Council says ‘no’ to Hwy. 54/2 land
Provincially-owned land along the intersection of Hwy. 54 and Hwy. 2 is expected to go on the open market, after Town of Innisfail officials decided against purchasing it.
An Alberta Infrastructure spokesperson said when land is surplus to the provincial government’s need, it gives right of first refusal to the municipality in which the land lies.
“The need to purchase or develop lands in this location has not been determined as a priority at this time,” states Innisfail council’s motion on the matter.
Councillors voted unanimously during the December meeting against expressing an interest in the purchase of the land.
Cheryl Mackenzie, an Alberta Infrastructure spokesperson, gave few details about the land that she said is now going to be offered up through MLS listings.
Town lot prices dropped
The price of municipally-owned lots in the Hazelwood Estates subdivision has been dropped to help town officials market them.
There are 49 town lots remaining in the three phases of the subdivision which opened in 2007/2008, according to a year end report filed by development officer Elwin Wiens.
There were two municipally-owned lots in the subdivision sold in 2010.
Local realtors, on the request of town officials, recently provided proposals for a lot marketing action plan which included reduced prices.
The plan includes reducing all single family lots by $5,000 until February 28 for anyone buying a lot directly from the town office.
All lots remaining unsold on March 1 will be distributed evenly among the four Innisfail realty offices for marketing on MLS and realtor websites.
All lot purchases after March are to be completed through realty offices.
A commission rate of $5,000 has been set to be split between the brokerages, with $2,000 for listing and $3,000 for selling.
Councillors also approved dropping the price of 16 R-2 duplex lots by nearly $11,000.
Council approved selling those lots along Elmwood Way for $69,900 as opposed to their previous selling mark of $80,800 per lot.
The new price would net approximately $1.1 million if they all sold, according to information provided to council.
Local builders are to be consulted prior to March 1 with regard to development proposals for the 16 duplex lots.
The action plan is intended to be in effect for the duration of 2011 and is expected to be reviewed as part of 2012 budget considerations for the municipality.
