A large recreational development on the south shore of Buffalo Lake appears to have been given several green lights by the County of Stettler, including a new development permit and the lifting of a stop order placed on the land title.
The stop order was lifted at the county’s regular Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) Sept. 27.
The MPC is comprised of members of county council and chaired by Coun. James Nibourg.
Bar W Resort’s property, formerly known as Paradise Shores, was the subject of the agenda item Stop Order on NE 20-40-20-4, further described by staff as “Lifting of stop order placed on the NE 20-40-20-4.”
Councillors read a detailed memo presented by Director of Planning & Development Craig Teal which noted a stop order was placed on Paradise Shores’ property after an inspection revealed there were about double the number of recreational vehicle (RV) sites on the site as permitted along with other violations.
“On May 19, 2019 the county placed a stop order on (Paradise Shores) related to non-compliance with the Nov. 2, 2018 Subdivision Development Appeal Board (SDAB) decision on the proposed recreational vehicle park and recreation facility – outdoor uses.
The stop order was filed against the title of the property by caveat.
“The stop order relates to the original proposal put forward by RV Sites Canada in 2018. It instructs full compliance with the Nov. 2018 SDAB decision which allowed up to 168 RV sites. With the (recent) approval of (new) development permit #23077 for up to 318 RV sites on Sept. 8, 2023 the original proposal and the SDAB approval has been replaced.
“This means the May 19, 2019 stop order is no longer required. Future questions of compliance on the (former Paradise Shores property) will be gauged against the conditions of (the new) development permit 23077 rather than the 2018 SDAB decision. A copy of the May 19, 2019 stop order is attached for reference.”
The original stop order, dated May 17, 2019 and sent by courier to 2066052 Alberta Ltd. c/o Dave Hamm, 300, 1933A 10 Ave. SW Calgary, Alta. T3C 0K3, noted the stop order was issued for “breach of conditions” of both the SDAB and the County of Stettler’s Land Use Bylaw (LUB) on the property at that time known as Paradise Shores located at NE 20-40-20-4.
The stop order continued, “A site inspection of the lands which occurred on May 2, 2019, revealed that the lands are in contravention of various conditions and requirements of the SDAB decision…The number of RV stalls and/or campground sites on the land currently total 315, which is in excess of the limit imposed in the SDAB decision of 168.”
The stop order listed other violations, including about 113 of the sites occupied despite certain pre-conditions not being met.
It was noted at the MPC meeting by Craig Teal Bar W Resort, previously known as Paradise Shores, had its new development permit approved on Sept. 8 of this year which overrides any previous orders, including the stop order.
Teal stated what happens on Bar W Ranch’s south shore property is now governed solely by the new development permit and if there is a “question of compliance” that must be a separate action.
Teal added the county MPC originally placed the stop order on Bar W Ranch’s land title, so the MPC now had the opportunity to remove it.
Coun. Nibourg asked if there were any financial costs to the county for this, with Manager of Municipal Services Andrew Brysiuk responding only to land title fees.
Coun. Dave Grover asked if local business owners had been notified of Bar W Ranch’s new status to which Nibourg responded that wasn’t part of the MPC’s responsibility.
There were no other questions or comments and the MPC voted unanimously in favour of removing the stop order.
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
