SYDNEY, N.S. — Parking concerns are no longer an issue for Kevin Colford.
With unanimous approval, the Cape Breton Regional Municipality council threw its full support for amending the parking rules for the developer to continue with plans to repurpose the historic former Sacred Heart Church into a business hall.
“This is a good development,” District 10 Coun. Darren Bruckschwaiger said during the meeting. “I’m hoping things can move quickly for Mr. Colford. I know staff is at the ready to help in any way possible to see this to its conclusion.”
Council didn’t take long to debate the motion, especially after receiving overwhelming community support for the project via an online public participation program survey, in which 88 per cent of the 426 respondents felt that parking was not a concern in the north end.
Colford, who also helped turn the old St. Andrew’s United Church into the Highland Arts Theatre, had initially put in a request to council seeking changes to its north end Sydney secondary land use bylaw and remove minimum off-street parking space to allow the church conversion to go ahead.
The business hall, according to Colford, will be utilized to host weddings, dinner theatre and other events.
“I’m very appreciative of council, their staff and all their hard work,” said Colford upon learning of the decision. “It was a long procedure, but we went through all the different steps. The public overwhelmingly supported the project and are excited for the project.”
The facility at 217 George St., near Ferry Street, only allows for on-street or side-street parking.
During Tuesday’s meeting, District 5 Coun. Eldon MacDonald noted that if people decide to use residential areas for parking, they need to respect property owners’ driveways.
“Everyone who uses those streets do not necessarily use them appropriately,” MacDonald told council. “I have had people over the years contact me in the area ... where people are blocking their driveways. When people attend these venues, they need to respect the residential neighbourhood and respect the driveways that these homeowners have.”
Colford said he understands MacDonald’s concerns, but points out that the residential housing is “two or three blocks beyond Sacred Heart Church. I do know there are problems but it’s not like there’s a problem every week, every day or every month.
“I don’t believe the patrons who would come to the new venue most times won’t even take their cars. They could take a taxi or have a loved one drop them off and enjoy a night out.”
Municipal clerk Deborah Campbell Ryan said she was pleased with the positive survey submissions, but added she did end up receiving “one phone call that expressed opposition, but no formal submission (on that) was made.”
The bylaw change now goes to the province’s director of planning for a final OK, followed by Colford applying for building and development permits.
"My wife and I are hugely passionate about this project, as we were about the opening of the Highland Arts Theatre," said Colford. "I feel the people of Cape Breton will be proud of this new project.”
David Jala is a municipal politics and features reporter at the Cape Breton Post.
