Annexation Proposal

Annexation is the process used by a municipality to redefine its boundaries in order to comprehensively plan for the orderly, efficient, and cost-effective development of lands within its jurisdiction. Once the annexation is complete, properties within an annexation area will experience a change in jurisdiction from one municipality to another. Annexation does not however change land ownership rights and is not necessarily undertaken to facilitate immediate development, but rather to secure lands for future growth.

The City has been approached by the primary landowners of NE-34-63-2-W4M and SE-34-63-2-W4M with the intent to utilize the annexed lands for the development of Residential Estate dwellings. These landowners have an interest in connecting to City water and sewer services, which the City and the MD of Bonnyville both support. This also provides greater housing variety in the City and compliments the existing Residential Estate dwellings located east of 28 Street (Horseshoe Bay Estates). 

The City is proposing to annex two (2) quarter sections of land described as NE 34-63-2-4 and SE 34-63-2-4. Please see the enclosed map for the location of the proposed lands.

The City of Cold Lake and the M.D. of Bonnyville have reached an agreement on the proposed annexation, and have both executed an agreement as of June 28, 2023. The Land and Property Rights Tribunal (LPRT) held a public hearing on December 12, 2023. The City anticipates a response from the provincial cabinet in late spring, 2024. Please see  the City’s website for more information and updates.

The City submitted the annexation application to the LPRT on October 10, 2023. Since this submission, the LPRT has scheduled a public hearing regarding the proposed annexation. Upon closing of the hearing, the Tribunal will prepare a written report with its recommendations to the Minister of Municipal Affairs. Ultimately, the final decision on whether to approve the City’s annexation will be made by the provincial cabinet. Please see the notice on the City’s website for more information regarding the scheduled hearing.

The City is committed to ensuring that all affected landowners and mineral rights owners have an opportunity to be fully informed and engaged in the annexation process. Owners with property located within the proposed annexation area will be encouraged to get engaged in the process to discuss their questions, feedback and potential impacts of the proposed annexation.  

The City is committed to ensuring that Cold Lake residents have an opportunity to be fully informed and engaged in the annexation process. Residents will be encouraged to attend public open houses through newspaper advertisements, radio announcements and the City’s website, and are encouraged to contact the City's Annexation Project Manager throughout the process to provide comments or ask questions.  

Annexation is not the expropriation of land. Land ownership is not impacted by annexation. In an annexation, only the municipal jurisdiction changes. If the annexation is approved: 

• lands in the annexation area will receive services from the City of Cold Lake instead of MD of Bonnyville No. 87; 
• land use and development approvals will be transferred to the City; and 
• landowners will pay municipal property taxes to the City of Cold Lake instead of the MD of Bonnyville No. 87

Owners within the annexation area will be able to continue to use their land in the same manner as prior to annexation. It will be up to owners when and whether to develop their land. 

The City will review the services being provided by the MD to impacted landowners and assess whether these services are consistent with those provided to existing City residents. Once assessed, a decision will be made whether existing MD services will be maintained or amended. The City of Cold Lake currently provides an equitable level of service to all residents. 

To assist landowners with the transition from MD to City tax rates, the City is proposing that the lands in the annexation area will be taxed at the lower tax rates established by the MD and City for 50 years unless the landowner subdivides or rezones their land, or their land is connected to City water and sewer services. This is the same arrangement that was used in the City’s previous annexation in 2019.  

• City of Cold Lake:
  • Brad Schultz, Planner
    • 780-594-4494  ext 7907
    • bschultz@coldlake.com
• MD of Bonnville:
  • Lisa Folliott, Manager of Planning and Development
  • 780-826-3171
  • planning@md.bonnyville.ab.ca