City Council Highlights – June 24

Moments of Reflection

Mayor Shannon Dean acknowledged the start of block party season and encouraged neighbours to connect using City supports, including the option to invite Council, fire services, or police. The Mayor also recognized the Chestermere Boxing Club’s recent successful event and celebrated the achievements of the Chestermere Yacht Club (CYC). Five CYC athletes: Claire Wooldridge, Bernice Cao, Jillian Glendinning, Samuel Mierau and Barrett Duff have qualified to represent Alberta at the Canada Summer Games. Samuel Mierau will also represent Team Canada at the international level.

 

Capital Projects Update and Future Planning

Chief Administrative Officer Kent Edney provided a verbal update on several capital projects, with a full operating and capital budget report to follow on July 8. Key projects include:

 

• Twinning of Chestermere Boulevard from Range Road 284 to the City boundary
• The construction of Merganser Drive West, on track for completion by the end of July
• The installation of raised crosswalks, prioritizing school zones during summer construction
• The Sunset Beach parking lot paving project
• The Rainbow Road North rebuild, with a cost-effective proposal coming to Council on July 8

 

Council Appoints Members to Committees

Appointments were made to ensure quorum and continued operations across several advisory committees, including the newly established Chestermere Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee, along with the Lake and Watershed Advisory Committee, Grant Adjudication Committee and Seniors Advisory Committee.

 

Traffic Signal Installation at Key Intersection

Council approved the allocation of $730,000 from the Canada Community Building Fund (CCBF) for critical upgrades at the intersection of West Chestermere Drive and Chestermere Station Way. The improvements will include traffic signal installation, a southbound left-turn lane, and associated work. Identified as the top priority in the City Centre Traffic and Safety Study (to be completed in September 2025), this investment aims to address public safety concerns and improve traffic flow. Delaying the project could have resulted in construction setbacks and increased risk due to continued unsafe driving conditions.

 

Council Reviews Updated Municipal Development Plan (MDP)

Council gave First Reading to Bylaw #020-25, the updated Municipal Development Plan, and scheduled a Public Hearing for July 14, 2025. The MDP sets out a long-range vision for Chestermere’s land use and development over the next 25 years. Initiated in April 2024, the draft plan incorporates extensive community input and Council direction. The updated MDP was originally mandated under the Calgary Metropolitan Regional Board (CMRB) framework. Despite the CMRB’s disbandment, the City has continued the planning process to guide economic growth, infrastructure, environmental stewardship and social programming.

 

Phased Approach for Dawson’s Landing Recreation Centre

Council reviewed the Mayor’s Task Force for Recreation Subcommittee’s report, “A Phased Approach to the Development of Recreation Components in Dawson’s Landing.” Administration was directed to explore potential governance models for a municipal recreation centre and develop a preliminary funding plan. The work will build on the Community Aquatics Model and explore fundraising options.

 

Land Use Bylaw Amendment

Council gave First Reading to Bylaw #031-25, amending Land Use Bylaw #020-24 to regulate short-term rentals. This amendment follows growing interest in short-term accommodations and aims to provide clear regulations for their use in residential neighbourhoods. The amendment proposes a new definition in Section 2.2, defining “Short-Term Rentals” as “the business of providing temporary accommodation for compensation, in a dwelling unit or a portion of a dwelling unit, for periods of up to 180 consecutive days.” It also amends Section 10.5.6 to explicitly prohibit short-term rentals in homes within specific R-1L zoned districts. A Public Hearing is scheduled for July 22, 2025, at 10 a.m.

 

Alberta Summer/Winter Games Bid

Council considered a bid to host the 2028 Alberta Summer or Winter Games. Rather than submitting a formal Letter of Intent at this time, Council directed Administration to express interest in a future bid through a letter to the Province, initiating early-stage dialogue.

 

Update on High School and Recreation Site

Council directed Administration to explore integrated and standalone development options for a high school and recreation facility in Dawson’s Landing. The goal is to optimize site use and reduce potential conflicts between shared uses. This work will involve Rocky View Schools and Alberta Infrastructure.

 

Closed Session Motions

Council accepted the Recreation Centre update, for information.

Council accepted the Operational update, for information.

Council accepted the Golf Course update, for information.