City council rejects Synod West Wetland development

Subdivision project halted in its tracks with sudden vote

St. John’s city council stopped a proposed housing development off Penney Crescent on Monday night, denying rezoning.

Coun. Art Puddister led the charge, motioning to have a notice-of-motion period waved and then pushing to a vote. He called on other council members to vote against the proposed development by Powderhouse Hill.

Puddister said there was no need to put area residents through the “hardship and torment” of being without a decision on the matter.

A public meeting on the proposed development had been scheduled for Tuesday night, but postponed at the request of the developer. It had yet to be rescheduled.

Some area residents have been outspoken against the project. The project was proposed for wetland owned by the Anglican Church – Diocesan Synod of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador. The church is not involved, other than having an agreement for sale to the developer upon rezoning, should the proposal obtain approval.

Multiple councillors expressed frustration with being unable to permanently keep development from happening on the private property.

At one point, Coun. Jonathan Galgay suggested allowing a previously planned public meeting to go ahead, but encourage a boycott of the meeting, leaving only the potential developer in the room.

Council was warned by staff against acting in bad faith.

Deputy Mayor Ron Ellsworth, in the chair as acting mayor, emphasized any vote halting the currently proposed development was not a rejection of future proposals for the site.

“There is no ability for us to shut down any future attempts to rezone this property,” Ellsworth said.

Coun. Sandy Hickman offered similarly cautious commentary. “This is about ownership and zoning,” he said, before putting forward the suggestion the city purchase the property or negotiate for its use.

Coun. Danny Breen noted the city has budgeted for a wetlands study in 2018 and would be in a better position to explore any related policy as the study is completed.

A subdivision project for the site was put to council in 2012. Early response led to costly consultant work by the would-be developer.

“If he wants to come to a future council,” Puddister said, “well, that’s his decision.”