St. Albert Minute: Public Hearing, Dangerous Intersection, and Statue Replacement Approved

St. Albert Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of St. Albert politics

This Week In St. Albert:

• On Tuesday, at 1:00 pm, there will be a meeting of City Council. Much of the meeting will be spent on the Public Hearing, scheduled for 2:00 pm. That Public Hearing involves St. Albert’s Land Use Bylaw, which it is updating for the first time in nearly 20 years. The revised bylaw aims to simplify zoning regulations and make them more adaptable to modern development trends. It aligns with the City's growth plan, Flourish: Growing to 100K, and includes provisions for increased residential density, such as allowing more secondary suites in low-density areas. Four new zoning districts are proposed, including a conservation district and an industrial zone for heavier industries. Public feedback will be accepted at the hearing. Members of the public who register with organizers will be allowed to speak for up to five minutes. You can email [email protected] or simply sign the list at the door.
  
  
• The Seniors’ Advisory Committee will meet on Wednesday at 6:30 pm. The Committee will hear an update from the Older Adult Working Group and receive a presentation on Scams and Frauds Awareness and Prevention Education.
  
  
• This year’s Halloween Haunt, presented by Bright Dental, will take place on Saturday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, at Servus Credit Union Place, 400 Campbell Road. There are activities for kids aged 2-12, including inflatables, sensory bins, crafts, Lego, archery, and a spooky skate session. Families can also enjoy the Bright Dental photo booth to capture their costumes. For those seeking a sensory-friendly environment, a pre-registered Inclusive Hour from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm offers a quieter experience with dim lighting and no music. Tickets can be purchased online, and entry is free for Servus Place child members, parents, and children under two.

Last Week In St. Albert:

• St. Albert City Council has approved the replacement of the stolen statue of Saint Albert the Great, which will now be placed indoors at St. Albert Place to prevent theft. The new, smaller statue by original artist Al Henderson will join other public art pieces inside the building, which also houses the public library. Concerns were raised about whether public art should always be kept indoors due to security risks, though officials said that outdoor art remains a priority. Additionally, Council approved funding for an artist to contribute to the 2025 International Children’s Festival of the Arts.
  
  
• The Visual Arts Society Association's (VASA) October exhibition, The Essence of Alberta - An Abstract Journey, has opened. The exhibit showcases works by glass artist Kimberly Smith and a retrospective of late photographer Leonard Simpson. Smith, a long-time St. Albert resident, creates intricate glass art from broken pieces. Her works capture Alberta's landscapes with a unique blend of painting and sculpture techniques. Simpson’s abstract photography, which explores blurred layers of colors, is also on display, with proceeds from his work going to Pilgrims Hospice. The exhibition runs until October 26th.
  
  
• The intersection of Mark Messier Trail in St. Albert and Campbell Road in Edmonton has become a top spot for traffic violations, with nearly 7,000 speeding and red-light tickets issued over the summer months. Equipped with an "Intersection Safety Device," the location saw high enforcement due to frequent collisions, some of them fatal.

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