An open house was held on Thursday for a future business park near the Highway 2 corridor in Okotoks.
The Town of Okotoks hosted the open house, for the North Point Area Structure Plan (ASP), at the Foothills Centennial Centre on May 30.
The ASP establishes guidelines for industrial, commercial and recreational development on lands in northeast Okotoks.
The area consists of about 600 acres between Highway 2 and 48 Street, on either side of 338 Avenue.
During the open house, Town planner Lauren Gagatek said the commercial area is close to major transportation corridors and would create more opportunities to live and work in Okotoks, and increase tax revenue for the Town.
“This area has great access to Highway 2, so it'd be an excellent opportunity for new employers who have transportation needs,” she said.
Potential land uses include agribusiness, light and medium industrial and logistics, advanced manufacturing and commercial development.
About 55 acres are set aside for an indoor and outdoor recreation area.
The Town said the plan would develop an appropriate boundary with Foothills County and adjacent residential communities.
Design guidelines for the 338 Avenue corridor, expected to become the primary entry to north Okotoks, will be set out in later planning stages, the Town said.
Next steps include a public hearing, tentatively planned for July, with plan approval coming as early as September.
If the ASP is approved, a neighbourhood area structure plan would be created with a more-detailed design, Gagatek said.
The Town said development would begin with larger sites that require minimal servicing, diversifying as services become available.
Existing businesses near Highway 2 and 338 Avenue are not included in the ASP area.
Feedback can be shared at shapeourtown.okotoks.ca until June 10.
