Council shoots down multi-unit developments for Main Street

The third time was not a charm for Mohammed Selim. And the Sackville resident said he is becoming increasingly perplexed as to why his development plans continue to be shot down by a town council who has approved other similar multi-unit developments.

Selim, who re-submitted a proposal for a third time Monday night for construction of a three-storey 12-unit dwelling on his property at 242 Main Street, said he is baffled as to why council continually argues against his plans by saying the area is largely residential. He said the property faces the towns main road and has other high-density housing as well as institutional properties in the vicinity.

Selims original plans were to construct a 12-unit dwelling and attach it to the existing three-unit structure on the property. His latest proposal amends the original submission by detaching the multi-unit structure from the existing house.

But in a unanimous vote Monday night, town council shot down the resubmitted application, insisting the .651 acre site is too small for both a multi-unit apartment building and a three-unit structure.

Council also unanimously shot down another development proposal from Selim, who had hoped to construct a 12-unit building at 346 Main Street, located across from the Donald Harper Road.

I am not proposing to build these on subdivisions or in highly-residential areas, he argued. These are proposed for along the side of the main road and are already high-density residential.

To construct a multi-unit building on either of these properties, approval would need to first be given for a rezoning of the sites from R1 to R3, a move council says they are not prepared to take.

Ive never really been in favour of spot rezoning and I am going to oppose this because it would be a large building in a mainly residential area, said Coun. Virgil Hammock of the proposal for 346 Main Street.

Ron Aiken agreed with Hammocks arguments, stating that many residents in that neighbourhood are against the development because of concern over increased traffic and noise.

But Selim said he is frustrated with councils stance because his property at 346 Main Street is already surrounded by land that is zoned R3, with construction of a 12-unit seniors complex well under way.

Mayor Jamie Smith said a housing study is currently being conducted in the community to outline the types of housing needed in the area; but he did note that council would like to see the Middle Sackville/Main Street area remain mostly residential.

But Selim told the members of council he simply wants them to give him a better idea of what type of development they might approve for his properties.

If not a three-storey, then perhaps a two-storeyor if not 12 units, then maybe some units? I just wish I would know so that I will not keep coming forward and wasting my time and wasting your time, he said.