Generally, applications related to municipal land are triggered by infrastructure or development projects. A completed application form, fees and supporting information must be submitted to Planning and Development Services (PDS) in order to consider a proposal related to County land. We recommend meeting with a Planner in our office to discuss your proposal prior to submitting an application. To learn more about municipal land applications, please see the information below regarding the various application types.Â
Municipal Reserve lands are lands that are reserved for use as a public park, a public recreation area, school board purposes, or to separate areas of land that are used for different purposes. Â
From time to time, a municipal reserve may be deemed surplus. As a result, the County may start the process of a municipal reserve disposition, which means the act of selling, leasing or otherwise disposing of the Reserve Land. Ultimately, the disposal of a municipal reserve is at the discretion of County Council and there is no timeline or guarantee that a municipal reserve parcel will become available for purchase. Generally, applications related to reserve dispositions are triggered by infrastructure or development projects.Â
The removal of a Municipal Reserve Designation must be approved by Strathcona County Council through a bylaw.
Municipal Reserve Disposition applications may vary with each application. The decision regarding a Municipal Reserve Disposition bylaw is made by County Council and must receive three readings prior to receiving approval. Public consultation through the process of a public hearing is also required prior to the approval of a Municipal Reserve Disposition.
Municipal reserve dispositions require a Council approved bylaw that follows a multi-step process that is legislated by the Municipal Government Act and the policies and regulations of Strathcona County. The process of disposition would include a Council public hearing to gather feedback from the public and ultimately make a decision on the disposition of the reserve parcel. Notifications are required as part of the public hearing which may include, but are not limited to, written notification to adjacent residents, placement of a sign on the subject municipal reserve parcel and advertisements in two consecutive issues of the Sherwood Park News prior to the Council public hearing.
A road closure is a request to close a portion of a road plan or an undeveloped road allowance that is no longer required or utilized for public travel. A road closure may also include a temporary closure. Municipal roads may be closed under the Municipal Government Act by way of bylaw. A decision on a road closure bylaw application is made by County Council, following a review of the application by administration. Following the decision on a road closure application, the applicant must purchase or lease the road for market value. Â
An undeveloped road allowance is land where a public road could be constructed if the need arises. Occasionally, road allowances are on land unsuitable for road construction due to topographical or environmental constraints. Others have never been fully developed for vehicular travel. From time-to-time, adjacent landowners may make a request for the County to close an undeveloped road allowance for consolidation into their lands.
The road closure must be approved by Strathcona County Council through a bylaw.
Road closure applications may vary with each application based on the information provided and the type of closure. The decision regarding a road closure bylaw is made by County Council and must receive three readings prior to receiving approval. Public consultation through the process of a public hearing is also required prior to the approval of a Road Closure Bylaw.
A Road Closure application may result in other costs to an applicant beyond application fees, such as but not limited to:
Utility rights-of-way and easements are a form of permission or legal license that has been granted by the landowner to another party in order to do something on the subject lands that would otherwise not be allowed. Â
There are several reasons to register a utility right-of-way on a property. This includes but is not limited to the right to construct, rights to access, maintain and operate public utilities such as electrical, water, fibre or drainage. There are also several forms of easements that can be registered on a property's land title, which include drainage easements or access easements. Â
Where a utility right-of-way or easement may impact municipal lands, or is required from the County to facilitate an infrastructure or development project, an application is required. Â
Means the right to pass over or through real property owned by someone else, usually based upon an easement with a dominant and servient tenement.
Easement means the right to use public or private land owned by another, generally for use by the public, a corporation or another person or entity.
Utility right-of-way or easement agreements are registered on a property's Certificate of Title. A copy of the agreement can be purchased online through the Alberta Land Titles website.
A completed application form, fees and supporting information must be submitted to Planning and Development Services in order to consider a proposal related to municipal land to ensure compliance with the Municipal Development Plan and applicable County policies and standards. We recommend meeting with a Planner in our office to discuss any proposal related to municipal land prior to submission of an application.Â
Land Development Planning Phone: 780-464-8080 Email: MLinquiries@strathcona.ca
Last updated: Thursday, August 28, 2025 Page ID: 52438