After a year of negotiations, Rocky View County council postponed final approval for the Airdrie annexation agreement, May 10.
The move came as a result of concerns raised by residents within the proposed 12,640-acre area, situated to the north, west and east of Airdrie.
“I think it’s incumbent on us to have a quick meeting,” said Division 6 Councillor Greg Boehlke.
“These are our residents today, so if we look after them… that is our due diligence.”
Council directed the annexation committee, made up of staff and local government representatives from both jurisdictions, to do a final consultation with concerned residents before final approval.
Doug Francoeur lives in Yankee Valley Estates and represented his neighbours at the meeting. He said residents are concerned about possible changes to their lifestyle once Airdrie takes over jurisdiction of the acreage community, located east of the city.............................
“We would like to ensure the lifestyle (we enjoy) under the current jurisdiction,” said Francoeur, adding residents want to make sure there is a buffer between the estate area and any commercial industry. He said several Airdrie bylaws, including those restricting animals and fire pit sizes would also bring unwanted changes to residents. He requested written assurance within the annexation document that the area would be respected.
John Stanlake, who owns a former feedlot on the northeast border of the annexed area, requested his land be included within the annexed area.
Dan McKinnon owns land on both sides of the proposed area and echoed Stanlake’s request, arguing that landowners whose property was located on both sides of the border appealed the original agreement and had their lands included.
“(We own) the only three quarters south of Township Road 274 and west of Range Road 290 that are not included in the boundary,” said Stanlake. “We are in a bit of a no man’s land. I am requesting that council readdresses that boundary.”
Naren Garg, of Airdrie’s planning and development department, cautioned council about re-opening the annexation boundary.
“What is enough?” said Garg. “If we were to accommodate all who want in, this annexation would extend much further.”
Garg added that re-opening negotiations could cause a flood of similar requests.
Despite the arguments, council voted unanimously to support Boehlke’s motion. The matter will return to council on May 17.
The proposed annexation area has a population of 714 people, 213 homes and 52.8 kilometres of roads.
Airdrie will reimburse the County an estimated $1.6 million for road improvements undertaken after 2006.
Rocky View will transfer a debenture of approximately $842,000 to the City for upcoming improvements to Range Road 13 once the annexation agreement takes place on Dec. 31.
Both municipalities will jointly maintain four miles of Range Road 292 between Highway 560 and Yankee Valley Road.
All agricultural land within the annexed area will be pegged to County tax rates for 30 years and non-agriculture land will maintain Rocky View rates for 20 years. Airdrie will take over agricultural services within the annexation’s borders, but won’t extend city services, such as garbage, to the area.
Land within the area will be reassessed at Airdrie rates if the land is rezoned or connected to City servicing. Garg said the annexation is intended to supply Airdrie with enough land for 50 years of growth. Airdrie’s last annexation agreement with the County was finalized in 2003.
After both municipalities endorse a formal legal agreement the annexation application will be presented to the Province, which has the right make changes as it sees fit. The process is expected to be completed in 2012.
