The number of development permits issued in Rocky View County increased from 750 in 2011 to 800 in 2012 and some anticipate those numbers will continue to increase in 2013.
“We do hope things continue to go up,” said Chris O’Hara, general manager for development services at the County.
The value of permits at the end of November was $270 million, an increase of almost $100 million when compared with last year’s $177 million.
December’s development permits were not yet available at press time.
The biggest jump was in residential permits, up from 183 housing starts to 207.
The total value of the residential housing starts came in at just under $186 million.
With the approval of two residential developments, Watermark and Harmony, in 2012, O’Hara expects to see a significant number of residential permits this year.
“We probably haven’t seen such a large-scale development in some time,” he said. He also suspects with “all the development in Balzac,” there should be a spike in commercial and industrial development permits.
While the numbers haven’t matched those in the boom with 980 permits in 2007, things are starting to inch closer to the years preceding the boom with 870 in 2002.
“I think Rocky View is in a very positive position for residential and commercial growth over the next year or two,” said Deputy Reeve Paul McLean.
He said it has been part of the County’s strategic direction to attract more commercial and residential development.
“I think we are meeting those goals of bringing in a diverse tax base,” McLean said.
There has been strong growth in the Balzac and Conrich areas, he added.
Permits in 2012:
• Commercial – 34 permits valued at $7.7 million
• Industrial – 51 permits valued at $48.8 million
• Institutional – 17 permits valued at $1.8 million
