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SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. —

The proposed expansion of an already controversial housing project in Summerside had residents lining up to voice their opposition Wednesday night.

The development in question is 29 Spruce Dr.

The rezoning of that property, and subsequent construction of a mix of row housing and semi-detached homes, was approved by council last year.

At that time, the then owners, Clifford, Vanessa and Melissa MacQuaid, worked out an uneasy compromise with local residents who were opposed to the development. They offered to build fewer row-houses than they originally intended, settling on 16 units. While some neighbours were still unhappy with the development, it progressed without further notable opposition.

However, the land has since changed hands. The new owners, Abbott & Langille Inc., want to rezone a sliver of land in the middle of the property to a higher density zone. This would allow for more row-housing at the rear of the property. It’s an increase of 14 units, making a total of 30, each with two parking spaces.

“The few (residents) I did hear from were not supportive of the additional units,” said Coun. Bruce MacDougall, who represents the area.

“They’re disappointed this came back because they felt they’d made a good compromise on it.”

Public meeting

More than a dozen residents attended a public meeting on the rezoning Wednesday night and many expressed exasperation with having to have this fight all over again.

Paul Kelly lives in the area and stressed that a neighbourhood like theirs, which is zoned mostly for single-family homes, is not an appropriate place to shoehorn-in a large high-density housing project.

“I really don’t see why we have a set of bylaws in place, R1, R2 and R3, if we’re just going to change them every time we turn around and somebody wants to throw up some buildings,” said Kelly.

Everyone knows there is a housing crisis, he stressed, but that doesn’t mean new developments shouldn’t have to at least try to fit with established neighbourhoods.

One of the proponents, Trevor Abbott, spoke briefly about the project.

He said that it is his company’s intention to build and rent these units over the long-term and that they will be well maintained and cared for.

Council will vote whether to move this request further along in the approval process at its Oct. 1 committee meetings. The meetings start at 5 p.m. but council agreed to hold this item until 6:30 p.m. to give the public the opportunity to attend.

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