Habitat for Humanity and zoning, just some of the topics at RD Council Monday

At the Monday, June 23, Regular City Council Meeting some of the topics discussed included Habit for Humanity and Zoning Bylaw amendments.

Here is a recap of that meeting.

 CLOSED/BUSINESS ARISING: 

Habitat for Humanity

• City Council considered a request from the Habitat for Humanity organization to purchase 2 Adamson Avenue from The City of Red Deer, directing administration to enter into a purchase and Sale Agreement for the property for $42,000.
• Habitat for Humanity is planning to add to their existing portfolio of providing families with affordable home ownership. Habitat for Humanity plans to construct a duplex-stye home that will support two families in the region.
• City Council also directed administration to develop a policy that provides direction for requests to dispose of City owned land held in the land bank to non-profit agencies for the purpose of building affordable or subsidized housing to Committee of the Whole by the end of Q4, 2025.

CONSENT AGENDA: 

Postponement of annual financial update of Westerner Exposition Association

• Council approved a postponement for the Westerner Exposition Association financial update until August 5, 2025, to enable additional time to prepare the report with the Westerner Exposition Association who are currently very busy preparing for Westerner Days in July.

Zoning Bylaw Amendment 3357/H-2025: Rezoning 5029, 34 Street from R-MH to R-H (First Reading)

• The applicant has applied to amend the Zoning Bylaw to change the zoning of 5029, 34 Street (Lot 3, Block 10, Plan 3231TR) from Residential Manufactured Home Zone: R-MH to Residential High-Density Zone: R-H to facilitate future redevelopment of the site.

REPORTS: 

Disestablishment of Business Improvement Area

• Red Deer City Council received a report about the disestablishment of a Business Improvement Area report for information.
• The report outlines the steps to disestablish a Business Improvement Area (BIA).
• Disestablishment can be initiated by either Council, or the taxpayers with the BIA; however, only the taxpayers within the BIA can vote to disestablish.
• The Downtown Business Association (DBA) is the only BIA in the city of Red Deer and represents a subset of the greater downtown. The DBA is a greater downtown stakeholder, and member of the Downtown Governance Committee work currently underway.
• A related report speaking about Downtown Governance is set to come to City Council on July 7, 2025.
   

Ad Hoc Economic Development Committee Final Recommendations                                 

• Council accepted the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Economic Development Committee to adopt an arm’s length governance model for economic development in Red Deer.
• The Ad Hoc Economic Development Committee presented their final report: “Red Deer’s Future Economic Development Strategy and Governance Model”, and related recommendations.
• The Committee was formed in September 2024 to consider a new economic development model for Red Deer aimed at fostering a thriving, diverse, and competitive business environment.
• For more information, see the news release.

PUBLIC HEARING: 

Electric Utility Modernization

• A Public Hearing began for Council to hear from citizens before considering a resolution to establish a Municipally Controlled Corporate for The City’s Electric Utility.
• Council recessed the Public Hearing at 9 p.m. and will resume the Public Hearing at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 24 in Council Chambers.