Okotoks town council did the right thing in postponing a decision to annex enough land for 30 years of growth in order to get feedback from residents on the proposal.
The fate of Okotoks’ population cap will now come back in front of town council on June 25, but it’s a decision councillors should not rush. Three and a half months may not be enough time for the Town and residents to fully understand the implications of throwing out the population cap – and the more than 13 years of town planning centered on the concept.
Coun. Matt Rockley proposed annexing land around the Town’s boundaries after the Municipal Government Board ruled against the Town’s appeal of the Wind Walk development. He said the decision is proof Okotoks can’t stop development on its borders in the area and the town could see itself ringed by development if it holds on to the cap.
He’s correct, but town council also can’t make any knee jerk reactions to the Wind Walk decision.
There is a lot of work that would need to be done to pave the way for a decision.
Firstly, council was right to hold off on making any decision before consulting the public. Residents deserve a chance to have a say on what kind of vision they have for Okotoks’ future.
Residents also need to have all the facts in front of them to make the right choice. The Town has done a good job over the last year hosting a water and growth speaker series bringing international experts in these areas to Okotoks to give residents a better grasp on the big picture.
The Town now needs to follow this up with a comprehensive campaign that illustrates the potential scenarios and implications for keeping the cap, growth and potential water supply options.
Water is a key question.
The Town’s water problems can be solved and the MD of Foothills has opened the door to a possible, less contentious alternative to a water pipeline from Calgary. MD Reeve Larry Spilak said the municipality is in the early stages of starting discussions with towns in the foothills looking at a possible regional water strategy.
Whether or not the Town eliminates the population cap is a decision that will forever alter the fate of the community.
It’s a decision that needs to be made soon and town council has committed to doing so this year.
Council and residents need to make sure they have everything they need to make the right choice. If this means waiting until the fall, it’s time well spent.
