Luxury Apartment Building Doesn't Get The Greenlight For Downtown St. Andrews, NB

Bridle Path International Inc. developer John Rocca made a presentation to Town of Saint Andrews Council during the regular council meeting for November 7, 2022 at the WC O'Neill Arena. Rocca said he is concerned that residents in close proximity to his proposed four-storey apartment complex for 256 and 260 Water Street (on the site of the old HMS building) have banded together to vehemently oppose what he thinks are reasonable variances. 

"'The Neighbours' insist that no variances of amendments should be used for this project. This is a stunning turnaround from two months ago," said Rocca. "Not only has their position hardened, rejecting meetings with us three times, but their tone hardened. Some accused council of bias and even threatened legal action."

Rocca said he invites the group known as "The Neighbours" who oppose to his project to come up with a financially viable proposal for the location that also suits what he believes are their unrealistic demands for the project to fit within the existing municipal plan. 

"Can they support their claim that you can build a successful project without any variances? No other developer has stepped up in the last seven years to do something, and I can't even promise you yet that this project that I'm proposing is financially viable due to the cost and interest rates. The burden of proof needs to be on 'The Neighbours' to prove what they said to you. Let them draw an economically viable project that meets their criteria. They can't rely on faith that someday a developer would come along and build the project they want to see."

Rocca said that he believes the group of people opposed to this project are negatively affecting the landowner Geoff Holmes who has been unable to develop anything on the property for over seven years, as well as the many people who can't find suitable housing in St. Andrews. 

 "It's not just landowner Geoff Holmes who is impacted by this," said Rocca. "They want you, town council, to say no to people like Velma French who wants to come back to town to live but can't find housing. They want you to say no to interested tenants from Moncton who want to move here but can't find housing. They want you to say no to all the people who will be impacted by not having accessible housing options in the community.  And they want you to say no to Mr. Holmes to sell his property at fair market value. So sell this property to 'The Neighbours,' then, so that they can build a property that meets their demands."

Rocca left after making his remarks.  

At the end of the council meeting, Councillor James Hirtle he has agonized over this decision about whether or not to go forward with Rocca's property as the plans are now, and that he has taken everything constituents have said seriously. He said he believed voices of concern in the community have stopped wanting to find compromise and started focusing on stopping the project altogether with what he said are arguments of bad faith based on speculation that had no data to support it. He said it is very easy in today's project to capitalize on fear. He said he didn't want to give into fear and speculation that he believes some members of "The Neighbours" have incited in the community. Ultimately, however, Hirtle said he believes that, while it is a well-designed project that he in theory supports, he nevertheless thinks granting six variances for one project is quite steep. He believes granting the height requirement variance in particular isn't something he wants to support. He said he hopes further discussion with the community will be done in good faith. 

"I think debate is important," said Mayor Brad Henderson. "And I think we all need to weigh in on this. No matter what you decide, a portion of the population will disagree with you."

Henderson said that although some citizens disagreed with the project, they were still willing to listen and compromise. He said that, on the flipside, some people publicly attacked and smeared council and that he refuses to tolerate this kind of behaviour.

"A reasonable person should expect development. You don't own your view. The town must be open for change," said Henderson. "But change must take into consideration the municipal plan. That said, the current development is contrary to our secondary plan, and six variances is a lot to be varied. If something needs three or four variances, that's too many, and this one has six. How can we expect people to follow rules if we drop them so quickly? Why would we turn our back on our guiding documents? And if units are up to $3,000 per month, are we really helping our community? How many seniors can afford this?"

Council decided to bring their comments to the developer to see if Rocca is interested in redesigning his proposal to require less variances. CAO Chris Spear said he would get in touch the following day with notes from council and would provide council with Rocca's response to their feedback.