Construction concerns
Montague residents nervous over possibility of condominium development
Rumours of an upcoming condominium development have some residents of a Montague street feeling uneasy.
Residents of Locust Street brought their concerns forward during council’s monthly meeting on Monday.
Michael Pagé, who spoke on behalf of several residents, said the property owner previously asked about getting the parcel rezoned for larger development in 2016 while the town was re-drawing its official plan.
However, that request did not go any further, and the property’s current zoning only allows for a duplex at most. Pagé said while he was told last week by the town that no building permit had been submitted for the property, the owner has recently cut down the trees on the parcel.
“As well, a contractor at the site was recently overheard saying that he was doing all the work ‘except for the concrete.’
“This suggests that construction is imminent,” said Pagé, adding that residents also heard the owner was preparing a waiting list for condo investors.
“His confidence that the town will approve rezoning is very disturbing.”
Pagé read several town policies that he said showed a condominium would be at odds with the residential area.
Pagé said council also had a “duty to remain impartial and fairly consider all arguments for and against rezoning” and that the needs of a “quiet residential neighbourhood and a commercially-driven condominium are not compatible”.
“Building a condominium does not represent an end to our problems on Locust Street, but the beginning of them,” said Pagé.
Town CAO Andy Daggett said while the property owner wanted it rezoned in 2016 there was never a formal application.
Daggett said he had not talked to the owner about any development since then and that he didn’t realize the property was being clear-cut until it was recently brought to his attention.
“As far as I know he’s clearing a piece of property so he can picnic… we can’t go on speculation,” said Daggett. “I have no idea what he’s got planned. I certainly haven’t heard anything about condominiums down there.”
Daggett also noted that the town could not act on anything until it received a rezoning application and detailed plan. At that point, the request would first go to planning board to decide on whether council should entertain the request.
Coun. Jim Bagnall, who chairs the town’s planning board, also said there had been no discussions about development on the site since 2016.
“We said (in 2016) we’re not going to entertain anything unless we see a plan in front of us… and we’ve seen nothing since then. That’s where it stands,” said Bagnall. “I can assure you nothing will be rubber-stamped here. I can assure you that the bylaws will be followed to the letter and if there is an application that comes in for a change of zoning there is a process… and I can guarantee you the process will be followed.”