Saint John realtor Bob McVicar has launched a petition over the appeal of the proposed Irving Oil headquarters in uptown Saint John, asking that the chair of the Planning Appeal Board deal with the appeal immediately.
McVicar says the board also deals with property tax assessment appeals and we’re in the midst of that season right now.
“So, we’re afraid that the appeal process that Mr. Benzanson has initiated regarding the Irving Oil project will take a long time and we’re afraid it might jeopardize the project,” says McVicar.
The city’s former heritage planner Jim Bezanson has filed the appeal, and he says the building is much higher than is provided for under the established standards in the bylaw and the setback is also an issue.
Bezanson has said he has no doubt the building would be of the highest quality and he would have no objection if it weren’t as high and the higher tower was placed further back.
Following word of the appeal various politicians have spoken out in favour of the Irving Oil HQ project, which was unveiled this February. Construction was slated to begin on Monday but the project is now on hold indefinitely. Common Council will be holding a special meeting on Monday to look into options to move the project forward.
Click here to get to the petition.
