City councillors did something unusual Monday night.
Typically, at the city council meeting following a council committee meeting, councillors simply ratify decisions made the previous week. On rare occasions, a councillor may change his or her mind, but it doesn’t happen often.
But on Monday night, council retracted their controversial decision related to a long-term dispute between Grape Island residents and those living on Victoria Point. Instead, a new plan was floated.
Essentially, the new plan allows commercial barging Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and, through a temporary use bylaw, permits the continuation of what has been occurring at the Forest Avenue South access point for up to two years while a permanent, long-term solution is hammered out. That means the Grape Island Property Owners Association (GIPOA) can continue to use their two temporary docks while the various encroachments of existing shoreline structures that do not comply with zoning bylaw provisions can continue to exist.
The new-look, temporary solution comes on the heels of widespread dissatisfaction – from both the GIPOA and mainlanders – over last week’s decision that left both sides shaking their heads. One of the provisions of that pact, essentially, only permitted barging when the lake would be frozen.
Recognizing the pitfalls and the unrest it created, Ward 1 councillors Ted Emond and Sarah Valiquette-Thompson helped develop the solution as a way to calm the waters while a long-term deal is brokered.
“This motion does confirm access of Grape Islanders by boat at the right of way, it does confirm barging can continue for a period of time and the motion does confirm that the encroachments by the mainland neighbour can continue,” said Emond. “I also think this goes a long way to satisfying (Coun. Mason Ainsworth’s) desire not to have this punted into the future. It makes it very clear what’s going to happen this summer and, essentially, next summer while we have the opportunity to continue the dialogue and hopefully sooner rather than later, reach a long-term solution.”
While council’s decision provides a two-year window to complete a new deal, the hope is a long-term solution can happen much quicker. “My goal is to have something in place by summer,” said Valiquette-Thompson. “That may be extremely optimistic but that’s what we will work towards. I assure you we are 100% focused and dedicated” and are “looking forward to getting around the table as soon as possible.”
Council made one change to the plan that was unveiled Monday night. At the urging of Coun. Tim Lauer, an amendment was proposed and, ultimately, approved to add a third day of barging, so that barging would be permitted Tuesdays through Thursdays. When council agreed to that, the dozens of Grape Island residents in council chambers cheered. “It’s about time,” one man yelled.
Now, the hard work starts, Emond acknowledged. “There is absolutely no reason why discussions cannot start almost immediately and if all parties are focused on finding a mutually acceptable solution then one can be found,” he said. But “I don’t underestimate the challenge of bringing divergent points of view” together.
He said, for example, if the working group that is to be formed – comprising three Grape Island residents, three mainlanders, Emond, Valiquette-Thompson and a city staffer – is considering new baring locations, such as the foot of West Street, a solution could take time. “If options that are not currently on the table need to be investigated” it won’t happen overnight. “These are not simple matters, they take time. I hope we can conclude before the summer but there’s no guarantee.”
At worst, the working group has been tasked to present a preliminary report to council in September.
Ainsworth was the lone councillor to vote against the new plan. He wanted council to develop a permanent solution.
