An open letter from the Red Deer Chamber states that Red Deer is lagging behind other Alberta communities in housing starts and employment and must prioritize growth and development.
CEO Scott Robinson said the need to increase the city’s housing supply is the Chamber’s central concern. Statistics show Red Deer’s housing starts are trailing behind other municipalities.
In 2023, the City of Red Deer recorded 189 new housing builds, compared to Lethbridge’s 243 starts, Canmore’s 244, and Okotoks’ 359, the chamber explained.
He noted the building industry is Red Deer’s third-largest employer, and as of March 1, the city had the lowest overall employment numbers in the province.
Since construction drives economic prosperity and employment within our region, “the lack of development is hurting the economy, reducing employment opportunities, and contributing to housing insecurity and homelessness,” added Robinson.
The Red Deer and District Chamber is advocating for “strategic interventions” by the City of Red Deer — particularly through updates to the Municipal Land Use Bylaw, which is being reworked as the new Zoning Bylaw.
Robinson is glad city officials have involved members of the building industry and citizens at large in this process so far. Developers have been emphasizing the need for regulatory clarity in the Land Use Bylaw to better instill investment confidence.
The Chamber proposes the municipality have further talks with developers to better hone the efficiency and efficacy of the proposed Zoning Bylaw before it is approved.
It returns to council on April 29.
The Chamber’s other recommendations are to clearly state the priority for growth and development in Phase 1 of the Land Use Bylaw Review, and to:
• Explore innovative and “bold” measures, such as expediting the approval processes for types of development that would stimulate economic growth within our community.
• Allow for adequate review periods following any bylaw amendment. Since zoning changes can impact development, the chamber believes a three-month review is inadequate. “Ideally, reviews would take place with at least 12 months of data.”
• Continue engaging with the community about housing supply and cost. Red Deerians should have regular opportunities share the impact that a low housing supply is having on them and have their stories heard.
• Share with community members examples of successful increases in density and development in other locations at public open houses. This would expand public understanding about the need for change and reduce worry and NIMBY-ism (Not In My BackYard) that result from a lack of information.
Robinson applauds the work done by the city, so far, in providing debate and discussion on the new Zoning Bylaw. Making further changes to spur investment in construction will increase the housing supply, support the local economy, and help increase employment opportunities, he added. It would improve “the economic health of our community and support the efforts of developers and builders to encourage local government to take decisive action to attract investment. “
Emily Damberger, the city’s planning and growth manager, said it’s a legal requirement that the city not comment on the bylaw while the public hearing is still open. She isn’t yet sure whether city council will be able to close the public hearing process on Monday.