A proposal that would see a new use for the former home of Valley Power took a step forward this week. On Wednesday morning town council gave first reading to a rezoning bylaw that would allow the 34-acre site, located at 5304 34 Ave, to become home to a scrap metal recycling facility.
Valley Power had operated in the area since the mid-1990s but the plant closed a few years ago. Late in 2021 the site was purchased by Metalnecks Salvage Limited, a company that reprocesses used metal to be used in the manufacture of new goods. The proposed development will see metal collected and shredded on site, before being shipped out of province.
After the bylaw was given first reading Mayor Nancy Dodds noted that there would be an opportunity for the public to raise any concerns or provide feedback on the development as the proposal moves forward.
Also this week council approved the rezoning of the former United Church building in Drayton Valley to allow it to be used as a facility to host weddings and funerals. At a public hearing some concerns were raised about the lack of adequate parking and the possibility of the building being used as a crematorium while located in a residential area within a few yards of the Early Childhood Development Centre. CAO Robert Osmond said those issues were best dealt with later in the planning process.
“Parking and a number of the other issues we’ve talked about today are issues of the development permit application,” he said.
Dodds said she was in favour of rezoning the property in order to allow the proposed development to move forward to the next stage.
“There will be an opportunity for people to be able to bring their concerns before council,” she said.
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