Interest in development around the shores of Sylvan Lake appears to be increasing this season, according to activity in Lacombe County’s planning department.
Work is again underway on projects that have been dormant for several years, particularly on the lake’s west shore, said Dale Freitag, the county’s manager of planning services.
The most controversial of the early county approvals was Westend Landing which included lots bordering a fen wetland.
“There seems to be renewed interest. A consultant is working on this proposal,” Freitag told county councillors at their meeting last Thursday.
“It looks like there might be something official for council’s decision over the next few months,” he said.
The project has been bogged down as developers sought approvals from Alberta Environment.
Freitag indicated there’s been concern from the public and Alberta Environment about whether some of the designated lots are suitable even though geotechnical studies done at the time indicated the lots were okay for buildings.
“Alberta Environment has been working on whether they can proceed as shown or whether there have to be modifications,” said Freitag.
Councillor Keith Stephenson asked if there will be a chance for further public input on the project.
If Alberta Environment’s approval means just removing a few lots that border on the fen area that could be accommodated under the current approval but if there’s a fundamental change to the concept plan, Freitag indicated that would require a new application. That application would then have to follow the new Sylvan Lake Area Structure Plan requirements.
“We’re anticipating anything they’re going to do is going to be consistent with what was planned.”
The 55.75 hectare (137.76 acre) Westend Landing site is at the south end of Range Road 2-4 off Rainy Creek Road. Planned for the property are 83 residential lakeshore lots.
Just north of the Westend site is the Westview development proposed by landowner Marjorie Boehm. Subdivision approval was granted several years ago for 62 residential lakeshore lots on the 32.35 hectare (79.93 acre) property.
New consultants were recently hired and are working with the county to get designs submitted for servicing, roads and all infrastructure, said Freitag. “Nothing’s happened at the site but we’re getting information we need before they start dirt work.”
On the same rural road, immediately north of the Sylvan Lake Natural Area, is the Shores of Sylvan where infrastructure construction is nearing completion to create 54 residential lakeshore lots. “This is close to being done,” said Freitag. “We’re reviewing work to see that it was done to our standards.” He indicated the project could receive subdivision endorsement this year.
Qualico is gearing up to get started on its Palm Cove subdivision this year. Subdivision approval has been granted for the first phase which will include a 59-lot clustered style residential development with average lots sizes of 0.2 hectares (0.5 acres).
The 38.69 hectare (95.61 acre) property, which is west of Sunbreaker Cove, will be accessed off Rainy Creek Road just east of the entrance to Palm Bay.
“For the south half they’re proposing to get going this year,” said Freitag, who indicated it would be developed in two phases.
They’re also looking at alternatives to a boat launch after opposition from neighbours when a launch was proposed at the end of the Palm Bay road.
Freitag indicated there’s been no recent action on the Skyy Country RV and Golf Resort immediately north of Sunbreaker Cove. Developer Frank Wilson of Delta Land is busy on the Sandy Point project at Gull Lake instead.
Directly north of Birchcliff is The Slopes being developed by Belterra Land Company.
Freitag indicated they’re getting close to finalizing a development agreement with the company which wants to get going this year. Once the agreement is completed it will be provided to council for ratification and then third reading of the rezoning bylaw can take place.
The plan for this 19.63 hectare (48.51 acre) property is to create a 49-lot clustered style residential development that would include 33 single family dwellings and 16 semi-detached villas.
Immediately north of this project, on Range Road 1-4, is the Highland Park proposal.
Freitag indicated that project received second reading of the rezoning bylaw but must receive third reading by March 11 (within two years of first reading).
To get to third reading a development agreement must be finalized with the county. “They haven’t given us all the information yet, we’ve been pushing to get it done,” said Freitag.
If third reading isn’t passed within the time limit the developer will have to start the process again under the more current Sylvan Lake Area Structure Plan requirements.
Sylvan Lake isn’t the only area where recreational property proposals are increasing, said Freitag who also informed councillors of the status of two projects around Gull Lake — Wilson Beach Estates and Sandy Point RV development.