Development numbers are down slightly in town, but up slightly in the county, and much of that has to do with available lots.
In the town itself, building permits issued have slowed somewhat so far in 2012 in all development categories, although that could change by the end of the year with work having started on a new subdivision in Southview.
“With the development of some new lots, we’re anticipating some activity coming up,” assistant development officer Marilynn Clayton said.
The project was put on hold when the original developer ran into financial trouble, but new developers have gained control of the project and are in the process of putting in the streets, curb and gutter so that the lots can be sold and developed.
As of September, the town had issued just one permit for a single-family build, one for multi-family, and 13 for other residential development; these numbers are on track to be lower than the four, two and 23 permits in those categories last year.
Commercial builds are closer to par, with 12 so far this year compared to 17 last year. There has been just one institutional and one industrial permit issued this year, down from four and two last year.
Clayton said one of the reasons why numbers could be lower this year, at least as far as residential permits go, is that there have been relatively few lots to choose from.
Brian Meaney, one of the developers who has taken over the Southview project, has also said he believes a lack of lots is stimying growth, with some people ready to move to town as soon as there are lots available.
In Westlock County, residential development numbers continue at a relatively high pace, but down somewhat from 2010.
The county’s planning and development services manager, Laurie Strutt, said in July that both 2010 and 2011 have been very busy.
“It’s been crazy,” she said.
The number of new residence permits, as of July, was 43 this year as compared to 54 last year. Additions to existing residences are also down slightly, to 52 compared to 58 last year.
Development applications have also stayed steady, with 112 reported in July compared to 90 for that period in 2011.
The relatively high rate of development, Strutt said, goes back to several years ago with many acreages being subdivided from farm properties.
“What happened, I think, is in 2007, 2008 and 2009 we had a lot of subdivisions,” she said. “Those acreages are selling and people are developing.”
