How does the presence of sour gas affect annexation?
It is difficult for urban development to occur in close proximity to sour gas facilities (wells and pipelines). There are legislated development setbacks from these facilities that vary with the level of sour gas. A well or pipeline with a level 1 or 2 designation poses less of a constraint to urban development than sour gas wells and pipelines of higher levels. Level 1 and 2 wells and pipelines do exist within the proposed annexation boundary. They are located within lands to the east in the Chestermere corridor, as well as to the far southeast. A well or pipeline with a level 3 or 4 designation poses a significant constraint to urban development. In areas such as these, annexation is not proposed (i.e., areas to the northeast of the city).
