Airdrie Minute: Centre Avenue, Energy Program, and Suspended Wastewater Surcharges

Airdrie Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Airdrie politics

This Week In Airdrie:

• A meeting of the Standing Committee on Community Infrastructure and Strategic Growth, originally scheduled for Tuesday, is cancelled.
  
  
• There will be a Council Meeting on Thursday at 6:00 pm. No agenda is available for this meeting yet.
  
  
• The Airdrie Fire Department (AFD) is warning residents about a scam in Calgary where individuals impersonate the fire department to conduct fake furnace inspections. Fire Chief Mike Pirie emphasized that neither AFD nor the Calgary Fire Department (CFD) perform unsolicited door-to-door service work. Legitimate fire personnel always wear uniforms, carry multiple forms of ID, and drive marked City vehicles. While AFD does conduct home safety assessments upon request, they do not approach residents unannounced except in rare cases, such as after major fires. Residents are urged to verify anyone claiming to be from the fire department and report suspicious activity to the RCMP.

Last Week In Airdrie:

• The City launched the Clean Energy Improvement Program to help residents finance energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades. The program offers low-interest loans at a fixed rate of 2.75%, repayable through property tax bills over up to 25 years, with no penalty for early repayment. Eligible upgrades include solar panels, insulation, efficient heating systems, and more, with costs ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 per property. Mayor Peter Brown says that the initiative aligns with the City’s environmental goals and follows similar programs in Calgary and Edmonton.
  
  
• Council has temporarily suspended wastewater surcharges for businesses while conducting a full review of its Industrial Monitoring Program. Concerns were raised about inconsistent surcharge applications, with some businesses paying thousands while others paid nothing. The review will examine testing fairness, surcharge calculations, exemptions for institutions, and whether businesses receive clear guidance on compliance. The suspension is expected to result in a temporary revenue shortfall, but the review aims to ensure a fairer and more transparent system. City staff will present a timeline for the review in a future Council meeting.
  
  
• Rezoning was approved for 516 Centre Avenue NE, allowing the site to transition from being a Service Commercial District to a Neighbourhood Mixed Use District. The proposed three-storey building will feature commercial space on the ground floor with residential units above. While Council supported the change, concerns were raised about parking congestion in the area. Officials confirmed that parking must comply with the Land Use Bylaw, with only minor variances allowed without further review. The development permit process will move forward without requiring additional Council approval unless significant changes arise.