Lunenburg Winter 2015

We didn’t have a white Christmas here at Lunenburg, but we’ve seen nothing but the white stuff since the New Year.

The Back Harbour is usually frozen over in the winter, but it seems even more so this year, with the covering of snow on top of the ice.

It’s difficult to see what is land and what is sea, although you can clearly see the ocean in the background.

The Polar Prince icebreaker, sits in the ice.

I have never seen the front harbour frozen like this, since we came here in 2007!

It doesn’t look as if the lobster boats are going to get to their traps any time soon.

The snow around the town is loaded onto lorries and cleared away, but there are still some big heaps.

Even more snow is heaped at the roadside at St. John’s Church.

Hanging icicles look very pretty.

Today is another snowy, stormy day, with several more snow days forecast for this week. I really love winter and snow, but it’s so cold that there’s not much we can do outside. It’s even too cold to go skiing!

A Typical Morning in Lunenburg

Lunenburg has a population of just over 2,000, but in the summer months it fills up with visitors.

We enjoy a walk around the town in the morning, before the tourists are on the streets.

This is Monday morning, looking down to the Railway Wharf.

And across to the Bluenose Golf Course.

This is the same view on Wednesday morning.

This is the Martha Seabury schooner, which was built here in Lunenburg.

https://queensincanada.wordpress.com/2012/08/13/the-launch-of-the-martha-seabury-schooner-at-lunenburg/

During the summer months, this old fishing boat, The Cape Rouge, sits at the wharf. It is used in the filming of the TV series, Haven.

The Adams and Knickle building is undergoing renovation work.

The booths are open ready for trips on the ocean.

The nearest boat does harbour tours, the Eastern Points goes  whale watching and the Eastern Star, sailing trips.

https://queensincanada.wordpress.com/2009/09/07/a-sail-on-the-eastern-star-at-lunenburg/

The waterfront restaurants are open for breakfast.

But no one wanted to sit outside on Wednesday.

The horses are ready to take tourists on a tour of the old town.

And the Fisheries Museum will open to educate visitors on the history and past life of Lunenburg.

There is also a cruise ship in the harbour.

The Lagniappe, registered in the Marshall Islands, which you could charter for $110,000 per week!!!

The little shed beside the foundry is crooked and worn.

The latest boat at the foundry wharf. Am I back in Dundee – it is called the Discovery?

Looking across to Lunenburg from the golf course road,

to the colourful town and the Fisheries Museum.

But there was no view on Wednesday.

Even this osprey didn’t seem to see us.

He flew just above our heads.

Then back into the nest with the young.

There’s always something to see, walking around Lunenburg.

Town Planning and Lunenburg Heritage

The control that Town Planners have is a controversial issue and causes many disputes.

How much control should planning authorities have over the lives of individuals? These regulations are meant to be based on the best decision for the buildings and for the town and therefore for the people of the town?

When we lived in Scotland, the local planners, basically prevented any building in the countryside. If you were ever lucky enough to be able to find a site to build a house, then usually,  it had to fit in and look as if it had been built in the 19th century. That meant a small footprint, small windows, no overhangs, and slate clad roof. Of course, the planners said there was a place for modern architecture, but with many set conditions.

It was refreshing to come to Canada and find that the individual has the right to build what he likes where he likes. This could have its problems, especially if someone built a four storey hen house next to your home.

Lunenburg is a World Heritage Site and as such has its own planning regulations.
The Lunenburg Heritage Society was established in 1972 as a non-profit society with the intent of preserving and promoting the character, ambiance and old world charm of the community of Lunenburg as reflected in its architecture, waterfront and the evolution of its economic activity.

There are several heated disputes in the old town at the moment.

You may remember some of my photos of  buildings in the old town, showing the brightly painted buildings of reds, blues and yellows, like the Fisheries Museum on the waterfront.

There was a great dispute regarding the buildings below and I asked for comments to see if anyone thought them inappropriate, but got no responses either way. They are definitely brightly coloured, but perhaps not traditional?

They have, however, been very well renovated and the workmanship is excellent.

Regarding the colour of buildings, The Heritage Conservation District Plan states –
Many houses are painted in vibrant blues, greens and yellows. While some colours may not be ‘historically correct’ there can be no doubt that they contribute to the rich variety for which the town is widely known.
Although the Council has the authority to regulate building colour, it has chosen not to do so, in order to preserve the individual freedom of expression.

Over the past few weeks another building in the old town has been repainted.

Does this building add to the rich variety of the town?

It sits opposite the Fleur de Sel restaurant.

And the gift shop ‘Wild Elements’.

Should the local planning authority make a stronger stand or should each individual be allowed to paint their buildings as they wish?

There is another dispute which is splitting the town.

Here is a section from the local press regarding this issue.

The fate of a century-old building located on Cumberland Street that has divided a community now rests in the hands of one man.

Wayne Cochrane of the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSURB) acted in the dual role of judge and jury as an appeal hearing into Lunenburg council’s decision to grant a demolition permit for the former IOOF hall opened at the Lunenburg fire hall March 9.

Earl and Brenda Bachman had purchased the property, which abuts the back end of their Lincoln Street residence, last summer with the intention of tearing it down and creating yard and garden space.

Because the structure was built sometime between 1879 and 1890, it is designated pre-1940 on the town’s heritage map. As such, council was required to conduct a public hearing under the rules of the heritage bylaw regarding the Bachman’s request to tear down the building before rendering a decision.

Council ultimately approved the Bachman’s request by a vote of four to one, with Councillor Peter Zwicker voting against the application, however an appeal of the decision was filed with the NSURB by the Lunenburg Heritage Society.

At a hearing it was stated that

“Although this is only one building on one street in Lunenburg, this has wide-reaching impact on the role of obligation of this council to their acceptance of the UNESCO designation as a world heritage site.”

You can read the whole article for yourself here.

http://www.southshorenow.ca/archives/2010/031610/news/index025.php

This is the building in question.

This building was built as a store, around 1890, and has since been used by the Salvation Army, the IOOF and the Faith Bible Chapel.

Should the planners insist on it being renovated, should it be moved to another site, or should the owners be allowed to demolish it?

Please leave your comments, regarding this subject or just planning regulations in general.

It is a pity that these events have upset so many people in this town.