A Subdivision & Development Appeal board decision handed down Tuesday supports the County of Stettler in the ongoing issues surrounding Paradise Shores.
The board said that the development permit application submitted March 28th for Recreational Facility – Outdoor, with 318 campsites or RV stalls, was incomplete.
Read the SDAB’s Notice of Decision at www.stettlercounty.ca.
The appeal board hearing was held June 5th.
The hearing only accepted arguments in relation to the “completeness” or “incompleteness” of the application, and was primarily a discussion between two parties: Dave Hamm, owner of Paradise Shores, and Stettler County’s development authority.
Hamm’s legal council, Robert Shuett, along with the County’s development authority and legal council, were also present at the hearing.
People who opposed the development around the lake, as well as lease holders who have purchased sites, were also in attendance, the County’s Nikki Thorsteinsson said.
The original submitted development permit from Paradise Shores was comprised of a plan to create recreation facilities and activities on approximately 83 acres of land.
In partial, the application consisted of walking and biking trails, concessions, docks, a splash park, an “aqua glide” water park, sports courts and parking, in addition to the 318 campsites.
“Our timeline, having been forced off schedule due to the unfortunate decision by the SDAB needs to be addressed this camping season,” Hamm had stated in a letter enclosed in the development permit application.
“The resort’s 221 families who have chosen Stettler County and Buffalo Lake as their preferred destination for family fun for decades to come, need clear signals and definite action in order to show that this project is not going away,” the letter further stated.
While the June 5th hearing is a separate issue into the ongoing saga between Settler County and Paradise Shores, it came on the heels of a stop work order issued in May by the County over health and safety concerns at existing leases.
The County said that there were 41 conditions that had to be met.