**Grande Prairie**: The city’s Director of Development Services, Joe Johnson, reveals a proactive approach to growth through collaboration, focusing on affordable housing and enhanced quality of life. Notable projects include new multifamily units and strategic plans for improved police services and community connectivity.
In the city of Grande Prairie, Alberta, a strategic approach to growth and development is being underscored by a combination of innovation and collaboration. The city’s Director of Development Services, Joe Johnson, indicated that the municipality’s proactive methods focus on capitalising on opportunities and turning potential barriers into avenues for enhancement, rather than being reactive. “The biggest thing is there always seems to be something on the go here, even when there were major global recessions or even regional, provincial or national economic slowdowns,” Johnson noted.
Grande Prairie has witnessed consistent growth in various sectors, including infrastructure, industry, business retention, education, and healthcare, with a strong emphasis on improving the quality of life for its citizens. Recent developments have shown a particular rise in requests for multifamily housing, a direct response to the city’s Affordable Housing Strategy for 2020-2030. This has been spurred by a significant demand for rental spaces amid low housing vacancy rates across Alberta and Canada.
One notable project currently underway involves the construction of new multifamily units in the Smith neighbourhood. This development was made possible as part of the city’s concerted push to foster affordable housing. In an effort to increase rental opportunities, the city council re-evaluated existing bylaws concerning secondary suites, which included extensive public consultation and debate to ensure the regulations were conducive to increased housing availability.
Johnson explained that the city’s review of secondary suite regulations focused on differentiating between various types of suites, with the aim of offering homeowners more options. This included discussions around the guidelines for backyard and basement suites, as the city endeavoured to relieve pressure on the local rental market. “To date, there hasn’t been much of an uptake on the backyard suites, but that could be due to the price tag,” he remarked, indicating that financial considerations still play a significant role in the uptake of these housing options.
While secondary suites offer one avenue for increasing housing density, Johnson highlighted the city’s success in clearing bureaucratic hurdles that can often impede development processes. He stated, “As far as the development process and approvals go, the city of Grande Prairie is exceptionally quick at reviewing and providing decisions on development proposals.” This efficiency stands in contrast to the challenges faced by developers in larger urban centres, where navigating municipal processes can sometimes be complex and time-consuming.
In addition to housing, the city’s growth strategy encompasses a broader interpretation of quality of life, which Johnson insists is integral to sustainable development. This holistic approach includes enhancing neighbourhood connectivity through the retrofitting of existing communities with new trails, parks, and green spaces – efforts that have met with positive community feedback.
Furthermore, the city has outlined a strategic plan for 2022-2025 that encompasses key issues such as police service evaluations, physicians’ retention strategies, and partnerships with community organisations. Recognising the need for improved local policing, the city has embarked on developing its very own police service, collaborating with educational institutions like Northwestern Polytechnic to train recruits. During a graduation ceremony for new police recruits, Chief of Police Dwayne Lakusta made a point to acknowledge the importance of these collaborations, stating, “I am grateful for the collaboration of numerous law enforcement and community partners, whose contributions have been invaluable.”
As the city continues to forge pathways toward growth through synergy in various sectors, its initiatives aim to not only foster physical developments but also to enhance the communal fabric, thereby reinforcing the longstanding appeal of Grande Prairie.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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