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Council adds limitations to Homestead project

Okotoks town council has directed administration to include additional limitations to the lease agreement with Realize Communities in response to citizens’ concerns regarding the ecovillage development within the Homestead Project.
Homestead aerial-small
Council has directed administration to include additional limitations to the Homestead project land lease agreement, following concerns raised by residents.

Okotoks town council has added limitations to the Homestead project land lease agreement, bringing the project within the boundaries of similar developments with Westwinds and Rowan House.

Council has directed administration to include additional limitations to the lease agreement with Realize Communities in response to citizens’ concerns regarding the ecovillage development, according to a press release shared on June 25.

“Council recognizes the effort that our residents have taken to bring forward their concerns,” said Mayor Bill Robertson in the press release. “Council has responded with two additional clauses in the lease agreement that further protects taxpayers and will ensure a long-term return on the community’s investment.”

To provide ratepayers with annual revenue from this portion of the Homestead Project, the additional limitations within the lease will require Realize Communities to pay a lease fee equivalent to property taxes.

Additionally Realize Communities will be required to repay 50 per cent of the Town’s $3.34 million land development costs for the 2.8-acre ecovillage over the term of the lease—similar to agreements for affordable housing projects the Town has with Westwinds Communities and Rowan House.

At the June 24 council meeting, the Okotoks Ratepayers Community Group presented council with an update on its petition against the ratepayer-funded portion of the project. With five per cent of the electorate having signed, the group hoped it would suffice for moral persuasion, but said it would continue to collect signatures until July 21, per the 60-day allowance.

The ratepayers group said it supports the affordable housing development with Westwinds and Rowan House at the June 24 meeting due to the defined payback agreements and business case.

At the meeting, council was in discussions with legal representation during in camera sessions regarding the land lease agreement and no public discussion occurred.

“Due to the confidentiality of the lease negotiations, we were unable to release these details earlier,” said Robertson. “I’m pleased that we are able to share this information and demonstrate Council’s commitment to being fiscally responsible to our taxpayers.”

Council had previously stipulated that the final lease agreement must include several principle controls to ensure: the Town retains ownership of the land in perpetuity; that taxpayers will not be responsible for any financial obligations not met by Realize Communities; and that any profits be reinvested into the village or Okotoks community.

Council directed administration to bring the final proposed lease agreement back for consideration on or before the September 9 meeting.

The Homestead Project encompasses 10 acres in the D’Arcy neighbourhood including the original farm site, whose buildings are currently being evaluated for heritage designation. Depending on the outcome of that evaluation, homestead and the historical significance would be incorporated into the design, according to the initial designs presented to council in February.

If the lease agreement is approved, the Town will provide infrastructure and servicing for the 2.8-acre portion of the site where the ecovillage will be located.

The Town is also responsible for landscaping of the ecovillage and an additional area for a public garden and green space, which will be funded through the capital reserve fund and will have no impact on property taxes.

The ecovillage represents the first phase of development for the Homestead Project. The remaining 6.6 acres is anticipated for completion through three additional phases over the next 10 years.

Community input will be sought throughout the process and will help identify the best community uses for the site.

The Town received the 10-acre parcel as part of a 1994 annexation agreement that was in addition to Municipal and School Reserve lands. The site can only be used for recreational, educational or any other municipal purposes such as community facilities or affordable housing, according to the press release.

For more information on the Homestead project, see okotoks.ca.

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