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A long public engagement effort designed to educate and collect feedback about the City of Edmonton's proposed annexations continues, with a drop-in event held on Wednesday. As negotiations between Leduc County and the City of Edmonton near their end, City staff will be available to provide information and answer questions about the process at another public event to be held on May 2 from 5 to 8 PM at the Derrick Golf and Winter Club (3500 119 Street).
The process of annexation, the act of changing boundaries between municipalities, is outlined by the Province of Alberta in the Municipal Government Act. Annexation is typically done to accommodate future growth, link currently unconnected pieces of land, solve a specific development problem, or provide mutually agreed upon services. Following negotiations between municipalities and extensive public engagement, the independent quasi-judicial Municipal Government Board reviews the proposal, with a final decision then being made by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
The City is proposing to annex 12,100 hectares of land from Leduc County and the Town of Beaumont, east and west of the Queen Elizabeth II Highway. Edmonton International Airport comprises 2,830 hectares of the subject area, while the remaining land is largely undeveloped. This would be the first time in over three decades the City of Edmonton expands its municipal boundaries.
The construction of the northwest leg of Anthony Henday Drive produced an interchange that connected to 66 Street, which provides access to the Edmonton Energy and Technology Park. Since this roadway is on provincially owned land and located within the boundaries of Sturgeon County, Edmonton would need to annex the properties to assume operation and maintenance of 66 Street. The proposed annexation would also include an undeveloped triangular piece of land east of 66 Street and northwest of the existing municipal boundary. Height limits placed on the property by the Department of National Defence prevent redevelopment of the site.
Finally, a section of land in Edmonton fragmented by the construction of Anthony Henday Drive would fall under the jurisdiction of St. Albert under another annexation proposal. The 38 hectares east of Ray Gibbon Drive would adjust the boundary to match the Transportation Utility Corridor of Anthony Henday Drive.
You can attend the May 2 event or visit the official City website for more information about the various proposals. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the Forum thread or leave a comment below.
