Spruce Lake Industrial Park expansion moves to next stage

A controversial industrial park expansion proposed for the Lorneville neighbourhood of Saint John will move to the next stage.

City council voted Monday evening to refer the Spruce Lake Industrial Park expansion project to a planning advisory committee meeting on Nov. 12.

This came after scores of people sent in letters and signed petitions asking council to vote against the expansion.

But during the meeting, Saint John Mayor Donna Reardon told the dozens of concerned citizens gathered that this doesn't make the park a done deal.

"We need to get your feedback," said Reardon to the gathered audience.

"The voice of the community is part of any path forward."

The park expansion has been heavily advocated for by the mayor, who said the city needs more industrial space.

In previous comments to CBC News, Reardon has cited the need for "pad-ready" sites, sites where little development work needs to be done before construction can begin.

"If we want to attract industry then we need to be pad-ready. That's the bottom line for today," Reardon said.

The proposed industrial park would see 643 hectaresgiven to the city from the province, and rezoning of a further 420 hectares for industrial use.

Lorneville residents speak out against industrial park expansion

3 months ago

Duration 1:44

The city of Saint John wants to drive economic growth by creating more space for new businesses in its west side industrial park. Many residents are not happy about it.

But the proposed expansion has attracted much opposition, including a petition with more than 2,000 names as of Monday night.

Dozens of people attended the meeting, seemingly hoping to speak out against the expansion, but couldn't as there was no public comment allowed on this item at the meeting.

That will come at the meeting in November.

But Coun.Barry Ogden said it's important for residents to feel they've been heard to avoid hurt feelings later.

"I don't blame the people of Lorneville for not trusting the government, province or city," said Ogden.

"The people of Lorneville have the right to feel the way they are."