50 percent of the development was preserved as natural space. The footprint has been kept as small as possible.
Freitag says that a cluster design like The Slopes is important because more people want natural amenities, green spaces, and wetlands to be protected. It also needs to be built in the same area as natural space.
Because you can protect so much greenspace, you can have the same density and number of houses but a smaller footprint. You can also protect green spaces for the enjoyment of the public. Freitag says that we are starting to see more people wanting to protect the environment and live in harmony with the environment. This is a great example of a small footprint and the ability to preserve a large area of land for environmental features.
Freitag reports that Lacombe County has been working for many years with its municipal partners to establish a regional wastewater system around Sylvan Lake, in the hopes of keeping as much septic out of the lake. This allows for development to be made around the lake, while also protecting the environment.
Canada’s housing crisis is a major concern. We need to ensure that we are doing it more effectively and efficiently, but not in a way that is going to be harmful to the environment. The Slopes is one example.
Freitag says it is important to note that Lacombe County has very strict requirements for developers in order to increase development around freshwater bodies like Sylvan Lake.
We require that any development that would be lakefront must be at least 30m from the lake. It is no longer possible to build directly on the lakeshore.
Chris Artibello is the owner and developer of The Slopes of Sylvan Lake. He says that the first families will be moving in this spring.
There are five houses and two Villas currently out there. Three of them will have families moving in June 1st. A couple from Ontario is moving into one the villas after their unit is finished. They will probably move in July 15. It has been wonderful.
Artibello also announced that four new single-family homes and two villas will be built this year.
He points out that he will be able to service six to eight additional lots in the fall. The Slopes will be home to 10-12 additional families by next year.
Artibello claims they are the leaders in conservation by design. They have designated 25 acres for housing and amenities while the remaining 25 acres will be left green space.
The second most significant thing is that we recently commissioned a water-treatment plant, which was built. He explains that the $2 million water treatment plant can service up to 311 homes and has full fire flow. We were the first in the watershed with that infrastructure. There are no septic tanks or water wells in the developments. We were an estate lakeside community that had all the urban amenities.
More information is available at theslopessylvanlake.com.
READ MORE The Slopes of Sylvan Lake bring new life to the area
