Saint Andrews Holds Public Hearings of Objections for Two Proposed Housing Projects For The Town

On Monday, October 16, 2022, the Town of Saint Andrews hosted two public hearings of objections for two different housing developments by two different developers proposed within town limits. The first hearing of objections was for 302 Mowat Drive, an affordable 42-unit apartment building called "The Compass" proposed by local developers Tressa Bevington and Gerald Ingersoll of Compass Housing.

Kevin Cuylle, who lives in the immediate vicinity of the proposed housing unit, expressed concern over drainage issues with the number of residents expected to live in the building. He also expressed concern that traffic in the area would increase by 80 to 100 cars per day. He also believed a greater RCMP presence in the area would be required but said police presence is already less than desirable. Another resident expressed concern that the designs are not yet detailed enough to give citizens an idea of what the building will look like, insisting this is a concern for property values in the vicinity of the building. 

The second hearing of objections was for a housing development proposed for the lot of 256 and 260 Water Street by developer John Rocca of Bridle Path International. Rocca is proposing a four-storey luxury apartment complex, which would require the implementation of a development scheme by-law to allow for four-stories in the historic downtown core. Rocca has said in past council meetings that he would require the fourth storey in order to balance out the cost of putting in underground parking. Without it, he says, the project is not financially feasible. 

Douglas Greenaway was the first person to express his concerns over this development proposal via Zoom. He says he is one of 45 households that signed a letter expressing discontent for the project. He says there are many reasons these 45 homes are against the project. including the group's dislike of how easily the development scheme by-law, if used, would circumvent important by-laws meant to maintain the heritage of the town.

Barry Murray spoke second on behalf of the Saint Andrews Civic Trust. Murray referred to the secondary municipal plan, which he said is meant to be a directional document meant to work as a North Star for current and future councils to maintain the character of the National Historic District of the downtown area of Saint Andrews. Murray said that the secondary municipal plan says that new buildings have to respect height requirements, and this particular project asks to be exempt from the height requirement. Murray said allowing this project to step outside of the guidelines of the secondary municipal plan invites future developers to expect similar treatment. 

Guy Groulx was the first in the room to voice his concerns. As a former councillor, Groulx said the municipal plan and the secondary municipal plan were prepared while he sat on council over the course of a year of consultations as a means to guide council to hold strategic goals in place when making development decisions. Developers should create development proposals that conform to these plans, according to Groulx, not ask for exemptions.

Ken Beaubien who lives on Princess Royal Street spoke next. He said he believes setting precedence is of the utmost importance. He also said that the town needs to think of the spaces we design and who is using them and how this affects the community as a whole and how people move throughout and interact in the community. There are already transport trucks making deliveries on the block where this is being proposed as well as heavy tourist and residential traffic, which means people that live in that area, especially young kids, will be impacted by a dense apartment complex. Beaubien said there should be projects considered for this site but that it has to be consistent with the town. He doesn't believe the proposed project is suited for the unique architecture of Saint Andrews.

Franklin Cardy who lives on Pagan Street and is the Chair of Charlotte County Archives spoke about his opinions on the project. He said owner of the property Geoff Holmes and one of his business partners, Bill Stanley, have been trying for years to do something to create a residential space for this property. He said he is worried about what will happen if this particular proposal is rejected. What will become of this vacant lot that has, for years, been fallow? Cardy reminded council to use the municipal plan for their guidance but also to consider making a good judgment call on whether this proposal could potentially impact the community for the better, which Cardy believes it could--better than a vacant lot can. Cardy encouraged council to approve this proposal and go ahead with a much needed residential building instead of leaving the lot as a non-conforming wasteland. 

Geoff Holmes spoke as the owner of the property. He reminded council and residents of the town of what the alternative will be since there have been no other offers and the lot has been vacant for seven years. He said he believes Mr. Rocca will do everything he can to take in residents' concerns but also reminded people that when you buy a property you don't have a guaranteed view. 

Rob Weir spoke saying it gives council the opportunity to take the gatekeeper role to take the concerns from both sides of the project to heart and make a decision that factors in both. He said while he opposes the project in its current form, he doesn't oppose it outright. 

Bill Stanley who lives on Sophia also spoke. He said this town needs residential development. He tried previously to develop the property over three years with Geoff Holmes trying to do something that could work for the lot. They finally got to a point with council where they thought they could proceed with a condominium project, but there wasn't a positive financial outcome from the development, so they abandoned plans. A proposed 18-unit building, even though it was a luxury condominium, was still ultimately unprofitable to greenlight, so their plans were dropped. He said an experienced developer with plans for a bigger building could make it financially feasible, but that that particular property is not easy to develop. 

Liz Kenyon spoke last and said scare tactics didn't work on those opposed to it. She urged council to imagine if they lived across from this development and how they would feel before making a decision.

After the two public hearings of objections, council then moved into their regular council meeting for October 16, 2022. During the meeting, the town officially accepted the resignation of by-law enforcement officer Thomas Clark.