The City of Lacombe will bring potential changes to the Land Use Bylaw (LUB) to council in 2025, allowing retail and office uses in the city’s Light
Industrial District.
These changes stem from community interest in Lacombe in allowing office and retail sales, leading to the city’s Planning and Development department proposing these amendments to the LUB, starting in 2025, according to a release.
“Lacombe is known for its unique business community and innovative approaches to building a robust local economy,” Mayor Grant Creasey said.
“These potential amendments would remove barriers and red tape while allowing our business owners to operate in even more districts throughout our city.”
A review of municipal comparators shows a range of approaches to allowing office and retail sales in industrial areas.
'Office' means a facility established primarily to provide professional, management, administrative, consulting, or financial services, and 'Retail Sales' means a development for the rental or retail sale of groceries, beverages, household goods, furniture and appliances, and other retail items.
Because adding these uses may impact industrial and commercial property owners across the city, enhanced public engagement will occur before any amendments.
Applications for these uses in the Light Industrial District have previously been considered individually as site exceptions. Through these potential changes to the LUB, council may approve these uses as discretionary or permitted uses.
Currently, a standalone office or retail sales business, such as an accounting office or a clothing store where retail is the primary use, is not allowed in the district unless a site-specific LUB amendment has been applied for and approved by council.
Enhanced engagement, including an open house for potential changes to the LUB, will be held in 2025.
If you are interested in attending the open house, contact planning and development at develoment@lacombe.ca for additional information on how to participate.
All industrial and commercial landowners will receive letters from the city regarding these proposed changes.
Follow Lacombe.ca and the city’s social media channels to learn more about this engagement process.
