MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - Mountain View County's municipal planning commission (MPC) has approved 20 unserviced, overnight, self-contained accommodation spots at a riding arena east of Sundre.
The move came by way of motion at the MPC’s March 6 regularly-scheduled meeting.
The property involved is located one mile north of Highway 27 on the east side of Range Road (Rge. Rd.) 43 in the Eagle Hill/Westward Ho area.
The applicant’s proposal is to add the new units as an expansion of the existing development permit.
The centre’s development permit was issued in 2014 which allowed one major event per year, 15 events (shows/competitions) per year, and daily use of no more than 15 units per day.
“The area proposed to be used for the parking of RV’s can accommodate up to 20 units for overnights, consisting of RVs, tents, stock trailers with living quarters, etc., which will provide an opportunity for the clients of the riding arena to attend events and stay overnight in their own personal accommodations,” administration said in a briefing note to the commission.
“The units will be parked north of the existing riding arena on the grassed area, a minimum of 94 metres from the westerly entrance from Rge. Rd. 43.”
The proposal was circulated to 38 adjacent landowners within half a mile of the property. Four letters of concerns were received by the commission.
“The adjacent landowners had concerns regarding the use of the land and the number of RVs being requested. There were concerns with sewerage disposal, generators, and offside lights and in addition there was a request for limitations of noise and that no trespassing be permitted,” administration said in the briefing note.
One letter writer said, “We only request that the applicant/landowner be aware that the noise levels need to be monitored and decibel projection be respected. We recall the last time we consented to the land use change for this property, the next several summers we were bombarded with rodeo event loudspeakers that broadcast for miles. It was most upsetting.”
The development permit approval comes with a number of conditions, including that the applicant, operator and/or landowner “shall minimize any noise impacts associated with the event and accompanying RV units between the hours of 11 p.m. and 8 a.m.”
As well, no septic systems have been provided with the permit so all units must be self-contained, and disposal shall occur offsite at an approved facility.
The MPC is the county’s approving authority and is made up of county councillors and appointed members of the public.
