Rothesay Council Approves 55-Lot Development

A proposed 55-lot development in the Sagamore Point area of Rothesay has received the green light from council.

Town council approved an amended developers agreement for the Sagamore Heights subdivision on Monday.

It comes less than a month after nearby residents raised concerns about the proposal during a virtual public meeting.

“There are five amendments addressing phasing, lighting, secondary access, traffic and stormwater management,” Mayor Nancy Grant said during Monday’s meeting.

An overwhelming majority of residents who spoke at the public meeting on Dec. 15 raised concerns about the impact of increased water runoff from the new homes.

Among the changes approved by council, the developer must work with the town to find solutions for “pre-existing offsite stormwater issues” in the area.

John Jarvie, the town manager, said there are benefits to both the developer and the town by working together on this issue.

“In order to get the water from the land that’s being developed to the river, it probably has to cross the existing streets and move through the existing drainage infrastructure,” said Jarvie. “If that’s inadequate then it will have to be addressed in some way or other.”

“That’s what the language is leaning toward is to look at options that could involve upgrading the existing infrastructure as well.”

Developers also heard a number of concerns from residents about tree and vegetation removal for the project.

The new agreement will prevent the developer from removing trees on the rear seven metres of proposed building lots until a building permit is issued for the lot “except where removal is necessary to facilitate the construction of municipal services, including stormwater infrastructure and public streets.”

It also addresses concerns raised by residents about traffic, along with and light pollution caused by streetlights and driveway lights.

“Staff have endeavoured to address many of the issues raised by the public living in the vicinity of the development,” said a staff report to council.

A lack of green space as part of the development was also brought up by a number of residents during December’s public meeting.

The subdivision plan includes a 1/4 acre neighbourhood park/playground, but some residents felt like that was not enough.

According to the town, the developer would be required to set aside 2.44 acres to be used as lands for public purpose.

In addition to the park/playground, the developer has agreed to provide 1.02 acres of land parcels at Maliseet Drive and River Road, along with 14.68-acre water lot on the Kennebecasis River.

This “water lot” parcel is deemed essential to the current and future upgraded sewage treatment plant facility including the effluent pipeline infrastructure that runs through that water lot parcel,” said a previous report to council.

“Staff agree that the water lot is not “green space” however staff believe that there is recreational value especially recreational boating.”

Deputy Mayor Matt Alexander said he thinks the process has been an excellent example of how a developer, town staff, council and residents can work together.

“We were able to hear from residents what their concerns were, we have a developer who’s very willing to work with the residents and to do things right, and we have town staff who have really gone a long way into incorporating a lot of details into the development agreement,” said Alexander.

The developers have said they hope to begin construction during the winter. It would be completed in six phases over the next six to eight years, depending on market conditions.