Thanks to growing demand, Clearwater County has cleared the way for new residential, commercial and industrial lots to be developed within Nordegg.

Lots include 14 industrial spaces, commercial lots off Stuart St. and Elizabeth Ave., and high density residential lots.

According to the County’s land use bylaw, possible uses for the industrial lots in the future could include industrial equipment storage, greenhouses, timber, bulk fuel and chemical storage among other uses.

When it comes to ‘high density’ residential developments, Clearwater County Reeve Michelle Swanson says that has a specific meaning in a community like Nordegg.

“Proper land use planning for a growing community would be to have high density areas which means townhouses, or rowhouses, or walk-up apartments,” says Swanson. “We realize that if we want business and people to live out there, we have to have some zoning that will allow high density in those particular builds.”

Area zoned for high density residential west of Stuart St., Nordegg (Clearwater County)

Area zoned for high density residential east of Stuart St., Nordegg (Clearwater County)

Typical residential density is 30-70 units per hectare- a number that shows Nordegg is far less densely populated than other communities, says Swanson.

She adds, the newly created lots are a direct response to increased demand in the region.

The current commercial lots off Stuart St. mainly serves tourists at the moment, says Swanson, but new lots could allow for new businesses such as coffee shops, hotels or even a car wash to open up.

Area zoned for commercial development, west of Stuart St., Nordegg (Clearwater County)

Swanson says there has also been an uptick in demand for industrial use with construction shops, seasonal work, light industrial businesses and County operations.

Officials hope new development in the area will also bolster tourism, as the community is a common stop for travelers between Rocky Mountain House and the Banff National Park border.

Additionally, Swanson says new developments could benefit a growing number of residents who’ve moved from big cities and have made cabins and other properties in the area their permanent home.

County officials say the lots off Stuart St. are in the design and concept phase. Once deep utilities have been roughed in, the lots will be available.

Residential development in Nordegg, Alberta. (Clearwater County/Used with permission)