Red Deer County council has given first reading to a rezoning bylaw that could result in an industrial development — including a heavy equipment auction — south of Innisfail.
Council on Tuesday voted in favour of the resolution to redesignate 27 acres along Hwy 2 from agricultural to medium industrial use.
The land is north of the RCMP Police Dog Service Training Centre and east of the highway.
Francoise Joynt, a development officer with the county, said the application was made in connection with a possible sale of the land to someone who would like to operate a heavy industrial equipment auction there.
County administration indicated to council that it did not support the proposed rezoning or development, but recommended that first reading be approved so that a public hearing can be held and those potentially affected can comment.
Joynt said a hearing would be scheduled for the near future.
Council was told that Alberta Transportation has suggested that an area structure plan for the land be developed if it is rezoned. The county’s own municipal development plan requires that an area structure plan be prepared before development can occur.
Despite its proximity to Innisfail, the land is not within the area covered by the Red Deer County-Town of Innisfail intermunicipal development plan.
“It is significantly south of Innisfail,” said Joynt.