The Summer Village of Sunbreaker Cove is lobbying for an emergency access road to provide another route out.
A request has been sent to Lacombe County to investigate building a small road link between the summer village and the neighbouring Blissful Beach subdivision. The $55,000 connection would give Sunbreaker Cove residents two directions to get out of the area if one road was blocked by fire or some other hazard.
However, Blissful Beach residents aren’t keen on seeing their quiet road, which ends in a dead end and is only used by local residents, connected to the summer village. A similar proposal was made by the summer village about 12 years ago, but was dropped after strong opposition from Blissful Beach property owners.
Councillor Keith Stephenson said he’s already had three calls from residents opposed to linking the two residential areas on the north side of Sylvan Lake. One local farmer is already having problems with trespassing quads and fears opening up the road will only make his problems worse.
Reeve Ken Wigmore said the county is responsible for the safety of residents and both Sunbreaker Cove and Blissful Beach have only one way in or out.
“From an emergency response point of view, it’s crystal clear — it makes perfect sense,” said county commissioner Terry Hager.
Councillor Rod McDermand questioned why the county was taking the lead on the project. The summer village should talk to its neighbours and work out an agreement on how to provide better access.
One option that could be considered is creating a link that is blocked by bollards or posts that would only be removed when emergency vehicles need to get through. A number of county residential developments have similar access points.
The county plans to send letters to area residents explaining the options before deciding on the next step.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com