TRURO - Truro town council has approved substantial expansion of a Charles Street home.
A public hearing for the expansion of 5 - 7 Charles St. was heard at council on Monday afternoon. The application by Donovan Properties was to expand the existing two unit converted dwelling to a two-storey seven unit dwelling.
The property is at the northeast corner of Dominion and Charles streets. A formal application was originally submitted to the town in January but the planning advisory committee had concerns and asked the proposal to be reworked.
At issue were the lack of an accurate survey plan, proximity to Dominion Street and density of the property.
The new proposal addressed all those issues, including ensuring the development would be set 19 feet back from Dominion Street. The area is predominantly residential with mostly single-family homes and two-unit conversions.
Troy Chaisson, one of the property owners, told the Truro Daily News after the proposal was approved that he was not surprised with council's decision.
"I expected this. I'm very happy," Chaisson said, adding a benefit is that it "will increase the property value."
Donald Harvey manages an abutting property and agreed with Chaisson that the development "is great."
The only concern Harvey originally had was that he didn't want light shining in on the apartment he manages once the changes to Chaisson's property were complete. Chaisson said a hedge or fence can be erected so that excess lighting won't be a concern.
A questionnaire regarding the proposal was sent to all property owners within 750 feet of 5-7 Charles St. during the summer. Of the 168 questionnaires sent, there were only 30 replies. Of the responses, 60 per cent were in favour, while 23 per cent were opposed, 10 per cent had no opinion and six per cent had comments only.
There is an appeal period of 14 days once an ad goes in this paper. If no appeals come forward, the project will continue.
mchiasson@trurodaily.com
