County Provides Information on Approved Data Centre Development Permit

There are questions and concerns in the community regarding the recently approved development permit for a proposed data centre. The County recognizes the significant public interest in this project and understands that residents want more information about the approval and what it means.  

The permit was approved in accordance with the existing Land Use Bylaw (LUB), adopted in 2003. While the requirements of the Bylaw process were met, we recognize that this application has prompted important discussions about transparency, public input and how projects of this type are considered under the current process.  

The County is committed to providing information about the development process, the decision made and any future regulatory steps. The latest information is available at www.countygp.ab.ca/datacentres and will be updated as new information becomes available. 

The County is committed to responsible economic development and investment while ensuring development happens in appropriate locations. Both the benefits and potential impacts of development must be carefully considered and residents’ perspectives should help inform decisions that shape the future of the County. 

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. 

In 2025, the County received a development permit application for three pieces of land in the Emerson Trail Area Structure Plan (ASP), adopted in 2009. The ASP was developed through technical studies and public consultation and identified the area for industrial development. The three properties were later rezoned to an industrial district through a separate process that also included public consultation. As a result, the land was rezoned to industrial. 

Following the rezoning approval, a development permit for a 'data processing establishment' was issued by County staff on September 4, 2026. The County’s Land use Bylaw (LUB) has included data processing establishments as a permitted use since 2003, so public consultation was not required. However, the bylaw was developed before the emergence of the large-scale AI data centres now being proposed across Alberta. 

While the development permit has been issued, this does not guarantee that a data centre will be constructed or become operational. 

A development permit simply confirms that a proposed development complies with the property’s zoning and land use regulations, including permitted uses, building location, size and setbacks. It is one step in the overall development process and is required before construction can begin.  

There are additional rules and regulations from different orders of government that apply to data centres and their development including the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER), Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC), Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (AEPA), and Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO). Additional information regarding the levels of provincial approvals and regulatory bodies is available on the Government of Alberta’s website at www.alberta.ca/datacentres.  

More information is available at www.countygp.ab.ca/datacentres.