A victory for Charlotte County residents who are opposed to a live lobster holding facility in their community.
Sitansisk (St. Mary’s) First Nation sought a variance to build a 7,000-square-foot facility off St. Andrews North Road in Chamcook.
The proposed facility would hold up to 80,000 pounds of lobster that would be destined for market.
Sitansisk wanted the facility to be considered “similar to or compatible with” a light industrial use, which is allowed in the rural zone.
But Saint Andrews’ planning advisory committe (PAC) members voted to reject the variance application on Wednesday night.
Member Annette Harland, who is also a town councillor, points to the overwhelming opposition from area residents.
“They do not believe that this is the right location for this development. They have identified very clear concerns and fears,” said Harland.
“I don’t not believe that this variance application with 12 terms and conditions is similar to or compatible with light industry.”
RELATED: Chamcook residents opposed lobster holding facility
Harland said there has been a significant increase in residential development within the area over the past year.
There are nearly 70 homes with a one-kilometre radius of the proposed facility and no other light industrial uses, she said.
Harland also noted that the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure expressed concerns about the development given the present condition of the road and how narrow it is.
“I support St. Mary’s First Nation’s desire to further develop economic opportunities to support their community and I appreciate the additions made to the application to address noise and light pollution,” she said.
“However, I believe that these measures will mitigate, not eradicate, noise and light pollution.”
More than a dozen residents spoke out against the project during a public meeting in January, concerned about compatibility, traffic safety, poor road conditions, noise and odour.
The Southwest New Brunswick Service Commission initially approved the application in October 2022.
However, it faced an appeal to the province’s Assessment and Planning Appeal Board, which sent the matter back to Saint Andrews’ planning advisory committee.
Town Clerk Paul Nopper said the applicant still has an opportunity to appeal PAC’s latest decision to the board.
“From there, the Province will host an appeals meeting in Saint Andrews with their board to review the meeting, documents, ask questions of the planners, PAC, staff, the applicants, and the public,” Nopper wrote in an email.
From there, the board’s decision could be appealed to the Court of King’s Bench by either the applicant or the public, he said.
