North Nova Seafoods seeking rezoning to establish retail fish market

A public hearing will be held in early July for the rezoning of land on Pine Tree Road.

North Nova Seafoods, which currently has a retail outlet in the Visitor Information Centre, has applied to the town an area on Pine Tree Road, located near the new roundabout, rezoned from residential to commercial.

The rezoning would be done to allow for the establishment of a retail fish market. During a meeting Tuesday between North Nova Seafood owner Paul Logan and neighbouring property owners, it was determined that the next step in the process will be for a site plan to be completed, which will detail the specifics of the building, such as size, traffic and parking.

The public meeting will take July 10 at Pictou town council during which time people can express their concerns or support for the rezoning.

Logan said during the meeting in town council chambers with neighbouring landowners and the town’s developer that the plans are in the very early stages, but it would be a retail operation only, meaning fish processing would continue to take place at his plant in Caribou.

He said if the rezoning is approved and he is successful in obtaining a development permit, he may clear some land on the site this year. Some concerns were expressed by neighbouring property owners about increased traffic to the area, waste removal and parking. However, Logan said the retail business’s hours would be similar to what takes place at the visitor information centre and parking would probably be in the rear of the building.