Corner Brook’s city council has approved an application for a quarry development off the North Shore Highway in the Wild Cove area.
According to a public advertisement published in the Dec. 9, 2017 edition of The Western Star, the quarry’s proponent is Mike Kelly and Sons Ltd. of Howley, and the plan is to develop a bedrock aggregate quarry.
The quarry would be 1.6 kilometres off the highway, past the former Genesis Organic composting facility on Wild Cove Road near the municipal landfill site on Route 440.
City council approved the application during Monday evening’s public city council meeting after no objections were received from the public.
The quarry is considered a discretionary use for that area and would be part of an existing quarry in the area. In approving the application, council said the development would be subject to conforming with City of Corner Brook and other applicable government regulations.
The site will also be screened from view from Route 440, as reasonably possible.
Coun. Bernd Staeben asked who would be responsible for enforcing any issues regarding the quarry development being visible from the highway. City staff indicated the application was the first stage of many before there is any physical development done at the site, but it would ultimately be up to the city to ensure screening of the site was done properly.
“It always comes to mind who is in charge to make sure things are as they should be,” said Staeben.
He said many people already dislike being able to see the landfill from the highway.
Council agreed the 1.6-kilometre distance form the road will help maintain the view from the road.
“We want to be good neighbours, for sure,” added Mayor Jim Parsons.
Also from Monday night's meeting:
City of Corner Brook approves rezoning of Barry Place
City council has approved an application to rezone a piece of land on Barry Place that was the subject of court action last year.
Prominent city businessman Bill Barry was fined for building a home at 31 Barry Place without having all the required permits in place.
Monday night, the city approved a request to rezone the land located between 23 and 31 Barry Place from open space to residential to accommodate further development.
Staff ensured council there were no outstanding issues with the land being developed.
Dennis Waterman back as Corner Brook’s assessment commissioner
Dennis Waterman has been reappointed as the City of Corner Brook’s municipal assessment review commissioner for 2018.
Waterman has served in the role for the last four years and has held a number of positions in his career in which he was responsible for property acquisition and disposition. He has also served on several panels and hearings in relation to statutes and regulations.
He was the only person who expressed an interest in taking on the job after the city solicited expressions of interest in the position.
The city has budgeted $5,000 for this service in 2018, as it is not a reassessment year and there should be fewer appeals to be heard.
Land deal hoped to spur further development in Confederation Drive area
The City of Corner Brook has conditionally sold off a parcel of land on Confederation Drive with the aim of it being developed further.
Discovery Holdings Ltd. wanted the little more than half an acre so it can consolidate other parcels in the area for commercial development.
The land was sold for $23,142, or $1 per square foot.
The developer will be responsible for all survey costs, and must purchase surrounding parcels of land and consolidate them. The consolidated land will be subject to meeting development requirements, regulations and the issuance of a building permit.
City council approved the sale Monday evening, with advice from staff that the deal would only improve development in the area and it was deemed to be in the city’s best interests.
