Red Deer City Council will convene on Tuesday, April 22, with a range of key topics on the agenda including backyard suites, economic development, and proposed funding for an Indigenous Cultural Centre. The meeting will begin in closed session at 9:30 a.m., with the public portion expected to start at 1 p.m. following the lunch break.
Here's what residents can expect from this week’s Council meeting:
Backyard Suites Under Review
Council will receive two reports related to backyard suites, including recommendations from the Municipal Planning Commission and options for updating existing regulations. Since the adoption of the first phase of the City’s new Zoning Bylaw in 2024, 10 backyard suite applications have been submitted.
Administration is now asking Council for direction on potential changes—such as adjusting maximum suite size, setting size limits relative to lot size, and creating special guidelines for historic neighbourhoods. A more detailed report is expected to return to Council in Fall 2025.
Economic Development Committee Update
The Ad Hoc Economic Development Committee will present its initial findings and early recommendations for how the City should approach and structure its economic development efforts going forward. This marks a key milestone ahead of the committee’s final report in June 2025.
Indigenous Cultural Centre Funding
Administration is seeking Council's support to move forward with community engagement and funding commitments for a proposed Indigenous Cultural Centre. The funding proposal includes a $50,000 amendment to the 2025 budget, $250,000 in 2026, and a longer-term capital funding request of $2–4 million.
Zoning Bylaw Project – Progress Update
Council will also receive an update on the ongoing Zoning Bylaw review. Phase 1 of the project was completed in 2024 and involved a full overhaul of residential, commercial, and industrial zoning regulations. Phase 2, originally planned for late 2025, has been postponed to 2026 to accommodate potential changes related to the federal Housing Accelerator Fund. This report is for information only.
Proposed Municipal Resolution on Carbon Pricing
A proposed resolution heading to the Alberta Municipalities Annual Conference in November will be up for Council discussion. The resolution calls for municipalities to be included in consumer carbon tax rebates and to be exempt from future consumer carbon pricing mechanisms.
Tax Bylaws on the Table
Council is expected to vote on two key tax-related bylaws:
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The Business Improvement Area (BIA) Tax Bylaw, which enables the City to collect funds to support the 2025 budget of the Downtown Business Association.
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The 2025 Tax Rate Bylaw, which sets the rates needed to fund the City’s 2025 operating budget and other requisitions.
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