TAMRMS#: B06
7.1
REQUEST FOR DECISION
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Resolution For Proposed Removal of Municipal Reserve Designation - 16 and 18 Sir Winston Churchill Avenue, Former Firehall 1 and Sanitary Lift Station.
Bylaw 12/2026 to add Public Utility Lot (PUL) Designation to 18 Sir Winston Churchill Avenue, Sanitary Lift Station.
Presented by: Suzanne Ruegg, Planner, Planning & Development
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RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
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Resolution for Removal of Municipal Reserve Designation
1. That the Public Hearing on the proposed Municipal Reserve designation removal be closed.
2. That the Chief Administrative Officer notify the Registrar of Land Titles that Council has complied with the requirements of Division 9 (Use and Disposal of Reserve Land) of Part 17 (Planning and Development) of the Municipal Government Act with respect to Municipal Reserve land legally described as Plan 242 2556, Block 9, Lot 1MR and Lot 2MR, identified on the map entitled Municipal Reserve Designation Removal Map and request that the Registrar remove the Municipal Reserve designation from these two lots.
[If MR designation is removed, then proceed to Bylaw 12/2026].
Bylaw 12/2026 to add Public Utility Lot (PUL) Designation
1. That Bylaw 12/2026, being a bylaw to designate a Public Utility Lot, be read a first time.
2. That Bylaw 12/2026 be read a second time.
3. That unanimous consent be given for consideration of third reading of Bylaw 12/2026.
4. That Bylaw 12/2026 be read a third time.
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SUMMARY
This report outlines the process and considerations regarding the proposed removal of the Municipal Reserve (MR) designation from the titles of both 16 and 18 Sir Winston Churchill Avenue and to add a Public Utility Lot (PUL) designation to 18 Sir Winston Churchill Avenue.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
Resolution for Removal of Municipal Reserve Designation
On June 10, 2025, Standing Committee of the Whole passed the following motion:
AR-25-200
That Administration bring forward a bylaw for Council’s consideration to remove the Municipal Reserve designation for 16 Sir Winston Churchill Avenue, in order to enable the land to be donated or sold for a nominal fee to facilitate the developing and operation of Youth Transitional Housing in St. Albert.
Legislated regulations of the Municipal Government Act can be found in the attached Statutory Provisions.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
In 2022, Council directed “That Administration proceed with the decommissioning and demolition of Fire Hall 1 as per the 2022 - RMR - FIRE-026 project charter”. This work was completed within the year. Since the subject lots were created from the same title as Grenadier Park, both lots have an associated Municipal Reserve (MR) designation, despite being used historically for non-park purposes.
Municipal Reserve is a designation that is placed on a property’s land title, which identifies that it has a specific municipal use. The Municipal Government Act (MGA) requires that Municipal Reserve only be used for:
(a) a public park;
(b) a public recreation area;
(c) school board purposes; or
(d) to separate areas of land that are used for different purposes.
Following the removal of the fire hall structure and remediation of the property, the site was subdivided into separate lots for the former firehall and the adjacent lift station. Subdividing the subject lands prior to removal of the Municipal Reserve designation was completed to ensure the lot sizes are exact, and that the park and trails within Grenadier Park would not be affected by changes in designation. These new lots were registered at the Land Titles Office on December 4, 2024. The sanitary lift station remained as 18 Sir Winston Churchill Avenue, while the former firehall site was addressed 16 Sir Winston Churchill Avenue. A map of these properties is provided, please refer to the Location Map attached.
In keeping with Council direction, and to enable a wider range of options for the site, Administration is proposing to remove the MR designation from the former firehall site, 16 Sir Winston Churchill Avenue. The lot which holds the sanitary lift station, 18 Sir Winston Churchill Avenue, is proposed to be redesignated from MR to Public Utility Lot (PUL), which reflects the existing use of the site. Removing the MR designation requires a public hearing (MGA, s. 674) and the passing of a Council resolution (MGA, s. 675). Adding a PUL designation requires a bylaw but does not require a public hearing.
MR designation is indicated on a land title by the letters “MR”, and Public Utility Lot (PUL) designation is indicated on a land title by the letters “PUL”, as well as within the legal description of a property; it is independent from the District which is assigned to a property through the Land Use Bylaw. However, Municipal Reserve designated parcels are usually districted Public Park (PRK) District, or Public, Private, and Institutional Service (PPI) in St. Albert. Public Utility Lot designated parcels can be districted Public Park (PRK) District; Public, Private, and Institutional Service (PPI); or the land use district they are adjacent to.
Both 16 and 18 Sir Winston Churchill Avenue are Public, Private, and Institutional Service (PPI) District, as assigned by the Land Use Bylaw. At this time, there is no proposed change to the Land Use Bylaw District being considered. If a future use is identified which requires a change in District, a separate circulation and public hearing would be required for such a planning application.
Council has indicated, through the motion made at Standing Committee of the Whole, that the intention is for 16 Sir Winston Churchill Avenue to be donated or sold to facilitate the development and operation of Youth Transitional Housing in St. Albert. Transitional Accommodation is a permitted use within the Public, Private, and Institutional Service (PPI) District. Therefore, this particular envisioned land use would not require future Land Use Bylaw amendments, and development permits could be issued by the Development Authority without circulation.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
• The intent to remove the MR designation from 16 and 18 Sir Winston Churchill Avenue was posted to the Cultivate the Conversation platform, as well as mailed out to residents in a 100 m radius from the site. No responses or inquiries were received through Cultivate the Conversation, or as a result of the mailout.
• A sign was posted on the property to notify the public of the intended MR designation removal.
• Internal departments were provided with the opportunity to comment on the intent to remove the MR designation and PUL designation for the sanitary lift station. No concerns were identified.
o Environment Branch of the Government/Indigenous Relations & Environment Department, advised that future uses of the site must avoid impacting the park and forested area to the south (rear of site).
o Recreation & Parks has no concern with the removal of the Municipal Reserve designation. The lands are not required as park space.
The Public Hearing is scheduled for March 17, 2026. A Public Hearing Notice has been posted on the City website, and full page Citylights advertisements appeared on both February 26, 2026, and March 5, 2026. A press release was also issued for this public hearing.
IMPACTS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Removal of Municipal Reserve Designation allows for 16 Sir Winston Churchill Avenue to be considered for uses other than those prescribed through the MGA. The removal of the Municipal Reserve Designation at 18 Sir Winston Churchill Avenue will allow for the designation of Public Utility Lot (PUL), which is needed for the sanitary lift station. A parcel of land can only have one designation. However, being previously designated as Municipal Reserve, if the lands are sold or disposed of by the City, any funds or consideration received are required by the MGA to be used for provision of the same services; that of a public park, public recreation area, or school board purposes.
Financial:
None at this time.
Compliance & Legal:
A council may act either by bylaw or resolution (MGA, s. 180). A bylaw is not required to be passed in order to remove a Munciipal Reserve designation; therefore, administration is recommending a resolution instead.
A bylaw is required in order to designate land as a Public Utility Lot (MGA, s. 665).
A public hearing is required before a Municipal Reserve designation may be removed.
First reading for Bylaw 12/2026 (to add a PUL designation) must be completed in order to get the bylaw “on the table” for Council’s consideration. Providing first reading of a bylaw does not indicate agreement with the bylaw, but rather is the process by which bylaws may be put forward in accordance with procedural fairness principles.
First, second, and third readings of Bylaw 12/2026 are scheduled for the same day. The Municipal Government Act provides that a proposed bylaw must not have more than two readings at a council meeting unless the Council members present unanimously agree to consider third reading at the same meeting.
If unanimous consent for third reading of Bylaw 12/2026 is not granted on March 17, 2026, after first and second reading, third reading of Bylaw 12/2026 will occur at the next regular Council meeting on April 7, 2026.
Program or Service:
None at this time.
Organizational:
None at this time.
Risks
None at this time.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Strategic Priority One, Economic Prosperity: Support plans and agreements that foster development in St. Albert, including mature neighbourhoods, and build affordability in all new development. This strategy includes an update to the Land Use Bylaw and completion of the Infill Strategy.
ALIGNMENT TO SERVICE DELIVERY
Current Planning Application Processing:
Processing and coordination of the approval of Statutory plans and amendments, subdivisions and condominium applications.
IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
If Council does not wish to support the recommendations, the following alternative could be considered:
ALTERNATIVE 1:
To retain the MR designation at 16 and 18 Sir Winston Churchill Avenue by defeating the resolution. Defeating the resolution means Bylaw 12/2026, to designate the sanitary lift station would not happen through this process. There is no minimum timeline requirement before bringing back a report to remove the Municipal Reserve Designation and add the PUL designation for 18 Sir Winston Churchill Avenue.
Financial:
None at this time.
Compliance & Legal:
Retaining the lands as Municipal Reserve will mean that future uses are limited to public park, a public recreation area, or school board purposes, and the lands could not be sold, leased, or otherwise disposed of (MGA, s. 674).
Program or Service:
None at this time.
Organizational:
None at this time.
Risks
None at this time.
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Report Date: March 17, 2026
Author(s): Suzanne Ruegg, Planner
Department: Planning & Development
Department Director: Kristina Peter
Managing Director: Adryan Slaght
Chief Administrative Officer: Bill Fletcher
Attachments not part of the report:
Bylaw 12/2026
Location Maps
Municipal Reserve Designation Removal Map
Statutory Provisions