HomeMy Public PortalAbout2003-10-09_Policy on the Acquisition and Managment of Pulblic Recreational Wharves and Water Access Properties_P-34THE MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF CHESTER
POLICY P -34
POLICY ON THE ACQUISITION AND MANAGEMENT OF
PUBLIC RECREATIONAL WHARVES AND WATER ACCESS PROPERTIES
Definition For the purpose of this policy all references to wharves shall include water access properties with
any necessary modifications as the context requires.
1. ACQUISITION:
Any future recreational wharves to be considered for acquisition by the Municipality shall first
be reviewed using the following criteria;
A) Is the facility desirable to ensure public access to the water for recreational purposes bearing
in mind the access already available in the municipality;
B) Does the local community support its acquisition;
C) Are there any other Community groups or Commissions, etc., that would be better suited
to either acquire the wharf directly or to lease or acquire ownership from the Municipality;
D) Has the condition of the wharf been assessed by a qualified Engineer and if so, what is the
remaining time frame before either replacement or major repairs will be required;
E) What are the financial and other liabilities attached to acquiring the wharf ;
2. MAINTENANCE
Once a wharf has been acquired, the following shall be the policy of the Municipality with regard
to its operation and continued ownership by the Municipality:
2.1 The primary use of the wharf shall be for public access to the water for recreational purposes
or as is required in the agreement to acquire;
2.2 Acquisition of the wharf by lease or transfer of ownership to a Community group would be
considered if continued public access is assured and the group demonstrates it has the
stability and financial resources to maintain and repair the wharf on an ongoing basis.
Other issues, such as insurance, details of public use of wharf, and safeguards if the
community group were to become inactive, would be set out in the transfer or lease
agreement.
2.3 Within the waterlots surrounding the wharf, no new moorings will be located unless they are
Municipal moorings ;
2.4 Any existing moorings within the waterlot or within 200 feet of the wharf, will be reviewed
periodically to determine if they create any problems;
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POLICY 34 - WHARF POLICY (CONTINUED)
2.5 No commercial use of the wharf will be permitted without the Municipality's consent;
2.6 All Municipal wharves are to be inspected regularly by a qualified Engineer with a report
presented to Municipal Council;
2.7 User fees may be established by Council by Resolution from time to time;
2.8 Appropriate signage shall be erected and maintained on each wharf to identify the wharf as
a Municipal Wharf for recreational purposes only and that any commercial use of the wharf
shall be by permit only along with any other pertinent information.
By -Law Committee - September 11, 2003 (2003.556)
Council -Notice, 09/29/03 (2003.576)
Council - Adoption - 10/09/03 (2003.617)
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