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Transitioning Area

Council approves rezoning of eight properties in Riverside Light Industrial Area

Feb 17, 2021 | 2:25 PM

Red Deer city council has given its approval for the rezoning of eight properties in the city’s Riverside Light Industrial Area (RLIA).

Following second and third readings of the land use bylaw amendment on Tuesday, the properties will now be rezoned from I1 Industrial (Business Service) District to IC Industrial/Commercial (Mixed Use) District.

Officials say the creation of the IC Industrial/Commercial (Mixed Use) District and its approval by council in January was to meet the intent of transitioning the RLIA, and the requests of landowners for increased flexibility.

According to city officials, inquiries and applications for site exceptions in the last few years have indicated that some landowners would like additional flexibility of uses in the area.

In addition, it’s noted that landowner consultation for the proposed IC District indicates many respondents are supportive of the change.

The general purpose of the IC Industrial/ Commercial District is to allow for light industrial, commercial and recreational uses that are compatible and complementary to one another, the operation of which create or emit little to no noises, odours, dust, fumes or other factors which are regarded as nuisances.

During consultation with RLIA landowners in October 2019 for the creation of the IC District, city officials say some landowners expressed their desire to remain as I1.

All uses in I1 are also listed in IC, making both districts compatible with each other.

Interested landowners had until Dec. 31, 2020 to request a rezoning of their Riverside Light Property from I1 to IC with no application fee.

Following the deadline, landowners may still request the rezoning but will be charged the regular Land Use Bylaw Amendment fees.

Though voting to approve the rezoning of the eight properties, Councillor Vesna Higham says she is not averse to implementing a cap at some point in the future.

“I know administration’s response is that it might be challenging, it might be tricky, but I think it’s something perhaps we could look at if down the road there seems to be some sort of issue in terms of the character of Riverside Light Industrial park,” said Higham.