A proposed rezoning in Bonnyville has cleared first reading, with council agreeing to move ahead with a public hearing on a plan that could bring new townhouse-style housing to part of the community.
Administration told council it had received an application to rezone a portion of 3702 50 Avenue from Urban Reserve to R3 Medium Density Residential District.
The proposed change would allow the developer to create four medium-density lots for town home residential units.
“Housing is becoming difficult to find in certain price points and as well as in rentals,” administration told council while recommending first reading.
Traffic and access raised as concerns
Councillors generally supported the idea of more housing, but several questions focused on parking, traffic flow and access in the area.
Mayor Elisa Brosseau said she was not opposed to the type of housing, but said movement through the area remained a concern.
“I think my concerns are the same with my other councillors, it’s just the flow of traffic. It’s becoming a very high density area,” Brosseau said. “I’m not necessarily opposed to the type of housing. It’s just the movement of residents in that area.”
Administration said parking and access issues would be reviewed later through the development permit process and by the Municipal Planning Commission.
Councillor Kayla Blanchette also asked whether the proposed townhomes would be considered row housing under the Town’s land use bylaw. Administration said they would, and noted the development would still have to come back through later approval stages.
“There would be two checkpoints on any type of development that’s going to go in here after the rezoning,” administration said.
What Urban Reserve means
Councillors also asked for clarification on what the current Urban Reserve zoning means.
Administration described it as “placeholder land” that gives flexibility for future development while also allowing the Town room to deal with matters such as easements and subdivision design as projects move forward.
Council voted to give first reading to Bylaw No. 1613-26 and directed administration to advertise a public hearing for the first regular meeting in April, now set for April 7, 2026.
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Proposed Bonnyville rezoning could open door to townhouse development
A proposed rezoning in Bonnyville has cleared first reading, with council agreeing to move ahead with a public hearing on a plan that could bring new townhouse-style housing to part of the community.
Administration told council it had received an application to rezone a portion of 3702 50 Avenue from Urban Reserve to R3 Medium Density Residential District.
The proposed change would allow the developer to create four medium-density lots for town home residential units.
“Housing is becoming difficult to find in certain price points and as well as in rentals,” administration told council while recommending first reading.
Traffic and access raised as concerns
Councillors generally supported the idea of more housing, but several questions focused on parking, traffic flow and access in the area.
Mayor Elisa Brosseau said she was not opposed to the type of housing, but said movement through the area remained a concern.
“I think my concerns are the same with my other councillors, it’s just the flow of traffic. It’s becoming a very high density area,” Brosseau said. “I’m not necessarily opposed to the type of housing. It’s just the movement of residents in that area.”
Administration said parking and access issues would be reviewed later through the development permit process and by the Municipal Planning Commission.
Councillor Kayla Blanchette also asked whether the proposed townhomes would be considered row housing under the Town’s land use bylaw. Administration said they would, and noted the development would still have to come back through later approval stages.
“There would be two checkpoints on any type of development that’s going to go in here after the rezoning,” administration said.
What Urban Reserve means
Councillors also asked for clarification on what the current Urban Reserve zoning means.
Administration described it as “placeholder land” that gives flexibility for future development while also allowing the Town room to deal with matters such as easements and subdivision design as projects move forward.
Council voted to give first reading to Bylaw No. 1613-26 and directed administration to advertise a public hearing for the first regular meeting in April, now set for April 7, 2026.
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