By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The building season is upon Bay Bulls as council approved a number of new permits at the May 11 regular meeting, using its discretionary power under the 2014-2024 municipal plan.
Bay Bulls submitted its 2024-2034 plan to the Province some two years ago, but is still awaiting final approval. Town Manager Ashley Wakeham said the plan is in the queue and she expects it to be approved within the next couple of months. In the meantime, council is using its discretionary powers to approve projects that fall within the new proposed guidelines.
“We’ve had this plan in place that we wanted to further development and clear up some stuff that wasn’t working for us in the previous 10-year plan, but it’s not back from the Province yet,” Wakeham said. “This is our approach, instead of holding up development or telling people they will need to reapply when the plan is approved. That’s just not going to work for people, right?”
She said the number of residential and business approvals generally falls between 10 to 12 permits per month, sometimes up to 15.
Council approved a new residential application at 63 Dunn Drive, and approval in principle for new houses at 65 Dunn Drive, 21 Dunn Drive and 2 Sheldon Drive.
It also provided approval in principle for a variance at 123-127 Southside Road, as well as a new accessory building at that address that wouldn’t have met the height and size restrictions in the 2014-2024 plan, but meets the regulations in the 2024-2034 plan.
Also approved were permits for accessory buildings at 87 Island Cove Road, and 17 Glynn Place, and a business application for a new boat tour operator – with conditions. Applications for a variance and new house at 24A St. John’s Road were not approved.
Deputy Mayor Ethan Williams said the Town tried to work with the proponent to make the latter application work, but it just doesn’t seem viable in the space available.