Photo: Lacombe County council approved moving forward with an annexation process on nine quarter sections of farmland that’s currently part of red deer County. Rural Alberta Report/Screenshot

Lacombe County council approved moving forward with an annexation process on nine quarter sections of farmland that’s currently part of Red Deer County. The decision was made at the Jan. 29 regular meeting of Lacombe County council.

Councillors heard a presentation of terms of reference for annexation of land that’s currently part of Red Deer County from Nicklas Baran, planner/development officer. “Along Township Road 39-0, between Range Road 2-1 and Range Road 3-0, there are nine quarter sections of land, constituting approximately 1,440 acres, located in Red Deer County,” stated Baran’s report to council. “This boundary is an anomaly, because the northern quarters within these sections fall within Lacombe County.”

Baran explained having the northern quarter sections of these parcels in Lacombe County has been described as “confusing” and “inefficient,” especially when road maintenance is concerned. The idea for annexation originally stemmed from a Lacombe County paving project in that area where Red Deer County councillors mused that Lacombe County could annex those parcels and simplify things.

Baran stated the purpose of the proposed annexation is simply boundary adjustment, not development. The property in question is largely agricultural and currently in production, but does contain some residences, including a residential subdivision. He pointed out Range Road 2-1 is not included in the annexation.

The development officer presented a table of planning differences between Lacombe County and Red Deer County, suggesting what property owners could expect if the annexation is ultimately approved.

It was noted in the table, for example, sea cans, which are large metal shipping containers often used for storage, aren’t allowed in Lacombe County’s country residential areas although they are allowed in Red Deer County’s.

The development officer pointed out Lacombe County’s applicable municipal mill rates are noticeably lower than Red Deer County’s: on agriculture land Lacombe County’s is 5.560 while Red Deer County’s is 12.3730, while the residential rate is 2.595 compared to 4.0933.

It was noted this is the first annexation ever initiated by Lacombe County; the provincial government confirmed such boundary adjustment annexations aren’t rare, but the number of acres in this proposal sets it apart.

Baran observed that the terms of reference before council would be a blueprint for the annexation if the process isn’t contested; if it is contested Lacombe County probably should back away from the annexation.

It was noted if councillors move forward with the process notices will be mailed out in April and final provincial approval may be expected in Dec. of this year.

As councillors discussed the issue, they wondered where pushback might come from. Baran pointed out some acreages on the east side of the property have sea cans on them. It was also pointed out that beyond increased tax revenue and simplifying the boundaries, Lacombe County has no other benefits from this annexation.

During discussion it was noted that about 25 property owners would be affected by this annexation and that if the process is contested, it’s likely a public hearing would be triggered. In that case, staff recommended abandoning the annexation.

Councillors unanimously passed a resolution to begin the annexation process under the terms of reference they were presented.