A presentation of a land supply and growth potential study saw Penhold councillors calling for a higher population growth rate to be used in the study.
Jolene Tejkl of Parkland Community Planning Services presented the study to council. The purpose of the study is to help forecast future growth of the community so council and administration can examine the land supply and assist with long-term planning.
Tejkl's report used a baseline predicted growth rate of 2.56 per cent annually, which projected a local population of 5,200 by 2042 for Penhold. Her report also had a low growth rate prediction of only one per cent growth each year, while 4.57 per cent per year was the high rate.
“You're not being aggressive here,” said Mayor Dennis Cooper of the baseline growth rate. Several members of council pointed out Penhold has been booming the past few years at a rate higher than 2.56 per cent.
“I think most of council feels your high growth is normal growth,” Cooper said.
“I don't care for the numbers,” said Coun. Kathy Sitter.
Coun. Heather Klein suggested using the high growth rate to predict the next five years of demands on land and then after that time use a more conservative estimate.
Tejkl noted there are occasional blips of high and low growth rate. She said the land supply and growth potential study is an internal document that should be updated every few years. Because the study will possibly be used for future capital projects, she cautioned council about using too high of a growth rate.
“I don't want to see you guys overbuild,” she said.
Rick Binnendyk, chief administrative officer for Penhold, suggested using a rate of 3.23 per cent, which was the growth rate for the past 10 years in Penhold, instead of incorporating data trends from farther back.
Later in the meeting council passed a motion to refer the study back to administration to apply the 10-year growth rate of 3.23 per cent in the calculations.
