CBS makes second attempt at ATV trail approval

By Craig Westcott

Now that CBS council has settled into a new term following October’s election, staff and councillors are steering again towards a permanent set of rules to allow ATVs in some parts of town.

Council signalled that intent earlier this month by approving a motion to submit a proposed municipal plan amendment over to the Province for commentary. The amendment, if approved, will allow for an ATV trail.
Not only will CBS need the approval of the Department of Municipal Affairs to amend its Municipal Plan, it will also need the Province to provide some Crown Lands to accommodate portions of the proposed trail.
It’s the second time the Town has asked the Province to approve an ATV trail, with the first plan being rejected because Municipal Affairs officials felt CBS didn’t have the right policies in place to provide for a trail.
Ward 4 councillor Melissa Hardy made the new motion to submit the proposed plan amendment for the Province’s consideration. It was seconded by Ward 1 councillor Shelley Moores.

Deputy Mayor Andrea Gosse, said the amendment is needed so that the ATV committee that has been working in conjunction with the Town can apply for Crown Lands.

“We had a consultant review it and put this together, “Gosse added, acknowledging the first attempt was sent back. “So, this should hopefully go through smoothly.”

Mayor Darrin Bent said it was “good to get that back on the rails again.”

The proposal is for a route that will bring ATV riders from the west end of town to the centre, using a trail that would run from the ATV staging area in Seal Cove through some back country and then alongside Peacekeepers Way all the way to Sgt. Ned Nugent’s Park on Red Bridge Road, in Kelligrews. The proposal is separate from the pilot project last year that saw ATVs allowed on some roads in Long Pond and Seal Cove.
“We’ll see what the Province says about it this time,” Bent said.