BAIE VERTE, NL - Baie Verte council has agreed to hold a public session to discuss any remaining issues over the sale of land on Southshore Drive and Pioneer Avenue.
The meeting will take place March 26 at the College of the North Atlantic.
Cathy Breen, one of the residents who protested the action, said she was happy to see a public session scheduled. She also said a recent letter from the town was better drafted and contained a positive tone.
"I am very pleased with the outcome and I think many of my neighbours are too," she said.
Last month, the town issued notice of its intent to sell backlands to property owners in the area. The sale of land would cost 46 cents per square foot, plus any associated legal fees. The notice indicated the parcels would measure as square as possible to 50 feet by 50 feet, with adjustments tailored to the unique dimensions of the properties.
Residents were asked to visit the town office to register their intent to purchase, and bring copies of their titles and surveys. It was noted any resident encroaching on town land or easements with any form of fence or structure would have to purchase the land or remove their property.
Some misinformation and misunderstanding of the intent of the notice followed, but residents of the area were upset by the perceived intent.
Despite visits to the town office and explanations from Mayor Brandon Philpott, people still perceived the action as a money grab by the town. Some believed, after years of having things such as sheds on land outside their property boundaries, they now had rights to the land.
Philpott said the issue went back to the previous council, which applied to - and was eventually granted approval from - the Department of Municipal Affairs to bypass the traditional public auction process to give residents an opportunity to purchase land adjacent their existing properties. He said there were a number of requests from people to purchase land in the area, and council wanted to avoid situations whereby land utilized by some of these people would come under new ownership.
Residents weren't happy, wondering why they were being "targeted" when there were other similar examples elsewhere throughout town. Philpott explained the town owned these lands, and had the ability to do something about the situation. He also said the intent was to clear up other issues throughout town.
Property owners protested the sale of the lands, circulating a petition against it.
In a follow-up letter distributed to the residents of the area, Philpott addressed a number of the concerns, reassuring people it was an optional purchase to give clear title to all property these residents use and maintain. It also stated council hopes to offer the same to other areas of the town.
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