By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Tyler Waugh
A Mount Pearl business received council approval during a special meeting July 15 for a landscaping variance and building on Thomas Byrne Drive.
Ace Locksmithing proposed the construction of a new two-storey building with a footprint of 1,357 m² to accommodate a combined office and warehouse, as well as a new 186 m² accessory building at the rear of the lot. The application also includes the consolidation of parcels 9 and 11 Thomas Byrne Drive, along with associated site work, as well as a request for a 10 per cent reduction to the minimum front landscaping requirement, from 10 m to 9 m.
“Administration supported the application as it is compatible with surrounding land use areas, advances the development of a currently unplanned parcel of land and is expected to have minimal impact on existing landscaping while meeting the intent of city development standards,” said Deputy Mayor Jim Locke.
There were no public submissions to an invitation to comment on the application by the noon deadline of July 3. There were also no expressions of interest in attending a public briefing, so the session was cancelled.
A development agreement will be required as part of the approval and must be signed and registered on the property title to ensure the site remains as two buildings on one lot. Any future sale or subdivision will require prior written approval from the City.
Locked moved that council approve the proposed landscaping variance and the planned building construction, enter into a development agreement with the property owner and require its registration on the property title, and authorize the issuance of a development permit subject to all applicable standards and conditions.
Council had no questions with regards to the motion and voted to approve it.
“It’s gone through a fairly thorough vetting in terms of the discretionary use (application),” said Mayor Dave Aker.