Olds will issue more than $30 million worth of building permits this year, well above last year's figure of $26.9 million, development officer Carey Keleman says.
Keleman made that statement during the town's Municipal Planning Commission meeting Dec. 20 in council chambers.
Keleman noted that as of the end of November, planning staff had processed 101 building permits for projects worth a total of $28.6 million.
That figure by itself is better than last year when 101 permits were issued for projects worth a total of $26.9 million.
However, Keleman said this year's figure doesn't count "a few other big ones" coming in December, including a permit for a canola crushing plant.
"So we're over $30 million for the year, which is good," Keleman said.
Keleman noted permits for 13 detached homes and 10 duplex units were issued this year, compared to 16 detached dwellings and six duplex units last year.
"We're a little bit behind on the detached dwellings from where we were last year, but we are up with the duplex units. So as far as those two categories go, we're kind of even-Steven this year. So we're moving along," she said.
During November, projects worth a total of $3.8 million were approved.
The biggest single factor in that figure was a permit for Phase 3 of the Sundial Growers cannabis production facility, a greenhouse pod. The total cost of that project is estimated to be $3 million.
One of the permits issued in November was for restaurant renovations in Walmart, worth $115,000.
"Is Walmart building another restaurant?" commissioner Jack Harris asked.
"No, the former McDonald's is being turned into a pizza joint," Keleman said.
Several commissioners said it's their understanding a Pizza Pizza location is going in there.
