Red Deer County’s municipal planning commission has unanimously dismissed a proposal to construct three high-end cabins near Sylvan Lake.
The denied proposal aimed at developing the region into a rural getaway, featuring two cabins, each of 300 square feet, and a larger 700-square-foot lodge as a short-term rental.
The luxury cabins were intended to be located on a sprawling 154-acre plot, situated approximately four kilometers west of Sylvan Lake.
However, the commission made its decision following the recommendation from the county development officer, Francoise Joynt, who noted that the application fell short of several key local regulations.
The proposed development was considered for a permit under the designation of a minor campground, the closest equivalent within the Land Use Bylaw.
Despite this categorization, Joynt pointed out the proposed project’s lack of compliance with this designation. Additionally, the application also failed to fulfill the requisite minimum parcel size, which stipulates a minimum of an undivided 160-acre quarter section.
Local residents were not enamored with the project proposal either, presenting a plethora of concerns.
They voiced fears about an influx of people and traffic, as well as increased noise and dust levels. Widespread apprehension about potential issues such as trespassing, rural theft, and littering was apparent, with worries about the watershed impact and potential decrease in property values adding to the resistance.
The proponents emphasized that the cabin retreat would target an older, high-income demographic, and proposed strict regulations such as a no-pet policy. They also argued that the letters sent to neighbors may have misrepresented the project as a conventional campground, a depiction far from the actual proposal.
Despite these justifications, the planning commission stood firm on their stance following a heated debate, eventually denying the application with a 5-2 vote.
As it stands, the Red Deer County’s municipal planning commission’s decision underscores the challenges faced by developers in meeting community expectations and local regulations.