A request from the Port Sidney Marina to alter the originally approved configuration of one of its floats is raising some eyebrows from land-bound neighbours.
In early July, the marina requested approval from Sidney council to move the float that currently houses the white tent at the end of the A dock. According to their letter, having the float where it is renders the shore side of the dock unusable because boat traffic can only access that side at high tide.
Carol Foster, who owns a home on Third Street facing the marina, opposes the proposed structure for multiple reasons.
“I think the way that it’s been proposed is quite unattractive, not only for the residents who live on Second and Third but also for the hundreds of people who use the waterfront walk,” Foster said. “The waterfront walk is one of Sidney’s greatest assets and this building will be a blemish on an otherwise lovely area.”
Port Sidney requested to move the float around closer to the shore, next to the main building, and construct a more permanent enclosure on it to allow for storage use and a small seating area. The proposed enclosure would face the waterfront homes along Second and Third streets.
The marina applied to the town in 2005 and 2008 to make similar changes to the configuration although they ran into problems with height conformation. The current plans list the building as being three meters in height, which Town of Sidney staff deemed in full conformance to the town’s official community plan in a report they sent to council on July 3.
Part of the town’s recommendation was that the marina undertake a public consultation process with the neighbouring properties on Second and Third streets which overlook the marina.
Foster says that because the placement of the building affecting the view on the public walkway, council should consider getting the marina to consult with a wider audience.
“All the residents in Sidney should be consulted on this project, really. Everyone who uses the walkway will be impacted, not just the residents on Second and Third [streets],” Foster said.
Port Sidney office manager Kristine Unwin said the plans and drawings sent out to residents were not complete versions, and new plans will be mailed out within the coming weeks.