Okotoks council would like to have its tax base and water too, but it simply can’t have it all.
On Monday evening Okotoks council can end a drama which has lasted longer than “The Young and the Restless”. Council can either make a decision on growth and move on or delay this soap opera yet again.
No one wants to see this tedious decision delayed any longer and really there is no reason for council to waver. Council showed long ago it supports growth.
The second Okotoks council approved Costco, Home Depot, a super Wal-Mart, Montana’s, a new Best Western hotel and the expansion of the southside industrial park it showed it wants growth.
With those decisions council confirmed, whether it wants to admit it or not, Okotoks is not a small town anymore, we are prepared to embrace growth.
Every community needs a solid commercial and industrial base to remain financially stable. Therefore, council is right in enticing new commercial and industrial development to Okotoks.
So, why then be so afraid to accept residential growth?
These big businesses are coming to Okotoks because they see potential. They know there will be growth in the Foothills and they want to take advantage of what is a young, vivacious community.
Okotoks should get off the fence and take advantage of that potential as well.
By agreeing to annex enough land for 30 years growth does not mean we must open the development flood gates.
On the contrary, it will allow council — and all Okotokians — to decide how quickly or how slowly we develop these lands.
Most importantly, by expanding its borders Okotoks will be able to control its own destiny.
If we do not annex, the MD of Foothills could make those decisions for Okotoks.
Okotoks is no longer a small town, and it has not been for several years. It is time we took our blinders off and accepted that fact.
However, what we are is a vibrant, close-knit community and opening our doors to welcome new neighbours and business owners is not going to change that.
