[Saint John] Irving Oil HQ - Kings Square South | 59m | 11 Floors | U/C

[uptownres]

I'd like to chime in and say that I have also been a bit surprised by the strong response to this objection. One of the things that attracted me to Saint John 5 years ago when I moved here was the historic uptown and how uniform the architectural style was. I'm not a developer or a home owner in the heritage district, so I don't have an intimate understanding of how those regulations affect those folks, but it strikes me that they have done a good job of preserving and encouraging appropriate development.

Sure, the Irving HQ looks to be a nice addition to the city. But as far as I can tell it isn't the job boom that folks think it is, but rather a consolidation of employees who are currently scattered around in different facilities across Saint John.

I don't think there is anything wrong with a check and balance system that allows for appeals in good faith. I'm certain there are folks here who wish that the same process had been available when the Irvings bought a portion of an Uptown residential street (Elliot Row) to turn into surface parking.

I am all for development, but I don't think it's a horrible thing for us to carefully consider the compromises we are willing to make to that end.