(City of Lacombe)

By Sheldon Spackman

Improving Efficiency And Innovation

Lacombe council approves Land Use Bylaw Red Tape Reduction Strategy

Aug 14, 2024 | 11:05 AM

Lacombe city council has endorsed a Planning and Development strategy for bringing forward future Land Use Bylaw (LUB) Amendments, which pledges to reduce red tape, improve efficiency, and encourage innovation.

Officials say the endorsement allows the City’s Planning and Development department to proceed with preparing potential LUB amendments, including:

• Improving the administration of the bylaw by offering efficiencies in the development process and addressing any outdated elements. (Estimated Timeline to Completion: Q4 2024.)

• Reduce red tape by streamlining processes or elements that have created conflicting interpretations. (Estimated Timeline to Completion: Q2 2025.)

• Consider innovations, trends, and opportunities at Lacombe. (Estimated Timeline to Completion: Q3 2025.)

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“Reducing red tape is a key part of Council’s Strategic Plan,” Mayor Grant Creasey said. “Streamlining the City’s Land Use Bylaw directly impacts our residents and those who choose to do business in Lacombe. If approved, these changes can facilitate continued positive momentum in Lacombe.”

City officials say the LUB aims to advance orderly, economical and beneficial development and use of land and buildings within the city. Council can, on its initiative, amend the LUB to improve it or address specific types of development. Officials say the Strategic Plan outlines how the LUB should be used to reduce red tape and enhance investment attraction and development clarity.

Grouped amendments will now be brought to council for consideration over the remainder of their term. The City says any amendments will require a public engagement process, including a public hearing. The City of Lacombe says it has several active businesses, developers and landowners who are also initiating Land Use Bylaw amendments to advance development and investment in the community. 

Officials note that administration proactively works with applicants, and developer-driven amendments are given priority over administrative-driven files. As a result, the timelines for internally driven amendments may shift when the organization can respond to developers.