Here are the highlights from Sturgeon County Council’s regular meeting on March 10, 2026.
PROCLAMATIONS
Council proclaimed March 21, 2026, as International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination in Sturgeon County.
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Alberta Municipal Affairs – Town of Gibbons Viability Review Presentation
Council accepted the Alberta Municipal Affairs Town of Gibbons Viability Review presentation as information. Sturgeon County is an active partner in the province’s expedited viability review of the Town of Gibbons.
Public Hearing – Bylaw 1698/25 – Land Use Bylaw Amendment – Redistricting a Portion of NW, SW, NE & SE 30-56-26-4 from AG – Agriculture District to DC25 – Direct Control District 25
Council held a public hearing to receive submissions regarding Bylaw 1698/25, a proposed land redistricting from Agriculture District (AG) to a Direct Control District 25 (DC25) to provide a range of residential, agricultural, institutional and other uses associated with a communal farming colony.
Based on new information presented at the meeting, Council recessed the public hearing and will continue to receive submissions from the public regarding this application.
Bylaw 1701/25 – Century Hills Land Use Bylaw Amendment – Redistricting a Portion of NE-13-54-25-W4M from AG to R7, C3, PU, and POS Districts
Council received the amended Century Hills Outline Plan as information.
Council defeated Bylaw 1701/25, which would have permitted the redistricting a portion of NE-13-54-25-W4M from an Agriculture District (AG) to Transitional Valley Residential (R7), Neighbourhood Commercial (C3), Public Utility (PU) and Public/Private Open Space (POS) Districts, allowing the development of a multi-lot development within Century Hills.
Bylaw 1700/25 – Amendment to Land Use Bylaw 1385/17 – Resource Extraction Regulations – First Reading
Council gave first reading of Bylaw 1700/25; this proposal would make an amendment to the Resource Extraction Regulations in the Land Use Bylaw, focusing specifically on setback requirements, landowner agreements, and what triggers the need for future operations to redistrict land to the Resource Extraction Direct Control (RE-DC) District.
Public Sponsorship Policy
Council approved the Public Sponsorship Policy as presented. This Policy establishes the framework by which Sturgeon County both provides and receives sponsorship, ensuring sponsorships are managed consistently, transparently, and align with County values.
Sturgeon County’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Community Policing Priorities for 2026
Council approved the proposal that Sturgeon County’s RCMP community policing priorities for 2026 include reducing property crime, increasing policing visibility, and reducing persons crimes per the What We Heard report.
Bylaw 1708/26 – Repeal of Bylaw 1259/11 – Sierra Ridge and Riverside Springs Development Area Off-Site Levy Bylaw – First Reading
Council gave first reading of Bylaw 1708/26; this proposal would repeal the Sierra Ridge and Riverside Springs Development Area Off-Site Levy (Bylaw 1259/11). This bylaw was passed in 2011, which potentially provides an inaccurate picture of the cost of development in the area and creating financial risk for the county. The bylaw will be advertised and affected stakeholders engaged before Council considers further readings of the bylaw.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
CanWest Solar Development Corporation Presentation
The Committee received the CanWest Solar Development Corporation presentation as information. Concerns about solar farm development and the potential loss of agricultural land were expressed to the project proponents. It is important to note that solar farms are regulated by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC), and its regulatory authority takes precedence over County permitting.
Morinville RCMP Detachment Priorities and Quarterly Update
The Committee received the Morinville RCMP Detachment March 10, 2026 Quarterly Update presentation as information.
Redwater RCMP Detachment Priorities and Quarterly Update
The Committee received Redwater RCMP Detachment March 10, 2026 Quarterly Update presentation as information.
Fort Saskatchewan RCMP Detachment Priorities and Quarterly Update
The Committee received the Fort Saskatchewan RCMP Detachment March 10, 2026 Quarterly Update presentation as information.
Lacombe Research and Development Centre Support Request Letter
The Committee received a letter from Lacombe County requesting a letter of support from Sturgeon County Council urging the federal government to reverse the closure of the Lacombe Research and Development Centre (LRDC).
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.
