Expanding horizons: Grand Forks, B.C. embarks on municipal boundary extension

The community of Grand Forks is charting new territory, with exciting plans in the works

This sketch shows the proposed Copper Sky Village component of the expansion. — Image courtesy of copperskyliving.com

Big changes are afoot for the community of Grand Forks—a proposed municipal boundary extension aims to enhance housing options and address the evolving needs of local residents.

The City embarked on this initiative in response to a request from a landowner planning a phased residential development beyond the current city limits. Spanning approximately 95 hectares and involving about 20 landowners, the extension area lies northwest of the city along North Fork Road, north of Coalchute Road.

City Council granted approval to initiate the exploration during a meeting on April 17, 2023. The process, mandated by the Province, mandates thorough consultation with affected parties, including landowners, First Nations communities, neighbouring governments, and relevant stakeholders. Critical aspects such as tax implications, servicing, emergency services, and zoning are undergoing detailed analyses.

To date, discussions have been held with landowners within the proposed extension area, as well as stakeholders like First Nations, the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary, the Grand Forks Irrigation District, emergency services, and provincial ministries. The engagement process is now extending to involve the broader City residents' community.

Expanding the boundary could lead to alterations in taxation, revenue distribution, infrastructure development, and the delivery of services by the pertinent local authorities. The suggested boundary adjustment entails an expansion of Grand Forks' jurisdiction while concurrently reducing the boundary delineation for Electoral Area D of the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary.

What takes place during a boundary expansion?

A boundary expansion is a provincially regulated procedure that involves engaging all relevant stakeholders, evaluating current infrastructure and service provisions, and assessing the financial implications of extending services through such an extension. The process, as delineated by the Province, comprises six key steps:

• Council resolution
• Proposal development, which encompasses rationale and implications, as well as engagement with the public, affected parties, and First Nations
• Provincial review
• Electoral approval
• Provincial approval 
• Implementation jointly by the City and Regional District

Is the expansion certain?

No definitive decisions have been reached at this time. The initiation of a boundary extension represents a provincially regulated process characterized by several sequential steps. Council consensus to proceed was reached on April 17, 2023. Collaborating with a third-party consultant, the City has been actively engaging with affected stakeholders, conducting assessments of current infrastructure and service provisions, and evaluating the financial implications associated with a prospective municipal extension. The input of affected parties is vital to this ongoing process, and the City encourages their active participation.

How long does the process take?

The timeline for the expansion process adheres to provincial stipulations and entails thorough consultation. Anticipated to span approximately 12 – 18 months from the onset of initial consultation during the proposal submission phase, the extension hinges on feedback garnered during consultations and guidance from provincial authorities. Developers foresee presenting a proposal for electoral approval around mid-2024, followed by submission for provincial approval should it receive electors' endorsement.

For more information on the upcoming plans, check out the City of Grand Forks website.