Red Deer County council during its Jan. 6 regular meeting gave approval to a Town of Sylvan Lake/Red Deer County Annexation Negotiation Report that proposes the annexation of 1,675 acres of land to the Town.
A map illustration included in the report details the proposed annexation, which includes lands along the Town of Sylvan Lake’s western boundary and to the northeast of town.
The lands earmarked for annexation were identified in the Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) adopted by the Town and County in October 2011.
A number of amendments have been made to the IDP since its adoption, and were finalized by both councils in November.
The proposed annexation would provide the Town with the lands it needs to accommodate anticipated industrial growth over the next 30 years.
It would also benefit individual landowners who have expressed an interest of being included in such annexations.
Currently, large scale industrial development options are under the control of one landowner. Increasing those options, the report says, will assist in attracting industrial development to town by allowing for greater choice in location.
Annexation north of Highway 11 and west of 60 St. would not only allow for residential growth, it would create the opportunity for industrial development in the area, thus lessening industrial concentration on the east side of town.
Property owners affected by the annexation would continue to be taxed at Red Deer County rates until further subdivision or development takes place, or until the end of a 10-year-period — whichever of the two comes first.
The annexation request requires approval from the Municipal Government Board. A public hearing will be required if objections are made upon the board’s advertising the proposed annexation.
Unresolved objections could result in the parcel in question being taken out of the annexation, but wouldn’t necessarily mean the abandonment of the entire annexation process.