Page42 ‘The Abaconian October 1998 Seminar FROM Page 37 government and used to complete the infrastructure. Approval for a subdivision comes from Nassau. Subdivision road right-of-ways must be 40 feet wide with the old 20-foot allowance no longer being acceptable. Subdivision roads are the developer’s responsibility until or unless the roads have been given to and accepted by government. Town Planning Encroachments on the Marsh Harbour well field by schools, airport expansion, shops and others may require the relocation of the well field farther from development. Town planning and council must make recommendations for the orderly growth of the area and submit these to Nassau for action. Mr. Hanna urged the councils, in conjunction with town planning, to prepare a master plan of their districts showing existing pattern and zoning suggestions for two, five and ten-year growth. Councils and town planning were admonished by Mr. Hanna to spend more time looking to the future. “Approving plans is not your only responsibility,” he said. Harrison Thompson stated, “Town planning does not have the authority to issue building permits. They ‘make recommendations which council will then act on. The chief councillor can accept the recommendation or the council will review the matter if there is controversy.” There are many instances throughout the Bahamas where a building permit is issued. Subsequently, it is noticed that the building is double or triple the specified size. Among other issues this represents lost revenue. Inactive Taxi Plates to Be Recalled Road Traffic was asked to verify active taxis and recall taxi plates which are inactive or not renewed annually. Since taxis are duty free, it is important that only active taxis have taxi plates. Licensing Can Limit Bars Licensing authority has the authority to limit the number of bars. Town planning and licensing must frequently work together. It was stated that town planning should grant a conditional building permit (if appropriate) with the provision that a license in principle be obtained. This would ensure that the applicant could either proceed with the proposed business or determine early that the project was not suitable. Recommendations In conclusion, those present were divided into study groups which made the following recommendations: Relax at....lsland BRS CAEE oe We're just minutes from restaurants on the harbour & walking distance to grocery stores, shopping end ferry docks leading to outer islands. You will check into a spacious room AMM mits with television, air conditioning, ceiling fan, microwave oven, small refrigerator and daily maid service. Call 242-367-3776 or FAX 367-4179 Premium Property throughout the Abaco Islands P. O. Box AB 20030 Marsh Harbour, Abaco GREEN TURTLE CAY Black Sound adjacent to Abaco Yacht Services, 100 ft. harbour front lot. $300,000 "=" °™ GREAT SALE CAY 380 acres Sea to _ , Grand a @ Minutes should accurately reflect members absent, with or without a valid reason, for possible dismissal after repeated absences. ® Members should be dismissed who do not attend three meetings in a row. It is a burden to attending members because a meeting cannot be held when a quorum is not present. It is particularly frustrating when a member makes a one-hour boat or car trip to attend a meeting and finds it is canceled because other members did not show up and did not give prior notice. @ Building plans must go to town committees first for public posting. This gives the public a chance to comment then the plans go to town planning for their recommendations to council. ® Minutes of town committee meetings should go to council to keep them informed of town matters. ® The three Abaco councils should meet together occasionally to get a better feel for the smooth operation of Abaco’s business. ® Authority is wanted locally to approve docks without going to the Docks Committee in Nassau. ® An island wide building inspections program is wanted. ® Some capital funds must be allocated with recurrent funds. ® Because hours are spent preparing budgets, then having them cut severely and having to reprogram the available funds, they recommended it would be better to be told, “Here’s what you get, see what you can do.” @ Local government members in attendance were unanimous in their desire to have school maintenance money available at the beginning of the summer vacation so work could begin as soon as the schools are empty. ® Meeting agendas should accurately reflect the business to be discussed. @ Meeting time could be saved by circulating the previous minutes a week prior to a meeting for study by members. Then dispense with the reading of the minutes but begin with corrections, matters arising, etc. The participants found the sessions informative and encouraging. They found it helpful to get answers to their questions and discuss their frustrations. No Rooms The United States Labor Day holiday, which was celebrated on the 7th of September, brought hundreds of visitors to Abaco for the weekend, In fact, there were no hotel rooms available in Marsh Harbour area during the weekend. This was the last big holiday weekend and marked the end of a very good summer tourist season. LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO STAY? 2 & 3 Bedroom Luxury Apartments, fully equipped Beach front on a magnificent 31% mile beach or On a Marina with private boat slips All with pool and tennis privileges Special Discounts offered September & October IsLano D Reams Treasure Cay, Abaco Call 242-365-8507 or 365-8777 Fax 365-8508 ® Email: Dreams@oii.net Sandy Point 4 Settlement Airstrip * Crown Haven for Town a S Cooper's hae a Green Turtle Sea Call for details BILLY BO CAY 4 acre cay on Marsh Harbour's south side, 5 minutes from southside dock $150,000 SANDY POINT 50 acres on the south west corner of Abaco, south of the Sandy Point airport, loads of waterfrontage. Call for details Abaco Island Moore's Cheroke Q Island $119,500 $ 55,000 $100,000 $ 30,000 $ 70,000 From $ 9,900 ‘$112,500 $ 25,000 $100,000 Tilloo Cay - 3.4 acres, good elevations, sea to sea Lubbers Quarters - 1.73 acres on western side, great elevations Stede Bonnet Rd, Marsh Harbour - 1 acre lot w/partial views of harbour Green Turtle Cay - Interior lot, 10,000 sq. ft. Cherokee - 2 bedroom wooden house, Contact Colin Lightbourn (242) 325-1950 or (242) 322-4148 P.O. Box N4949, Nassau, Bahamas Long Beach - lots with utilities & financing Little Harbour - lot w/210' in harbour, superb views, 3/4 acre Treasure Cay - 1/4 acre lot across from beach Elbow Cay - 82 x 200 waterfront lot