Y Service Club proposal not getting warm reception

Nearby residents bring up problems

“In short, I’m very concerned with the additional traffic in this already very busy traffic area, noise, garbage, late-night parking with lots of lights and pedestrian traffic through. All these potentially affect residents quiet enjoyment of their homes.”

Brent Schurman

A proposal by the Summerside Y Service Club to rezone its two buildings in the city centre is not getting a warm welcome from neighbours.

The club is looking to divest itself of one of the buildings in question, 180 Granville St., and would like to keep its options open on the second, 212 Green St.

Both properties are currently zoned for institutional use, but the club believes if they were changed to a “limited commercial” zone they’d be more attractive to prospective buyers.

“We don’t want our building, as it has happened with some of the other buildings, to become vacant and a derelict building,” said Ron Perry, past president of the club, in a recent interview.

“We want the money to go back and benefit the community, one way or another.”

But residents living near the properties, brought up a host of problems they see with the club’s plan at a public meeting Tuesday night.

Most of the concerns revolved around their past experience with the nearby Needs convenience store on Granville Street, which has the same zoning the club is proposing for its buildings.

They say the store has detracted from the neighbourhood, creating light and noise pollution and increased traffic 24-hours-a-day, among other problems.

Those in attendance said they didn’t want to see more commercial space in the predominantly residential and institutional area that could lead to a repeat of the Needs situation.

Local resident Brent Schurman wrote a letter to council outlining his concerns, which were mirrored by several other people who also wrote letters or stood to speak at Tuesday’s meeting.

“In short, I’m very concerned with the additional traffic in this already very busy traffic area, noise, garbage, late-night parking with lots of lights and pedestrian traffic through. All these potentially affect residents quiet enjoyment of their homes,” said Schurman.

“I have a relationship with the YMCA … and I certainly sympathize with them wanting to get as much as they can out of their property, however, they’ll be gone at some point and we’ll be left there,” he added.

The Y Service Club’s applications will now move to the city’s planning board for review and discussion.