Huntsville Council has agreed to extend a Memorandum of Understanding with the owner of a private docking facility located near the Canada Summit Centre on Town land at 20 Park Drive.
The agreement will be in place until John Pantaleo, the owner of the private docks located on public lands and erected without prior permission, applies and gets approval or denial from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) for the same. Among the stipulations in the agreement, Pantaleo will be required to maintain the Town property in good standing, will not be allowed to develop it further and must immediately remove the fire pit located on municipal lands. He will also be required to ensure that all users of the private docks carry proper insurance and sign a waiver releasing the Town of any liability.
Kari Lambe, Executive Director of Community Services, told council that the agreement is required in order to enable Pantaleo to pursue the required approvals from the DFO and MNRF. If the applications are denied, he will be required to remove the structures from Town land. If approved, the Town will begin negotiating a new agreement with Pantaleo.
Huntsville Deputy Mayor Karin Terziano expressed concern with having the situation go on indefinitely. Initially Pantaleo was given until November 2016 to pursue the ministry approvals.
This has gone on for a full summer and it was supposed to be a temporary fix. We’ve certainly taken some flak about allowing this to go on.Huntsville Deputy Mayor Karin Terziano
Huntsville Mayor Scott Aitchison asked whether the memorandum with the Town meant the municipality would be a party to the application. “We’re not a party to the application. What it’s showing is that he has permission to apply to have his docking off the park,” responded Lambe. What if he doesn’t apply and just continues to operate, asked Aitchison? Lambe said he will be required to report to staff on a monthly basis on the status of his application and said there is an out-clause in the agreement.
Terziano asked whether the Town was receiving any compensation for the use of the lands. Lambe said that would be included if the Town negotiates a new agreement with Pantaleo pending approvals from the ministries.
See related story here: Council to consider private docking on public lands near Canada Summit Centre.
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I once moored a small boat about 20 ft offshore not far from here. I accessed the boat by wading/ swimming from shore. Was ordered by bylaw department to remove boat!! I guess I should have built a dock instead?
It was very ironic indeed to read this cautionary tale immediately following the bylaw discussion. If I were to build a small deck onto my home, without a building permit, the Town would be well within its rights to ask me to remove it: and it would be on MY property.
So Mr. Pantaleo erects a dock on TOWN property without a building permit, and everyone is bending over backward to assist him. Is it because the High School uses the facility for several of their classes? At the very least, he should be charged an appropriate rent retroactive to the time of construction.
It’s needed. Make it work .
Is there a time limit to this process or will it drag on for a few more summers?? If he is successful will the town & its taxpayers finally see some revenue?? Let’s hope so!