A proposed development near Sylvan Lake has been nixed by Red Deer County council, which feared some low-lying lots would become a future headache.
An area structure plan shows 34 country residential lots would be developed on 59 acres owned by Corey Turner and Karen Dorval about two km east of the Town of Sylvan Lake, near a wetland area known as Cygnet Lake just north of Hwy 20.
The project last came before council in May, when concerns were expressed about the plan to service each lot with an individual water well and septic systems. A proposed intermunicipal plan between Sylvan Lake and the county calls for future residential developments that are not rural in nature to tie into regional water and sewer lines.
In the area structure plan presented to council, the proponents agreed to tie into Sylvan Lake’s water and sewage systems.
While water and sewage issues appeared resolved, several councillors did not favour the proposed layout of the subdivision.
Councillor Don Nesbitt said he visited the site and was not comforted that 13 lots would be on low-lying land that can remain very wet.
“There are 13 lots that I feel will potentially give us problems,” said Nesbitt. “I can’t support this as it stands.”
There may be room to develop if the one- to three-acre lots were reduced in size and limited to higher ground, he suggested.
Councillor Richard Lorenz echoed Nesbitt’s concerns. He said if council approves the area structure plan and there are future problems with waterlogged properties, it will come back to council.
“I think we have to be careful,” he warned.
Mayor Jim Wood questioned what would be required of the developer to address those kinds of concerns before the project went ahead.
County development officer Tara March said a storm water management plan is required to show how water will be drained from the area.
Councillor George Gehrke said he can’t support the plan as it stands because of the low land involved and the potential liability for the county.
“I don’t know how to protect the county other than to deny.”
Second reading of the area structure plan was unanimously denied by council.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com