Did you know the Village of Alix was interested in annexing some land from another municipality? Apparently, this news came as a surprise to the village itself. The mystery annexation was discussed at the Nov. 6 regular meeting of council.
Village Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Michelle White reported to councillors on a notice her office recently received from a provincial registry. White provided councillors with a recently received letter from the Land & Property Rights Tribunal (LPRT) regarding an annexation request the village apparently made that’s almost 20 years old.
“On March 2, 2006 the Municipal Government Board (MGB), now the LPRT, receive a letter notifying Lacombe County and the MGB of the village’s amended intent to apply to annex land,” stated the letter from LPRT Case Manager Kellie Lau, who noted annexation in 2006 was handled under Section 116 of the Municipal Government Act (MGA).
“I note we have not received any correspondence on the matter from the village since the amended notice of intent was filed. If you still intend to proceed with the annexation process, please provide a status update by Nov. 25. Otherwise, the LPRT will close the file.”
The CAO stated the 18-year old annexation application has been and remained a bit of a mystery.
“This was a bit of an eye-opening email to get,” said White to council.
Coun. Ed Cole asked why the notice was filed 18 years ago but nothing else was apparently ever done.
White responded she couldn’t answer that question; no current staff knew anything about the notice to annex and the CAO position has been turned over a few times since then.
In fact, noted White, it doesn’t appear 18 years later the village needs to annex property from Lacombe County. “At this time there is sufficient undeveloped land within the village as well as various ‘infilling’ opportunities,” stated the CAO’s report to council. “Should council wish to do an annexation, it would be advisable to start a new process rather than try to work with/retro-fit what was done 18 years ago.”
The CAO noted government regulations have changed a bit since 2006 so carrying on with the older application probably wasn’t the best option.
“There have been significant legislative changes in the 18 years since this application was submitted,” stated White’s report to council.
“If council decided to proceed we would need to review all project research, notifications, etc.
“There would be costs associated with using (planning) services for the annexation process,” she added, noting such costs could be around $6,000.
In any event, the CAO recommended the 2006 motion to file a notice of annexation be rescinded, and if councillors wished, to pass a new motion to file an up-to-date annexation notice.
However, it seemed none of the councillors present knew anything at all about Alix’ 2006 quest for annexation.
Councillors unanimously rescinded the 2006 notice to annex.
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
