New, more flexible development rules are being proposed for Fort Saskatchewan's downtown.

The Downtown Core District plan is the last piece of Fort Saskatchewan's revised all-encompassing Land Use Bylaw, up for renewal this year.

Current rules for the downtown core call for pedestrian-friendly development. Auto-orientated businesses are discouraged, and shops are expected to have street-level entrances and windows.

Although existing auto shops are allowed to stay, the rules make it difficult to maintain or upgrade such businesses.

The new rules now being proposed give existing auto shops their own specific zone.

The rules also still encourage street-facing windows, but allow more options, especially for existing buildings.

The biggest change is to add that the new rules apply to new buildings, and only to existing buildings when they are being significantly redeveloped. "As such, existing buildings developed prior to this Land Use Bylaw coming into place will not be considered non-conforming."

"For this District, "significant redevelopment" refers to any development that includes an addition to the building's floor area and/or improvements to 50 per cent of the public facing Facade/s."

The Downtown Core district covers only 100 Avenue from 101 to 106 Street, and 101 Street, 102 Street and 103 Street just north of 99 Avenue, but not shops facing 99 Avenue.

The complete Downtown Core District draft bylaw is available at the City of Fort Saskatchewan website: fortsask.ca Go to the  "Planning for the Future of Fort Saskatchewan" page.

Proposed new rules for Fort Saskatchewan's other neighbourhoods can also be found on this page.

Public feedback on the Downtown Core District plan will be accepted until Friday, Feb. 27.

Work began on the new overall Land Use Bylaw in 2021 with working groups on mature neighbourhoods and other issues. Proposed bylaws for most neighbourhoods were released in 2024, revised and re-released in 2025.

Public engagement on the entire new Land Use Bylaw should begin shortly, for City Council approval later this year.