The ultimate question for City Councillors to ask: How will this impact quality of LIFE?
As the Port expands, increased rail and truck activity will increase in residential neighbourhoods on the west side of the city, according to plans presented to your City Councillors.
During the Council meeting held on June 28, 2021, first and second reading was given to a zoning bylaw amendment to make way for The Dever Road Intermodal terminal. The full presentation can be found here.
In plain English, this will be a railyard and truck yard with increased activity, tied to the expansion at Port Saint John, increased activity with CP Rail, and New Brunswick Southern railway, owned by JDI. Below is a copy of a letter that I sent last week to all Council members, the City Manager, Commissioner of Growth and Development, and the Common Clerk.
I am pro-growth that is balanced, contributes to the overall sustainability of the community, and where citizens benefit economically, socially and culturally. Reflecting on my time as Mayor, staff must better communicate the business plan for all projects. Does it make sense for the community, how will the community benefit, and what if any investment is required of public funds?
Many citizens took the time to put their concerns and real-life experiences in writing for the Planning Advisor Committee (PAC). Council members should review these letters and concerns again and keep these in mind to ensure concerns have been addressed and that the long-term sustainability (balanced), is not negatively impacted.
Controlling impacts and noise on the site is not enough.
Controlling impacts and noise on the site is not enough. The implications of traffic leading to the site must also be controlled and managed. In fact, the municipality must play a key role in controlling train whistles and determining safe alternative solutions. Here is the regulation.
I’m not supportive of growth at all costs. Saint John must learn from the past and stand for a more balanced approach for our collective futures.
Following is a letter I sent to all Saint John City Councillors last week.
So far it has only been acknowledged by councillor Killen.
Hello,
I am writing with regards to the third reading on the JDI Logistics Park and to ask the Council to ensure appropriate measures are in place to protect the long-term sustainability of the community and the quality of life for citizens.
In Saint John, we get caught up in pro-industry vs. anti-industry. We talk about the economy as the single measure that matters. We are the industrial hub in the province and, of course, there are benefits; however, there are also issues that must be balanced.
A commitment has been made to address comprehensive tax fairness and the inequalities in the current system. In addition, many other factors have impeded the growth of our city, both in terms of tax base and population. Through the Province’s Gardiner Pinfold reports, the case has been well established both in terms of cost bourn and impacts of industry compared to other communities.
I remain excited by the opportunities connected to the expansion at Port Saint John, with CP Rail, and the expansion of work with JDI and the Logistics Park. However, these benefits can’t outweigh the obligation of Common Council to ensure the economic, social and cultural well-being of the community.
I’m also urging the council to leverage the strength and goodwill of these partners to put appropriate conditions in place now. These conditions must address impacts on quality of life and the ability for the city to market itself as a great place to live, work, and play.
Saint John is a great example of how a singular argument of trickle-down economics has not worked and why economic indicators in themselves are inadequate to measure the community’s health. If the provincial government keeps its promises related to comprehensive tax reform resulting in more money staying in the city and regional cost-sharing, we’ll have an opportunity to move forward as a region, with more equity, toward our full potential.
Since moving to the Lancaster Avenue area, I’ve experienced firsthand the impacts on quality of life. AIM grinding away with scrap metal, operational sounds from mills, port activity, and trains (particularly whistles).
I’m not writing this letter from the vantage point of a citizen that’s unhappy. I’m writing a letter as a former Mayor and someone that has spent countless hours trying to grow the city, to introduce with council positive change for sustainability, and position the city for citizens as a community of choice.
Increased industrial activity, without balance, will, in my opinion, further hamper the necessary growth that the city requires. The train whistles come day/night and, they’re jarring. If I owned my current home, I would sell it and move.
During the public hearing, the noise was one of the main concerns being expressed. There is no better time for Common Council to place conditions on its approval than right now. How will Port Saint John, CP Rail, and JDI demonstrate their willingness to be great partners?
I’m calling on the City of Saint John Council to table any project approval that leads to more volume of trains, trucks and disruption to the quality of life for residents until other safe solutions are found.
There are many examples of great difficulty for the City to enforce standards or bylaws after the fact, and when this is provincial jurisdiction, citizens are often left unsatisfied.
Every member of Council was elected to represent the best interests of the overall community, ask critical questions, and fully understand benefits and impacts. We need to attract 2000 people per year to the region over the next twenty years — every year. All decisions should be made through that lens, and as the council knows, citizen’s quality of life matters.
I’m confident solutions can be found, and there is no better time to receive firm commitment and action than now. In my experience, enhancements after the fact are very difficult.
Thank you for reviewing my letter. Let’s grow our city by continuing to position citizens to thrive economically, socially and culturally.
Don Darling
