Frustration for a Saint John developer as he tries to undertake approved work to one of his heritage buildings.
Jim Bezanson wants to build two additions to his 19th-century heritage building located at 66 Sydney Street.
Bezanson received a heritage permit in March 2020 and already has approval from the city’s Heritage Development Board for the work.
But with less than a year to go before his heritage permit expires, Bezanson said he is still waiting for his building permit to do the work.
“I’ve got a problem. I can’t build this building in the year that you’ve given me. Help me out,” Bezanson, the city’s former heritage development officer, told council Monday night.
“I’m asking to be removed from the heritage area so that I can build the building that the heritage board wanted.”
Bezanson first received his heritage permit on March 6, 2020. He initially proposed a 27-unit addition worth $8 million but scaled back the project following feedback from the board.
Because the permit is only good for two years, he had to apply for a one-year extension. However, the Saint John Heritage Conservation Areas Bylaw prohibits extensions beyond one year.
That means when the heritage permit expires in March 2023, Bezanson will have to resubmit his application, which he said will extend the process.
The Heritage Development Board denied Bezanson’s application to be removed from the heritage conservation area in March and council agreed with their recommendation.
Community planning manager Jennifer Kirchner said removing the property would be the first instance of an existing building being removed from a designated streetscape, adding it would set a dangerous precedent.
Kirchner said staff are “more than happy” to work with Bezanson moving forward to ensure his project can go ahead.
City manager John Collin echoed Kirchner’s comments, saying he is “utterly convinced” that there is a way to proceed with this and address the challenges of the timeline.
“For example, if the requirement is for a new heritage permit … perhaps we consider waving the fee so he doesn’t have to pay a second time for the exact same work,” said Collin.
“I am utterly convinced that we can address the challenges of the timeline without necessarily changing any of our fundamentals of the bylaws that are designed to protect against those who would not be as conscience as this current proponent.”
