Annexation Area Amendments to the Municipal Development Plan & Land Use Bylaw

Background

Since 2017, the City of St. Albert has been engaged in intermunicipal discussions with Sturgeon County regarding an annexation of lands. Through this process, the City of St. Albert has decided to explore annexation to allow for sustainable long-term growth consistent with the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Growth Plan, as well as providing certainty for residents, developers, and landowners. As the annexation applicant, the City of St. Albert undertook multiple forms of public engagement and completed all necessary technical studies required to support its application. The annexation negotiation process between the City of St. Albert and Sturgeon County has concluded, and in September 2020, the negotiated annexation agreement was approved by each municipality’s Council. The annexation has been approved by the Province.

Annexation results in changes to the common land boundary between subject municipalities, and transfers municipal jurisdiction from one municipality to another. With forthcoming boundary changes, subject to the Province's decision, the City will be required to amend Flourish, the Municipal Development Plan (MDP), as well as the Land Use Bylaw (LUB).

Municipal Development Plan Amendments

Amendments to the MDP will include, but not be limited to, updating maps to address the City's boundary change and future land use plans for the annexation area, as well as policy direction for the annexation area. Please refer to the draft map below.

Land Use Bylaw Amendments

Amendments to St. Albert's Land Use Bylaw (LUB) will include, but not be limited to, introducing two (2) new Land Use Districts:

1. The Transitional (TD) Land Use District will guide and enable the transition of land uses in the annexation area, where appropriate. The district will allow existing uses of land to continue and certain types of subdivision. Please refer to the Key Documents section for additional details.
2. The Alternate Jurisdiction (AJ) Land Use District is to provide for lands that do not require a development permit when falling under the jurisdiction of federal or provincial legislation. Please refer to the Key Documents section for additional details.