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Reviewing Plans

Mediation process recessed until January for proposed RV resort at Buffalo Lake

Sep 29, 2020 | 6:06 PM

A mediation process to help resolve a dispute surrounding a proposed RV resort along the south shore of Buffalo Lake northwest of Stettler has been recessed until January.

On Sept. 25, the County of Stettler, the Summer Village of Rochon Sands and the Summer Village of White Sands mutually agreed to recess mediation until Jan. 14, 2021.

According to County of Stettler officials, all three parties concur that a recess will allow the time required to properly and appropriately review current plans while looking towards the future.

In the meantime, a consultant for the County of Stettler is expected to complete an Area Structure Plan, which will be made available to all members of the Buffalo Lake South Shore Intermunicipal Development Plan (BLSSIDP) in January.

The County of Stettler pursued dispute resolution with the members of the BLSSIDP on March 9, 2020, following a denied request from the summer villages in February to amend the allowable density of the Buffalo Lake RV Resort (formerly Paradise Shores) from 168 dwelling units, to 325 dwelling units.

County officials have previously noted that the Buffalo Lake Intermunicipal Development Plan (BLIDP) already allows for a density of 325 units along the lake’s south shore, but the BLSSIDP restricts the density of units at the proposed site to 168.

Cara McKenzie, development officer for the County of Stettler, told rdnewsNOW in February that the County’s request to amend the BLSSIDP came at the request of the new developer.

“Originally they had requested 750 lots, and then the reduction to 168 lots impacted their business plan in such a way that it was no longer viable,” recalled McKenzie.

McKenzie said at the time that a stop work order issued on the project last year would remain in place until conditions outlined in a previous Subdivision and Development Appeal decision are met, or new provisions are issued for the property with an amended development in mind.

According to the developer’s website, the new ownership group which took over in summer 2019, claimed nearly 300 lease holders and vendors waiting to set up camp at the resort.

“Once built, the park will possess numerous ways to entertain kids of all ages, including sprinkler parks, water slides, water obstacle courses, sport courts and playgrounds to name just a few,” reads the website. “These groups must remember that this is a business development zone intended to raise the business tax base of the County to help fund County development – roads, services etc. It is important for all to make sure this development is a success and adds to the long-term benefit of the County.”

Related: Future remains uncertain for proposed Buffalo Lake RV Resort

The project is now said to be in Stage 4 of the Dispute Resolution process, as outlined in the BLSSIDP.

Councils for the County of Stettler, the Summer Villages of Rochon Sands and White Sands have appointed the following elected and administrative officials as their respective Negotiating Teams:

  • Reeve Larry Clarke and CAO Yvette Cassidy as the Administrative Lead for the County of Stettler.
  • Mayor Dan Hiller and CAO Jason Olson as Administrative Lead for the Summer Village of Rochon Sands.
  • Mayor Lorne Thurston and CAO Graham Scott as Administrative Lead for the Summer Village of White Sands.

The public may view the agreed upon Mediation Protocols at: www.StettlerCounty.ca and www.rochonsands.net.