Hear this story as reported on Tantramar Report:
Memramcook village councillors got a standing ovation last week after rejecting a proposed rezoning that would have allowed for another gravel pit to be constructed on a property along route 925, or rue Principale.
The council voted unanimously to turn down the application after hearing from property owner Rino Savoie and Plan 360 planner Phil Robichaud, who continued to recommended in favour of the proposed rezoning, with specific conditions attached.
After the meeting, Memramcook mayor Maxime Bourgeois explained that the location of the proposed gravel pit in a growing agritourism area, as well as the potential disruption to close neighbours in the rural area, were reasons he voted against. If the proposal had been for Dieppe or Moncton, “there’s no way that they would have allowed that type of development close to houses,” said Bourgeois. “Yes, we are a rural community, but I don’t think that stops residents of having a quiet lifestyle.”
Bourgeois says that although he voted against the request, he doesn’t think that Plan 360 planner Phil Robichaud and the Southeast Planning Review and Advisory Committee (PRAC), erred in their recommendation. That’s because they were bound by an 8 year old municipal plan, says Bourgeois.
“It’s outdated, so we need to look at it and really figure out what kind of development we want, where,” said Bourgeois.
“Pre-COVID pandemic, the market was definitely not what it is now,” said Bourgeois. “Memramcook was sort of desperate for any type of development at that time. So I think now we’re in a new reality where not only we can, but we need to be strategic about what kind of development we want and where on our territory.”
Christo van Vuuren lives across from the proposed gravel pit at the Crow and Vine Winery (formerly Latitude 46) which he bought this past year with his partner. The pair have plans to develop it for tourists and locals.
“Everyone’s lives would have been impacted if the decision went the other way,” said van Vuuren after the meeting. “What an awesome force of community,” he said, “coming together, and just supporting what we feel is right for the development of Memramcook.”
Neighbour Marlene Robertson said she was happy and relieved, but also surprised at the outcome. “I thought that it would go in through the second vote, and we’d have to fight a little harder,” said Robertson, whose property borders the proposed pit, and who detailed the impact of the construction site during a public hearing in October.
“I’m very pleased that they could see where we were suffering with all this,” said Robertson.
“I hope we can work with the developer,” said Robertson’s husband Donald Parker, “so that he’s not at a total loss.”
Mike and Patty Johnston are also neighbours of the property that was being considered for rezoning.
“It restores your faith in the system,” said Mike Johnston. “Because I really wasn’t having much faith in the beginning. But as time went on, things looked to be better.” As an anglophone, Johnston says he “didn’t understand a word that was being said,” in the village council meeting, but was able to follow the mood. “Every time the main group started clapping, I figured that was positive for us as a whole,” he said.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against progress,” said Johnston. “The whole area is growing, everybody can see that. And construction is going to happen and things are going to change. I just feel that that was not the right area.”
“You’re right along the Petitcodiac River,” says Johnston. “It’s basically a tourist attraction… The wineries are there, the apple orchards are there. The roads weren’t designed for that type of equipment to be on those roads. It’s just not the right spot.”
Disbelief at the council’s decision carried over to the proponent’s side. Pulse Excavating owner Rino Savoie told CHMA that he was baffled as to why the rezoning was rejected after his company accepted the conditions recommended by the PRAC. Savoie said he believed that his proposed pit would not have increased heavy truck traffic on route 925, because now his trucks will go to neighbouring pits to get their gravel.
“It’ll be the same traffic,” said Savoie. “It’s just that the profit from that will be in his pocket instead of ours.”
“I’m still shocked that it didn’t go through,” said Savoie last week, “but I’ll have to live with the consequences, I guess.”
