By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

City of Red Deer to explore annexation

Oct 15, 2018 | 6:22 PM

After putting it off for a year, The City of Red Deer will explore annexing more land from Red Deer County.

City council made the decision at its meeting Monday night.

Annexation is a tool that municipalities use to realign boundaries and ensure sufficient developable land supply. The Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) between The City and County recommends The City maintain a 30-year supply. However, the current supply is just 17 years.

“As our city continues to grow, it’s important that we look ahead and ensure we have appropriate and sufficient land supply for the future,” says Mayor Tara Veer. “Knowing the growth projections for our community and that it can take five to 10 years from the time the decision to annex is made to availability of land for construction, it’s critical that we consider our annexation options now.”

The process of annexation can take up to two years and the next step is to file the Notice of Intent to Annex with the Municipal Government Board. In the coming months, The City’s exploration will determine how much and where land should be annexed from.

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City Manager Craig Curtis says it’s important to avoid making the same mistake The City did in the 90s.

“The City almost ran out of industrial land. What we need to do is explore the options for annexation so that we can be ready. It doesn’t mean we necessarily advance, but we know the implications,” he says.

“Once you’ve got development going on the periphery, that is continuous and there is momentum. What we want to do is allow for development within the city. With the Queens Industrial Park, we are growing heavy industry within the city perimeter and we want to look to that area and others. It’s important to get ahead of potential boom times.”

Curtis adds that following the filing of the Notice of Intent next year, The City will ensure that landowners and stakeholders are consulted and engaged in the process.

Council heard from City staff that the population is expected to grow to more than 150,000 over the next 17 years.

The City has provided a Q&A regarding the annexation process.