Changing with the times
Developers hope to add new housing options to the mix in Port aux Basques
Condominiums may be old news on the Avalon Peninsula, but the fact that they’re being proposed in Port aux Basques shows the province’s booming economy has far-reaching effects.
Newland Developments recently pitched the idea of building an eight-unit condominium to the Port aux Basques town council.
Owner Chad Strickland wants to build on two lots in the town’s newest subdivision. The proposal has brought praise from residents looking to downsize and those who say the town desperately needs more housing options.
At the same time, it’s drawing flak from some homeowners in the subdivision who say it’s not the place for multi-unit housing.
“If this goes ahead it would be a year’s work for 10 guys,” said Strickland. “It creates work in town and brings people back to town.”
He has told council that if the project is approved, he hopes to do other housing developments in the town.
Mayor Brian Button noted that there are no town bylaws on how condo corporations would work and council is taking its time before it approves or denies the proposal.
Newland’s condominium proposal wasn’t the only pitch the Port aux Basques town council received this year. At the same council meeting in January, a former resident of Port aux Basques working in Alberta proposed a 12-unit rental complex made up of two-storey homes and basement apartments.
Guy Munden studied architecture in university and has designed the apartments in the style of colourful St. John’s row housing. He wants to build on a section of land he owns in the Grand Bay East section of town.
His proposal has three phases. Phase 1 is the rental complex. Phase 2 would involve more apartments, while Phase 3 would be a home modelled after a traditional Newfoundland dory — meant to pay homage to local shipbuilders and to reflect the practices and techniques of boat building.
“Each building has its own style, but together they would combine to help establish the character of the site as a whole,” said Munden. “If approved, this project will be more than the sum of the floors, walls and roofs, and it will hopefully reflect the respect of my heritage and my appreciation of the ocean.”
His proposal is drawing criticism from nearby homeowners, whose concerns include runoff from parking lots, the smell from garbage dumpsters, increased noise and
If this goes ahead it would be a year’s work for 10 guys. It creates work in town and brings people back to town.
Chad Strickland, Newland Developments
crime and a decline in property values.
Councillors, meanwhile, seem to be cautiously open to both proposals.
Coun. Bill Bailey said both developments fill a niche in the housing market. He said older folks downsizing into apartments and condos would free up larger family homes for young families while retaining the tax base for the town. “It works full circle for everyone,” he said. Button said while councillors have not made a decision, and won’t until their concerns are addressed, he is open to development in the town and he wants to work with developers to make sure these sorts of projects don’t slip away.
“I’m not saying … that I’m totally in favour of the developments, but I’m not opposed to the developments either,” said the mayor.
“I am open to the developments, to find out where the developers want to go and find out more details. We, as council, are going to have assurances of what type of properties these will be, if approved.”