Linda Goodyear has grand plans to turn the old St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Witless Bay into a focal point for the arts – she just needs to find a solution to the property’s municipal zoning to let those plans come to fruition.
Goodyear bought the church last year after a lengthy sale process through the archdiocese and has incorporated as a non-profit called The Witless Bay Art Gallery and Arts Education Centre.
“I want it to be a showcase to promote the artisans of the Irish Loop, along with some artists from across the province, maybe some international, but certainly, primarily, the Irish Loop,” Goodyear said, adding there are around 90 artists within the Loop with no central or focal point to sell their wares.
But Goodyear’s vision will require more time and possibly money as council won’t let her open the gallery contending the zoning in the area, which includes a school and the former Nun’s residence located next door to the Church, which fell into private ownership some years ago, doesn’t allow for the operation of a business.
Goodyear’s request to submit an application to operate a business was denied at the August 11 public council meeting.
Goodyear was hoping for a zoning exception for the property as Witless Bay council redraws its municipal plan.
Neighbouring Bay Bulls has completed its municipal plan and is approving applications based on zoning within that plan, even though it is still awaiting provincial approval before being registered.
Mayor Jacob Hayden said Witless Bay isn’t at a point in the municipal plan process where it can make those same decisions. The Town still has work to do, including more public consultations and a meeting with a commissioner, before the plan can come back to council for approval and submission to the Province.
“It’s a process,” said Hayden, adding it could take up to two years to complete. “It is something that needs to be done, and done correctly, and it’s just going to take the amount of time it’s going to take, unfortunately.”
Another option discussed in the past and brought up again at council was Goodyear formally applying to have the zoning changed, a process that would cost her some $4,000.
“You can still apply to rezone it and bypass the waiting process, but it is an expensive cost,” allowed Deputy Mayor Justina Nawaz. “But you can’t operate a business on public use property.”
Goodyear said she believes nobody on council is against what she is trying to do, as they appear supportive, it’s just a matter of finding a solution. She recently spoke to an official at provincial Municipal Affairs, and they discussed some ideas to work within the current zoning.
“I’m registered as a nonprofit and their thought was that with the intended use that it could potentially fit into the public use (designation),” said Goodyear, adding she will bring a new proposal to council. “I’m always looking for the cooperation of council.”
Goodyear said time is on her side for now, as her vision will centre heavily around tourist season. If she ultimately has to go the route of a formal rezoning application, she will time the process to align with an opening for next summer.
