Saint John council has approved a controversial residential development along Sandy Point Road.
That includes a new development condition for the five-storey, 76-unit building near Foster Thurston Drive.
City Planner Mark Reade told council that additional concerns came up about existing stormwater drainage issues in the Lentook Drive area.
The issue involves a natural drainage course located at the northern end of Deerwood Drive. The existing drainage channel directs overland stormwater flow towards the rear yards of dwellings on Lentook Drive.
Reade said as a result, the developer will have to accommodate a higher rainfall intensity than is usually required.
“They will increase that rainfall intensity by 25 per cent beyond what is required,” said Reade.
“What that should do is ensure that downstream conditions are not worsened by the proposed development.”
Staff noted that the overall area draining to that location is “much larger” than the one property in question.
About a dozen people who live near the site spoke out during a public hearing at council in early September.
Concerns raised included traffic, storm drainage and the number of trees that would have to be cut down.
Some of those who spoke also felt there are more appropriate sites for this particular development.
