BARRHEAD - Town of Barrhead councillors have given the prospective buyer of the municipality's remaining Schneider Lands more time to finalize the sale.
Following an in-camera session at the Aug. 13 council meeting, councillors approved the prospective owner's request to extend the time to finalize the agreement until April 15, 2025.
After the council meeting, chief administrative officer Edward LeBlanc told the Barrhead Leader that the process was going well, but the sale was "taking more time to finalize" than both parties expected.
Mayor Dave McKenzie agreed, adding the municipality is still "working on going through some of the hoops" required.
"Basically, the developer is waiting for us, as well as [Alberta Transportation], to fill in some holes," he said.
In late July 2023, the council agreed to a tentative sale agreement with the prospective owner, McCammon Realty Advisors, based in Edmonton, of the remaining approximate 11-acre parcel for an undisclosed amount.
The property is zoned as direct control, which means the town council is the approving authority for any development proposal. The land is being sold unimproved in "as-is condition"; it is up to the developer to bring in any improvements, such as constructing roads and connecting to utilities.
It is the second time the developer has asked for and has been granted an extension.
History of the property
The Schneider Lands were two properties, one located near Shepherd's Care, while the second was in the same general area but adjacent to Highway 33. McCammon Realty Advisors purchased this property.
The town purchased the original five-acre parcel in 2013 as the location for a new pool. About two years later, the municipality bought the second, larger parcel, roughly 11-acre property next to the highway, north of DeHerdt Gardens.
In 2022, the municipality sold the smaller property, which had been home to Barrhead's Community Garden, to a local developer who plans to build a residential development.
In an August 2023 interview, McCammon Realty Advisors owner Jeff McCammon, who owns a residence a few minutes south of town, stated he hopes to be able to build a mini portfolio of income-producing commercial real estate.
He added that he planned to split the property into three or four distinct properties, for which he would look for tenants.
"I'll be looking for retail and short-term industrial tenants," McCammon said, adding he would start by asking local businesses if they would like to move or expand to the properties. "Only after canvassing the local business will I have my leasing team try to find tenants outside the community."
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
