Calgary Council Revives Land Annexation Committee for New Southern Community
The City of Calgary is moving forward with plans to annex approximately 430 acres of land in Foothills County to accommodate future residential growth, reviving a proposal that was first introduced nearly a decade ago. The land, located on Calgary's southern boundary, could potentially support a new neighborhood with between 4,000 and 5,000 homes.
Unanimous Committee Vote Revives Dormant Proposal
On Thursday, Calgary's intergovernmental affairs committee voted unanimously to reactivate the annexation negotiation committee that had been dissolved in 2023. The revived subcommittee will consist of three Calgary city councillors and three Foothills County councillors who will negotiate terms including compensation, tax provisions, and regulatory frameworks for the proposed annexation.
"This was always council's direction," said Ward 13 Councillor Dan McLean, who brought forward a notice of motion last summer to renew annexation talks. "Foothills County doesn't really want to develop it. If they were, it would probably be acreages or a lot less density. And we do want more density in this council."
Historical Context and Location Details
The annexation proposal was first introduced in 2018 by then-Ward 13 councillor Diane Colley-Urquhart, with formal planning beginning in 2021. The land in question is situated between 210th Avenue S.W., 64th Street S.W., the Sirocco Golf Club, and the community of Pine Creek. Despite being technically within Foothills County boundaries, the area was previously designated as a "Calgary Growth Area" in an intermunicipal development plan between the two jurisdictions.
McLean described the property as "a beautiful piece of property" with a "really nice escarpment" that represents "one little missing piece of the puzzle" in his southwest ward. The councillor noted that the land is surrounded by Calgary on three sides, making its current county designation somewhat anomalous.
Expanded Proposal and Development Potential
While the original 2018 proposal involved 415 acres, McLean confirmed that an additional 13-acre sliver has been added to address emergency access concerns for four properties currently accessible by City of Calgary roads. According to the councillor, none of the land is currently being used for agricultural or other purposes.
Development company Anthem has expressed interest in transforming the property into a new Calgary neighborhood. McLean emphasized that the eventual homes would contribute to the city's tax base, and the location would be well-positioned for future transit connections if the Red Line LRT is extended south of the Calgary ring road.
Previous Shelving and Current Timeline
The annexation proposal was shelved in 2023 when city administration advised council that Calgary had sufficient land within its current municipal boundaries to accommodate residential growth for the next 35 to 50 years. The annexation negotiation committee was subsequently dissolved at that time.
Now revived, the process requires provincial government approval, with a city report suggesting that decision could come in either 2027 or 2028. McLean described the current progress as "moving forward at a good pace" and emphasized the strategic importance of the land for completing the development pattern in southwest Calgary.
The proposed annexation represents a significant municipal expansion initiative that would reshape Calgary's southern boundary and create substantial new residential capacity as the city continues to grow and evolve in the coming decades.
