The Deputy Mayor of Conception Bay South is offering an apology in response to complaints that the town failed to notify residents affected by OCI’s proposed marine base in the Long Pond area.
Richard Murphy says notification went out through Twitter, their website, and the local paper. OCI is planning to create up to 1.7 hectares of new land in the harbour using in-fill, along with a wharf and industrial buildings.
Some letters also went out to local residents—but Murphy says he was of the understanding that all local residents received the letter; he later learned that wasn’t the case.
(Map of the proposed development courtesy OCI.)
It turns out the town’s policy is to notify residents within a 100-metre radius—but because of the size of the project and the geography of the area, very few people were notified.
Murphy says he immediately had staff prepare more notices along with letters of apology to up to 100 other residents. He says they’re now revisiting that policy.
OCI is now in the process of obtaining permits for the work, along with a land-use assessment report. Murphy says once that report is in, the town will make it public along with public consultations on the project.
While are residents are calling for an environmental assessment, the province has indicated that an environmental assessment is not necessary. The Deputy Mayor says the project will not be approved until all the necessary information is received.