Boys and Girls Club gets approval from Town of Montague
CBC News | Posted: September 1, 2015 10:46 AM | Last Updated: September 1, 2015
Unanimous vote in favour of application for property zoning change allowing after-school program
The Boys and Girls Club received the go-ahead Monday night from the Town of Montague to use the house it purchased in August for an after-school program.
After nearly a month of back and forth, council voted unanimously in favour of the club's application for a zoning bylaw change of use at a special meeting.
The trouble started when neighbours near the house complained. They said they were concerned about extra traffic and noise, and worried about a decline in the value of their own properties.
- Boys and Girls Club denial has Montague 'in a rage'
- Boys and Girls Club rejected by Montague town council
- Montague Boys and Girls Club opposition surfaces
The issue went to the town's planning committee. Then council passed a recommendation that only allows these types of facilities to operate in commercial zones.
The move caused a public outcry, including a concern of conflict of interest — one of the neighbours sits on the planning committee.
The town gave the club several alternatives, all of which were refused.
The club then demanded an answer to their original application to change the use of the house.
"We're just overwhelmed, but we're also relieved. You know, we just ultimately got the decision that we we're hoping for," said the club's executive director Krista Shaw.
Mayor Richard Collins says the town needs to start fresh.
"Our bylaws are getting out of date and we're going to be hiring a planner very, very quickly to bring things up to snuff to where they should be so that this event will not happen in the future," said Collins.
The recommendation has now gone back to the planning committee
The neighbours weren't available for comment.
Shaw says she wants neighbours to know they will be respectful and hopes they give the club a chance.
The house still has to pass several inspections, but the club hopes to be up and running early this fall.