City Council Highlights - July 8

Moments of Reflection 

Mayor Shannon Dean highlighted Council’s active participation during Stampede Week, noting that attendance at daily events provided valuable opportunities to engage with provincial ministers, business leaders, and non-profit partners. These opportunities led to follow-up meetings and elevated Chestermere’s visibility at the provincial and federal levels. The Mayor described the week as a strong example of Council’s collaborative advocacy. 

Following this, Councillor Narayan raised resident concerns regarding traffic and pedestrian safety along Rainbow Falls Boulevard. In response, Council directed Administration to investigate the issue and return with recommendations by the end of September 2025. 

Resolution Tracker Update 

Chief Administrative Officer Kent Edney provided Council with a regular update on the Resolution Tracker. Highlights included the near completion of Merganser Drive West, scheduled for July 30; the integration of recent census data into the forthcoming short-term rental bylaw and policy, with a report expected by July 29; and continued progress on enhancing RCMP communication strategies focused on crime prevention.

Waterford Stage Land Use Bylaw Amendment 

Council approved amendments to the Land Use Bylaw for Waterford Stage 1, Phase 6, allowing for a broader mix of single-family housing types. A total of 44 parcels will be rezoned to include Residential Planned Lot Front Drive (R-1PFD) and Residential Planned Lot Rear Lane (R-1PRL), in addition to the existing Residential Single-Detached (R-1) zoning. This change supports more flexible lot widths and housing options while maintaining a low overall density. The amendment is expected to result in approximately 11 additional single-family homes and removes two sites previously designated for multi-unit development.

Waterford Development Outline Plan Update 

Council approved an amendment to the Waterford Stage 1 Outline Plan, aligning it with the recently approved Land Use Bylaw changes to support a greater diversity of single-family housing options within the community. 

Invest Greater Calgary Memorandum of Understanding 

Council deferred a decision on signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to become a founding member of Invest Greater Calgary (IGC). The initiative aims to strengthen regional collaboration in investment attraction and support non-residential economic growth across participating municipailities. Council directed Administration to conduct a comprehensive review and return with a detailed report by the end of July 2025. 

Q1 Financial and Capital Budget Updates 

Council accepted for information: 

• The Q1 Variance Analysis, outlining the City’s financial performance for the first quarter of 2025. 

• The Capital Budget Progress Report, providing status updates on capital projects across the city. 

The City will also be releasing additional updates on several of these key capital projects in the weeks ahead, highlighting how they align with the Council’s Strategic Plan and ongoing service delivery priorities. 

Remedial Order Confirmed with Extension 

Council upheld Remedial Order CM-25-0490, issued under the Animal Control Bylaw, regarding the unauthorized keeping of pigeons, which are classified as prohibited animals under the bylaw. However, Council granted an extension to July 31, 2025, for the resident to comply. 

Community Standards Bylaw Update 

Council directed Administration to return with amendments to the Community Standards Bylaw at a future meeting. The updated bylaw will aim to improve clarity, modernize enforcement provisions, and reflect the needs of a growing community. 

Closed Session Motions 

• Cooperative Stormwater Management Initiative: 

• Council approved an addition of $140,000 to the Capital Budget for consulting services related to stormwater options evaluation, to be funded through the Stormwater Off-Site Levy. 

• Council cancelled the $235,000 Operating Budget allocation and directed Administration to withdraw the associated $200,000 Alberta Community Partnership Grant for stormwater options. 

• Golf Course: 

• Council waived purchaser conditions for the acquisition of Lakeside Greens Golf Course, marking a major step forward in securing this community asset. Final legal steps remain on the seller’s side, which are standard in nature and not connected to any development proposals. The City remains firmly committed to preserving the golf course as a public recreational and green space amenity for generations to come. We’ll share a full update on the purchase once all legal conditions have been finalized. 

• Fire Hall:  

• Council directed Administration to proceed with next steps regarding the Fire Hall (Item 10.3). 

• Recreation Centre: 

• Council approved the acquisition of the Chestermere Recreation Centre lands and authorized execution of the Purchase and Sale Agreement (PSA). 

• The Mayor and CAO were authorized to finalize and sign the PSA and make non-material revisions as needed in consultation with legal counsel. 

• Rainbow Road North: 

• Council approved the allocation of $405,000 from the Local Government Fiscal Framework (LGFF) to place recycled asphalt on Rainbow Road North (Windermere Drive to Highway 1), remove existing barricades at Windermere Drive, and continue the 50% road ban. 

• Council directed the removal of $3.5 million from the 2025 Capital Budget for the full rebuild of Rainbow Road North, excluding committed costs to date. This amount was previously allocated from the Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI).