Principle

Expand opportunities for employment and economic growth through new Employment Areas that accommodate a mix of
industries and businesses.

Historically, businesses and jobs in St. Albert have been concentrated in the city’s Employment Areas, along St. Albert Trail, and Downtown. While new employment growth will occur across the city, more than half of future jobs are expected to be located in the Lakeview Business District. This growth is expected to include light and medium industrial uses, manufacturing, transportation and logistics, technology, health, and research and development. The following policies ensure that Employment Areas are planned for and developed in ways that support the local and regional economic development objectives, respect St. Albert’s distinct identity, and contribute to a more complete community.

How does employment growth affect residential taxes?

Property taxes are a primary source of revenue for Canadian municipalities. The revenue helps the City to pay for public services such as recreation centres, fire protection, and roads. Taxes are paid by residential, commercial, and industrial property owners. Historically, St. Albert has had a high proportion of residential neighbourhoods and a relatively low proportion of commercial and industrial land. Designating new commercial and industrial areas is one way that a municipality can achieve a balance. Once developed, these properties provide new tax revenue that can help to reduce the tax burden on residents while providing local jobs and opportunities for business owners.

Policies

6.2.1.

Facilitate the availability of easily serviceable and developable, or re-developable, land for employment purposes by:

1. Planning new Employment Areas where generally identified on Map 3. The intended employment uses and design standards for these areas are determined through the Area Structure Plan process;
2. Working with landowners and developers to expedite the cost-effective and sustainable development of municipal infrastructure in planned Employment Areas west of Ray Gibbon Drive; and
3. Optimizing the use of existing infrastructure and services in the planning and phasing of development in Employment Areas.
    

6.2.2.

Establish an Area Structure Plan for Lakeview Business District, identified on Map 3, that accommodates a range of light and medium industrial uses, office uses, and complementary commercial, service, and institutional uses. An Area Structure Plan that includes urban design guidelines will guide development in the Lakeview Business District, ensuring edges and areas with high public visibility are defined by high-quality buildings and landscaping.
 

6.2.3.

Support initiatives and incentives that retain and attract new businesses to the Downtown and major employers to priority areas, as identified on Map 4.
 

6.2.4.

Ensure Employment Areas contain parcels of widely varying sizes to accommodate a diversity of businesses.
 

6.2.5.

Explore and consider opportunities for the advancement of servicing infrastructure that facilitates new development in priority areas.
 

6.2.6.

Explore incentives to attract businesses that generate significant job creation.
 

6.2.7.

Encourage the redevelopment and intensification of established Employment Areas to facilitate new employment and economic development opportunities.
 

6.2.8.

Protect and promote the Riel Business Park and Campbell Business Park for a range of office-based and compatible industrial uses.
 

6.2.9.

Ensure retail and service uses in Employment Areas primarily serve employees and businesses in the area.
 

6.2.10.

Optimize development opportunities around railway infrastructure to maximize the potential of such areas.
 

6.2.11.

Promote partnerships that create opportunities for growth and investment at the regional scale.
 

6.2.12.

Collaborate with regional partners and organizations to attract a diverse range of economic development opportunities for the region.
 

6.2.13.

Collaborate with the Chamber of Commerce and businesses to identify future local business development opportunities.