TRURO – Flooding, traffic and the view plain were issues raised by residents opposing the addition of a pair of apartment buildings, containing 102 units, in Truro’s floodplain.
“The whole area floods,” said Lynn Jones. “Every year when it rains we now expect flooding … I’m not 100 years old and I’ve been through many floods.”
The Halifax resident, who owns property on Cross Street and grew up in the area, was speaking Thursday during a Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board appeal hearing regarding Truro Town Council’s decision to approve a development agreement to Ron Wallace Realty earlier this year.
The developer proposed constructing two buildings (one containing 39 units and the other 63) at 16 Park St. that would front on Marshland Drive.
Wallace said flooding would happen in the area if his project moves forward or not. Because it’s in a floodplain, where it is expected to flood once every 100 years, Wallace would have to flood-proof the buildings by raising the property, similar to the apartment buildings he already owns on Marshland Dr.
“Anything that is built below the flood area is going to flood,” Wallace said.
URB Chairman Murray Doehler reserved his decision following a full day of evidence.
North Street resident Robert Jordan said there is not one big thing residents are against with the proposal, but a “bunch” of little things.
“We are not against development on the floodplain,” he said. “We are against large bulky buildings.”
Residents also said adding 100 units would impact traffic and a five-storey building would take away from the view of the Cobequid Mountains. They said the only thing the apartment buildings were consistent with in the area were Wallace’s existing buildings on Marshland Dr.
Retired lawyer Rocky Jones represented the Marshland Residents Group, which appealed the town’s decision. He questioned whether a specific study regarding flooding had to be done based on a section of the Municipal Government Act.
“It’s clear to me … we’re supposed to have these studies,” he said.
Director of planning Jas Fox said while a study has not been done specifically for the development an area-wide study of the floodplain was done in 1998.
“I’m not sure if that’s consistent with the intent of the provincial interest statements but that’s the approach taken. It’s been reviewed by the minister and, it’s been signed off on by the minister,” he said. “That study applies to all development that takes place within the flood plain.”
Jones said the study would determine if the development would increase flooding in the area or change the flood flow patterns.
There were also questions regarding how Wallace acquired the property.
“It is the contention of the group the land in question … was put up and sold by the town to develop this development… and the community had no say,” Jones said.
Doehler ruled how the land was acquired was outside his jurisdiction for the hearing.
jmalloy@trurodaily.com
