Wawa Municipal Council's giving a break to the local marina over a zoning issue - but warning about the future.
In their Committee of the Whole meeting last night, Council was told by CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill that Buck's Marina was requesting permission for temporary trailer camping at the site this month and next month - particularly due to the upcoming Wawa Salmon Derby - but O'Neill noted that the property is not properly zoned to allow that, so it would require a zoning by-law amendment - for which no application has been received - otherwise that is illegal.
Asked why trailer camping was allowed there for several decades, O'Neill explained that enforcement of zoning violations is on a complaints basis, so it was likely because there were no complaints, but noted owner Brad Buck was warned last year about the issue and there have been complaints about trailers on the property - Buck did speak to the issue, saying he's been told people are preparing to come for the derby and there's "no place for people to stay" otherwise, adding municipal signage does advertise camping and assuring this will not be an issue in the future, planning to make the needed application with hopes for a seasonal campground and dump station at the site.
Mayor Melanie Pilon said she understands it's been allowed for years, she emphasized a need to follow the by-laws - as not following rules "opens up" the Municipality to "attacks", particularly as accommodation owners have already expressed concerns about moves that could impact their business - claiming her responsibility's to protect the Municipality and this puts the professionalism of staff in question, though Councillors Mitch Hatfield, Jim Hoffmann, and Joe Opato all expressed willingness to allow the measure this year - given the importance of the derby - though Hatfield emphasized she was frustrated with Buck for "not doing what's needed".
A resolution was cobbled together in the regular meeting, agreeing to allow the temporary trailers from this Saturday, August 15th - when the pre-derby fishing begins - to August 30th - a week after the derby ends - to allow time for people to remove their trailers after the event - a recorded vote was called by Mayor Pilon, who voted against it, while Hatfield, Hoffmann, and Opato voted in favour, passing the resolution - Councillor Cathy Cannon withdrew from the meetings during discussion and voting on the issue, due to an indirect conflict as a derby volunteer.