Tomorrow, on February 3, 2026, City Council will consider First Reading of two proposed Zoning Bylaw amendments related to the property at 7740 40 Avenue. The Council meeting will begin at 1 p.m.
It is important for the community to understand what this decision is about, and what it is not.
What Council is deciding
Tomorrow’s decision is about land use only.
Council will consider whether to:
- Create a new Direct Control zoning district (DC(36)), and
- Rezone the property from Heavy Industrial (I2) to DC(36)
If approved at First Reading, the bylaws would move forward to a Public Hearing, where community members can provide input before any final decision is made.
Additionally, community input is being shared at first reading as The City has proactively expanded its communication efforts beyond the legislated notification requirements under the Municipal Government Act. The City has issued advance notification letters to nearby businesses within 100 metres prior to First Reading, and by sharing information through the shelter inbox, email subscription lists, and publicly on The City’s website.
What this decision does not do
Tomorrow’s decision:
- Does not approve a shelter to open
- Does not approve building renovations or site design
- Does not approve shelter operations
- Does not approve staffing, programming, or security plans
Those matters would be considered later, through separate Development Permit and operational approval processes, if the rezoning is ultimately approved.
Why zoning is considered first
Under Alberta’s Municipal Government Act, Council must first determine whether a proposed land use is appropriate for a site before any development or operational details can be reviewed.
Rezoning establishes what uses may be considered on a property, not how or when they would operate.
What happens next
If Council gives First Reading:
- A Public Hearing will be held on February 25, 2026
- Community members may submit written comments or speak directly to Council
- Council will consider all feedback before deciding on Second and Third Readings
Only if all three readings are approved would the rezoning take effect.
Council’s role
In considering these bylaws, Council must consider and focus on:
- Land-use compatibility
- Planning principles
- Compliance with statutory process
Council is currently the Development Authority for this site, which means any future development applications would return to Council for review.
A complete overview of the permanent shelter process, Council’s role, and upcoming opportunities for public input is available on The City of Red Deer’s website.