Okotoks Mayor Tanya Thorn told residents that managing growth is key to preserving an enviable quality of life.
More than 100 people gathered at the Viking Rentals Centre on Jan. 16 to hear the Mayor's Town Update, much of which talked about growth and planning for the future.
“We know that growth is inevitable,” Thorn said. “Our commitment is to steer growth in a way that strengthens our community, enhances our quality of life and honours values we hold dear.”
Growth has been managed in part due to a limited water supply, but that is set to change when the Foothills-Okotoks Regional Water Project comes online next year, she said.
“The additional water supply will increase the amount of water available for development... which is expected to create pressure to approve land use faster than we have been doing,” she said.
She said, despite appearances, the town has been growing slower than it has in the past and is growing slower than neighbouring municipalities like Airdrie, Cochrane and Chestermere.
The Town’s growth rate was 1.85 per cent last year, compared to almost six per cent in the Calgary metropolitan region.
Further growth brings opportunities, but it needs careful planning, Thorn said.
“With thoughtful community planning, we can build neighbourhoods that are affordable, inclusive, walkable and connected,” she said.
Thorn also talked property taxes, and said the Town approved its first all-commercial area structure plan — the North Point Area Structure Plan — in 2024 to help reduce future reliance on residential tax revenue.
Currently, residential taxes make up about 82 per cent of the Town's tax revenue, but the Town would like to see that number drop to 75 per cent by increasing commercial and industrial development.
“By expanding the non-residential (tax) base we can reduce the financial burden on homeowners and foster a more stable economy,” she said.
With growth comes demand for different housing types, and more purpose-built rental units, affordable rental units, and secondary suites are being built, she said.
“Growth is not just about numbers, it’s about creating a community that thrives for everyone."
The Town is working on a growth impact analysis to assess the effects to services, infrastructure and the environment.
Following her remarks, Thorn took several questions from the audience, who were then invited to talk with Town staff or ask them questions about specific services.
