TAMRMS#: B06
9.2
REQUEST FOR DECISION
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Fowler Way Project Land Purchase
Presented by: Sean Willis, Transportation Planning Engineer, Engineering
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RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
recommendation
That the Chief Administrative Officer is authorized to acquire on behalf of the City of St. Albert portions of the lands legally described as Meridian 4 Range 25 Township 54; Section 18 at a purchase price of $727,650.00 with the source of funding being the previously approved capital budget for land acquisitions for the Fowler Way project (project 423423), upon contractual terms and conditions satisfactory to the CAO.
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SUMMARY
Administration requires Council approval as per Council Policy C-CAO-01, for acquisition of land for a dedicated road right of way for Fowler Way. There are sufficient funds within the existing project to acquire this portion of road right of way; however, the value of the acquisition exceeds the CAO’s authority and requires Council approval.
Administration is advancing the Fowler Way road project with preliminary design and road right of way acquisition currently in process.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
Council Policy C-CAO-01
5. Financial Conditions and Activities
c. The Chief Administrative Officer may:
xiii. Approve and execute agreements to acquire land at or below fair market value, provided that the value of the acquisition does not exceed $499,999.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Of a total of 10 parcels and landowners that require engagement and acquisition of land for road right of way, to date:
- Four parcels are protected for road right of way; inclusive of one city owned parcel and one Alberta Transportation parcel.
- Two parcels are in the process of agreements being finalized; inclusive of the parcel recommended as per this report to which the landowner is a developer.
- Three parcels are in negotiations for acquisition; of which two parcels are lands owned by a local developer.
- One has required site investigations and more detailed analysis to inform on negotiations with the landowner.
The land associated with this acquisition is within a parcel owned by a local developer that is in a state of advancing design of adjacent land development and the project team has engaged and collaborated on roadway design to tie-in with the private development.
Costs associated with the Fowler Way project, inclusive of land acquisition, are applicable to Off-Site Levy (OSL) charges and are expected to be reimbursed. The costs of land have been determined through the OSL agreed upon road right of way unit price. In lieu of cash, a portion of the acquisition price of land has been offset by the Developer against their OSL payable for development agreements executed in 2025.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
All landowners impacted by the Fowler Way project have been engaged with and are in different states of right of way acquisition - with all receiving project information and some at completed states of negotiation for right of way acquisition or continued talks to advance the road right of way acquisition.
IMPACTS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
There are no financial impacts as funding for the land acquisition is within the existing project budget.
Compliance & Legal:
The CAO Delegations Council Policy C-CAO-01 authorizes the CAO acquire land up to a value of $499,999. Accordingly, the CAO requires approval from Council in order to proceed with this land acquisition, as it exceeds the CAO’s delegated authority.
Program or Service:
None at this time.
Organizational:
None at this time.
Risks
None at this time; however, subject to future final agreed upon land acquisition costs the project budget may need to be updated.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Initiative aligned with Strategic Plan:
Not Applicable
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
N/A
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Report Date: July 15, 2025
Author(s): Dean Schick
Department: Engineering
Department Director: Dawny George
Managing Director: Adryan Slaght
Chief Administrative Officer: William Fletcher