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Originally Posted by DyAm00394
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a group of local residents is calling for a moratorium so that an environmental and social study can be completed.
Thirty-four people signed a petition on the issue that was sent to the city on Wednesday. One of them was Omer Chouinard.
Chouinard, a retired environmental studies professor at l'Université de Moncton, said the site should be used to expand the area's green space — not reduce it.
"It was sold with no consultation of the public," he said in an interview. "It's a natural environment and cultural environment that you have to protect."
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Along with the petition, the citizen group sent a 10-page document outlining the issues they have with the project, including flooding risk and public safety, urban densification by a small number of companies and environmental protection.
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They point out that a 2017 report said the space south of Assomption would remain public. The group believes access to the Petitcodiac River is "a vested right that must not be infringed."
(City councillor Charles) Leger on the other hand said the city is staying true to its intent for the land that was most recently outlined in the municipal plan.
"What's more important, I think at least for me, is taking a look at what the project looked like," he said about renderings that were provided to the city.
"I'm the first to say that we should certainly limit buildings that block the sight lines to the river," Leger said.
"This particular project is interesting because it lines up with Foundry [Street] so it'll be, in some ways, an extension of the street leading right to the riverfront."
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Leger said the Gateway Towers design, which allows the general public to access the riverfront, was "one of the biggest requirements from staff to the developer, and also from council."
For a developer to gain access to zoning permits, Leger said there are certain environmental criteria it needs to meet first.
He said it's during this process that most of the concerns being raised by the group will be assessed.
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In essence, the fight is over the stub of Foundry Street extending southward from Assumption Blvd, as well as the adjacent wooded ditch that the city recently sold to JN Lafford.
You can see the land in question in this photo from the CBC article:
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City council is set to vote on rezoning the land on Aug. 19 after the builder presents plans and renderings for the site, according to Leger.
If the project moves forward, it will be reviewed by the city's planning advisory committee, which is made up of volunteers appointed by city council who approve certain development applications.
Leger said the public will get a chance to address council in person with any comments or concerns in late September or early October.
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So, while city council is unquestionably in favour of this project, the process will carry on for at least another 10 weeks, giving this citizen's committee several chances to influence the decision making process.
I have very little doubt that the project will proceed, but, we are dealing with an organized citizen's committee here with at least a couple of high profile members. This is more than just a couple of ladies with a tomato plant, and, they were able to lop four floors off the Tomato Building at Main & Vaughan Harvey.
I remain concerned.
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