By Mark Squibb
A Coley’s Point subdivision application sparked a discussion about cul-de-sac requirements at Bay Roberts council earlier this month.
The application had previously been approved with a sidewalk along the entirety of the cul-de-sac, but the developer has since asked for permission to nix it.
“Our regulations say that a new street requires sidewalk on one side, but you can’t put sidewalk on one side of a cul-de-sac, it just doesn’t make sense,” said Protective Services Director Greg Squires. I reviewed some policies from other towns, as we don’t have anything that speculates that exact regulation.”
The director said most cul-de-sacs in CBS, Mount Pearl, and St. Johns do not have sidewalks, as they are meant to be dead ends.
Squires reckoned council ought to eliminate the sidewalk requirement, while still requiring the applicant to leave some room for residents to walk.
Councillor Silas Badcock moved to approve the developer’s request to drop the sidewalk, and that a 1.5 metre gravel shoulder for walking be constructed alongside the road.
“This gravel side area shall provide a continuous and clearly defined walking space, be of sufficient width to accommodate pedestrian use, and be constructed to a standard acceptable to the Town,” added Badcock.
Curb and gutter will still be required.
Mayor Geoff Seymour allowed the Town’s policies are vague when it comes to cul-de-sacs.
Squires said the new Town plan currently in the works should address the issue.
Chief Administrative Officer Dave Tibbo noted the developer is “great to deal with,” and that a new subdivision agreement will be drafted to ensure council and the developer are on the same page.
“I just happened to spend a few hours in St. John’s yesterday, and I drove around cul-de-sacs on Torbay Road, and it’s just curb and gutter,” said Tibbo. “There’s no sidewalk.”
Councillor Dean Franey, meanwhile, opined the sidewalk requirement ought to be eliminated for cul-de-sacs altogether.
“I think it could encourage some more development, because it’s going to lower the cost,” said Franey. “With the changing of the times, we have to look at everything, and we want to encourage more development, because we need housing. One thing we can do is maybe on these smaller cul-de-sacs remove the sidewalk part.”
Badcock’s motion was approved unanimously.
