Quiet concerns
Residents worry Cavendish cottage development will increase traffic and noise in their area
The applicants behind a proposed cottage development will be working with neighbours to address concerns of increased traffic and noise.
Residents had a chance to give input on a proposed rezoning from rural to resort accommodations to allow for a development of 30 cottages on the lot, which is located behind Sunset Campground and next to Eagles Glenn golf course, during the Cavendish resort municipality’s meeting in North Rustico Lions Club Wednesday night. While no residents spoke during the meeting, neighbours of the approximate eight-acre development quietly expressed their concerns to the developer following the meeting.
“They’re concerned it could be noisy but they’re going to be four-star cottages and they’re going to be well-run,” said Bill Hogg, who previously owned the campground and is now helping the new owner through the development process. “I’m assuming this will be well-run, and they know I’ll be in their corner to make sure that it’s done properly.”
The proposed development would consist of 30 rental cottages, an office, laundry room, pool and utility building. The current owner of the campground is making sure the parcel can be rezoned before selling the land to friend Jennifer Xu, who will develop the cottages.
Another cottage owner questioned why the applicants would not purchase a current group of cottages for sale in North Rustico, which would include a water view.
Xu said she previously had cottages in Stanhope but wanted to be located in Cavendish.
“It’s a nice place with lots of people, when they come here (to P.E.I.) the first place they go to is Cavendish,” said Xu.
An email submission from Sandi Lowther, chairwoman of the Tourism Cavendish Beach Association, was also read.
“Any new quality accommodation development in the destination is a good approach for our municipality to support,” said Lowther, who also operates Fairways Cottages with her husband, Scott. “Scott and I whole-heartedly support the rezoning.”
Even if council allows the rezoning, the development will still be subject to a permit process that includes a public meeting.
Planner David Hume, who gave a presentation on the development, said there is still a lengthy process involved and that the development would likely not see any broken ground until late next year.
Residents can still submit written comments on the rezoning through mail, email or fax to the municipality up until Wednesday, Oct. 4.