Stephenville couple say council's permit denial is unreasonable

Frank Gale/The Western Star

Jennifer Rose and Tony Powell feel Stephenville town council is being unreasonable in not granting them a permit to build on family land.

A young Stephenville couple believes the towns council is being unreasonable in not approving a permit to build a home on their family land.

Jennifer Rose and Tony Powell worked out of province, but decided to move home to work and live. But despite their best efforts and 14 months of trying, their latest attempt to get a permit was rejected.

Mayor Tom OBrien said said the reasoning for not granting the permit is simple: There is no municipal water and sewer services to the property, and town regulations state those services are required. OBrien said there will be no development until a comprehensive plan is put into place, including the installation of water and sewer thats connected to the towns system.

Rose said there are currently five homes on her familys property in the Hillier Avenue area. She said her family has three generations of farming and forestry on the property.

It is completely unfair that council is refusing to let us build a home on our family land, she said.

Rose said council insists they install municipal water and sewer, even for their single home. She said this is despite the fact all the existing homes are serviced by approved septic and wells, including one home owned by a town councillor.

She said municipal water and sewer installation would cost more than $2 million out of their pockets something the couple cant afford.

Rose said wells and septic systems on unserviced land must conform to provincial requirements, and the couple has the necessary government service centre inspection and approval.

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Stephenville couple say council's permit denial is unreasonable