By Mark Squibb | Vol. 12 No. 17 (August 28, 2019)
An application from Ocean Quest is before Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove council for a new 50’ by 80’ culture and event centre at 56-58 Main Road.
The adventure tourism business, which currently owns a location at 56 Main Road, had a previous application for the same address rejected by council on May 22, as council felt the scale of the project was too large and would detract from the character of the community.
Dan Noseworthy, representing Ocean Quest, was on hand during the Aug. 19 Petty Harbour council meeting to discuss the application for a new event centre with council. Mark Squibb photo
An appeal was launched by Ocean Quest into council’s decision, but the Eastern Newfoundland Regional Appeal Board found the town council was within its rights to reject the application.
Dan Noseworthy, who represents Ocean Quest, was on hand in the council chambers to discuss the application with council and answer any questions.
Deputy Mayor Samuel Stack asked exactly what the application meant by “boat-building museum.”
Noseworthy indicated that this would be a display of a partially constructed boat. He noted that Ocean Quest would be cognizant to respect the culture and character of Petty Harbour.
“This is, to me, a great opportunity to demonstrate some of the techniques that were used in the community in the past,” he explained.
Ocean Quest acknowledged that it would be responsible for the expense of moving an overflow pipe on the property.
“From the town’s perspective, you’d get 40-year old infrastructure replaced at no cost,” said Noseworthy.
Councillor Harry Chafe then inquired about the potential of the proposed building to overhang over the water.
“The only thing I can say to the councillor is that the building will be constructed in accordance to all regulatory requirements,” said Noseworthy. “It was be built on the ground, with a deck overlooking the water. But (the provincial Department of) Environment’s going to have to approve it, the federal regulatory bodies are going to have to approve this, what we’re looking for now is an approval of a concept in principal. We know there’s lots of hoops to dance through. We know there’s lots of regulatory requirements that got to be met. We know there’s a lot of work to be done here.”
Noseworthy said he hoped the new proposal addressed previous concerns that council had with applications for the site, including the height of the building.
“With that approval, we’re prepared to go and spend a considerable amount of money to do the design,” said Noseworthy. “Before any shovel goes in the ground, there’ll be a complete set of drawings.”
Mayor Samuel Lee noted that before an approval in principal could be awarded, council would need to see blueprints of the proposed building.
Noseworthy noted that it would be similar to the current building.
“I see it as a three-permit process; the first permit is a development permit, which is an approval in principal, approving the concept,” he said. “When all the conditions of the development have been meet to the satisfaction of the council, then there will be a building permit issued. Finally, when the construction is finished an occupancy permit is issued.”
A motion was made, as is policy, to bring the application to the public, before being discussed again at the next meeting of council.
