A landowner from Southern Ontario with over 100 acres (40.46 hectares) of land located between Faraway Road and Old Webbwood Road (in the north end of town) had asked Espanola council for an exemption to the no hunting bylaw but it has been turned down.
The unidentified owner says he has been trying to sell the acreage to buyers interested in it as a hunting property.
However, Town CAO Joseph Burke explained that under the present bylaw, when Espanola amalgamated with the former Township of Merritt, it grandfathered properties that did allow hunting access, but also passed a bylaw that no hunting would be allowed on other properties in the newly expanded urban town boundaries.
Staff say area residents were also contacted, and all of them oppose approving the exemption since there are walking trails bordering the property, they bought their properties knowing there was no hunting allowed, and they also fear for their safety.
In the end, council turned down the request in the interest of public safety.
