Despite opposition from some nearby residents, the Mountain View County Municipal Planning Commission has approved a development permit application for a recreational resort including 20 recreational vehicle (RV) campsites in the Eagle Hill/Westward Ho neighbourhood.
The move came during the recent regularly scheduled committee meeting in council chambers.
The property involved is located approximately 10 kilometres north of Highway 27 on Rge. Rd. 44 and Twp. Rd. 340 at the Forest Heights Golf and Country Club.
“The applicants have applied to develop a recreational resort campground with 20 serviced seasonal sites to provide an additional service for the patrons of the established Forest Heights Golf Course so that they can offer other recreational options to their golfing patrons,” administration said in a briefing note to the committee.
“The target clientele for the campground is the golfing membership as well as couples and families mainly 45 years old to 70 years old. The campground is being proposed to allow their golfing patrons the opportunity to ‘stay and play’ to promote a more inclusive golfing experience.”
The subject land was zoned Parks and Recreation District in 1992, which, as per the county’s land use bylaw, allows for both golf course and recreational resort (campground) use, members heard.
The total developed area for the campground would be 13 acres in the northeast corner of the subject property.
In a letter to the commission, the applicant said, in part, that, “20 new RV sites would greatly improve the rural experience for some of our members who have been asking for years (and) it would be good for the golf course and good for the community in promoting a rural lifestyle in our quiet rural setting.”
A maximum of 50 people would be allowed on the site, the applicant said, adding that creating the new sites could cost about $175,000.
Administration said it could support the proposal for a number of reasons, including that “this is a use in the land use bylaw and the land is appropriately zoned for the proposed purpose” and “economic development supports diversification of tax base and creates a ripple effect to other businesses in the local area, including the towns.”
A number of letters of objection were received, with writers expressing concerns about traffic, water use, possible impact on the nearby cemetery, wildlife conflict and noise.
In one letter, nearby residents Alec and Anne Macklin state, in part, “We are gravely concerned about any increase water use at Forest Heights. We have entered an age when water use for unnecessary developments should be the number one consideration in examining such proposed developments. On our own property we are very careful of water, limiting use as well as harvesting rainwater and recovering grey water where able.”
The county received a petition signed by residents objecting to the proposal. The petition stated concerns abut water use, sewage disposal, the “threat of rural crime” and other things.
In a letter responding to concerns, the applicant said, in part, that, “We acknowledge the concerns raised by some of the people in the area. We feel that we have appropriately addressed the concerns raised and have a plan that will be both good for the community, the county and our members.”
The approval comes with a number of conditions, including the following:
- There will be no occupancy or camping on the site from Nov. 1 to March 31 every year.
- The applicant is responsible to submit water samples to Alberta Health on a semi-annual basis to ensure drinking water is sufficient for human consumption.
- The applicant shall ensure that all occupants of the campground enter into a rental, lease or agreement with landowners to ensure campground regulations and rules are followed.
- There shall be no ATV, off-road vehicles or dirt bike use within the campground facility by any occupants of the sites nor shall the campground facility be the staging area for ATV, off-road vehicles or dirt bike use. Golf carts shall be permitted.
