(rdnewsNOW)

By City of Red Deer

Sept. 15, 2025

Highway 2 widening and backyard suites on Red Deer city council’s agenda Monday

Sep 14, 2025 | 8:00 AM

The following items will be considered by City Council at their regular upcoming meeting on Monday, September 15, 2025. The meeting will begin at 10:30 a.m.. The Public Hearings will begin at 5 p.m.

If the Public Hearings are not complete by 9 p.m., they will continue on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.

REPORTS:

RCMP Quarterly Report

• Red Deer RCMP will present the quarterly community policing report covering April 1 to June 30, 2025, providing crime statistics and updates on the Annual Policing Plan.

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Update on Highway 2 Improvements in the Red Deer Area

• Council will receive an update on the Government of Alberta’s proposed Highway 2 improvements. Alberta Transportation is planning to widen approximately 11 km of the highway between 32 Street and 67 Street/Highway 11 from four to six lanes, extend on-ramps for safety, and reduce road curvature to improve traffic flow.

Parking Update

• City Council will receive a report for information which includes parking financials, data and explanation of funding agreement for grant received to support the new parking infrastructure. The report is in response to a notice of motion introduced to City Council on May 20, 2025.
• The report highlights that a series of improvements and initiatives have been implemented by City administration to improve the parking experience. These include access to a data dashboard, installation of wayfinding signs, additional pay stations, and free parking for accessible parking permit holders.

BIA Levy Report

• At its July 24, 2025, special meeting, the Committee of the Whole passed a resolution referring the matter back to Council for consideration in September. This referral follows Council’s earlier July 7, 2025, resolution directing the levy discussion to Committee of the Whole to better understand the process and implications of a 0 per cent BIA levy. At this stage, the report is presented for Council’s information, with any further resolutions to be determined at Council’s discretion.
• A Business Improvement Area (BIA) is a designated zone within the city where local businesses pay a levy (a type of local tax) that goes directly toward improving and promoting their commercial district. These funds typically support things like beautification projects, events, marketing, and safety initiatives that benefit the area and attract more people to shop, dine, and do business there.
• The BIA levy directly affects both the businesses who contribute and the overall vitality of Red Deer’s downtown.

BYLAWS:

Electric Utility (Second and Third Reading)

• Following approval of the 2026 Utilities Budget, Council will consider first, second and third reading of an amendment to Electric Utility Bylaw 3273/2000 Schedule A Distribution Tariff.
• This will allow the Utilities Department to ensure new rates, based on Council’s approved budget changes, and updated information related to our responsibilities for provision of Regulated and Default Supplier rates will be in effect on January 1, 2026.

Utility Bylaw

• Following approval of the 2026 Utilities Budget, Council will consider first, second and third reading of Utility Bylaw Amendment 3606-B2026 to reflect the new utility rates for water, wastewater, billing and service fees and waste management, as approved in the budget.
• This will allow the Utilities Department to ensure new rates, based on Council’s approved budget changes, and updated information related to utilities service provision will be in effect on January 1, 2026, for City customers and Regional rates to be in effect on March 1, 2026 as established in the various agreements with the Regional Commissions.

PUBLIC HEARINGS:

Timber Ridge

• Public Hearing and consideration of first reading of Zoning Bylaw Amendment 3357/L-2025 will come before City Council. This is a proposal to rezone ±3.8 hectares of undeveloped land in the Timber Ridge neighbourhood from Future Urban Development (A-1) to Residential Low Density (R-L), Residential Narrow Lot (R-N), Residential Duplex (R-D), and Parks & Recreation (P-1). The proposed change would allow Phase 6C of Timber Ridge to be subdivided and developed with a mix of regular single-family homes, narrower-lot homes, duplexes, and some park space, consistent with the approved Timber Ridge Neighbourhood Area Structure Plan.

Backyard Suites

• Public Hearing and consideration of second and third reading of Zoning Bylaw Amendment 3357/M-2025 – Backyard Suite Regulation Changes. For more information, visit engage.reddeer.ca/backyard-suites.
• Public Hearing and consideration of second and third reading of Zoning Bylaw Amendment 3357/M-2025 – Backyard Suite Regulation Changes will come before Council. If approved, the proposed amendments would update regulations for backyard suites (also known as garden suites, laneway homes, or carriage houses), including a maximum height of 5.5 m for suites built at grade or 7.4 m for suites built over a garage, a maximum floor area of 75 m² (while retaining the existing rule that suites cannot exceed 75 per cent of the size of the principal dwelling), and application of these standards in neighbourhoods with character statements or overlays. The amendments also provide the Development Authority with limited variance powers of up to 15 per cent in these areas. The goal is to support safe, livable, and appropriately scaled suites while respecting neighbourhood character. For more information, visit engage.reddeer.ca/backyard-suites.