TAMRMS#: B06
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Revised Intent to Annex - City of Edmonton
Presented by: Adryan Slaght, Director, Planning and Development
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RECOMMENDED MOTION
recommendation
That the Chief Administrative Officer be directed to submit a revised Intent to Annex to the Municipal Government Board, Minister of Municipal Affairs, and City of Edmonton.
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PURPOSE OF REPORT
The purpose of this report is to provide Council with information regarding the annexation of City of Edmonton lands, and to formally direct Administration to revise the annexation boundary through submission of a revised Intent to Annex.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Strategic Priority #1: Growth Policy Framework: Develop a robust policy framework to guide growth.
2020-2021 Corporate Business Plan
City of St. Albert Annexation of City of Edmonton Land.
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
Strategic Land Planning: Development, management and implementation of the corporate land strategy. Search for land for new capital projects, high school sites, and affordable housing locations.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
The Municipal Government Act, Initiation of Annexation, Section 116(1) states:
A municipal authority initiates the annexation of land by giving written notice of the proposed annexation to
(a) the one or more municipal authorities from which the land is to be annexed,
(a.1) the Minister,
(b) the Municipal Government Board, and
(c) all local authorities having jurisdiction to operate or provide services in the initiating municipal authority or in any of the municipal authorities from which the land is to be annexed.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
In January 2016, the City of St. Albert submitted an Intent to Annex lands currently within Edmonton’s jurisdiction along St. Albert’s southwestern boundary. The parcels located within Edmonton’s boundaries have become fragmented, and are landlocked by the Anthony Henday Drive Transportation Utility Corridor (TUC). Due to its current location, the parcels would be cost-prohibitive for the City of Edmonton to service; however, they can be easily incorporated into the City of St. Albert boundary and included in the South Riel Area Structure Plan. The overall goal is to adjust St. Albert’s boundary to match the northern boundary of the TUC of Anthony Henday Drive.
Since 2016, additional lands have been removed from the Anthony Henday Drive TUC right-of-way, resulting in additional parcels being fragmented and landlocked. To incorporate these parcels and to revise this boundary, Administration must prepare a revised Notice of Intent to Annex which will notify the City of Edmonton, the Municipal Government Board , the Minister of Municipal Affairs, and the public of the revision and enable the formal annexation process to continue. Subject to submittal of the revised Notice of Intent to Annex, Administration will proceed with undertaking the supportive technical studies, public engagement, and negotiations with the City of Edmonton.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
As stipulated in the Municipal Government Board (MGB) annexation criteria, public consultation is required. As such, prior to submittal of an annexation report and negotiation between the two cities, information regarding the annexation will be provided to the public. A virtual public consultation session will gather input and identify any issues/concerns from affected residents and stakeholders.
To ensure compliance with the MGB annexation criteria, the project team will:
• Develop a Public Consultation Plan, which will include the creation and implementation of a Public Awareness Campaign,
• Host a virtual public consultation session where Administration can inform impacted parties of the process and discuss issues/concerns impacted parties may have,
• Send an information letter to affected landowners and agencies,
• Meet with impacted parties and private landowners to understand their concerns, and obtain letters of consent on annexation terms,
• Create a public consultation web page on Cultivate the Conversation,
• Develop mitigating measures, if possible, to respond to concerns,
• Complete report outlining the public consultation process, findings, and proposed mitigation.
The City of Edmonton has indicated a desire to complete the application in 2021, and be effective in January 2022.
IMPLICATIONS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
None at this time.
Legal / Risk:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
If annexation proceeds and lands are added to the City of St. Albert, when development of those lands occur:
• Engineering work will include drawing reviews, development agreements, and inspections of infrastructure.
• Planning and Development will have area structure plan, subdivision plans, and development permits to review and provide decisions on.
• Safety Codes will have building plans to review and buildings to inspect.
• Recreation Services will have park planning and development.
• Public Works will have maintenance of infrastructure.
• Fire Services, Community & Social Development, Transit, and other departments will have services to a new area of the City.
Organizational:
None at this time.
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
If Council does not wish to support the recommendation, the following alternatives could be considered:
1. That the Chief Administrative Officer be directed not to submit the revised Intent to Annex. The results of this alternative would be that the annexation proceed without the additional lands, as outlined within the 2016 Notice of Intent to Annex.
2. That the Chief Administrative Officer be directed to inform the Municipal Government Board, and all relevant parties, that the City of St. Albert will no longer be proceeding with the annexation application, as outlined within the 2016 Notice of Intent to Annex. The results of this alternative would be to end all annexation applications of the City of Edmonton lands at this time.
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Report Date: March 1, 2021
Authors: Lyndsay Francis/Karrina Jung
Departments: Planning & Development/Office of the Chief Administrative Officer
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer: Kerry Hilts
Chief Administrative Officer: Kevin Scoble