Leduc County mulls the future of the East Vistas

LEDUC COUNTY -- The East Vistas continues to be one of the fastest growing communities in Leduc County.

This comes as the area saw a significant increase in subdivision development from 2022 to last year, with 569 new lots approved in the East Vistas during that time. Prior to that, development had been mostly slow and steady in the area since its area structure plan was passed back in 2010.

The East Vistas ASP covers approximately 1,400 acres between Nisku and the City of Beaumont, and was planned for a full build-out population of just over 23,000 people. This is roughly equivalent to the current population of Beaumont and about two-thirds of the population of the City of Leduc.

At their meeting on Feb. 24, Leduc County administration brought forward recommendations to consider the designation of a "special study area" for the segment of the East Vistas located south of Township Road 505. Director of Planning and Development Grant Bain says the goal would be to examine how future growth should proceed. 

"It would be appropriate for Council to consider whether the current development concept identified for the as yet undeveloped part of the area structure plan represents a viable and desired long-term direction for the County," said Bain in his presentation to elected officials. 

Bain notes that expectations of residents in the East Vistas regarding service delivery are likely to be generally consistent with those of other urban communities should the area continue to expand at its current rate.  Further, with increased urban development comes a much higher level of community amenity, which will necessarily require levels of service that are unique to this form of development. 

"So, with more urban development comes a concentration of a number of infrastructure types," said Bain. "In particular, urban streets and sidewalks, parks and trails, passive and active recreation amenities, additional underground works, street furniture, street trees, landscaped areas, and so on."

A motion to consider amendments to the area structure plan for the East Vistas was approved by Council, with only Councillor Dal Virdi voting in opposition. Speaking on the matter, Councillor Kelly-Lynn Lewis said it's a good step to consider what services and amenities could be required in the future.

"Looking at the list you have from sidewalks to parks and trails, to possibly rec complexes, new police stations, or emergency, public works," said Lewis. "There's a lot of financial things we need to consider as a municipality, and I think this is a great second sober thought before we continue to move forward."

Any substantive change to the development concept of the East Vistas Area Structure plan to be considered by Council would require stakeholder engagement and completion of a statutory amendment process.