There are calls for more consultations on a proposed expansion of the Spruce Lake Industrial Park in Saint John.
A municipal plan amendment and rezoning came before the city’s planning advisory committee on Tuesday.
The application involves a 112-hectare “pad-ready” site for phase one, plus additional lands for a total development area of around 586 hectares for future industrial development.
The planned expansion comes amid a shortage of development-ready land for businesses in the city’s industrial parks.
Several residents from the Lorneville area spoke against the project during the nearly four-hour meeting.
Leah Alexander said many in the community are worried about potential impacts to their well water.
“The City of Saint John and Dillon Consulting have tried to placate our fears by stating [they] don’t know what development is going there and they will have to meet standards,” said Alexander.
“This just shows that the function and importance of this wetland is not understood by the consulting company.”
Others say the entire decision-making process has been rushed and called on officials to take a step back.
Dozens of people have written letters to the city outlining their concerns with the proposed expansion. A petition was also submitted with hundreds of signatures.
Staff recommendations
City staff are recommending a groundwater monitoring program within the proposed industrial park and buffer area as an initiative to be reviewed in more detail.
They also propose a 150-metre-wide buffer along the eastern and southern boundaries of the expansion area to provide separation between the proposed industrial area and adjacent residential areas.
Increased setbacks of up to 300 metres would be put in place for more intense industrial uses and those uses which involve hazardous products or materials.
Scrap and salvage yards, including metal shredding, would be prohibited to address community concerns that American Iron and Metal could relocate its waterfront recycling operation to the industrial park.
The city is also proposing “targeted community investment” through proceeds from development which could involve reserving a portion of land sales from the new industrial park to benefit community projects in Lorneville.
“I think we heard a lot of stuff tonight,” said committee member Phil Comeau. “I’m not prepared to vote with staff recommendations right now, and I’m not prepared to vote against staff recommendations.”
Comeau put forward a motion to make no recommendation and encourage more consultation between the city, developers and residents.
The application is now scheduled to go before Saint John council for a public hearing on Nov. 12.
