Saint John is looking to potentially sell four pieces of city-owned land.
Common Council voted last week to declare the properties as surplus.
However, several councillors expressed concern with one piece of land in particular.
The property at 1671 Sandy Point Road is located near Harrigan Lake in Rockwood Park.
“While I appreciate it is zoned as park land, I can’t vote to say it’s surplus,” said Coun. Gary Sullivan.
Fellow councillors Paula Radwan and Barry Ogden also expressed similar views about the property.
Councillors David Hickey, Gerry Lowe, Greg Norton, and Greg Stewart voted in favour of the motion.
A staff report said a recent review of the city’s land assets identified properties that “may be ready for sale for the purpose of re-development.”
This is not the first time the property on Sandy Point Road has been the target of possible development.
Back in 2008, a proposal came forward that would have seen 160 units built on the property.
Staff recommended in 2011 that residential development be allowed in some areas of Sandy Point Road, including the property in question. However, council voted against the motion and decided to rezone 1671 Sandy Point Road as park zone.
In late 2017, the council at the time considered rezoning the land from park to mid-rise residential. Staff said a 60-unit development on the site could bring in as much as $211,500 in annual tax revenue.
However, Sullivan later put forward a motion to stop the process, saying there was simply too much public opposition. His motion was passed with a 6-4 vote.
Other properties declared surplus include the former Millidgeville fire station and Hilton Belyea Arena, which council voted to close in 2020, as well as the city works depot on Boars Head Road.
A city spokesperson declined to say what will happen to these pieces of property now that they have been declared surplus.
“Any additional details pertaining to these properties will be made available when it is appropriate to do so,” the spokesperson said in an email.
