At today’s City Council meeting, City Council passed a resolution endorsing The City to submit an Annexation Application and Negotiations Report to the Land and Property Rights Tribunal, marking a successful and positive next step in the annexation process.
Following Council direction from February 14, 2022, the application was prepared for the annexation of approximately 215.77 hectares of land from Red Deer County. Based on landowner consultation, the proposed annexation area was altered from the Notice of Intent to Annex Land to include the entirety of one of the landowners’ parcels.
“This annexation speaks to a potential economic development opportunity to attract and retain business investments, create employment opportunities, and boost the economy,” said Mayor Ken Johnston. “Commercial development along Highway QEII leverages Red Deer’s central location and contributes to expanding and diversifying Red Deer as a long-term economic hub. I am so grateful to our neighbours with Red Deer County for the positive and productive discussions, and to the landowners in the area for the open and robust conversations.”
The annexation application is a request to the province to adjust the municipal boundary so that the County lands identified in the application are moved into The City of Red Deer. This does not change land ownership. If the annexation is successfully supported by the province, area structure plans will then have to be prepared and adopted by bylaw, by Red Deer City Council.
These annexed lands are intended to be developed as a regional commercial development along Highway 2, providing The City with a significant economic development opportunity.
“Administration is pleased to be able to bring this item to Council and thank all parties involved for a collaborative, comprehensive process,” said City Manager Tara Lodewyk. “We currently have a deficiency in highway fronting commercial land, and we look forward to the economic benefit for our community that will come as a result of a successful annexation.”
Annexation is used by municipalities to realign jurisdictional boundaries to ensure a sufficient land supply for long-term development. The Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) between The City and Red Deer County recommends The City have within its boundary a 30-to-50-year supply of developable land for growth purposes. Recent data indicates The City has 20 years of developable land available.
The Annexation Application and Negotiation Report will be presented to Red Deer County Council on April 4, 2023. If County Council resolve in support of the annexation, the supporting resolutions will be attached to Appendix T and the Certificate of The Report on Negotiations will be signed by the municipalities’ Chief Administrative Officers.
Once the application is filed with the Land and Property Rights Tribunal, The City anticipates a public hearing to be scheduled. Residents interested in learning more information about this annexation are encouraged to visit www.reddeer.ca/annexation.