Emotions ran high during a Saint John council meeting on Monday as residents expressed opposition to expanding an industrial park.
The city has proposed adding more than 1,500 acres of land to the Spruce Lake Industrial Park in the community of Lorneville.
It is described as a once-in-a-generation opportunity by city officials, but many residents who live in the area do not feel the same.
Council heard from many of them during an hours-long public hearing that is set to continue after the Victoria Day long weekend.
Leah Alexander said this is different from the many not-in-my-backyard concerns that councillors often hear from residents.
“We’re not complaining about shade from an apartment complex or increased noise from a new splash pad or fumes from a parking lot,” said Alexander.
“We are not fighting for our backyards. We are standing up for the hundreds of creatures and living things that call this ecosystem home. We are fighting for the protection of our water.”
Concerns from residents
The proposal first came before the city’s planning advisory committee and council several months ago, but council directed staff to create a task force to facilitate further discussions after hearing overwhelming opposition from residents.
Staff came back to council Monday night with an updated application, which includes larger setbacks from residential areas.
Industrial buildings must be at least 250 metres from residential property lines, while any uses considered volatile would have a 500-metre setback. There will also be a permanent natural treed buffer area of 150 metres.
In addition, only “non-emitting industries” — those without smokestacks — would be allowed. Several land uses would be prohibited, asphalt plants, petroleum refineries, metal shredding and scrap or salvage yards.
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Council also heard that of the more than 500 hectares of land they are looking to add to the industrial park, less than half of it would actually be developed at full buildout.
Residents, however, made it clear to council that they were still not on board with the uncertainty surrounding what sort of industry could be going in their community.
They are also concerned about the loss of trees, the impact on wetlands and how any development could affect their well water.
City staff face criticism from residents
But it was a comment made by city staff that Lorneville residents are “very concerned” about wetlands and forests in their area but “less so” elsewhere in the city that drew criticism from a number of presenters.
“I’m sorry, but this is one of the most insulting, belittling and disingenious pieces of city-spun rhetoric in the entire document and it’s completely and utterly false,” said resident Sherry Callwell-McCavour.
“We were very clear in stating that the city should be using land that they have already secured along the King William Road, as well as land that had already been designated as heavy industry.”
Things grew heated later in the meeting after resident Ashley Anthony got into a back-and-forth with Coun. Brent Harris, after finishing her presentation.
“They’re saying that we’re wasting their time. Keep wasting their time. It’s the only thing that you can exercise,” Anthony said to the audience, before turning her attention back to Harris.
“This is what democracy looks like, and if this is a waste of time for you, maybe you shouldn’t be a democratic representative.”
Local MP-elect weighs in
Newly re-elected Conservative MP John Williamson, whose riding of Saint John-Saint Croix now includes Lorneville and all of the city’s west side, was also in attendance but did not speak.
However, Williamson did write a letter to council, urging them not to proceed with the proposal, which he said has too many unanswered questions.
“It is being driven not by public demand or a confirmed economic opportunity, but a speculative industrial development with no identified tenants,” Williamson wrote of the proposal.
“Neither I nor most of my constituents in Lorneville are opposed to growth and economic development. We are asking for a solution that finds a middle ground, which I am confident can be done.”
Public hearing to continue
Council tried to get through the list of speakers in opposition to the proposal on Monday night, but several were still waiting to speak as the meeting approached its 11 p.m. cutoff.
Coun. Greg Norton, who represents the Lorneville area, urged his fellow councillors to give residents more time to express their concerns during a future meeting.
“If council is looking to complete and tie up all the residents’ oppositions this evening, we’re doing a disservice to the Lorneville community,” said Norton, who received applause from those in attendance. “My purpose here is to give them an abundance of time to finish their words and their concerns.”
Council voted to continue the public hearing on May 20. If they do approve the rezoning and municipal plan amendment, the province must still approve the environmental impact assessment application.
