Early plans have been drawn up to turn a 118 hectare site south of Red Deer from open fields to a major commercial/industrial development.
Located at the south east corner of Hwy 2 and 42, Red Deer County approved its southeast QEII/42 interchange local area structure plan.
An amendment to the structure plan was necessitated by Alberta Transportation before third reading could be completed. The amendment gave Alberta Transportation the authority to direct improvements to accesses and access roads related to the development.
Third reading had been given to the area structure plan in September 2017, pending the receipt of a wetland assessment, storm water management plan and approval of the transportation master plan for the area. The wetland assessment showed a small seasonal marsh and a semi-permanent marsh in the area which required a change in the plan.
A specific concern Alberta Transportation had was about the intersection of Hwy 42 and the service road east of QEII. It is treated will be treated similar to a four lane highway intersecting with a two lane road.
The development will feature commercial land on the north end, facing Hwy 42 with light and medium industrial behind it. Two sections of public utility usage have been cornered off in the north west and the south east corners to provide space for waste management and stormwater management.
There will be a total of 26 hectares of commercial land, 25.7 hectares of light industrial and 33.9 hectares of medium industrial.
Red Deer County Mayor Jim Wood said the commercial land will provide the county with revenue to offset the potential loss of revenue from when the City of Red Deer annexes county land.
According to the county, 1,500 to 2,000 jobs could be created within the plan area when it is fully built out.
mcrawford@reddeeradvocate.com
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