Land now pegged for future commercial development in Lacombe at the former Chamber of Commerce site. (City of Lacombe)

By Sheldon Spackman

Moving Forward

Lacombe council clears way for commercial development at former Chamber of Commerce site

May 13, 2020 | 4:20 PM

Lacombe city council has cleared the way for new commercial development along one of the community’s busiest roadways.

On Monday, council gave second and third readings to three bylaw amendments that removes a municipal reserve designation for a piece of land near the former Chamber of Commerce building, closes a portion of service road along the south side of 50 Avenue to allow for the consolidation of lands, and create parcels for future commercial development.

City officials say the Highway Commercial District designation is intended for vehicle-oriented commercial uses requiring high visibility locations adjacent to a major transportation route. Allowable uses include commercial recreation establishments, convenience stores, hotels, restaurants, and retail sales.

Following these moves, it’s anticipated the area will be able to accommodate one or two commercial parcels accessed from 50 Avenue and the existing service road, which would remain active to provide all-turns access to the parcels via the 63 Street intersection while the 50 Avenue access will be converted to a right-in, right-out access.

Access to the park area to the south would be maintained through a separate driveway/connection to 50 Avenue at the east end of the existing service road.

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The City water line, private utilities and the existing trail are expected to be relocated to an 8m wide utility right of way through the northern part of the road closure area.

The plans drew some concerns from nearby property owners, however.

During a public hearing, Lacombe residents Scott Lewis and Roberta Williamson provided a written submission opposing the development of the municipal reserve area, commenting that their residence overlooks it. They stated there are already many commercial service offerings to drivers, campers and athletes who use Michener Park or the nearby golf course. They believe the remaining park would be negatively affected by noise and activity from the two new commercial lots.

Jin Kim, from the Country Club Inn, provided a written submission opposed to the closure of the service road. City officials say he commented that he would be directly impacted as a business owner. He believes closing a portion of the service road would cause great inconvenience to customers who are arriving from the east, since the service road is used to access the Country Club Inn and the park. Kim commented that although access is available through 63 Street, drivers do not like to wait at the traffic signal when taking a left turn from 50 Avenue, believing that westbound customers prefer easier access via the existing service road.

Tyler Erb, representing Lacombe Petro Canada ownership, provided a written submission containing concerns on modifications to vehicle access, believing he would stand to lose westbound traffic from the proposed service road closure.

City officials say the changes will make better use of what they describe as an otherwise underutilized area of land located along a main entrance and travel route.

They also note highway commercial use in this location takes advantage of a high volume of pass-by traffic for future commercial businesses, and converts lands that are exempt from property taxes to ones that expand and diversify the City’s assessment base; thereby contributing to the City’s fiscal sustainability goals.