Gasoline alley has received approval from Red Deer County to begin the transition from a rural municipality to an urban hamlet.

County council approved the municipal planning amendments at the meeting on Tuesday, August 21. 

“It would function like a hamlet.”  Says the Director of Planning and Development Dave Dittrick. He explains that gasoline alley will still be administered by the county. However new businesses will save big since the fees associated with rural franchise utility connections are ‘considerably more expensive’ than those within the boundaries of an urban municipality like a hamlet.

“The services will take on a more urban nature so that when they go to apply to build and put in power, electricity and gas the people that are doing the building will be subject to urban rates rather than rural rates,” said Dittrick.

They continue the development of residential neighbourhoods, as well as having plans in the works for a 'downtown.'

The next step, he says is to take forward a resolution to council declaring the boundaries and apply for the naming of “Gasoline Alley” to Alberta Municipal Affairs.

“It is grown out and is maturing from its former commercial area into a complete community. So we have residential subdivisions under construction and we have a downtown being planned”

He adds, they are trying to attract those that want to live in a small town environment.

Dittrick adds,“it’s not rural anymore, it is urban and it will be called Gasoline Alley.”