By Jessica Jones
For the Independent
The County of Stettler has started the dispute resolution process with the Summer Villages over opposition to amend a development plan that could increase density at the controversial Buffalo Lake RV Resort.
The County of Stettler council unanimously passed the motion to initiate the dispute resolution process with the Summer Village of White Sands and the Summer Village of Rochon Sands, members of the Buffalo Lake South Shore Intermunicipal Development Plan (BLSSIDP).
Council passed this motion at their regular council meeting on March 11th.
The County has sent a letter to the Summer Villages initiating the dispute resolutions, requesting that a meeting take place on or before March 30th, explained County of Stettler Development Officer Cara McKenzie.
“The municipalities shall hold a meeting within 30 days from the request for mediation to address all the issues pertaining to the mediation process,” she said, adding that the municipalities will meet with a mediator within 20 days after this initial meeting.
“The timeline for resolution is flexible to see the needs of municipalities,” she said.
The Summer Village of White Sands and the Summer Village of Rochon Sands had until Feb. 14th to respond to Stettler County’s amendment request to increase the allowable density from 168 to 325 dwelling units at the Buffalo Lake RV Resort.
According to a Stettler County press release received later in February, “The Summer Village of Rochon Sands communicated they would be open to discussing a formal review process of the BLSSIDP in whole or part, with regards to amending the density levels in both the The Buffalo Lake Intermunicipal Development Plan (BLIDP) and the BLSSIDP, prior to any proposed changes or amendments.”
The County of Stettler council initially passed a motion to request an amendment to the Buffalo BLSSIDP during their mid-December council meeting, after the developer, formerly knowns as Paradise Shores, stated that it is not financially viable to continue the Buffalo Lake RV Resort project with the current density limitation set at 168 units on the 83-acre site.
“The County of Stettler does not disagree with or disparage the judgments of the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) or the province’s Court of Appeal,” McKenzie said.
“However, we have identified that the BLSSIDP could more explicitly address application forms of development other than multi-lot type residential subdivisions,” she said.
“The County of Stettler remains hopeful that a positive working relationship may be maintained with the Summer Villages as we work through the dispute resolution process.”