White City, Edenwold annexation proposal in the hands of municipal board
A nearly half-decade-long feud between the Town of White City and the Rural Municipality of Edenwold is now before the Saskatchewan Municipal Board (SMB).
The town has proposed annexation of 3,989 acres of land belonging to the RM to change its community boundary, including Emerald Park.
The proposed annexation area is shown.
“We’re experiencing phenomenal growth,” said White City Mayor Brian Fergusson. “We anticipate returning to those great growth rates and we need land to be able to grow.”
Edenwold Reeve Mitch Huber said the RM has experienced its own growth as well.
“Growth is fine,” he said. “We don’t mean to impede their growth, but the fact is we’ve seen a lot of development happen. We’re defending ourselves to protect our developed areas.”
Around 5,000 residents live in White City and Emerald Park combined. A population forecast conducted by Metro Economics said the population in the two communities could grow to over 23,000 by 2048.
“People that move there are often young families with young children,” said Tom McCormack, president of Metro Economics. “They are not going to be concerned with whether it is White City or Emerald Park.”
McCormack said growth in either community has been largely impacted by newcomers.
“We’re on a wave of high population growth because of immigration,” he said. “That’s what’s driving population growth at this time.”
In his testimony to the board, ISL Engineering & Land Services manager of community planning Darren Young said White City has an irregular and disjointed boundary.
“The boundaries are unlike anything I’ve seen in the prairie provinces because of the proximity of the town to the RM,” he said. “You can’t tell where the town ends and where the RM starts.”
According to hearing documents, Associated Engineering said, “White City’s proposal does not align with the town’s land requirement.”
Young disagrees.
“White City is in dire need of 25 years’ worth of land supply,” he said. “If it doesn’t, the town risks running out of directions to grow.”
“We expect that area to grow over the next several decades,” said Huber. “It’s just about who is better to service those areas.”
The hearing will continue into next week and go on no later than Nov. 30. The board will then release their decision within 60 days of the conclusion of the hearings.
“Regardless of the decision here, I think the residents of both communities will be glad this issue is finally behind us and we can move forward,” said Fergusson.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.