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Resident concerns must be heard

The Town of Okotoks and MD of Foothills are naturally casting their gaze to the future as they work on growth and annexation plans for the area.

The Town of Okotoks and MD of Foothills are naturally casting their gaze to the future as they work on growth and annexation plans for the area.

But, they can’t lose sight of the present day, particularly concerns of the people and businesses in the area the Town is looking to bring within its boundaries.

They own the land, they live on the land, they work on the land and their concerns need to be considered.

Both sides have kept the public informed to date and this is not to say the Town and MD will not work with residents or attempt to accommodate their concerns.

The whole process is entering a new phase where the impacts annexation could have on residents are becoming clearer, and very real for some.

The case of MD resident and business owner Ervine Miller is one that illustrates the basic principle that annexation can’t back existing residents into a corner.

He owns a parcel of land near Highway 2 where both Integrity Post Structures, Miller Supply and his personal residence are all located.

The area has been identified as an important future gateway to Okotoks. The annexation plan could see businesses remain in the MD, while the balance of his land would be annexed by Okotoks.

He said plans to grow the businesses have hit snags and delays over uncertainty with the pending annexation. Add in future land that will need to be set aside for a future interchange and Miller feels like he has few options left.

Miller asked MD councillors last week for guidance on how to plan for the future of his land and his family’s business.

The Town and MD both say he’ll get the chance to have his say during Municipal Government Board hearings this fall.

The final decision is ultimately in the board’s hands.

There are a lot of factors that will come into play and it is virtually impossible for everyone to get everything they are looking for. However, the wishes of current residents and businesses need to be at top of mind for decision makers.

Annexation needs to go ahead and, yes, the process can’t be delayed. This does not mean it should proceed at the detriment of the people and businesses who currently call the area home.




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