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Land use, zoning and development approvals
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Compliance with local bylaws and standards
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Monitors construction and operations to ensure compliance
What is a data centre?
A data centre is a facility that houses large numbers of computers and related equipment used to store, process and transmit digital information. Data centres support many of the technologies people use every day, including websites, cloud-based services, online banking, streaming services, artificial intelligence (AI) applications and digital communications.
As demand for digital services continues to grow, new types of data centres are being developed to support technologies such as artificial intelligence and advanced computing.
The Government of Alberta’s data center webpage has more information about AI data centre infrastructure, their impacts, and their benefits.
The Government of Alberta released their Artificial Intelligence Data Centres Strategy in 2024. It outlines the province’s direction to attract AI investment, manage growing technology demand while balancing energy needs, affordability and environmental concerns.
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The County recognizes the significant community interest in data centres and the development permit recently issued in the Emerson Trail Area. We understand that residents have questions and concerns about the development and the process that led to the development permit being issued. |
Who approves data centres?
There is no single authority responsible for approving a data centre. Depending on the nature of the project, approvals may be required from multiple organizations or regulators.
The County’s role is limited to matters under municipal jurisdiction, such as land use, zoning and development approvals. A development permit confirms the proposed development complies with the Land use Bylaw (LUB) and other applicable municipal requirements.
Depending on the nature of the project and operation of the facility, additional approvals may be required from other agencies before construction or operation can proceed.
Additional approvals may be required for:
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Electricity generation and power infrastructure
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Grid connection and transmission capacity
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Natural gas infrastructure
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Water use and water licensing
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Environmental assessments and environmental protection requirements
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Air emissions and noise management
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Indigenous consultation requirements
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Building, safety and technical code compliance
Approval requirements vary depending on the specific details of the project.
The Government of Canada is responsible for federal legislation and regulations in areas such as privacy and protection of personal information.
Roles and Responsibilities
Developing a data centre involves multiple parties, each with different roles, responsibilities and areas of authority. While the applicant is responsible for proposing and developing the project, municipal, provincial and federal organizations may have regulatory, approval or oversight roles.
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Electricity generation and power infrastructure
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Grid connection and transmission capacity
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Natural gas infrastructure
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Water use and water licensing
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Environmental assessments and environmental protection requirements
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Air emissions and noise management
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Indigenous consultation requirements
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Building, safety and technical code compliance
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Regulatory bodies:
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Federal environmental legislation, oversight and regulation
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Privacy legislation and protection of personal information
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Telecommunications regulations (fiber lines)
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National cybersecurity and national defence
Project development, applications, technical studies and compliance with approval requirements
Proposed Data Processing Establishment in Emerson Trail
The County issued a development permit application for three pieces of land in the Emerson Trail Area Structure Plan. The ASP was developed through technical studies and public consultation and identifies the area for industrial development. The three properties were later rezoned to an industrial district through a separate process that also included public consultation.
This includes development permit number PLDEV20250629, issued on September 4, 2026, located at 732041 Range Road 82, north of Highway 672 in the Emerson Trail Industrial Area for a data processing establishment, also known as a data centre.
Proposed Data Processing Establishment in Emerson Trail
Under the County’s existing Land Use Bylaw, adopted in 2003, data processing establishments are one of many permitted uses in areas zoned industrial. This includes the Emerson Trail Area. The development permit was approved and not circulated to adjacent landowners as it is a permitted use.
2003 - The County adopted the Land Use Bylaw
Data processing establishments are one of the many permitted uses in areas zoned industrial.
2009 – The Emerson Trail Area Structure Plan (ASP) adopted
The Area Structure Plan sets the plan for the area to be developed as an industrial park.
December 2024 - The Province of Alberta releases it’s AI Data Centre Strategy to entice hyperscale data centres to build in Alberta.
2025 – The County receives applications for lands within the Emerson Trail Area Structure plan to be rezoned from agricultural to industrial, in alignment with the ASP.
May 2026 – The first data processing establishment development permit approved
PLDEV20260129 was approved for a data processing establishment on land already zoned Rural Medium Industrial (RM-2).
May 2026 – Second development permit for a spec building approved
PLDEV20260127 was approved for the construction of five spec buildings and related infrastructure. The permit does not approve a specific use for the buildings
June 2026 – Land rezoned
The land associated with PLDEV20260127 was rezoned from Agricultural (AG) to Rural Medium Industrial (RM-2).
September 2026 – Third development permit issued
PLDEV20250629 was issued on September 4, 2026, for the land located at 732041 Range Road 82, north of Highway 672.
Council will review the process that led to this development permit as well as the current Land Use Bylaw as it relates to data centres. Public input will play an important role in strengthening future planning and development processes.
In the interim, any new development permit applications for data processing establishments or data centres will be referred to the Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) for review and circulated to surrounding residents for input.
Is this data centre guaranteed because a development permit was issued?
No. The development permit includes several approval conditions that must be met before any construction can begin. In addition, any required provincial, federal, and regulatory reviews, permits and approvals must be completed before the project can proceed.
Residents have until September 25, 2026, to file an appeal with the Land and Property Rights Tribunal (LPRT) regarding the variances approved as part of this development permit.
Pursuant to Section 685 of the Municipal Government Act, you have the right to appeal the approval and any conditions of approval within 21 days of the Issue Date of the Development Permit. Please note that Permitted Uses may only be appealed in cases where the Land Use Bylaw was relaxed, varied, or misinterpreted in the issuance of the Development Permit.
To appeal PLDEV20250629, contact the Land and Property Rights Tribunal (LPRT) and state you wish to appeal the decision. You do not require any additional documentation to appeal. For information, the zoning for this area is available here.
Appeals can be sent to the:
Land and Property Rights Tribunal (LPRT)
2nd Floor, Summerside Business Centre
1229 - 91 Street SW
Edmonton, AB T6X 1E9
Phone: 780-427-0044 (Reception)
Email: lprt.appeals@gov.ab.ca
Additional information regarding the appeal process and requirements can be obtained directly from the Land and Property Rights Tribunal.
The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) will also consider appeals when reviewing and deciding on applications for any utility infrastructure required to support a data centre.
We understand that residents have questions and concerns about the development and would like to see site plans and building renderings
If you are looking for specific application records or supporting documents, requests can be made under the Access to Information Act through the County’s Information Request process. The information request form is available here.
Who can I contact with questions?
County of Grande Prairie No.1
Email: datacentres@countygp.ab.ca