Kneehill County council approved the sale of an old road allowance in a former hamlet to a property owner. The Hamlet of Allingham’s former Railway Ave. is located within part of the red triangle. ECA Review/Submitted
Kneehill County council approved the sale of an old road allowance in a former hamlet to a property owner. The resolutions were made at the Dec. 10 regular meeting of council.
Planning and Development Officer Deanna Keiver presented a request from property owner Ruben Scheele to purchase a road in what used to be a hamlet and consolidate it with his parcels.
“Ruben Scheele approached the county in his desire to purchase Railway Ave. which lies on the east side of his property within the ex-Hamlet of Allingham,” stated Keiver’s report to council”.
Allingham is located south of the Hamlet of Torrington near Sec. Hwy. #805.
“By closing the undeveloped avenue, and ultimately purchasing the land, it would allow him to maintain the area and increase the size of his lots.
“Ruben and Erin Scheele are the owners of all the lots on the east side of Allingham (east of Park Avenue) for a total of six separate titles.
The applicant is required to survey, purchase and consolidate Railway Ave. into the adjacent lots.
A consolidation of all six titles into one title is being requested.
“Closure of Railway Ave. will not interfere with legal access to any other parcels. The total approximate size of all the lots owned by the applicant is 6.65 acres. The closure of the avenue would add an additional 2.09 +/- acres.
An encroachment agreement is currently registered on title for a garage which could be removed once the road closure has been registered.
The applicant will be responsible for all costs associated with hiring a surveyor, purchasing the land and transfer to consolidate Railway Ave. into the adjacent lots.”
The planner also noted the road allowance in question must be assessed for its fair market value before any sale is proposed; the applicants agreed to accept the value of $16,000 given by Kneehill County’s assessor.
Keiver noted the bylaw granting the road allowance closure already passed first reading and a public hearing with no opposition from the public. Additionally, Keiver noted the request also received ministerial approval.
During discussion Coun. Carrie Fobes asked what is done with the $16,000 the county would generate with this transaction. Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Mike Haugen stated the funds go into the general revenue coffer and then at the end of the year may be dispersed into reserve accounts.
Councillors unanimously passed a resolution to accept the assessor’s value of $16,000, then unanimously passed second and third readings of the road closure bylaw.
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
