City and RM agree to land annexation on Southside

A request from a land developer has prompted the City of Swift Current to complete a complimentary resolution to annex a quarter section of land from the R.M. of Swift Current.

At their July 22 City Council meeting, Swift Current City Council approved the purchase of a quarter of land which borders Swift Current’s Southside boundary located west of 11th Ave. S.W. While the City still has to complete the process necessary to formally complete the request, the approval will eventually pave the way for a residential development on the Southside.

The developer, Tashada Holdings Ltd., had requested the land become part of the city, and they were able to come to an agreement with both the RM and the City under the basis of a five-year tax loss basis, with the developer paying $13,800 of the $20,000 transaction.

“So we’ve got a complimentary resolution, and the quarter of land will be brought into the City and at some point in the future it will be developed,” explained Deputy Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer Tim Marcus.

Marcus noted that the growth of Swift Current’s Southside has been a part of the city future direction despite their recent land acquisitions.

“Our official community plan has always shown the City growing in all directions. It’s just in the recent annexations that the City initiated we targeted the Northwest and the Northeast. But in our community plan we always show growth on the Southside as well. It’s just that this will come forward in a little earlier timeframe than it had been in our plan. But certainly the City would like to grow in all directions, not just in one or two particular areas.”

The RM of Swift Current approved the proposed annexation at their June 11 RM Council meeting, agreeing to the five times tax loss compensation.

Marcus added it was nice to have a complimentary resolution to the request, with both sides feeling the land should be a part of the City.

“It’s always nice when you can come to an agreement. Certainly we thank the R.M. #137 for being cooperative in that manner. It’s always nice to come to that type of agreement and move ahead without having to do it contentiously.”

While the City currently has sufficient land to meet their requirements for the near future, this section of land was part of the longer term residential development plan.

However, this developerendeavour will see the developer take the lead on moving the project forward as opposed to city facilitated construction.

“At this point in time we fully expect the development to take place without any extra burden on the city,” Marcus said.