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COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT

5.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Due to the Town’s close proximity to Grande Prairie, the local commercial sector is not quite as extensive compared to a level normally associated with a Town of its size. With the prospect of an increasing commuter base the commercial sector should sustain itself and may show improvement. Nevertheless a variety of goods and services are available in the Town.
 
The natural trading area for the Town of Sexsmith is composed of:
  • a) the Town population
  • b) the rural population surrounding the town
  • c) the traffic passing through on Hwy#2, particularly for convenience commodities and auto related services and that rural population which base their grain deliveries in Sexsmith.
Sexsmith has a distinct advantage over Grande Prairie with regard to economics of land development. Sexsmith land prices and municipal taxes are more attractive than those in the city and subsequently, with a potentially lower overhead, Sexsmith businesses should be able to compete favorably with their Grande Prairie counter-parts.
 
At present Sexsmith has an identified need for reserved commercial lots. Within the downtown area there are only 36 commercial lots (C1) Serviced highway commercial is at 2 serviced, 2 unserviced (C2) and other serviced/unserviced lots at 6 serviced 5 unserviced (C3). Further there are 9 unserviced industrial parcels.
 
The Town has completed an extensive project which has seen significant visual improvements through the Town centre as well as the restoration of historic sites. This revitalization has provided a recognized distinctiveness throughout the trading area and has encouraged commercial development in the town centre.
 
5.2 OBJECTIVES
General Statement
 
The following objectives and policies have been identified which will accommodate ongoing commercial development.
  • To encourage the physical and economic revitalization of the town centre.
  • To encourage the development of a variety of commercial facilities in the Town.
  • To encourage a high standard of commercial development in the Town.
 
5.3 POLICIES
  1. Future commercial development shall occur in accordance with the Future Land Use Map.
  2. The Town has developed Area Redevelopment Plan for the town centre. Other measures intended to encourage a high quality of development in the area. The Town will continue to implement design guidelines and other measures etc. in accordance with land use bylaw and ARP.
  3. Primary commercial uses, such as retail and service outlets, professional offices, and entertainment facilities, are encouraged to locate in the town centre.
  4. Development in the Town centre will be encouraged to provide on-site parking for staff use.
  5. Those business or services that require a lesser degree of highway #2 visibility will be encouraged to locate in the downtown ARP area.
  6. All highway commercial developments are required to provide adequate on-site parking facilities and landscaping to the satisfaction of the Town.
  7. Commercial developments that abut residential areas shall provide an adequate buffer or screening to the satisfaction of the Town.
  8. The Town supports the establishment of home occupations in residential areas, provided such operations maintain a low profile, and are licensed by the Town and are in accordance with the land use bylaw.
  9. To encourage and assist commercial development the Town will offer a declining percentage municipal tax rebate of 50% in the first full year of operation; 25% in the second full year of operation; 25% in the third full year of operation; 0% thereafter. This criteria applies to new assessments only and does not include school taxes which are directly requisitioned.