RM of Prince Albert Councillor Mike Grassick reviews some of the provided material. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Business development

RM of Prince Albert zoning changes allow for use of farm stands

Nov 21, 2025 | 6:00 AM

From the beginning of May to the end of October, rate payers in the Rural Municipality (RM) of Prince Albert will be allowed to sell produce on their property by way of food stands.

That’s one of the changes included in the RM’s updated zoning bylaw, which, after a short public hearing, passed second reading on Thursday with no opposition. Director of Planning and Development Teresa Hanson, who began drafting the bylaw in May of last year, said they did have somebody put a stand within the municipality, and there was positive social media feedback from everybody in the general area.

“It was such a great idea. It was innovative, and you go to different places, you know like in B.C. or Ontario, and you see people selling their produce. And so we just wanted to be more flexible and let people be able to sell and do their things on their own property,” she said.

During discussions on Thursday, one of the questions posed to council was whether to make the change seasonal or year round. Tyler Hazelwood who initially raised a concern about snow removal, agreed May 1 would be a good day to start.

“If we get a freak snow storm, we’ll deal with that as a one off,” he said.

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Several easy-to-read and informative visuals were set up around the council chamber. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Another key change that comes with the zoning bylaw update affects nine properties in the area between the Fireplace Hut and Farm World and changes land use designation from industrial to highway commercial.

“They get more land uses and then as people are driving into our community, it’s not an industrial area,” Hanson explained. “It’s different business structures and so you’re not going to have like a manufacturing plant right on your highway.”

Reeve Tyrel Tait was in favor of the change.

“We’re trying to drive growth and business growth in the RM and this will make it easier for people to move in and set up shop,” he said.

Tait added the RM has received interest from a number of new businesses, including the United Farmers of Alberta, who are looking at setting up an agricultural supply storefront.

Reeve Tyrel Tait and CAO Rochelle Neff. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

“We added pictures, we changed some of the literature to make it easier to read. We pulled information out of our district official community plan that we share with the RM of Buckland and the City of Prince Albert to make it easier if you’re wanting to subdivide,” Hanson said.

A third highlight of the bylaw amendment ensures people who want to develop on land considered hazardous, or that is at risk of flooding, do all the necessary reports to ensure it is safe to do so.

Prior to Thursday’s public hearing, there was a town hall meeting on Tuesday that four people attended. First reading occurred last September. Hansen told council they advertised by word of mouth, social media and through a local newspaper.

The third and final reading is expected to come up at the RM council’s December meeting. The changes will then go to the province for final approval, amd are expected to go into effect next spring.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell