Lacombe County council has approved subdivision for a huge Gull Lake RV resort that has alarmed some area residents who fear it will threaten environmentally sensitive areas.
Subdivision was granted on Thursday for the first stage of the Sandy Point RV Resort, which would see about 540 lots built in six phases over the next decade.
Also planned in the first stage are the first 156 slips in an inland marina, a boat launch, 18-hole golf course, and a swimming pool and other recreational amenities.
Sandy Point co-developer Lance Dzaman was pleased to clear another regulatory hurdle for the project that has already been four years in the planning.
Dzaman said there have been extensive discussions with Alberta Environment and the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans to address concerns about the impact of the project. Of the 4.5 kilometres of lakefront included in the Sandy Point project, the only access to the lakeshore will be through a 30-metre wide boat launch and a 240-metre-long beach, he added.
“Everybody’s concerned about the environment (and) we certainly are. And throughout the development we’re going to be not only meeting but exceeding everybody’s expectations of what we have to do out there.
“So, we’re ready to go.”
Dzaman said if he gets the final green light from federal and provincial regulators soon site work could begin in early October. The first of 68 lots in the opening development phase could be ready for trailers late next year or early 2013.
A number of area residents are unhappy with the scale of the project and its potential impact on the lake and surrounding area.
Lil Polay, a director on the Gull Lake Water Quality Management Society, said council’s decision to approve the project was based on environmental, water and boating studies that are out of date an inadequate.
The society has raised its concerns with Alberta Environment, which still must approve three applications under the Water Act connected to the project.
“Hopefully, the people at Alberta Environment will review the documentation that has been submitted by the public,” she said. “We are hopeful they will recognize the impact on Gull Lake.
“The boat studies are unbelievably inadequate. It’s unfortunate there is no recognition what the impact will be on the lake,” she said, adding the lake and boat launches are already overcrowded on good summer days.
Society members want to see the province or the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, which is undertaking its own environmental review, stop the project from going ahead.
Sandy Point has been scaled back considerably to address concerns from area residents. The number of lots was reduced from 3,200 to 1,800 and then to 1,125. Proposed commercial areas were also reduced in size or eliminated.
Six county councillors voted unanimously in favor of the subdivision. Councillor Rod McDermand was absent from the meeting.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com