Melford rezoning moves forward
Guysborough - Heavy industrial M-3 zoning in the Melford area is now a major step closer to being a reality. Guysborough council approved proposed zoning changes to an area along Route 344, adjacent to the Melford Land Reserve, last Wednesday.
At its regular monthly meeting, council approved at second reading the Northeast Guysborough Strategy Bylaw, which will allow the rezoning of four residential properties into M-3 industrial zones. The rezoning will allow water access from the existing industrial park.
The motion to approve the new bylaw was moved by councillor Vernon Pits and seconded by councillor Blair George. Approval of council was not unanimous however, as Melford and area councillor Myles MacPherson voted against the changes.
A number of MacPherson's constituents who live in the Melford area attended the meeting. They said that while they are in favour of economic development, they are opposed to the timing of the rezoning plan because of what they claim is a lack of information. They are concerned in part because land in the area was expropriated over 30 years ago over a promise for economic development that never came to pass. Some fear that rezoning and land acquisition may not lead to any new economic activity, but will be a repeat of the past history of unfulfilled promises.
Former councillor Valerie Rhynold submitted a petition to council outlining opposition to the rezoning and spoke on behalf of some of the residents. She told council that her group believes that council should step back to see if rezoning is really needed.
"Gaps in current knowledge leave us with uncertainty," said Rhynold. She said area residents need more information before they can support any development.
The group said they would support rezoning with three conditions. First, they want the rezoning process put on hold until further consultations have taken place. Second, they want any possible developer to meet directly with the community. And finally they want a public hearing with 60 days.
Guysborough Warden Lloyd Hines said he is sensitive to the concerns of the community, which is why information sessions were held in the community itself. While he said the position of the community is reasonable, he is not able to reveal the names of any possible developers at this time due to confidentiality agreements. Hines did say that the community will be consulted as any activity goes forward.
"The process is about hearing from the people," said Hines. He said any proposed developer will host open houses with the community. Council has pursued the rezoning in order to prepare for possible industrial development. The new M-3 zoning will allow for projects such as marine terminals, LNG and wind-energy developments in the area.
"The strategy is to set the table for the revitalization of the natural attributes and to develop opportunities."
Hines added that the public consultation with the residents along Route 344 was very helpful to council on a number of other fronts.
The need for high speed Internet in the area, and requests for improvements needed to telephone service generally have been noted, and in the case of the telephone service itself, council is working with Aliant to address those concerns.
Guysborough Council will also be looking at the local area as part of its waste water strategy. And as with the Goldboro area, council will conduct a scan of residential opportunities along Route 344 that would complement any future economic development.
Now that the changes have passed second reading, they will be submitted to the province for review and approval.
