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By Troy Gillard

CITY COUNCIL

Plan to allow office space at Edgar Industrial Park building goes to public hearing

Jul 7, 2020 | 9:21 AM

A plan to locate an office-based business at a building in Edgar Industrial Park has gained initial approval from Red Deer city council.

On Monday, council went against the recommendation of city administration by passing first reading for a site exception to allow for consideration of ‘Office’ as a discretionary use at #100 6700 76 Street.

Council heard that for two years the owner of the industrial property in Johnstone Crossing has had trouble filling it since the previous tenant moved out. The owner now wants to open it up for more potential uses which at one point included the possibility of a daycare centre but has since been narrowed to office space only.

In their report to council, city administration recommended defeating first reading because, “City policy framework encourages the location of Office in the Greater Downtown and the preservation of industrial land for industrial uses.” Administration also said the building does not possess “any notable characteristics” that justify a site exception.

Administration’s third point was that unlike Riverside Light Industrial Park, which council last week approved for commercial use, Edgar Industrial Park is not in transition towards becoming a mixed-use area.

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Councillor Frank Wong, who along with Buck Buchanan voted against passing first reading, reiterated his concern that allowing offices to locate in other parts of Red Deer would further hurt efforts to revitalize downtown; an area he noted has a 25 per cent office space vacancy rate.

Councillor Vesna Higham, however, highlighted the need for the city to “pivot and adapt” during tough economic times.

“In a boom economy, the city has the luxury of strictly implementing the planning vision and Land Use Bylaw regulations that direct balance and good development across our community… But in this environment I believe it’s critical that we have the flexibility to adapt to the needs and struggles that businesses face.”

Mayor Tara Veer expressed some reluctance to depart from planning visions for specific areas, but agreed to let the matter go to a public hearing, which will take place on August 17.