A proposed 65-unit condo development at the corner of Hillcrest Drive and Hampton Road in Rothesay has left residents divided.
At a packed public hearing at Rothesay High, those who spoke out against the complex cited concerns over traffic, the size of the complex, density and the impact on the character of the area while those in favour brought up the need for this type of development in the town for those looking to downsize.
It’s standing room only at this public hearing at #Rothesay High for the proposed condo complex at 7 Hillcrest Drive pic.twitter.com/8z6oJIiNEC
— Laura Lyall (@LauraLyall) September 14, 2016
The complex would include two 24-unit condo buildings, four 3-unit buildings, two 2-unit buildings, and one 1-unit building.
Shari Foley lives on Hillcrest Drive. She spoke out against the size of the proposed buildings.
“If you go there and you actually stand on the corner, you stand on the sidewalks you really get a different perspective of just how huge those buildings are going to be,” Foley says. “I would think it would be about like dropping a Best Western hotel right in the middle of our homes.”
Steve Palmer and his wife moved back to the town in 2013. He said he was surprised by this project.
“This does not maintain the character and the streetscape, and I haven’t heard anybody talk about the streetscape of this development,” Palmer says. “And it just changes things.”
On the other side, resident Terry Holt, spoke out in favour of the development saying that he has a need for this type of housing. Debbie Henderson says she and her husband are looking at downsizing but haven’t been able to find anything like this project in the town.
“I totally believe this is going to be a mainly seniors’ complex,” says Henderson. “I believe 60-percent of the people that are going to live here will be seniors so we’re not going anywhere in the traffic in the morning.”
The developer for the project, Andrew McKay, says they think that this development is needed. He says they want to do it with as little impact as they can and they are open to looking at design changes.
Rothesay council did not make a decision on rezoning the land, which is currently zoned single family residential, however town staff is on board with the project.
