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Despite previous failed rezoning attempts, Lafford is confident this time will go differently, mostly because of the state of the rental housing market. \u201cThere’s no housing, zero supply,” says Lafford. “I feel very strong and very confident that we’re going to get the nod from the council just based on that alone, without any bias of what developer, and who’s doing what, where, and how.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before Tantramar council voted on whether or not to consider Lafford\u2019s two applications on Tuesday, they heard a presentation from the owner of a neighbouring building, Alexandrya Eaton, who told council she has concerns about the scale and location of Lafford\u2019s proposal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis has always been a very quiet part of town and a historic area, with lots of surrounding natural green space,\u201d said Eaton. \u201cWe take great pride in maintaining our property. It is therefore of grave concern that a six-storey building, which would make it the highest building in town\u2014and with underground parking so effectively seven storeys visible from the waterfowl park in the back\u2014could be built just ten feet from our property line.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eaton described issues with current residents of 131 Main crossing her property as a shortcut to Mount Allison, and recent graffiti on her property. Lafford says that there are currently about 15 people renting rooms in the historic building which fronts on Main Street, mostly students making use of the meal plan at Mount Allison. He has not asked to change the zoning for that building, which he hopes to eventually convert into a hotel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But Eaton\u2019s concerns extend beyond the current use of 131 Main. She told council there would be safety issues with the new development, with the increased traffic coming from 71 new apartment units, and potentially difficult emergency access for the proposed building. She was particularly concerned about the height and scale of the building, which she says could alter views and sightlines for the worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis proposed concrete building will be visible from every viewpoint in town,\u201d said Eaton. \u201cIt will tower a full three storeys above the tree line, effectively changing the landscape. And it will be visible from every view of the Waterfowl Park, causing considerable noise and light pollution, and posing serious threats to wildlife and waterfowl.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n So far the only rendering of the building available is a preliminary drawing with no context showing how it fits in to its surroundings. Lafford says that he will have more drawings available in time for the public hearing on the proposal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere are other lots in town that are better suited to this kind of development,\u201d Eaton told council. \u201cWe do not need a luxury high rise apartment building. What we need are small affordable single family dwellings suitable for young families and senior citizens.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Lafford does own other lots in town, including a small lot on Main Street where he recently tore down a small apartment building due to its age and condition. He says he wants to build on the 131 Main property because, \u201cI think it’s a great place for somebody to live. It’s beautiful. You\u2019re going to be on a walking trail, a national walking trail that gets recognized all over. Why not? Why not promote Sackville with a really great place to come and live?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n But Eaton is concerned about the views from the very same walking trail. \u201dThe beauty, historic charm, and nature that draw people to our small town are in jeopardy,\u201d she told council. \u201cThe views and sightlines from the Swan Pond and Waterfowl Park should not be underestimated.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lafford dismissed concerns about views from the Waterfowl Park, and focussing instead on the views from the apartment windows that he hopes to build. \u201cOn the backside you’re getting 30 to 35 units of beautiful view,\u201d says Lafford. \u201cYou’re actually enhancing somebody’s life. I don’t see where the argument is. I personally don’t see it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n With two applications to be considered by council, there is always the potential for the rezoning to be approved but not the increase in allowable height. Lafford says the extra storey made possible by the extension to 65 feet will help make his concrete structure feasible. \u201cYou need scale in order to do what we’re going to do there,\u201d explains Lafford.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lafford says he decided to go with a concrete build because for the past number of years his company has been building concrete buildings in Moncton, and his company also owns its own concrete form business. Concrete buildings are generally considered safer and less combustible than wooden structures, but they also have a higher carbon footprint because the process to form concrete releases greenhouse gasses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lafford feels strongly that the opposition to his proposal comes from a predictable group, who he says are focussed on the negative. And besides, he says, if someone else wanted to buy 131 Main, they could have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat building sat vacant for a year and a half,\u201d says Lafford. \u201cThat beautiful property was starting to look bad. And that was in jeopardy of a bunch of things happening to it, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, not just anyone could have afforded the heritage property. Lafford purchased 131 Main last spring for $780,000, just slightly more than its previous sale price in 2009, but well below its listed asking price of $1.2 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The building had been vacant since the previous February, when a number of people were evicted from the property by court order in relation to zoning and building safety violations. Since taking ownership, Lafford says he has invested in sprinkler and fire alarm systems to make the building safe as a rooming house, which is allowed under Sackville\u2019s unique Residential Historic Commercial zone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lafford is not particularly worried about the upcoming public hearing on the project. He feels as a resident of Sackville for his whole life, he has a sense of the place. \u201cI’m not saying I know Sackville 100%,\u201d says Lafford. \u201cAnd I’m not going to speak on behalf of everybody\u2026 But I’m very confident, when we do make decisions like this and put things forward, that I’m not just representing myself. I think there’s a good group of people that would support things that we’re trying to do here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The public hearing on the project is scheduled for June 27 at 3pm at Sackville town hall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.chmafm.com\/welcome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/IMG_1957.png\")
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