The future of Rothesay was discussed at a virtual public hearing Tuesday as residents and councillors talked about the town’s proposed new municipal plan, which included concerns about Airbnbs and high-density multi-unit development.
Brian White, director of planning and development services for the town, said the new municipal plan will replace the previous version created a decade ago.
“It applies to all properties in Rothesay and it covers the next 10 years into 2030. In 2030, council will have to begin a new plan review process,” said White.
Ralph Forte lives on Appleby Drive and he noted the low level of participation from the public, referring specifically to January’s council meeting.
“The maximum sign-ins that were observed was 10. Not very many people. In the staff comments, they feel the engagement was good. These numbers tell me a different story,” Forte said.
Councillor Grant Brenan thinks the process has been stifled by COVID-19 and wondered how many the town’s residents really know about the plan.
Town staff have recommended changes to the more controversial aspects of the plan, including rules surrounding short-term rentals such as Airbnbs.
White said the proposed plan originally used the word ‘prohibit’ when discussing short-term rentals in the town.
“We want to change the word ‘prohibit’ to ‘regulate’ short-term rentals and we want to bring in through the zoning by-law some details on how we would regulate that,” White said.
Mike Maloney operates a short-term rental in his Sprucewood Avenue home, which he says is primarily used by Rothesay residents.
“They are families in transition. Maybe they have just sold their home and have to wait a few weeks before they move into their new one. They want to have their kids close to their schools and their friends and their activities and their relatives,” Maloney said.
Gillian Wallace of Scovil Road raised concerns about a proposed classification change for the Riverside Golf Club to commercial/recreation and high-density residential.
“I am very much opposed to this change because the high-density residential designation opens the door once again to allowing high-density residential development in a single-family residential neighbourhood,” Wallace said.
Changes are also proposed to language surrounding the regulation of manufactured or mobile homes, noting the section was not intended to target the entire manufactured home industry.
Councillor Bill McGuire raised concerns about telling town residents what they can build.
“There are some homely homes in the town that we have never said anything about. I don’t think we should be able to tell people what they can build and what they can’t,” McGuire said.
Several speakers had their concerns addressed prior to the hearing and kept their remarks short.
The proposed municipal plan and suggested amendments will return to Rothesay town council for further discussion. It is hoped the document can be passed before the municipal elections in May.
