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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2023-09-07_Wilson, Peggy_Letter read at COW 2023-09-07Council meeting Sept 7,2023 I'm here today to discuss the issues that I have with the process of granting a permit for the proposed hotel on Valley Road. This will come as no surprise to Councilor Wells as I've expressed my opinions to him in the past. Also, it will come as no surprise to the Municipality's development officer as our discussion has been ongoing since early 2022. I respect people who put themselves forward in service to their community whether that is a person elected or employed by our Municipal government. If my tone comes across differently it is because of frustration not disrespect. I will share a brief timeline that will give some insight to the unnecessary frustration that has led to the aggrieved feelings that I as well as many of my neighbours are experiencing. In April 20221 went to the planning department to inquire about the demolition of a house on Valley Road . At that time I was told that a development permit had been granted but there was no additional information available. By early May the rumor mill was rife with talk of a proposed 31 room hotel for that location. Again, I went to the planning department and was informed that a hotel was in fact proposed for that location but there was no information that could be shared with the public. May 8, 2022, 1 wrote Councilor Wells asking for his assistance in obtaining information about the development. In that email I stated I was not opposed to the hotel but needed clarification on several concerns which I broke down into water, sewer, traffic, street scape, ventilation noise, light pollution and many more, so he would have an indication of where I was coming from. I received no response. May 18, 1 attended a presentation on Build Form & Character- Defining Elements Study for the Village of Chester. In the document that resulted in "What we heard" it was stated, "for new commercial uses (e.g. the proposed Hotel) look to encourage something that reflects the Village, not a generic chain concept style". After that meeting I again sent an email to Derek Wells. Again, no response. At that point I completed an online form under the Freedom of Information Act requesting information on the hotel. When the request was received by the Municipality I was contacted by ,Mr. Dan Pittman, records manager, informing me that my request was unnecessary as the information package was available to the public from the Planning dept. At that point I was given a picture of the proposed hotel, configuration of rooms and Apts. As well as elevation. Nothing more was available. In the initial email I sent to Mr. Wells, I stated I was not opposed to the idea of a hotel and that I believed Chester was in need of additional accommodation. I was straight forward in my request asking if he could get any clarification on the development and if he could meet with the Municipality, lead us to believe that a development of that size would not be considered given the Village's water situation!!! When I asked the development officer if there was any appeal process that could be explored in regards to the hotel permit she informed me that there was not. I'm astounded that there is not. In the draft of the revised Land use Bylaw it is stated that "depending on the approval process some decisions of the development officer can be appealed either to council or the Nova Scotia Utility Review Board as specified in the Municipal Govt. Act. Was that just written into the Municipal Govt. Act or was it an omission from our existing Land use Bylaw. What I don't understand is, was the development officer misinformed or were we deliberately misled. I think a great deal of the problems now and going forward relate to development permits vs development agreements. This will continue as both are deeply flawed. The development permit which is up to the development officer solely based on the Land use Bylaw and strategic plan: This is where we need to make sure the land use Bylaws and strategic plan are tightened up to ensure there are checks and balances. Can you imagine that even in the proposed draft Secondary plan there is No requirement for any green technology, any catchment systems, nothing other than a well to be used for the development. I lived in Brisbane where if a developer was to start a new development they had to add to the public art in that city. We can't even ask that they respect our scarce natural resource of water! !! The development agreements, which is council driven with community input. There are 6 MODC councilors to Chester's only one councilor. This poses a great risk to those of us who live in the village. Any of the discussion during community involvement sessions is basically out the window when councilors from outside the village votes a development through regardless of what the village residents want. Chester is a cash cow and has always been seen as such. Given this I don't think our best interests are always taken into consideration. I'm asking that you seriously consider the part you've all played in this situation. From the time the development permit was granted April 10, 2022 to June 28 2023 when the building permit was the granting you had ample time to address this situation but you chose not to. You've created more angst by not being open, by not having a discussion that the residents of Chester were asking for. I am not just pointed fingers at Mr. Wells. Each of you has known the concerns residents have about water and this development and did nothing to alter the course of this situation! There have been conversations about where fault lies in this regard . Make no mistake about it - none of that is directed at the developer. It clearly sits at the feet of council. It is the conclusion of many residents that due diligence was not taken by the Planning Department or by council to mitigate the fallout of this situation. To date council has never even acknowledged the hotel. Shame on you all for allowing this to happen without input from the community. You'd do good to remember that trust lost is hard to regain. Thank you for allowing me this time.