ABCO location on Tannery Road , Lunenburg
A group of Lunenburg residents are alarmed about possible development at the ABCO location.
The concerns stems from a request that came to council from the developer asking for a letter stating the town has no objection to the proposal.
As drafted, the proposal would require infilling portions of the harbour surrounding ABCO to Burns Island to erect several three level, mixed commercial/residential buildings.
The proposed development would require part of the Lunenburg Harbour on Tannery Road to be in-filled.
George Wyatt with Save Our Lunenburg says the group is distributing flyers to get the word out.
“Well, we produced the flyer largely because we ran into a lot of people in town that didn’t know this was occurring. So we’re just trying to create awareness at this point in time. People are going to have differing opinions and they’re entitled to those opinions.”
Wyatt says the group also wants to see the historic tone of the town and the environment are protected.
He says while the group isn’t against development they just want to ensure the development is in character with the town.
Wyatt says the town is not providing residents enough information about the proposed development at the ABCO site.
“There’s a lot of unknowns associated with the project so we really need to have better disclosure and full consultation on this. And it appears the town has not followed the consultation process.”
He says at the end of the day, people fear what they don’t understand and Save Our Lunenburg wants more disclosure from council.
Meanwhile, the town’s mayor says the development is just an idea at this point.
Rachel Bailey says no development plan or permit applications have been submitted to the town.
If and when that happens, the development process will have to go through all three levels of government and several regulatory conditions before it can proceed.
“They are opportunities in that process for public consultation and for consideration of what is actually being proposed and we are not nearly to that point.”
Bailey says a concept drawing was presented to council when proponents asked the town for letter indicating they had no objection to a development.
“I understand that this is out there and people are concerned and they want to know where we are, and the truth of it is, we’re still trying to figure it out.”
Bailey says this is the first time a developer has come to council with a proposal to infill part of the harbour.
She says council and staff needed time to ensure they understood their legal authority and what the process needs to be around this type of development.
Bailey says she understands the community’s concerns, but at this point, all council has seen are some concept drawings with no official development proposal.
Reported by: Ed Halverson
Twitter: @edwardhalverson
E-mail: halverson.ed@radioabl.ca
