With the City of Calgary becoming more stringent when it comes to development, local developers and builders are looking beyond the city borders to identify lands for growth. Some of the smaller communities surrounding the big city are taking advantage of that opportunity and inviting the developers in.
For the past two years, Okotoks, Cochrane, Airdrie and Chestermere are among those communities that have experienced steady growth again since the down turn in the economy in 2008.
Taking a look at the building permits in Chestermere over the past ten years gives an interesting view on our town’s growth. The number of residential building permits issued during the months of January in 2009, 2010 and 2011 together equaled a total of 11. Compare that to 2012 when there were 28, and in 2013 there were 52.
In January of 2014 there have been 49 building permits issued, 42 of which were for single family homes and seven semi-detached. This is the highest number of single family home permits to be issued by the Town of Chestermere since 2006 when that number was at 51.
Last year in 2013, there were a total of 402 building permits issued in Chestermere, 299 single family; 30 semi-detached and 73 condos/townhouses. Condo/townhouses numbers are non-existent so for this year, whereas last year in January there were 18 permits issued in this area.
“If we keep up with these numbers, we could expect to see upwards of approximately 600 building permits issued within Chestermere by the end of 2014” says John Popoff, Director of Development Services for the Town of Chestermere.
According to Popoff, excluding the 2009 annexed lands, the town currently has room for growth up to approximately 22,500 people. This includes the areas of Rainbow Falls, Kinniburgh, and the parts of Westmere still seeing development under Mattamy and Melcor Developers. Add that to the annexed land to the west, south and east and Chestermere will likely have a population of 60,000-80,000 within 30 years.
“This is an estimated 7.5% growth rate per year which is incredible because anything over 5% is huge”, says Popoff. “Construction is planned for the new lift station to begin this fall which will be able to provide for a further 35,000 people.” Lift Station 13 will accommodate future growth for the next 20 years and will handle the sanitary wastewater for the town.
Chestermere is still a young community which is evident of the number of schools we have. According to the town website, 31% of our population is under 20 years old which makes up the largest age group in town.
So what does all this growth mean? Well, according to Popoff, the town is concentrating on bringing some new infrastructure to accommodate the increased traffic to areas along Chestermere Blvd as well as provide recreation. “We will see a new intersection on Marina Drive and Chestermere Blvd near the Starbucks, as well, Rainbow Road. and Chestermere Blvd. should be open soon.”
In addition to roads, the new beach at Anniversary Park will be partially open this summer allowing more people access to the lake and the Bike Park in Rainbow Falls will also be complete, delivering on what residents asked for according to the 2012 Chestermere Town Survey.
Mayor Patricia Matthews notes that although growth is not new to Chestermere, the town has made sure the growth to date has been smart and they will continue to do so in the future. “Economic development depends on a solid customer base and our residential population is coming close to the size to attract much more commercial, which is what residents tell us they want for a variety of shopping choices.”
“Light industrial development, which takes longer to establish, needs a good base of available workers and growth, smart growth which reflects our values as a community, is needed for this kind of business”, says Mayor Matthews.
“Everyone on Council has children who will hold us accountable for the community Chestermere will be in the future. Residents hold us accountable for the plans we make now. We all are focused on continuing plans for a great community we love to call home”, she adds.
