ATHABASCA – A young entrepreneur from Wandering River, whose application to rezone a piece of land from agricultural to recreational commercial was recently denied by Athabasca County council, was back to plead his case to councillors last week.
Bryndon Storoschuk appeared as a delegation at the county’s Aug. 27 meeting to speak further to his plan to develop land near Wandering River and to ask council to reconsider its previous decision.
At council’s Aug. 11 meeting, Storoschuk’s proposal to amend the Land Use Bylaw to rezone land just south of Wandering River near the Riverbank Golf and RV Park, was defeated in a 5-4 vote.
“I understand council has been put in a very tough position, but I just want to try to explain and show that my business proposal is well thought-out and a needed facility here in Wandering River,” he said.
Storoschuk, 27, started his presentation with an introduction, telling council he was a third-generation farmer in the area who had purchased 69 acres of land to farm five years ago, but has had only one profitable year since. Hence, his desire to branch off and develop amenities that would benefit residents and visitors of the area with recreational opportunities, and the community and county with economic spin-off.
The plan is to develop 20 fully serviced camping stalls followed by a driving range and mini-golf course, a concession, canoe and kayak rentals, along with a picnic area for customers. Storoschuk’s original vision also included an ATV track, but he has since put that to the side and decided to implement a strict no ATV policy, should the development receive approval.
Storoschuk went on to address some of the concerns expressed by councillors when they voted the proposal down. The ATV ban was just a start. He provided a graphic that showed his development would be nowhere near the traffic congestion some area residents have come to expect every summer season. As he is right off the highway with two available access points, that is not an issue, he said.
“I can see their frustration, but what I’m trying to show is that where my location is, I’m not contributing to that at all,” he said, adding the neighbouring golf course is already zoned recreational commercial. “I’m right in the growth node so I don’t think this should be overlooked. This is a place for development and you’re looking to develop.”
In the end, Storoschuk said, he wanted to know what the county’s plan for future development in the area is, as he sees his proposal as a win-win as it benefits Wandering River without adding to the problems already identified by residents by expanding campgrounds.
“What is the plan with Wandering River’s development? Is it done? Are we going to be able to do this type of development again? What needs to be determined to get this development moving? I would just like a little direction, it seems everything is being shot down,” he said.
“What’s the hold-up here?”
Later, councillors lauded Storoschuk for his presentation, but tabled his request to reconsider until a later date.
“I fully support this third-generation farmer. He’s trying to make a go of it, working a full-time job, he’s trying to farm, and he’s trying to be an entrepreneur up there,” said Coun. Dwayne Rawson. “This is exactly what we need up in Wandering River. It’s young guys like that who are willing to invest in the community and ensure some employment for the youth up there.”
Coun. Penny Stewart, who represents the Wandering River area, said she agreed with Rawson.
“I think we need activity, and we need activity for our young people because we want recreational growth there,” she said. “But again, I think it encompasses some of the same issues that we need to deal with before moving forward.”
She recommended waiting until the county has gone over its strategic plan in October before moving ahead with any final decisions.
“What is the long-term plan for Wandering River? That is a discussion we need to have,” Stewart said.
“We need to start supporting these guys, that’s all there is to it,” said Rawson.
Chris Zwick, TownandCountryToday.com
