GROWTH MANAGEMENT
3.1 DIRECTION OF FUTURE GROWTH
The majority of the developed portion of the Town is confined to lands located between the Northern Alberta Railway tracks to the west and Highway 2 to the east.
Within its current boundaries the Town has two major areas slated for future expansion. The first, located on the NE 25-73-06-W6M, consists of approximately 53.8 ha (133 ac) intended for residential, highway commercial, and public uses. This adopted in 1982. The second area consists of approximately 145.5 ha (360 ac) located on the NW and S 1/2 25-73-06 W6M. The West Sexsmith Area Structure Plan was adopted in 1982 for this area, outlining future industrial, commercial, residential, and public use development. NW 1/4 24-73-06 W6M and part of NE 1/4 24-73-06 W6M. These areas could accommodate a threefold increase in existing population of the Town.
Commercial development has historically been accommodated at the Town Centre. In recent years, however, such development has occurred in the form of highway commercial development along Highway 2, and secondary commercial along 95th Avenue. Although the most appropriate location for commercial development is dependent on the specific use proposed, it is the Town’s intention to continue to encourage commercial development at the Town Centre in keeping with efforts to revitalize the area.
Industrial development is presently dominated by the resin plant located to the south of 95th Avenue. Additional industrial expansion related to the resin plant could be accommodated south of the existing operation. The West Sexsmith Area Structure Plan has also allotted approximately 24 ha (59.3 ac) of land adjacent to the railway on the NE 25-73-06-W6M for possible industrial/residential expansion.
The Town recently annexed 14 1/2 quarters and the annexation was done to assure a developable land base for the Town for the next fifty years. Land
3.2 ROLE OF THE TOWN
The Town of Sexsmith plays a dual role within the region. First of all it serves as an agricultural service and institutional centre to the surrounding farming community. Secondly, it serves as a residential dormitory to the City of Grande Prairie. This role is borne out by the fact that 50% of the local work force is employed in the City and surrounding area. This double role strengthens the Town by contributing to the stability of its economic and tax base.
The Town recognizes that both functions will continue to be served in the future, but that its role as a satellite will likely increase in importance. The primary reasons for this assumption include continued lower housing costs and taxes relative to Grande Prairie. Further, the Town recognizes the importance of quality of life by emphasizing factors such as excellent municipal services, recreation, cultural, sport opportunities for all age groups, local police services and a safe clean environment.
The Town’s present philosophical belief is that the private sector is best suited to handle land development. A steady rate of residential, commercial and industrial growth has not stressed the Towns infrastructure and continual program of upgrading is expected to meet anticipated future needs.
3.3 GOALS OF THE PLAN
In order to give direction to specific land use policies, it is necessary to develop a series of reasonable goals that the Plan is intended to achieve. Overall, this Plan is designed with the following goals in mind:
- (a) To provide and maintain a variety of housing types and lot sizes in order to accommodate the demands of residents.
- (b) To encourage and promote the redevelopment and revitalization of the downtown commercial area and downtown fringe neighborhoods.
- (c) To provide opportunities for future industrial development in the Town.
- (d) To continue to encourage and promote the development of recreational, tourist, and cultural facilities in the Town.
- (e) To ensure that all future development and redevelopment efforts are of the highest possible quality in order that the Town will continue to be an attractive environment in which to live and work.
- (f) To control the location and timing of future development to ensure that is can be serviced in an economically responsible fashion.