Annexation from the M.D. of Foothills Proposed by What is Annexation?

• Annexation is the incorporation of territory into the domain of a municipality - generally from another municipality. • Municipalities in can initiate annexation proceedings, subject to the conditions contained in Part 4, Division 6 of the Municipal Government Act. • Pursuant to Section 114 of the MGA, a municipality may only annex land that is contiguous with the boundaries of the municipality. Annexation Does Not….

• Change the ownership of the land – you will continue to own your property and have all the same rights as before; • Automatically change the “zoning” of the land - you will be able to continue to use your land in the same manner as you have in the past; • Necessarily lead to immediate development - the timing of the development of annexed land will depend on a number of factors such as the transportation network, ease of servicing and the desires of the land owner; or • Mean immediate access to urban services such as water, waste water or garbage pick-up – these services will generally only become available as comprehensive development occurs.

Proposal from the Town:

TOTAL PROPOSED ANNEXATION AREA ≈ 4,878 ACRES 2A

98 PARCELS 2 PROPOSED ANNEXATION AREA 338th Avenue

Town of Okotoks

370th Avenue

7 PROPOSED ANNEXATION AREA PROPOSED GROWTH AREAS: “30 YEAR” AREAS 2A “60 YEAR” AREA “60 YEAR” AREAS “GATEWAY” AREAS 2 “30 YEAR” AREA 338th Avenue

Town of Okotoks

370th Avenue

“30 YEAR” AREA

7 GATEWAY “30 YEAR” AREA AREA “60 YEAR” AREA DEVELOPED ROADS IN THE

2A

ANNEXATION AREA: • HIGHWAY 7

• HIGHWAY 783 2 32 Street • BIG ROCK TRAIL 17 Street 338th Avenue • 338TH AVENUE • 8 STREET

• 17 STREET • 32 STREET (N & S) • 40 STREET Town of Okotoks • 48 STREET (N & S) 48 Street

370th Avenue

40 Street 40 Street

7

8 8 Street

48 Street

Hwy 783 32 Street Annexation Process

Both Municipalities Undertake Public Consultation

Provide Notice of Negotiations No Agreement Negotiation Municipal Intent to Between Objection Report to Government Annex by Municipalities Received MGB Board Initiating Advertises Municipality MGB Prepares Proposed Report and Annexation Objection No Agreement Mediation Received Recommendation for Minister of Municipal Affairs

Board No Provide Agreement Negotiation Conducts Report to Hearing MGB outlining where no agreement reached and why What is Happening

• The Town and the M.D. have appointed three elected officials each to sit on the “Annexation Negotiation Panel” • The Panel is tasked with negotiating the “Annexation Agreement” • The Panel has met twice and has recommended a “terms of reference” to both Council’s for endorsement. The terms of reference lays out how the Annexation Negotiation Panel will function.

What Will Be Addressed In the Annexation Agreement? Any number of items may be addressed in the Annexation Agreement including the following: • Lands to be annexed; • Compensation from the Town to the M.D. of Foothills; • How existing land use will be addressed; • Who will maintain roads; • How taxation will work; • Timing for a new IDP. Annexation and the IDP

• The Town of Okotoks and the M.D. of Foothills have an existing Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP); • Normally, an annexation application would only include lands previously identified as future growth area in an IDP; • The existing IDP does not contemplate significant growth for the Town because they had not intended to grow at the time the IDP was created; • Proposed Annexation is thus contrary to a “statutory plan”. • The Town has decided to proceed with an annexation application and address planning framework later.

We would like to hear from You … • Do you have questions about annexation or the annexation process? • Do you have concerns about taxation? • Do you have questions about future land use? • Do you have concerns regarding roads and road maintenance? • Are you in support of the Annexation?

We would like to hear from You … Please let us know what is on your mind: • Write us a letter; • Call your Councillor; • Call the office; • Send us a fax; • Email us; • Request a meeting; or • Speak to us directly.

Contacts:

MD of Foothills Box 5605, , Alberta T1V 1M7

Heather Hemingway, Director of Planning Tel: 403-603-6225 Fax: 403-652-7880 E: [email protected]

Julie McLean, Planner Tel: 403-603-6239 Fax: 403-652-7880 E: [email protected]