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Stettler County’s SDAB closes appeal process for controversial development Paradise Shores

Will make its decision within 15 days
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Stettler County’s SDAB hearing on Paradise Shores Aug. 16. About 4,000 pages were submitted by nine appellants. (Lisa Joy/Black Press)

Stettler County’s Subdivisvision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) closed the appeal hearing into the Paradise Shores development.

A merit hearing was held Sept. 18-19 and a hearing was also held Aug. 16 to give opponents of the development one last chance to appeal the development permit application Stettler County approved for Paradise Shores RV in June.

“Having reviewed the submitted materials and the record of proceeding, the board is satisfied that it does not require further evidence to render a decision,” said Stettler County Subdivision and Development Appeal Board Secretary Yvette Cassidy.

Site work on Paradise Shores started earlier this year. About 360 RV sites will be developed this year. More than 200 sites have been leased and 60 RV’s are parked in a temporary location.

Earlier this year the Summer Villages of Rochon and White Sands filed disputes with the county over the proposed development but later dropped it after agreeing to a reduced density from 1,000 RV stalls to 750.

In March about 400 people attended a public hearing in Stettler for the high-density RV development. Twenty people spoke against and the developer spoke in favour. The county received 32 letters of support and 121 submissions against.

In addition, both Lacombe and Camrose Counties gave Stettler County letters of concern over the project saying the proposed development didn’t comply with the environmental requirements of the Buffalo Lake Inter-municipal Development Plan that requires any changes in land use or development avoid environmentally sensitive areas and important wildlife habitat. The opposing counties took issue with the developer not completing requirements of the Environmental Review because the environmental studies only covered Phase I of the development but the developer asked for approval for all three phases.

Paradise Shores RV Resort development includes a clubhouse, fitness area, coffee and juice bar, a swimming pool and tennis.

According to RV Sites Canada Vice-President Mark Burke, the development has already injected millions into Stettler’s economy by using local contractors, hiring labourers and buying food and supplies for the site and work crews.

The SDAB will make its decision within 15 days.