The County of Grande Prairie have issued its public statement regarding an approved development permit for a proposed data centre.
According to the county, they were first made aware of the project in 2025, when it received a development permit application for three pieces of land in the Emerson Trail Area Structure Plan (ASP). The county says the ASP was developed through technical studies and public consultation and identified the area for industrial development.
The three properties were later rezoned to an industrial district through a separate process that also included public consultation, the county says. As a result, the land was rezoned to industrial.
Following the rezoning approval, a development permit for a data processing establishment was issued by county staff on September 4, of this year.
According to officials, the county’s Land use Bylaw has included data processing establishments as a permitted use since 2003. The county says when that when the bylaw was established, public consultation was not required. However, the county says that the bylaw was developed before the emergence of ‘large-scale AI data centres’ that are now being proposed across the province.
The county noted that even though the development permit has been issued, it does not guarantee that a data centre will be constructed or become operational.
The county adds that a development permit simply confirms that a proposed development complies with the property’s zoning and land use regulations, including permitted uses, building location, size and setbacks.
Officials say that the county council will be reviewing the process that led to this particular permit, as well as the current Land Use Bylaw as it relates to data centres. The county mentioned that public input will play an important role in strengthening future planning and development processes.
Going forward, any new development permit applications for data processing establishments or data centres will be referred to the Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) for review and circulated to surrounding residents for input.
More information about the county’s public statement, and or data centres can be found on their website.
