Proposed Data Centre Land Use Bylaw Changes

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The County of Grande Prairie is proposing changes to the Land Use Bylaw (LUB) to create a clearer and more transparent planning framework for proposed data centre developments. On October 5, 2026, Council gave first reading to proposed Land Use Bylaw amendments that would create a new Data Centre Campus (DAT) District specifically for data centre development.

The proposed changes are not yet approved. First reading allows the proposed bylaw to move forward for public feedback and a public hearing. Council will consider the feedback received before deciding whether to give the bylaw second and third readings.


Have Your Say

We want your feedback on the proposed Land Use Bylaw changes and new Data Centre Campus (DAT) District. Feedback received during public engagement will be shared with Council and will help inform the report presented to Council.

Ways to participate include:

  • Share your feedback through this Engage page.
  • Email your comments or questions to datacentres@countygp.ab.ca.


Public Engagement and Public Hearing

Public engagement and the public hearing are two separate opportunities to provide input.

Public engagement provides an opportunity to review the draft bylaw and share feedback before the proposed changes return to Council.

A public hearing is a separate, formal opportunity to provide input on the proposed Land Use Bylaw amendment before Council considers second and third readings. The public hearing will be held on December 2, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Registration is required to speak at the public hearing on December 2, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Registrations will be accepted until November 27, 2026.

To register to speak in-person, E-mail Legislative Services or call Legislative Services at 780-532-9842 Ext. 3393 or visit the County Administrative Building at 10001 – 84 Ave, Clairmont, Alberta T8X 5B2 and ask to register.

To participate remotely, complete the Participate remotely at a Public Hearing form by November 27, 2026.

What is Being Proposed?

On October 5, 2026, Council gave first reading to proposed changes to how data centres are regulated under the Land Use Bylaw.

The proposed changes would:

  • Create a new Data Centre Campus (DAT) District specifically for data centre development.
  • Remove Data Processing Establishment as a use from all other land use districts.
  • Require proposed data centres to apply to rezone land to the new DAT District before a development permit could be considered.

What Would a Data Centre Campus (DAT) District Do?

A dedicated Data Centre Campus (DAT) District will provide a clearer and more transparent planning framework for proposed data centre developments.

If approved, this would be the zoning designation for data centre developments and future proposals would be required to apply to rezone land to the DAT District.

Creating a DAT District does not automatically approve any data centres. When a rezoning application is made for the DAT District, it would clearly identify the proposed end use as a data centre.


Why is the County Proposing Changes to the Land Use Bylaw?

Under the County’s current Land Use Bylaw, data processing establishment is one of many permitted uses for land zoned industrial.

The County is committed to responsible economic development and investment while ensuring development happens in appropriate locations. Both the benefits and potential impacts of development must be carefully considered and residents’ perspectives should help inform decisions that shape the future of the County. 



Learn More About Data Centres

  • Visit the County’s Data Centres webpage for more information about:
  • What data centres are and their potential benefits
  • The County’s approach to data centre development
  • How land use, zoning and development approvals work
  • The roles and responsibilities of the County, provincial and federal governments and other agencies
  • Proposed data centre developments in the County
  • Frequently asked questions



The County of Grande Prairie is proposing changes to the Land Use Bylaw (LUB) to create a clearer and more transparent planning framework for proposed data centre developments. On October 5, 2026, Council gave first reading to proposed Land Use Bylaw amendments that would create a new Data Centre Campus (DAT) District specifically for data centre development.

The proposed changes are not yet approved. First reading allows the proposed bylaw to move forward for public feedback and a public hearing. Council will consider the feedback received before deciding whether to give the bylaw second and third readings.


Have Your Say

We want your feedback on the proposed Land Use Bylaw changes and new Data Centre Campus (DAT) District. Feedback received during public engagement will be shared with Council and will help inform the report presented to Council.

Ways to participate include:

  • Share your feedback through this Engage page.
  • Email your comments or questions to datacentres@countygp.ab.ca.


Public Engagement and Public Hearing

Public engagement and the public hearing are two separate opportunities to provide input.

Public engagement provides an opportunity to review the draft bylaw and share feedback before the proposed changes return to Council.

A public hearing is a separate, formal opportunity to provide input on the proposed Land Use Bylaw amendment before Council considers second and third readings. The public hearing will be held on December 2, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Registration is required to speak at the public hearing on December 2, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Registrations will be accepted until November 27, 2026.

To register to speak in-person, E-mail Legislative Services or call Legislative Services at 780-532-9842 Ext. 3393 or visit the County Administrative Building at 10001 – 84 Ave, Clairmont, Alberta T8X 5B2 and ask to register.

To participate remotely, complete the Participate remotely at a Public Hearing form by November 27, 2026.

What is Being Proposed?

On October 5, 2026, Council gave first reading to proposed changes to how data centres are regulated under the Land Use Bylaw.

The proposed changes would:

  • Create a new Data Centre Campus (DAT) District specifically for data centre development.
  • Remove Data Processing Establishment as a use from all other land use districts.
  • Require proposed data centres to apply to rezone land to the new DAT District before a development permit could be considered.

What Would a Data Centre Campus (DAT) District Do?

A dedicated Data Centre Campus (DAT) District will provide a clearer and more transparent planning framework for proposed data centre developments.

If approved, this would be the zoning designation for data centre developments and future proposals would be required to apply to rezone land to the DAT District.

Creating a DAT District does not automatically approve any data centres. When a rezoning application is made for the DAT District, it would clearly identify the proposed end use as a data centre.


Why is the County Proposing Changes to the Land Use Bylaw?

Under the County’s current Land Use Bylaw, data processing establishment is one of many permitted uses for land zoned industrial.

The County is committed to responsible economic development and investment while ensuring development happens in appropriate locations. Both the benefits and potential impacts of development must be carefully considered and residents’ perspectives should help inform decisions that shape the future of the County. 



Learn More About Data Centres

  • Visit the County’s Data Centres webpage for more information about:
  • What data centres are and their potential benefits
  • The County’s approach to data centre development
  • How land use, zoning and development approvals work
  • The roles and responsibilities of the County, provincial and federal governments and other agencies
  • Proposed data centre developments in the County
  • Frequently asked questions

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Page last updated: 05 Oct 2026, 02:54 PM