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Riverside light industrial plan postponed

A planning document to rethink land uses for a Red Deer light industrial area will be done in late 2013 or early 2014, at the earliest.

A planning document to rethink land uses for a Red Deer light industrial area will be done in late 2013 or early 2014, at the earliest.

The City of Red Deer’s Planning Department told council on Monday that an Area Redevelopment Plan for the light industrial area north of the Red Deer River isn’t coming for a while.

There’s already enough work to do in 2012.

Other new projects are deemed to be higher priority, including area redevelopment plans underway for West Park and Riverlands. Staff will start Area Redevelopment Plans for the Waskasoo neighbourhood, as well as two major Area Structure Plans for recently annexed areas.

Councillor Cindy Jefferies wondered if the city should contract some projects out so that the city can catch up.

Mayor Morris Flewwelling replied that the city was receiving more applications at the Municipal Planning Commission for commercial enterprises to move into the light industrial area.

The area seems to be transitioning, he added.

Area redevelopment plans are done to re-examine the vision, policies framework and land uses for this area. The extent of the changes would determine if it would become an area redevelopment plan or study.

The Municipal Government Act requires area redevelopment plans for one or more reasons: preserve or improve land or buildings; rehabilitate buildings; remove buildings; constructing or replacing buildings; installing, improving or relocating roads, public utilities or other services in the area; and facilitating other development.

— copyright Red Deer Advocate