A public hearing was held Wednesday in the RM of Ste. Anne in regards to an application for the rezoning of the Cottonwood Golf Course on Highway 1 East near Richer. The property is currently zoned as recreational commercial, the request was made for a piece of the land to be rezoned as rural residential. 

Stephane Pattyn has requested the rezoning of Cottonwood Golf Course in the RM of Ste. Anne.

Stephane Pattyn has made an offer to purchase the property with the condition of the development plan approval. Several residents in the area made an appearance for the hearing to raise concerns about the potential of condos being built in a rural country setting.

Pattyn says a golf course in the area isn't a viable business, but notes, along with adding a condo and other residential housing, he plans to keep a section of the property as a golf course. “Starting with phase one, it would be an 18 unit condo in the middle of the golf course, then phase two would subdivide into 12 different lots to build and sell.”

Pattyn notes there were objections, but after talking with residents at the hearing, he feels the meeting was a positive experience.

Brad Ingles lives near Cottonwood Golf Course, he brought his concerns as well as a petition signed by 34 residents in the area. “We live in a rural community and we love the peace and quiet. My objection is the addition of condos beside my farm, I moved away from the city to keep away from that sort of thing.”

Ingles adds other concerns include centre fire rifle hunting in the area. “There is a lot of hunting in the area and if a development like this comes in, they would likely ban that type of hunting in the area.”

Ingles says residents he spoke with agree they live in the country for a reason, and they don't want to see condos in the area.

Council for the RM of Ste. Anne has not yet released their decision on the application.