Annexation can feel complicated, and every affected property owner or resident may see it a little differently. Here you’ll find stories that highlight common perspectives so you can see how annexation might relate to you or your neighbours.
The Longtime Homeowner
“We’ve been here for decades. What’s going to change?”
Susan and her husband have lived on their acreage for 30 years. They love the quiet, open space and are worried annexation is going to change how they use their property overnight. They’re curious about whether property taxes might change, and how municipal services like snow clearing or road maintenance could be affected.
They visit the City’s website for more information and find a series of helpful FAQs that address some of their questions and put their mind at ease that decisions about property taxes and municipal services haven’t been made yet. They plan to attend an upcoming open house to meet the project team to ask more questions and better understand how they can get involved.
The Young Family
“We just moved in. What does annexation mean for us?”
Kamal and Priya bought their first home last year and it’s in the proposed annexation area. They’re raising two young children and want to understand if annexation would change where their kids go to school and their busing options.
They go to the open house and after chatting with the project team learn that the best way to confirm their school and busing options is to contact the school boards directly for more information.
The Agricultural Landowner
“Will this impact how I’m allowed to use my land?”
David runs a mixed farming operation on his property. His main concern is whether annexation will affect zoning or his ability to keep using the land for agricultural purposes. He also wants to know how utility and infrastructure planning could change over time.
He calls the project team and has a great conversation about his specific situation. David learns that he can continue using the land for agricultural purposes for as long as he wants. David signs up for the e-newsletter to make sure he gets timely updates from the City and doesn’t miss an opportunity to provide input.
The Renter
“I’m renting property in the annexation area. Does this still affect me?”
Sofia rents a home in the proposed annexation area. She’s not sure if this applies to her but is wondering if annexation might change the cost of utilities, affect services like garbage collection, or alter the terms of her lease.
She emails the project team with her questions. A team member quickly follows up and tells her the annexation will not alter the terms of her current lease and that changes to services like garbage collection have not yet been decided.
The Business Owner
“What happens to my business in the annexation area if boundaries change?”
Li owns a small garden supply store in the proposed annexation area. She wants to understand if annexation will mean changes to business licensing, municipal regulations, or property taxes for her commercial space. She’s also curious about whether City infrastructure plans might benefit her customer base in the future.
She makes a list of her questions and attends an open house. She meets the project team and learns that the City will prepare a transition plan for affected landowners, businesses, and residents that will detail the differences in bylaws, service delivery, and infrastructure provision. More details will emerge as the City works through the process.
The Mines and Mineral Rights Owner
“I own mines and mineral rights in the annexation area. How does this affect me?"
Oksana inherited mines and mineral rights below a quarter section of land within the proposed annexation area from her grandparents. She wonders if the City will prevent her from drilling for oil or natural gas.
She calls the project team to discuss her specific situation and learns that the City neither approves nor declines applications to drill. Rather, her future application to drill will be decided upon by the Province, specifically the Alberta Energy Regulator. Oksana learns the City doesn’t have any reason to believe an application to drill would be impacted by the annexation, but she can contact the Alberta Energy Regulator if she’s unsure.