The Villeneuve Airport (ZVL) is a key regional economic asset. The land around the airport has the potential to support thousands of jobs and nearly two billion in investment for the benefit of the region.

The area has tremendous intermodal road, rail and air infrastructure, and invites investment across many sectors, including aviation and aerospace, defence, research and testing, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy research, agri-innovation and logistics.

Sturgeon County’s plans for the area – Villeneuve Airport Area - Area Structure Plan (VAA-ASP) – supports and manages growth on the land around the Villeneuve Airport. The plan was developed in partnership with the Edmonton Regional Airport Authority and other stakeholders.

The plan is a development framework that carries out the direction of the Villeneuve Airport Area Master Plan. The VAA-ASP creates future-ready development strategies and demonstrates a tenacious focus on local and regional economic growth and diversification.

On April 13, Sturgeon County’s plan was rejected by the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board (EMRB). Seven of the EMRB’s 13 member municipalities supported the plan; however, the plan needed support from nine municipalities – including Sturgeon County and the City of Edmonton – to be approved. While most municipalities were in support, the City of Edmonton’s rejection resulted in defeat due to the voting structure of the EMRB.

Approval would have enabled the County to continue planning infrastructure and supporting new investment across many sectors, including aviation and aerospace, defence, research and testing, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy research, agri-innovation and logistics.

Sturgeon County is evaluating its next steps to support investment and development on the land around the Villeneuve Airport.

Municipalities must refer new development plans to the EMRB – a requirement under the Municipal Government Act – so they can be evaluated for consistency with the EMRB’s Regional Growth Plan. As part of the process, EMRB administration makes a recommendation to board members to either approve or reject the plan. If administration recommends rejection, EMRB member municipalities vote to approve or reject the plan.

If a plan is rejected, municipalities cannot appeal the decision. Further, municipalities cannot re-submit a plan for the same area for one year, unless an earlier submission date is approved by the EMRB.