Rocky View County council rejected a land zoning application to support an 18-hole golf course, convention facility and hotel in a 5-4 vote, Nov. 29.
The golf course was proposed for a quarter section of farmland located eight kilometres west of Madden and 1.6 kilometres north of Highway 574.
“It is not that the idea is wrong, it is the location,” said Councillor Lois Habberfield. “The people don’t want it.”
The applicant, Chloe Cartwright, conducted a number of technical studies, including those for environmental, water, wastewater, stormwater and traffic.
Studies indicated the development would need 45 cubic metres of water per day, to be obtained through a contained aquifer.
The course’s tee-boxes and greens were to have been irrigated with recaptured and treated waste and stormwater using an underground system not normally used on golf courses.
Cartwright, who currently operates a three-room bed and breakfast on the property, said development of the course would bring the land back to its natural, forested state.
“It will be a sustainable, eco-friendly golf course,” she said.
“We feel this development is well suited and very compatible... with the adjacent lands.”
Cartwright added the course would provide much-needed habitat for several threatened species, such as owls, and would offer family-friendly golfing and employment to the community.
In addition, the facility would host year-round conventions and have summer camping stalls available, according to Cartwright.
Several residents raised concern about water, traffic, the loss of agricultural land and the safety of the roads in the area.
“It may be fine and it may bring people in but I don’t see that we will be able to come and enjoy this,” said neighbour, Pat Birchall. “We just get all the problems.”
Several residents brought up the condition of Highway 574, which is maintained by the Province, saying it is a terrible road that can be impassable.
Councillor Kim Magnuson said there were too many concerns to approve the project.
“I think that it is a huge intrusion in an agricultural area,” she said. “None of the adjacent landowners are in support.”
Area-Councillor Paul McLean was in favour of the plan, saying that Alberta Environment would ensure there is enough water and its use wouldn’t impact the neighbours.
Councillor Greg Boehlke agreed.
“Alberta Environment is so tough and stringent in this watershed that if they approve this, there will be enough water,” he said.
Reeve Rolly Ashdown said he would like to see the project go ahead.
“It’s a rural golf course and I have never seen one and I would like the opportunity to see one,” he said.
Councillors Earl Solberg, Ashdown, McLean and Boehlke were in favour of the project, while councillors Rick Butler, Margaret Bahcheli, Magnuson, Al Sacuta and Habberfield voted against the project.
