Big Lakes County may allow a data-processing facility in its new energy corridor around the Swan Hills Treatment Centre near Highway 33.

At its regular meeting April 8, council gave first reading to Bylaw 10-2026 to allow such a facility in the corridor.

“During discussions with the consultant undertaking the Swan Hills energy corridor area structure plan project, it was suggested that the County consider adding data-processing facility as a use within the land-use bylaw,” Pat Olansky, director of community services and planning, told council.

“This amendment would help ensure the municipality is prepared to respond to potential development proposals of this nature in the future.”

A public hearing is scheduled for May 13 in the county administration building in High Prairie starting at 1 p.m.

Administration recommends the land-use bylaw include the following definition:

“Data-processing facility: a development consisting of buildings or structures used for the processing, storage, management, or transmission of digital data, including associated equipment and infrastructure such as servers, cooling systems, backup power systems, and electrical infrastructure, and may include ancillary buildings required to support the operation of the facility.”

A data processing facility is a discretionary use in the agriculture (AG), Crown land (CL) and rural industrial (RI) districts, unless otherwise provided for within a statutory plan.

The development shall comply with all applicable municipal, provincial, and federal legislation.

Data processing facilities may require approvals, permits, and authorizations from provincial and/or federal agencies, including the Alberta Utilities Commission and Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, depending on the nature and scale of the development.

A potential developer shall obtain all such approvals in accordance with applicable legislation.

Richard Froese
South Peace News