Letter to LSARA

Letter to LSARA

August 7 2017

As there are two sides to every story, the same can be said of the current RV situation. In 2005, we were looking for a property that we could use recreationally and eventually build and retire on. Prior to the purchase of our property, I called the county and spoke with a development officer. I explained our intentions and was advised that it was fine as long as we were not running a campground. We proceeded with our purchase and developed the land. If only I could turn back time and ask for that in writing.

Fast forward to 2009, when a neighbor reported to the county that we were running a campground and Lac St. Anne issued us a contravention order. Upon receipt of the letter I again spoke to a development officer at the county. Once again I was advised as long as we were not running a campground, there were no issues and the county closed the file. If no RV’s were allowed, that would have been a great time for the county to advise us of such – but that didn’t happen.

Fast forward to 2016, when the same neighbor again reported we were running a campground. This time we received a visit from bylaw. The bylaw officer advised that it was a new bylaw and regardless of what had happened in the past, we had to comply. When I asked about grandfathering, he advised that was not an option as RV’s were always discretionary use. Once again I placed a call to the county but this time, the development officer did confirm that only 1 RV was allowed. We were thoroughly shocked and immediately thrown into a mess.

I couldn’t understand how things could have gone so wrong! How could the county advise one thing, on more than one occasion and now do a complete about face? I began researching and reviewed council meetings minutes - the first mention of a recreational vehicle bylaw change that I could find was: July 9, 2015: Mr. Davidson – that County Council direct Administration to amend Bylaw #22-2015 to reflect that Recreational Vehicles will not be allowed in country residential and hamlet lots, in Lac Ste. Anne County, unless there is a primary residence constructed, and shall not be permitted for more than 72 hours without a special event permit approved by Lac Ste. Anne County Administration.

Does it even matter now what they told us? What the intent was? It is hard to watch articles posted that makes recreational users of properties look like disrespectful villains. I thought we had done our due diligence. I thought we had called and asked the right questions. I thought we did everything as we should have. Now we are in a position to abandon a property that we have loved and respected for 12 years. Could we try to sell it – of course we could however lots in our area have been for sale for literally…years. Our children have grown up here and we have created many memories, which now include with our grandchildren. We spend half our time in one county and half our time in another – am I any less of a resident in the county where I hold a permanent address?

Do RV families contribute to a “way of life”? I would ask if all permanent residents contribute to a “way of life”?

·        We pay the solid waste utility fee, but have never once in 12 years used any transfer station located in Lac Ste. Anne County.  My family takes out every piece of garbage we bring in. 

·        Do we volunteer in the community?  For 9 years we have been heavily involved in animal rescue, spending countless hours fostering, interviewing families and rehoming unwanted animals.  Do I turn away a family because of what county they live in?  Never, in fact I support families in all counties North of Red Deer!  We have helped countless families in Lac Ste. Anne.

·        Increased traffic is also a hot topic.  Even without a bylaw change, RV’s are allowed for 72 hours.  Is there any less traffic or stress to current roads when people start hauling in several thousand pounds of 5^th wheels, pull trailers and motorhomes???  How will that solution cause less damage to roads?

·        Real estate value is often quoted as a reason to not allow RV’s, yet no evidence supporting this argument has been produced.  It is just not logical that a well-kept yard with a well-cared for RV drives down property value any more than the neighbor who lives in a dilapidated house, where neither the house nor the property are maintained to any standard. Not a single item on our 4 acres can be viewed from the road.  We could live in a box back there– would that make us better of neighbors?

·        Concerns of illegal outhouses and improper sewage handling have absolute merit.  However, this is not limited to people who choose to use RV’s.  There are permanent residents with illegal outhouses in many subdivisions…including in our own subdivision.

·        Recreational use families support the community as well.  Our family supports the local farmers markets, gas stations, food stores, liquor stores and much more!  We do bring money into the community and support local business.

This bylaw affects permanent residents in a way that hasn’t even been mentioned. How many permanent residents have a trailer for family camping and then a truck camper for hunting? How many permanent residents have out of town family who may come and stay with them for a few weeks in the summer? How many permanent residents are storing units for their children? The current bylaw puts an end to that as well even when you have a permanent structure.

Are 100 RV’s in a subdivision too many? Of course it is but surely there is a better way to come to a solution that is fair and equitable to everyone. Perhaps limits should be a max of 1 RV per acre, must be removed from November to April, no renting of units, no RV’s in executive subdivisions…there are other solutions to consider.

Is it really so bad that someone at least maintains these properties and they are not overrun with weeds, garbage or worse – illicit activities? Is it really so bad that someone builds and lives in a garage package? What happened to the days when neighbors supported and respected each other? We have become a community where people are pitted against each other and where trespassing, adult bullying and discrimination appears to be completely acceptable. If a neighbor is driving too fast, talk to them. If a neighbor is playing music too loud, talk to them. Is the issue really what they sleep in at night?

If you have an Opinion or a Topic that concerns you please Email LSARA at lsaracares@gmail.com