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MUNICIPALITY OF TRINITY BAY NORTH
MUNICIPAL PLAN AMENDMENT
NO. 3, 2023
Adding Recreational Vehicle Parks to the
Open Space Land Use Designation
Prepared by:
Mary Bishop, FCIP
February, 2023
MUNICIPAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 3, 2023
INTRODUCTION
The Municipality of Trinity Bay North Municipal Plan came into effect in 2019.
The Municipality has received a proposal which requires an amendment to the
current Plan and Development Regulations and this report has been prepared to
explain the proposed change, and to serve as a basis for consideration by the
general public before it is adopted and approved by Council and submitted to the
Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs for registration.
BACKGROUND
The Town has received a proposal for development of a Recreational Vehicle
Park. The applicant, Glenn Mackey, proposes to acquire land that is currently the
municipal Thompson Pond Park plus an additional area of Crown Land adjacent
to the park. The area of interest is shown in Figure 1.
The area of land is approximately 10ha. The site is bound to the east by the
Bonavista Highway, where there is a seniors housing development near the
proposed main entrance to the park. Lands to the south, west and north of the
proposed RV Park are in a natural and largely undisturbed state.
Figure 1. Thompson Pond RV Park Development Site
A preliminary concept plan has been prepared for a first phase of development.
The plan, shown in Figure 2 includes a parking area at the entrance off the
Bonavista Highway, and 39 RV sites along a looped roadway within the
development. A second access off the Bonavista Highway is also indicated, as
well as an extension to the proposed looped roadway to the south of the
development to access a future phase. The plan recognizes the existing
powerline right of way through the site. The main area of the existing park is not
included in Phase I of the RV park.
Municipal Plan Policy
The site of the proposed RV park is located within an area that is designated in
the Trinity Bay North Municipal Plan as Open Space. Figure 3 shows the site.
Green areas on this portion of the Future Land Use Map are designated Open
Space.
The Open Space land use designation includes existing parks within the
community such as Thompson's Pond Park and Lookout Pond Park. It also
includes large areas outside the built-up parts of the municipality between the
main highway and the coastline. Since the Plan has been in place, several
coastal trails have been developed within the areas designated Open Space,
such as the trail between Port Union and Melrose.
Figure 2. Preliminary Site Plan - Phase I.
Policy OS-3 of the Municipal Plan - Recreational Open Space - states that
Open Space areas that include municipal parks shall continue to be used as
centres for community events, outdoor recreation, festivals and events.
Recreational, cultural or civic facilities may also be considered for development in
this area. Hiking trails, boardwalks and nature interpretation structures shall be
designed and developed with minimal environmental disturbance.
In the Development Regulations, the proposed RV Park site is zoned Open
Space, Here, Recreational Open Space uses are listed as permitted uses.
Appendix C of the Development Regulations lists a number of examples of such
uses that include:
- Campgrounds
- Hiking Trails
- Parks
- Playing Fields and Courts
- Playgrounds
- Sports Grounds
Recreational Vehicle Parks are not specifically addressed as a use that can be
considered. As a result, Council wishes to amend the Municipal Plan and
Figure 3. Future Land Use Map
Development Regulations to add Recreational Vehicle Parks as a use that can
be considered in the Open Space land use designation and use zone subject to
policies and conditions on where they can be located and the requirements for
their development.
In considering an amendment of this nature, Council is aware of the growth of the
tourism sector on the Bonavista Peninsula and the need for an increased supply
and variety of accommodations for both provincial and inter-provincial tourists. It
is expected that tourism in the region will continue to grow as communities invest
in tourism infrastructure such as hiking trails, attractions and events, and private
investment increases the supply of tourism services such as food and
accommodations, shops and tour operations.
In addition to Thompson's Pond Park, the Town also operates and maintains
Lookout Pond Park which is the main municipal recreational park. Council
recognizes that Thompson's Pond Park is underutilized as a municipal park. The
location is ideal for use as an RV park as it has access to a source of power, is
located just off the main peninsula highway throughfare, and has existing
amenities such as a pond, beach and hiking trail.
The Town is also aware that the proposal for the RV Park may require
registration and subsequent release from review under the NL Environmental
Assessment Act.
PUBLIC CONSULTATION
Prior to considering an amendment to the Town Plan and Development
Regulations, Council held an initial public meeting on the proposed RV Park on
May 18, 2022. Community feedback on the proposal was generally positive.
This amendment was subsequently prepared and an opportunity for broader
public comment provided by posting notices on the Town website and Facebook
pages, in several public places in the Town and at the Town Hall.
Notices provided a two week window for comments with a deadline of XXXXXX.
XXX inquiries/representations were received by the time of the advertised
deadline of XXXXX.
The Town is currently involved in discussions with the NL Eastern Habitat Joint
Venture, of the Wildlife Division, Department of Fisheries, Forestry and
Agriculture to identify and protect wetland habitat in the municipality. It has been
determined that none of the area for the proposed RV Park has been identified
as wetland habitat.
NL Power was consulted concerning the existing powerline that runs through the
subject property.
Crown Lands have been advised of the application as the land in question
belongs to the Crown.
AMENDMENT No. 3, 2022
The Municipality of Trinity Bay North Municipal Plan shall be amended as follows:
1. By adding the following to Policy OS-3 of the Municipal Plan -
Recreational vehicle parks may be considered in the Open Space
designation in areas removed from the coastline, with access to existing
streets and electrical power service.
MUNICIPALITY OF TRINITY BAY NORTH
DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
AMENDMENT NO. 3, 2023
Text Amendment
Adding Recreational Vehicle Parks to the
Open Space Land Use Zone
Prepared by:
Mary Bishop, MCIP, FCIP
February, 2023
MUNICIPALITY OF TRINITY BAY NORTH
DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS AMENDMENT
NO. 3, 2023
BACKGROUND
This amendment to the Development Regulations is intended to comply with
Municipal Plan Amendment No. 3, 2023.
The Municipality has received a proposal to develop a Recreational Vehicle Park
at Thompson Pond. The development will include the area of the current
municipal park at Thompson Pond and a larger area of Crown Land outside the
park. The area in question is shown in Figure 1.
The site is designated Open Space in the Municipal Plan and zoned Open Space
in the Development Regulations.
In the Open Space use zone, recreational open space uses are permitted.
Appendix C of the Development Regulations lists a number of examples of such
uses that include:
- Campgrounds
- Hiking Trails
- Parks
Figure 1. Thompson Pond RV Park Development Site
- Playing Fields and Courts
- Playgrounds
- Sports Grounds
Recreational Vehicle Parks are not specifically addressed as a use that can be
considered. As a result, Council wishes to amend the Development Regulations
to add Recreational Vehicle Parks as a discretionary use so that it can consider
the proposal. The proposed amendment would also add new definitions to
Section 2, and Recreational Vehicle Parks to the list of examples of Open Space
Recreation uses in Appendix C of the Development Regulations. A new condition
for the development of RV Parks will be added to the Open Space use zone
table.
Conditions to be added will limit the size of RV parks, establish parameters
around where they can be located, requirements for access, servicing, retaining
public access to picnic, swimming areas and walking trails and compliance with
provincial and federal regulations.
PUBLIC CONSULTATION
The public consultation process for this amendment was the same as that for the
Municipal Plan Amendment No. 3, 2023.
AMENDMENT
The Trinity Bay North Development Regulations shall be amended by making the
following changes to the Open Space Land Use Zone in Section 8.9:
1. By adding Recreational Vehicle Parks as a discretionary use in Section
8.9.2, and excluding them as a Permitted use in Section 8.9.1. Permitted
and Discretionary uses to be listed to read:
8.9.1 Permitted Uses
Conservation
Recreational Open Space (excluding Recreational Vehicle Parks)
8.9.2 Discretionary Uses
Forestry
Agriculture
Marine Transportation
Public Works and Utilities
Small Scale Agriculture
Recreational Vehicle Park
2. By adding the following as Condition 8.9.5:
1. Recreational Vehicle Parks may be considered where they
a) Occupy sites that are a minimum of 2ha and no greater than 10ha
in area.
b) Are within 400m of a public street or highway to which they will
have access.
2. Proposals for Recreational Vehicle Parks shall include:
a) Plans for the layout of the park, including RV sites, roads, access,
the location of facilities necessary to the operation and
management of the park, and amenity space.
b) Plans for site services such as water and waste disposal,
c) Details on how the park will be operated and managed.
d) Measures to control and prevent year round residency.
e) Measures to be taken to minimize environmental disturbance
during construction and operation including preserving tree cover,
setbacks from streams, wetlands and ponds.
f) Plans to ensure public use of any existing trails, beach or picnic
areas that will be retained as part of the development.
3. Recreational vehicle parks shall be developed in accordance with
applicable federal and provincial regulations.
Add the following definitions to Section 2:
Recreational vehicle means motorized or non-motorized vehicles
designed for recreation and travel purposes, and is not a dwelling. This
includes, but is not limited to, motor homes, travel trailers, fifth wheels,
truck campers, tent trailers, park model trailers, camper van
conversions.
Recreational vehicle park means a parcel of land specifically
developed for locating only recreational vehicles on lots or planned
sites on a seasonal, short-term basis.
By adding Recreational Vehicle Park to the list of examples for Recreational
Open Space uses in Appendix C.