STORY CONTINUES BELOW THESE SALTWIRE VIDEOS
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Charlottetown residents who want to put a pool on their property still need to erect a fence around it.
City council voted unanimously at its monthly meeting on Aug. 8 to deny a proposed amendment to the zoning and development bylaw that would have seen the city waive the requirement for a fence in favour of pool owners installing a certified pool cover.
The decision follows a public meeting on July 26 in which seven residents spoke, including a number of pediatricians opposed to a bylaw change over safety implications for children under five years old.
SaltWire Network also spoke to a group of P.E.I. pediatricians prior to the meeting who said dropping the fencing requirement would be a “grave and unforgivable error’’ that could increase risks of drowning.
The city’s planning department reviewed other municipal bylaws across the country and found most still require fencing around pools.
The department recommended denying the proposed amendment to lift that requirement.
Since 2020, there have been two requests from residents asking the city to change the bylaw in favour of a certified pool cover.
The pool issue was one of three items on the agenda at the July 26 public meeting.
The city was also seeking input on Maritime Electric's request to demolish its existing steam plant and stacks on Cumberland Street and construct a new industrial equipment building in its place. The other item was a rezoning request on Belvedere Avenue that will see two parcels of land consolidated at UPEI into green space.
The public meeting cost taxpayers about $4,400, not including taxes – $850 to rent the room at the Rodd Royalty Hotel on Capital Drive, $1,914 for two advertisements in The Guardian and $1,645 for Pater Audio to set up the sound for the room.
Ensure local journalism stays in your community by purchasing a membership today.
The news and opinions you’ll love for only $14.99/month.
Start your Membership Now
Your home for the news shaping Canada's East Coast