The Sunset Ridge Homeowners Association (SRHOA) of Melcor Development Ltd. is holding a community meeting this Wednesday, Jan. 23, that will include information on home owner association (HOA) fees, future development and recreational facility plans.

The meeting is being held at the Cochrane RancheHouse, 101 RancheHouse Rd., starting at 7 p.m.

Up until this point, no homeowner fees have been collected for homes in the Melcor Development of Sunset Ridge, which includes all homes in Stage 2 and beyond. The titles of all properties within the development are encumbered with an annual charge and membership is automatic and mandatory, although property owners in stage one are also welcome to join.

The fees are designed to cover the maintenance and management of common areas, such as entry features, parks, boulevards, any future facilities and other amenities, explains Melcor in an overview provided to its residents. The encumbrance on the properties allows the SRHOA to charge a minimum of $100 per annum with the fees to be set annually by its board of directors. The board is currently formed by four Melcor directors and will be managed by Melcor until the community is substantially completed.

Once established, the annual membership fees will be in addition to any other monthly charges, such as condominium fees, that residents may face.

The meeting follows on the steps of town council approving first reading for amendments to the Sunset Ridge stage 2 Area Structure Plan (ASP) and approval of a non-statutory public hearing on its stage 3 neighborhood plan. Both are set to take place Jan. 28.

Minor changes to their stage 2 ASP are being sought to bring the document in line with the Stage 3 neighborhood plan, and both are largely impacted by the anticipated annexation by the town of 40 acres north of Sunset, which will, in part, be utilized to develop a second two-way connection to Hwy. 22.

In addition to addressing the highway connector, the neighborhood plan proposes the development of a community park that includes a community centre, soccer pitch and outdoor rink, to be located adjacent to a new school site. There's also a storm pond area, off-leash dog area, and a central north/south green spine that includes a regional pathway and neighbourhood park. A variety of housing options would be available within its 80 acres (32 ha).

In order for Melcor to develop Stage 3, a dual left turn off of Sunset Boulevard will be required.