Pulp mill parking lot proposal referred to Saint John advisory committee following opposition

Irving Pulp & Paper Ltd wants to build a parking lot near its west Saint John pulp mill in the adjacent Wolastoq park to accommodate more workers in the coming years.  (J.D. Irving - image credit)
Irving Pulp & Paper Ltd wants to build a parking lot near its west Saint John pulp mill in the adjacent Wolastoq park to accommodate more workers in the coming years. (J.D. Irving - image credit)

A proposal from Irving Pulp & Paper Ltd. to build a parking lot on part of what is now the west Saint John Wolastoq park has been referred to the city's planning advisory committee amid opposition from local residents.

Council members made the decision Tuesday evening.

A report from city staff offered two options: to refer the proposal to the planning advisory committee for a report and recommendation with a public hearing to be held on a later date; or to deny the application.

The proposal can't proceed without a zoning amendment. It was brought to council in early October, launching a 30-day review period during which residents could send written feedback.

Several residents sent letters to the city objecting strongly to the project.

In the letters, which totalled more than 50 pages, people expressed concerns about the loss of green space and the area's historical significance. Some said they were also worried about the impact of increased traffic on the nearby notorious Simms Corner intersection.

Saint John Coun. Joanna Killen says she hopes residents will continue using their voices and speaking with councillors.
Saint John Coun. Joanna Killen says she hopes residents will continue using their voices and speaking with councillors.

Coun. Joanna Killen said she hopes residents will continue using their voices and speaking with councillors. (Roger Cosman/CBC)

The mill and the parking project are both in Saint John's Ward 1.

One of the ward's councillors, Joanna Killen, said community concerns should be taken seriously.

"It's a special place for a lot of people and hopefully we'll see a lot of them show up at the public hearing," she said.

"I'm really impressed with the organization of the public to come out so early in this process because it is early days and the public hearing probably won't be scheduled until next year."

Preserving green space

Wolastoq Park, overlooking the Reversing Falls Rapids, honours the Wolastoqey name for the St. John River. It includes  walking trails and statues that help tell the story of the area.

J. D. Irving Ltd. owns the land, on which it created the park 20 years ago, and now wants to use some of it for its $1.1-billion "NextGen" project.

Coun. Greg Norton, who represents ward 1, says he hopes a fair, objective and participatory process plays out once the project comes before the Planning Advisory Committee.
Coun. Greg Norton, who represents ward 1, says he hopes a fair, objective and participatory process plays out once the project comes before the Planning Advisory Committee.

Coun. Greg Norton said he hopes a "fair, objective and participatory process" unfolds once the project comes before the planning advisory committee. (Nipun Tiwari/CBC)

The project will add a 20-storey boiler to increase pulp output without the need to buy power outside the plant. The company's website suggests the addition will double the number of workers at the mill during construction.

The site also states the park was chosen because it would "minimize disruption" to traffic and that roughly 70 per cent of the property will remain parkland.

The proposed parking lot would add 500 parking stalls to the south-central portion of the park and a pedestrian overpass to connect the parking site to Mill Road. Access to the parking lot would be from Lancaster Avenue.

The proposal aims for the city to redesignate the areas making up the site from "Park and Natural Area" to "Stable Area" and "Stable Commercial", which would allow for the development. 
The proposal aims for the city to redesignate the areas making up the site from "Park and Natural Area" to "Stable Area" and "Stable Commercial", which would allow for the development.

The proposal requires the city to redesignate the site from 'Park and Natural Area' to 'Stable Area' and 'Stable Commercial.'  (City of Saint John)

Greg Norton, a councillor serving the same ward, said the park's community value comes from its location and its use as a community space.

"It's one of the very first things that you see coming off of a historical corridor and it's one of the first things that you see when you cross the Reversing Falls Bridge. Its proximity to industry certainly draws a contrast," he said.

It's a place where people go to gather and meet and certainly enjoy not only the space, but some of the festivities that we have to offer in the community, such as fireworks."

Killen said she hopes residents will continue using their voices.

"Keep reaching out to us and the city itself because this is part of the process that's very valuable to everybody to know what everyone's thinking about the various proposals in front of us," Killen said.

The property, located adjacent from the Irving Pulp & Paper Ltd. mill on the westside of the city, is owned by J.D. Irving and was turned into park space in 2004.
The property, located adjacent from the Irving Pulp & Paper Ltd. mill on the westside of the city, is owned by J.D. Irving and was turned into park space in 2004.

The property, located adjacent to the Irving Pulp & Paper Ltd. mill, is owned by J.D. Irving and was turned into park space in 2004. (Google Maps)

Norton said he wants to see a "generous, participatory, objective" process play out once it is brought to the planning advisory committee.

"One that encourages both the proponent and the community to come together and at the end of the day create the best win, win scenario that we possibly can," he said.