Cold Lake getting land for future development from the M.D. in 2019

Cold Lake is getting bigger by eleven quarter sections.

On Nov. 27, the City of Cold Lake’s annexation 11 quarter sections of land from the Municipal District of Bonnyville was confirmed, with Jan. 1, 2019 as the official takeover date.

In June 2017, the M.D. of Bonnyville and the City of Cold Lake submitted a joint agreement to the Municipal Government Board (MGB) for the annexation of 11 quarter sections of land to the City of Cold Lake.

Mayor Craig Copeland said it was a long process, but the deal is done and will more development opportunities for the city.

“One of the biggest problems was the west side of Highway 28 North and South, and the east side where the Energy Centre and the Mall is located was the City of Cold Lake. When we would have developers come it, they wanted to be close to the mall and that is the M.D. of Bonnyville, so you can’t get water and sewer hookup,” he said.

“With the annexation by reshaping our boundaries a bit better. We’re going to be more of rectangular shape, and it’s gonna have some quarter sections on the highway on the west side.”

Municipal District of Bonnyville Reeve Greg Sawchuk says the annexation agreement will provide the opportunity for the City of Cold Lake to expand and grow.

“The negotiations were a long process. The final agreement protects the M.D.’s former residents until 2069 and will offer new opportunities to provide services to everyone in the region.”

The annexation began in late 2013 when City of Cold Lake Council passed a resolution to begin negotiations with the M.D. of Bonnyville to work towards a joint annexation submission.

The resolution was highlighted in the City’s five year plan back in 2015.

The hope is this move will help facilitate growth over the next 50 years.

Residents and businesses on the annexation area will have their taxes be which ever tax rate is between the city and the M.D. 

These measures will be applied to affected properties through the year 2069, or until a property owner subdivides the affected land, re-designates land, or connects to the city’s sewer or water services or both.

The City of Cold Lake will be in contact with affected landowners before the end of the year to supply them with the information to assist them with the transition.