YARMOUTH, N.S. — Actions recommended to increase activity and diversity on the Yarmouth waterfront begin with permissions.
That’s exactly what the waterfront committee is working on now to advance an action plan that was presented to the Town of Yarmouth last year.
The committee met on Feb. 19 for a project vision presentation by Yarmouth town planner Caroline King.
Part of her process has been to take the 24 action items in the 2018 plan and figure out from a planning perspective what is required policy-wise to make them happen.
Once approved, amendments will be written into Yarmouth’s municipal planning strategy and land use regulations.
“So, this is the first step and then hopefully funding opportunities happen. Some of the 24 actions are private opportunities,” said King.
The proposed amendments, which are designed to provide more consistent zoning and create a welcoming business environment, will be reviewed by the town’s planning advisory committee next.
If supported, the changes will be presented for review at public participation meetings.
“There are a lot of pieces to that action plan and when it’s all together it’s going to be amazing, but we’re making sure, from a policy perspective, everything we can do to support it is there,” said King.
The action plan calls for new emphasis on technology and ocean sector research. Some of the 24 recommended actions include a new raised “seewall” following the perimeter of the old Domtex mill site that would also provide protection from sea level rise and storm surges, a raised or floating boardwalk over the narrow channel at the north end of Water Street and the renovation of Corkum Wharf to have commercial space facing Water Street above the working area that could include restaurants, fish stores or artisanal craft shops.
More about the plan
