Here are the highlights from Sturgeon County Council’s regular meeting on August 25, 2026.
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
1:00 p.m. Public Hearing – Bylaw 1713/26 – 2026 Event Venue Redistricting
Council held a public hearing on Bylaw 1713/26, which proposes to amend Land Use Bylaw 1385/17 to redistrict a portion of land within SE-13-55-23-4 (55202 Range Road 230) from Agriculture District to Agriculture 2 District. The redistricting would allow the landowner to proceed with a development permit application for an event venue. Council will consider input received at the public hearing an make a decision at a future Council meeting.
Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta (FRIAA) FireSmart Program Grant Application
Council approved that a grant application be submitted to the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta (FRIAA) FireSmart Program to fund the development of a Wildfire Risk and Hazard Assessment and Wildfire Mitigation Strategy.
Industrial Heartland Integrated Traffic Impact Assessment – Funding Source Correction
Council passed motions to clarify that interim funding for the Industrial Heartland Integrated Traffic Impact Assessment initiative approved at the June 30, 2026 Council meeting will be funded from the Municipal Tax Stabilization Reserve in advance of collection of development fees, as a housekeeping matter, and to ensure transparency to the public.
Municipal Property Tax Penalty Relief Request – Tax Rolls 5595015, 38003, 38004
Council refused the request to cancel 2025 property tax penalties for Tax Rolls 5595015, 38003, and 38004.
Bylaw 1715/26 – Prairie Gardens Redistricting – Second and Third Readings
Council approved Bylaw 1715/26, which amends Land Use Bylaw 1385/17 to redistrict Prairie Gardens & Adventure Farm (56311 Lily Lake Road) from Agriculture District to Agriculture 2 District to accommodate an existing agriculture support service operation.
Extension Request for Charging Agreement
Council approved an amendment to the existing Charging Agreement between Liane and Zachary Menzel and Sturgeon County to extend the time to pay the invoice for firefighting costs for 55231 Range Road 255. The extension is until April 1, 2027, or until the associated legal issues are settled or otherwise resolved, whichever occurs first, on the condition that a charge on land remain on title for the amount owing. Payment will include accrued interest and Sturgeon County legal fees.
Municipal Asset and Neighbourhood Naming Policy and Bylaw 1723/26 – Naming Task Force Bylaw – Three Readings
Council approved the Municipal Asset and Neighbourhood Naming Policy and Bylaw 1723/26. The policy will establish a comprehensive framework for naming or renaming municipal assets – including roadways, parks, neighbourhoods.
The bylaw will establish a task force to allow County residents to have input into the names recommended to Council for consideration. Recruitment for the Naming Task Force will take place in the fall – interested residents are encouraged to apply.
Bylaw 1714/26 – Repeal of Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework Bylaws 1483/20, 1484/20, 1486/20, 1487/20, and 1488/20 – Three Readings
Council approved Bylaw 1714/26, which repeals Intermunicipal Collaboration Frameworks (ICFs) with the County of Barrhead No. 11, Lac Ste. Anne County, Lamont County, Parkland County, Thorhild County, and Westlock County. Council opted out of forming ICFs with these neighbouring rural municipalities because it is no longer legislatively required.
Sturgeon County – Alexander First Nation Investment, Communication, and Engagement Protocols
Council approved that County Administration engage Alexander First Nation Administration to discuss investment and other communication/engagement protocols and bring forward identified amendments to the Sturgeon County/Alexander First Nation Relationship Agreement to Council for consideration.
Emergency Access to the North Saskatchewan River (Councillor Berry)
Council approved that Administration engage partners in the Industrial Heartland regarding recent interest in an emergency river access on the North Saskatchewan River. Administration will bring forward a summary to Council in Q4 2026 of inputs, responsibilities, and any required municipal approvals or supports that may be required.
Community Grant Program Review (Deputy Mayor McLennan)
Council approved that Administration review Sturgeon County’s operating and capital community grant programs and bring back options in Q4 2026 to fund non-profit organizations that do not operate facilities.
Review of Small Business Incentives Policy (Deputy Mayor McLennan)
Council approved that the Economic Development Advisory Board review and provide recommendations on potential amendments to the Small Business Incentives Policy that would increase program uptake, and report to Council in Q4 2026.
Review of Home-Based Business Regulations (Councillor Papadopoulos)
Council approved that Administration undertake a review of the regulations for home-based business permits in the Land Use Bylaw, outline which land use districts they are allowed in, and provide recommendation on any changes that might be required to address concerns of compatibility of home-based businesses with neighbouring properties. Administration will report back to Council in Q4 2026.
Municipal Reserve in the Sturgeon Valley (Councillor Papadopoulos)
Council approved that Administration prepare a presentation to Council by Q4 2026 that explores how Municipal Reserve (MR) is acquired by the County, how it can be utilized, when cash-in-lieu of MR dedication is obtained, and the possible impacts of a policy of only allowing land dedication and not cash-in-lieu for MR in the Sturgeon Valley.
Management of Revenues Generated by Forecasted Development and Infrastructure Investments (Councillor Boissonneault)
Council approved that Administration prepare a strategy for the responsible management of ongoing and one-time municipal revenues generated by forecasted development and infrastructure investments. This includes options for specific allocations to long-term reserves, new capital and community investments, annual reporting, and appropriate taxation levels that support competitiveness, fiscal sustainability, and risk mitigation. This ensures that a portion of net new municipal revenue is directed toward long-term infrastructure and community benefit rather than being fully absorbed into ongoing operations.
Sub-Regional Policy Development (Councillor Toms)
Council approved that Administration prepare a policy or policies that describe Sturgeon County’s positions on intermunicipal efficiency, service and infrastructure delivery, cost sharing, sub-regional governance models, and specific commitments in the case of the future dissolution of a community within Sturgeon County. The policies are to be reviewed by the Governance and Council Services Committee and recommended to Council.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
BILD Edmonton Metro presentation
Council received the BILD Edmonton Metro presentation as information.
Industrial Heartland Investment Update – Data Centres
Council received the Industrial Heartland Investment Update – Data Centres as information.
Agritourism and Agribusiness Operator Engagement Report
Council received the Agritourism and Agribusiness Operator Engagement Report as information.
Privacy Management Program Update
Council received the Privacy Management Program Update as information.
Governance Framework Review Phase 1 Update
Council received the Governance Framework Review Phase 1 Update as information.
Fast facts about land use bylaw amendments and public hearings
- View our webpage about land use planning and community engagement.
- View our interactive regulations map.
At Sturgeon County, before Council gets public feedback on a proposed land use bylaw amendment, it gives the proposed bylaw first reading. This does not mean Council supports the bylaw; this allows the proposed bylaw to go to the next stage of the bylaw process, which is gathering public input.
Public hearings, along with other public notices, are promoted on the public notices page on the Sturgeon County website as well as in local newspapers, on social media, and on road signs in accordance with the new Sturgeon County Public Notification Bylaw.
Public hearings are open to any members of the public to view or provide input.
- Viewing the public hearing: You can view the hearing in-person or via livestream at www.sturgeoncounty.ca/CouncilMeetings
- Making a written submission: you can provide a written submission by email up to the close of the public hearing.
- Speaking at the public hearing: you can provide a statement at the public hearing in person or via videoconference. You are encouraged to pre-register to speak in-person at the public hearing. If you wish to speak via videoconference, you must register at least 24 hours prior to the opening of the public hearing. Register by contacting Legislative Services at 780-939-8029.
When considering public input, Council considers how and to what degree the person is impacted by the proposed amendment.
