter road maintenance,” said Greg Sikora, Manager of Parks and Public Works. “Of the many successes of the pilot program, the community was most pleased with the noticeable improvement in traction control and our ability to clear Green Routes within six days, thanks to moving Green Route plowing to 24/7 operations.”
Improvements to pedestrian, cyclist and motorist transportation networks include:
- Increased presence and effectiveness of pre-treating, plowing, and sanding on major arterials, hills and bridges, with two and four-hour traction control equipment cycles,
- 5 locations of staircase clearing,
- 43 km of neighbourhood asphalt trails cleared after each snowfall,
- Inclusion of second side sidewalks (9 km)
- 635 transit stop clearing: 61 high priority cleared in 1 day, 153 medium priority cleared within 3 days, an additional 421 supplemental stops cleared within 7 days.
Throughout the pilot program, The City connected with the community to get feedback on operations including regular check-ins with the Engaged Citizens Group, two broad public surveys, a transit rider survey and the Citizen Satisfaction Survey.
Overall, citizens felt arterial roadways, hills and bridges were adequately maintained, and were satisfied with the Green Route plowing operation, with little concern raised about nighttime operations and 24/7 parking bans. Residents reported a prominent level of satisfaction with the additional mobility of trails, sidewalks and staircases, and there was improved public awareness of snow clearing programs.
Additionally, a noticeable improvement in adherence to the parking ban resulted in less than 100 tickets being issued this year. Complaint call volumes and service requests for traction control also trended downward this year.
“While we’ve received positive feedback from the community, we know there is always room for improvement. Our greatest challenges to the snow and ice control program remains the variability of weather, pivoting operations from a plow based program to a traction control focus and choosing the right time to execute Green and Grey Route plows,” said Manager Sikora.
In June 2023, Council adopted the revised Integrated and Accessible Transportation Policy (IAATP), which focuses on providing the community with mobility services based on four guiding principles: safe, accessible, well-maintained and accountable.
City Council will consider the future level of service at the May 27 City Council meeting.
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