Sundara developer insists no change in seniors’ development

Developer Jason Trask insists the Sundara project still isn’t going to be a personal care home, despite renewed interest among anti-government critics, and another public zoning meeting scheduled in Mount Pearl.

The Sundara project has been under close scrutiny because it is partly owned by Premier Dwight Ball, although his assets have been placed in a blind trust for more than a month.

Originally supposed to be a condominium project, it’s now on track to be what Trask calls an “assisted living” apartment building for seniors, providing basic services, but not a fullblown personal care home.

“We’re not opening a personal care home,” Trask said, when The Telegram called. “We’re not getting government money.”

Mount Pearl has posted a public notice about an upcoming meeting concerning Trask’s application for “personal care use” zoning, but Trask said that’s just an unfortunate matter of municipal terminology.

“I have no idea who came up with the phrase ‘personal care use,’ but I have a feeling whoever came up with that, whenever they came up with it, probably only contemplated personal care homes years ago when they came up with this phrase,” he said, adding that the catch-all zoning classification is also necessary for his project’s “assisted living” scheme.

Nonetheless, the zoning notice has been drawing attention on Facebook groups like “Free NL” and “Dwight Ball’s Government SUCKS & Should Resign” where people angry with the Liberal administration congregate.

“Remember when Dwight Ball said, back in April, that Sundara would not receive government funding and there was no conflict of interest because it would be an Assisted Living Facility and NOT a Personal Care Home?” activist Adam Pitcher posted.

“Well this application says Personal Care Use.”

“We’re not opening a personal care home. We’re not getting government money.” Jason Trask, developer