By Geoff Smith (@GeoffSmithLNN on Twitter)

Coaldale annexation to accommodate 25 years of growth

Mar 5, 2018 | 9:53 AM

COALDALE – Officials in Coaldale believe the bedroom community now has the room it needs to accommodate continued growth over the next quarter-century.

The province recently gave its approval to the annexation of 1,459 acres. Of that, 939 acres will be for future residential growth, mainly on the west and southwest sides of the town; 173 acres for commercial growth adjacent to Highway 3, also on the west side; 144 acres of industrial use on the north side; and 202 acres for future public use such as parks on the north and northwest sides of the community.

Planning documents indicate an estimated 2017 population of 8,500. The town is projected to more than double in size, in the period between 2011 and 2041, to 15,717.

Spencer Croil, director of planning and development for the Town of Coaldale, said without the annexation there would only be another five to ten years of room.

“Basically, the entire thing was led by the fact that we are running out of land to develop for residential and non-residential uses,” Croil said. He explained the annexed land should give the town enough room to grow for approximately 25 years.

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He said the town has worked hard to address any concerns that were raised during the process, primarily from affected landowners. Annexed land will be taxed at county levels for the next 25 years, unless there are changes or improvements to the property, as set out in the agreement.

“There have been a small number of landowners who were concerned about a variety of topics, that we’ve worked very hard to address those concerns with,” Croil said, “and we believe the proposal that was accepted by the province reflects the work that we’ve done on addressing those concerns.”

An agreement is in place to compensate Lethbridge County for the corresponding loss of tax revenues over three years.

Croil also explained the town is following best practices and planning guidelines for an orderly growth, which include infill developments in existing vacant areas.

“The whole thing funnels toward orderly growth being more economical, more cost-effective, and overall, a better way to grow for the community.”

The annexation takes effect April 1.