A proposed RV storage lot in Red Deer County has been turned down amid opposition from neighbours.
Red Deer businessman Doug Westman wanted to build a secure site for about 500 RVs, as well as additional indoor storage spaces in the county at the corner of C&E Trail and Township Road 374, about two km northwest of Springbrook.
He applied to the county to have zoning regulations changed to allow for RV storage on his 19-acre site that is zoned country residential. But residents living in the area said the site was too big and too close to homes in the scenic setting not far from the Red Deer River and the historic Mintlaw Bridge, a railway span that could become part of a future trail system.
Property owner Malcolm Hough told council that allowing RV storage so close to four existing homes “seems at the very best an irresponsible decision.”
Lisa Baird said allowing RV storage would affect local property values, interfere with a wildlife corridor and create an eyesore. Approving the commercial use for the site would also set a bad precedent, which could lead to other similar applications that don’t fit with the rural residential and agriculture nature of the area, she added.
Another homeowner estimated the project would reduce the value of her property by $200,000 and urged council not to approve Westman’s application.
“These people will destroy the integrity of the surrounding area and devalue property in the area,” said Brenda Carratt.
Westman said he planned to surround his site with a six-metre berm and screen it with spruce trees planted every three metres.
RV storage is not the first commercial business in the vicinity, he said. He noted that there are a number of acreage-based businesses in the area, as well as a trailer sales and manufacturing firm.
For Westman, finding a suitable use for the land where he hoped to build his retirement home has been frustrating.
Westman told council his land holds no designation. It is zoned country residential but an application to subdivide the property into nine country residential lots was turned down by council in February.
Council ruled that the lots would fall within a 1.6-km minimum separation distance to an existing hog farm, which was recently given permission to expand by the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB).
The NRCB’s minimum setback is only 670 metres, which left Westman’s property affected by two conflicting setback standards.
Westman said he has appealed the original subdivision decision and a hearing is set for May 8.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com