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zoning bylaw amendments

City council recap: May 12, 2026

May 13, 2026 | 10:51 AM

The following decisions were made at yesterday’s city council meeting:

Utility Reserve Health

  • City council received a report outlining the current and projected health of the city’s utility reserves through to 2035.  
  • This report includes information on reserves for power, water, wastewater, and waste management utilities. 
  • The report notes that all utility operating reserves currently meet the minimum reserve targets established by council policy. These reserves help support ongoing operations, manage unexpected costs, and reduce the risk of significant utility rate increases over time. 
  • Administration also notes that some reserves are expected to decrease in the coming years due to major infrastructure and capital projects before recovering over the longer term.

Lancaster South Neighbourhood Area Structure Plan Bylaw 3217/C-2026 – Removal of Direct Control Zone 35   

  • City council approved first reading of a bylaw amendment related to the proposed removal of Direct Control Zone 35 (DC 35) in the Lancaster South neighbourhood. 
  • If approved, the amendment will update the Lancaster South Neighbourhood Area Structure Plan (NASP) to align with proposed zoning changes previously considered by council on April 28, 2026, and would remove references to DC 35 from the neighbourhood development concept. 
  • A public hearing for this bylaw will occur on June 9, 2026, alongside the related zoning bylaw amendment.   

Zoning Bylaw Amendment 3357/M-2026 – Rezone 6660 Taylor Drive from I-1 to I-C Zone   

  • City council approved first reading of a proposed rezoning for 6660 Taylor Drive. 
  • The proposed amendment would rezone the property from Industrial Business Service (I-1) to Industrial Commercial (Mixed-Use) (I-C) to better support businesses that require a combination of industrial and commercial uses. 
  • The proposal aligns with existing planning documents and supports economic development opportunities in the area. No written concerns were received from nearby landowners during the public referral process. 
  • A public hearing for this item will occur on June 9, 2026. 

 Zoning Bylaw Amendment 3357/W-2026 – Charitable Distribution Centre Updates   

  • City Council approved first reading of amendments to the zoning bylaw related to charitable distribution centres, such as food banks. 
  • The proposed changes would create a formal land-use definition for charitable distribution centres and establish where these uses may be considered within the city. The amendments would also establish parking requirements and clarify that these uses would not be allowed as temporary uses in residential zones. 
  • The changes are intended to provide greater clarity for future applications and better reflect the types of services currently being provided by organizations such as the Red Deer Food Bank. 
  • A public hearing for this item will occur on June 9, 2026. 

Committees Bylaw Amendment 3576/B-2026 – Greater Downtown Governance Council Committee Addition

Read more: City council passes bylaw amendment to form Greater Downtown Governance Committee

Electric Utility Bylaw Amendment 3273/B-2026 – Updates to the Terms and Conditions for Distribution Access & Retail Access Services 

  • City council gave three readings to Bylaw 3273/B-2026, which updates the Electric Utility’s Terms and Conditions for Distribution Access Services and Retail Access Services. 
  • The current Terms and Conditions were last updated in 2001. 
  • The updates align the bylaw with current legislation, Alberta Utilities Commission rules, the City’s Utility Governance Policy and modern electric utility practices, including advanced metering infrastructure. 
  • The revised Terms and Conditions clarify roles, responsibilities, service standards, customer requirements, metering, data exchange, billing, settlement processes, and cost recovery.
  • There are no direct financial or budget implications as a result of the recommendations for updates to the Terms and Conditions for Retail Access Services.   

Review of Supportive Living Accommodation Definition and On-Site Support Requirements

  • City council received a report reviewing the current definition of supportive living accommodation and associated on-site support requirements within the city’s land use framework. 
  • The review was intended to help clarify how supportive living accommodation is defined and regulated through the Zoning Bylaw, while ensuring the focus remains on land use considerations rather than the individuals accessing services.
  • Following discussion, council directed administration to bring forward the first reading of Bylaw 3357/X-2026 before June 30, 2026. The proposed bylaw amendments are expected to further clarify the definition and requirements related to supportive living accommodation within Red Deer’s land use framework. 

Emergency Health Services (EHS) 

Read more: City council decides to use additional tax dollars to maintain integrated fire and ambulance service

Public hearings:

Read more: Bower Woods rezoning goes ahead at Red Deer city council meeting