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Rochon and White Sands drop dispute with Stettler County

Rochon and White Sands drop dispute with Stettler County
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The dispute between the Summer Villages of Rochon and White Sands and Stettler County over the proposed Paradise Shores RV Resort has ended.

The summer villages agreed to a reduced density of 750 RV stalls at the Paradise Shores development.

“County council is pleased the dispute resolution process was successful between the Summer Village of Whites Sands, the Summer Village of Rochon Sands, and ourselves,” said Reeve Larry Clarke for the County of Stettler. “We appreciate the open-minded spirit in which everyone involved entered into this dispute resolution process, which concluded in what we believe to be a successful negotiation. We appreciate the trust portrayed from the summer village councils in reaching this agreement.”

Mayor Dan Hiller for the Summer Village of Rochon Sands said the development is proceeding with the utmost consideration for local residents.

“Our council feels the main concern to the citizens of Rochon Sands, density, has been addressed through the recommendation of reduced density at Paradise Shores RV Resort.”

Summer Village Mayor Lorne Thurston of White Sands said he appreciated the commitment to mitigate concerns of all parties.

“We have appreciated the sincere involvement displayed by our residents so far in this process, and as your elected representatives for White Sands we have worked very hard to ensure that concerns have been heard.”

Calgary developer Dave Hamm will revise the area structure plan indicating a maximum of 750 RV stalls as the new proposed density at Paradise Shores RV Resort. The revised application will be presented to county council at the May 9 regular council meeting, and county council will consider second reading at that time.

“On behalf of our entire RV Sites team, we are pleased to be moving forward to opening on time,” said Hamm.

“We are thankful for the recommendation to the summer villages to drop their disputes with the county. The meeting was professional and productive. We look forward to working with the summer villages to make the entire community even better. We are so excited to be able to introduce this beautiful part of Canada to a new group just hoping it’s as incredible as we all know it is.”

Now that the dispute is over, Stettler County council can give second reading to rezoning and area structure plan bylaws paving the way for the development.

Once second reading is given, the county’s municipal planning commission will consider conditions for the development and consult with the summer village councils on certain conditions. The summer villages will bring the recommendation to their council meetings to retract their letters of dispute thereby committing to not appeal the bylaws to the Municipal Government Board.

The Summer Villages of Rochon Sands and White Sands both registered disputes with the County of Stetter regarding the proposed Paradise Shores development, triggering the county to enter the dispute resolution process, as outlined in the Buffalo Lake South Shore Intermunicipal Development Plan, with the summer villages.

On April 16 the first stages of the dispute resolution process were conducted: a meeting between municipal administration and planners, and a meeting between the chief administrative officers of the county and the summer villages, and a meeting of the Buffalo lake South Shore IDP Committee.

The third stage was concluded on May 3 with the Buffalo Lake South Shore IDP committee council representatives, as well as all other councillors of the three municipalities participating in a non-voting role.

The final stage of the dispute resolution process, a meeting of the Buffalo Lake South Shore Intermunicipal Development Plan group led to a recommendation to the municipal councils of the Summer Village of White Sands, the Summer Village of Rochon Sands, the County of Stettler and the developer, David Hamm of RV Sites Canada on May 3.