Medicine Hat city council approves Ranchlands rezoning and $21M in electrical upgrades

Administration said the rezoning represents a shift away from the area’s original commercial designation toward a residential-focused use, though any future development proposal would still require approval through the city’s development permit process.

Randi Buchner, the city’s manager of land and real estate, said the city-owned property has been conditionally sold to a developer after the council approved the sale in September 2025.

Council heard a development permit application for a proposed four-story condominium-style project was recently submitted and is in the early stages of review.

Several councillors said they would have preferred to see commercial development on the site, but acknowledged there has been no market demand for that type of project at the location.

One resident in the gallery spoke in favour of the rezoning during the public hearing while raising concerns about transit service and walkability in the Ranchlands area.

Councillors also discussed concerns raised about transit access and neighbourhood engagement, with administration noting that higher-density development can help support future transit expansion and that residents will continue to have opportunities to provide feedback during the development permit stage.

During an interview, Ted Clugston reflected on the discussion at council, noting the competing views around the future of the Ranchlands parcel.

“I’ve been around long enough and seen that property sell a few times; it’s often a topic of conversation in Parkview and Ranch Lands. I wish we [had] a pub or a pizza place or a gas station. And there’s lots of benefits,” Clugston said.

“Transit doesn’t come to Parkview and Ranch Lands. So there was a lot of people up there that would love to see that as commercial, and there was a letter written in favour of that,” he added.

“There’s a shortage of all residential everywhere in this country. And the highest and best use of that land appears to be residential, because as a developer, you think that you can make a profit, and you think that four-storey condos [are] the best way after close to 19 years. It’s time to let that property go.”

Earlier in the meeting, council approved a motion directing administration to bring back business licensing fees established in 2024 regarding liquor stores for reconsideration.

Councillor Bill Cocks raised concerns about increases to liquor store licensing fees approved in the 2025 budget cycle and discussed whether the businesses had been fairly categorized compared with restaurants and retailers.

During a debate, councillors discussed the council’s role in formally directing administration through motions, with councillor Cheryl Phaff defending staff and saying there had not been a previous formal direction to review the fees.

Administration said a broader review of fees is already planned as part of the upcoming budget process and that updated information and rationale will be brought back to council.

Council also gave first reading for two bylaws tied to the city’s proposed Development and Expansion Incentive Program, which would provide grants of up to $100,000 to support eligible business development and expansion projects in priority sectors.

The proposed program would offer non-repayable grants covering up to 10 per cent of eligible project costs, with a total budget of $300,000.

Council also approved a $21.55 million increase to the electric utility distribution capital budget for end-of-life substation replacements.

Administration said three substations built in the 1980s are nearing the end of their lifespan and warned that long lead times for electrical equipment and transformers require the city to begin procurement now to avoid future reliability risks.

The meeting also included a progress update on Momentum, the city’s 10-year community well-being plan approved in 2025.

Administration said the strategy focuses on issues including poverty reduction, community safety, housing, reconciliation, inclusion and civic engagement, with work underway across multiple city departments and community organizations.

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READ: Medicine Hat City Council meeting to include a public hearing and a decision on funding substations

by Jett Schwaier

Medicine Hat city council approves Ranchlands rezoning and $21M in electrical upgrades

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