The Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) held the official public hearing regarding the Paradise Shores development along Buffalo Lake on Tues. Sept. 18 and Wed. Sept. 19.
The public was welcome to attend. Approximately 100 people were in attendance to watch the proceedings in the Stettler Community Hall.
The board determined that each appellant will discuss their points by topic to save on time and to avoid repetitiveness.
Topics like lake usage, emergency services, permit process, noise, environmental issues, traffic and transportation, and the land use bylaw were discussed.
On Aug. 16, the SDAB decided to allow all parties including the appellants, applicants and development authority two more weeks to review all of the material presented as the document covers over 1,000 pages of material.
All parties were then allowed to submit new material based on this review until Aug. 31. Each group has 10 days to respond with a rebuttal to these materials.
Rochon Sands Heights Community Association Appellant Representative Julie Ruttan (left), alongside Graham Adamson, (right) speaks to the board about public safety during the second day of the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) Paradise Shores Hearing held on Sept. 18 – 19. Topics of discussion included safety, proper process, land use bylaw, traffic, environmental issues, emergency services, and more. T. Huxley/ECA Review
The first half of the first day consisted of Development Officer Johan van der Bank explaining the development in Phase 1 as well as answer questions from the other parties as well as the SDAB.
The site is expected to hold up to 750 lots spanning over 83.4 acres along the south banks of Buffalo Lake, nestled between the summer villages of White Sands and Rochon Sands. Construction on Phase 1 has already started.
Paradise Shores is designed to have public washrooms and laundry access, a recreation facility with pools and other amenities as time goes on.
A decision is not expected soon as the board agreed to leave the hearing open.
They have instead given the public another chance to ask questions or say their piece regarding the new development on October 30.
Once the hearing is closed the board will have 15 days to make a final deliberation.
Timelines and decisions will be made available on the Stettler County website, www.stettlercounty.ca, as soon as it is made available.
