City discusses purchase of land parcels

Land purchases were a big topic of discussion at North Battleford council Monday.

A couple of purchases were discussed.

One was a recommendation to council to “purchase from Edward Hebert land described as NW16-44-16-W3rd for the price of $640,000.”

City Manager Jim Puffalt said the land was being purchased to accommodate “long-term growth purposes.”

But councillor Cathy Richardson and Mayor Ian Hamilton did not vote in favour.

“I don’t feel that this is the proper time to be looking at investment that far into the future,” stated Hamilton. Still, the resolution carried at council despite the mayor’s disapproval.

Another resolution that came before council Monday was to authorize administration to finalize the purchase land from 1320162 Alberta Ltd. in the Fairview Heights neighbourhood. The price is $13,500 per acre and is to be funded by debt financing available to the City.

The purchase was done to add to the City’s residential land bank, which administration indicated was close to being exhausted. 

Puffalt explained “we’re almost out of land” and he indicated this purchase was important to address an immediate need to have land available.

He also indicated the land bank should be in good shape after this purchase. “There should be sufficient supply for a number of years,” he said.