Current Planning Projects

Welcome to the Bentley-Lacombe County Joint Development Initiative Project Page!

The Town of Bentley and Lacombe County are working together to encourage commercial and industrial growth opportunities in Section 23-40-1-W5M, southeast of Bentley’s existing boundary. The Project is called the “Bentley-Lacombe County Joint Development Initiative.” It builds on past collaboration between the Town and County in planning for land use patterns and economic development.

The Project aims to prepare lands for future development by addressing several key questions around expectations and opportunities. It seeks to provide critical information needed by potential investors who may be interested in establishing a business in Central Alberta and specifically the area near Bentley. This includes:

• Detailed plans for the types of land use that may be possible;
• Patterns of land use and future road connections; and
• Opportunities to access municipal water and wastewater services.

The Project also involves adjusting the Town boundaries to add commercial and industrial lands to the Town and cost and revenue-sharing arrangements between the Town and County.

Welcome to the Bentley-Lacombe County Joint Development Initiative Project Page!

The Town of Bentley and Lacombe County are working together to encourage commercial and industrial growth opportunities in Section 23-40-1-W5M, southeast of Bentley’s existing boundary. The Project is called the “Bentley-Lacombe County Joint Development Initiative.” It builds on past collaboration between the Town and County in planning for land use patterns and economic development.

The Project aims to prepare lands for future development by addressing several key questions around expectations and opportunities. It seeks to provide critical information needed by potential investors who may be interested in establishing a business in Central Alberta and specifically the area near Bentley. This includes:

• Detailed plans for the types of land use that may be possible;
• Patterns of land use and future road connections; and
• Opportunities to access municipal water and wastewater services.

The Project also involves adjusting the Town boundaries to add commercial and industrial lands to the Town and cost and revenue-sharing arrangements between the Town and County.

Opportunities to Participate and Share Your Thoughts

We hosted an open house and meeting on Wednesday, November 16, 2022. Thank you to all who were able to participate! A copy of the display boards from the open house is available here.

We will be receiving comments and input up until the end of November. Please see the contact information below.

Your input will help us make key decisions for the next steps of the Project. Further opportunities to participate in the process will be scheduled for the first half of 2023.

On this page you will find:

On this page you will find:

• Information about the Project and the plans, studies, and materials that have been created; and
• Upcoming opportunities to find out more about the Project, to ask questions, and to provide your input. (see more below)

Lacombe County Council approved the Aspelund Off-site Levy Bylaw update (Bylaw 1220/16) on June 9, 2016 for the Aspelund Area Development Node to apply a $95,000/ha off-site levy to recoup the costs of providing municipal water and wastewater servicing to this area, and twin a portion of Aspelund Road.

This off-site levy has recently been reviewed to update the costs for the remaining future infrastructure to reflect current industry pricing in Central Alberta. There are two key factors in the update of the off-site levy rates:

• Since 2016, and particularly in 2021, there has been relatively significant inflation in water and wastewater infrastructure (2.6% per annum, on average).
• Costs for debenture for the future lift station are no longer considered required and have been removed from the calculations. The removal of this has largely offset the inflation-related increases.

Based on the review, the off-site levy will be increased to $96,000 per hectare for the remaining future development. A copy of the full review can be accessed in the attachment.

CLICK "Read More" for further details and to access the attachments.

Third Reading to Bylaw 1369/22 was given October 27, 2022 by Lacombe County Council, which adds a “recovery centre” definition to the County’s Land Use Bylaw, and further lists a “recovery centre” as a discretionary use on the W½ Pt. SW 16-39-01-W5M.

The developer must still obtain a Development Permit for the proposed use.

Should you have any questions, please contact Cajun Paradis, Senior Planner with Lacombe County at 403-782-8389 or .

Lacombe County is preparing an off-site levy bylaw to recoup the costs of providing upsizing of the Joint Line through Sunbreaker Cove and on the Sylvan Lake Regional Wastewater Commission line, to provide wastewater servicing to the Palm Cove area on Sylvan Lake. The off-site levy being proposed is anticipated to be $9,284 per hectare which is the proportionate cost of providing the aforementioned services to the lands. A copy of the full review can be accessed in the attachment.