By Sheldon Spackman

Economic Strategy

Council gives first reading to bylaw focusing on downtown economic development

Jul 20, 2020 | 5:14 PM

Red Deer city council has given first reading to a bylaw aimed at improving economic activity in the downtown core.

Bylaw 3357/O-2020 removes Temporary Care Facility Use from the Gaetz-Ross Heritage Area, and proposes to expand it to include all of Little Gaetz (50 Avenue), south to 46 Street where streetscape improvements have been made.

City officials say the bylaw and the accompanying expansion of the historic Gaetz-Ross Heritage Area would enhance the experience for both visitors and residents of the downtown.

The removal of temporary residential uses, such as temporary care facilities is also intended to promote long-term residential uses, while continuing to provide opportunity for temporary residential uses in the remainder of downtown and other locations throughout the city.

If passed, it’s hoped the bylaw would highlight the Gaetz-Ross Heritage Area as the business, entertainment, and long-term residential area of the city. Uses that benefit from enhanced public space such as restaurants and commercial entertainment facilities are along the main floor, while residential opportunities exist above the main floor.

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City officials point out that existing temporary residential uses will be allowed to stay where they are currently located, adding they will become legal, non-conforming. However, if they expand, intensify, close or discontinue use for six months, they will need to reapply under the new proposed regulations.

Proposed expansion of the historic Gaetz-Ross Heritage Area. (City of Red Deer)

Emily Damberger, Manager of Planning for the City of Red Deer, says the bylaw would provide the amenities that support long-term residential, which she says people are looking for as attractions to draw them downtown.

“The streetscape on the main floor will provide commercial, retail, and restaurant opportunity and supports clustering those uses in this area so that they can build upon each other’s success and draw in that long-term residential,” she explains. “If the area was larger, it may dilute the situation where areas haven’t necessarily been improved and it does provide that balance of opportunity to the other uses in the downtown.”

“This bylaw speaks to the real efforts of the City and our staff and administration in addressing the needs and the voice of the downtown,” said Councillor Lawrence Lee. “And, our real efforts that we are making to change this narrative that’s occurring at dinner tables all over our city.”

Councillor Vesna Higham spoke in strong support as well, acknowledging complex issues at play.

“Having this resolution and putting this into place is but one small piece of a very large puzzle that is going to need to be put into place very soon,” added Higham.

Mayor Tara Veer said it has become very clear over the past few years that intentional steps and concerted efforts are needed to transform the city’s core.

“Temporary care is one land use of many land use options in the community,” she explained. “However, it’s become very evident that temporary care has been concentrated not just in the urban core, but out of the three sections of Riverlands (now referred to as Capstone), Railyards and Historic Downtown. Over the years, we have seen a concentration of temporary care in Historic Downtown, so it is now highly evident that it is time to modernize the Land Use Bylaw.”

In September 2019, council directed administration to initiate Land Use Bylaw amendments that would assist economic development for Red Deer, noting key factors for healthy downtowns being long term residential, activity attraction and employment.

According to City officials, the proposed bylaw is consistent with the 2019-2022 Strategic Plan, Municipal Development Plan (MDP), supports recommendations of the Greater Downtown Action Plan (GDAP), the Downtown Investment and Attraction Plan (DIAP) and the Downtown Residential Attraction Study (DRAS). Community feedback is also said to be supportive of a revising bylaw to foster positive economic development.

Two additional Land Use Bylaw amendments focusing on residential parking incentives and office expansion are also expected to come before council for consideration sometime over the next couple of months.

The proposed bylaw will be advertised for two consecutive weeks with a Public Hearing to be held Aug. 31, 2020.