Controversial RV park on Buffalo Lake slashed in size after appeal board ruling

A controversial 750-stall RV park on the shores of Buffalo Lake in central Alberta has been reduced to 168 stalls after an appeal board ruled it violated density rules.

Paradise Shores was first pitched as a 1,000-stall park, complete with water park and other amenities.

It raced through the development application process in Stettler County despite controversy over its size and scope. Some accused StettlerCounty of fast-trackingits approval.

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After backlash from adjacent summer villages, the project was reduced to 750 stalls, but local opposition continued. The county's appeal board ruled on Friday that the plan was not consistent with development rules established for Buffalo Lake.

Those opposed to the project consistently pointed to those inter-municipal development plans when contesting the size of the project.

Pre-sold leases

When contacted on Friday, Paradise Shores developer David Hamm said he hadn'tread through the decision and would not comment on whether the project would move forward or not.

Paradise Shores pre-sold leases and there were RVs and guests on the property this past summer despite the appeals process somethingallowed under county rules.

It started advertising lots for lease before any plans went before county council. Construction on Phase 1, which was supposed to have 370 stalls,is well underway.

Existing conditions prevent overnight guests on the land between Nov. 1 and April 30.

But those who spent the summer at Paradise Shoreswill not be allowed back on the property again unless the conditions laid out in the new appeal board ruling are met. Those conditions includeclarification of the site plans, traffic impact assessments and construction of all facilities, including the water park, within one yearof approval of the site plan.

The only recourse left to the developer is to go to the Court of Appeal, which can determine whether the development appeal board followed the rules when making its decision.

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