CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — A proposed seven-storey apartment building next to Founders’ Food Hall on the Charlottetown waterfront is on hold.
The building would be built between the food hall and an existing apartment complex on the waterfront.
Paul Jenkins, one of the developers on the Prince Street project, said they’ve got all the necessary permits from the City of Charlottetown but have decided to hit pause, at least for the remainder of 2020.
“We had a partners’ meeting and we decided to put the project on hold for this year because it was kind of a strange time," Jenkins said Monday, referring to ongoing challenges and restrictions around the coronavirus. “We’re just waiting to see if everything lightens up next year. We’d probably look to start in the spring, (but) like any development, things change every day."
Like the proposed eight-storey apartment building on Haviland Street, this project is as-of-right, meaning the city is not required to host a public meeting before granting approval. That’s because the previous city council, under former mayor Clifford Lee, approved changes to the Official Plan in 2014 that changed the zoning for waterfront property from comprehensive development area to waterfront zone.
With both of these projects drawing controversy due to the lack of public meetings, Mayor Philip Brown said Monday he is committed to conducting an official review of the Official Plan’s zoning and development bylaw. However, there is nothing council can do to stop the projects on Haviland and Prince streets.
Jenkins said the property south of Founders’ Food Hall is one of the few prime pieces of waterfront property left.
“If we do put pause on this, somebody else will pick it up and develop it," Jenkins said. “It’s just a great spot."
Former Charlottetown mayor George MacDonald is part of a group of concerned residents that has been working behind the scenes to try to stop the Prince Street project. The group made a presentation to council a few weeks ago.
“We were concerned that all this has taken place without public meetings, which are no longer required in this particular zone, and that sort of surprised me because I wasn’t aware the change had been made," MacDonald said.
At a glance
Here is some information on the proposed apartment building between Founders’ Food Hall and the building at 4 Prince St.:
- It will be seven storeys with 100 rooms.
- The top two floors will be a mix of apartments and condominiums.
- There will be four floors of apartment units that will roughly measure 350 square feet.
- Ground floor will include a restaurant, lobby and some commercial space.
- There will be underground parking.
MacDonald was involved in helping to save the Founders’ Food Hall, which was once a railway building, from the wrecking ball many years ago. He fears Jenkins’ seven-storey structure would dwarf the hall.
“It wouldn’t be sustainable for that particular area."
And, MacDonald said, it doesn’t fit within the vision Charlottetown Area Development Corporation and many others had for the waterfront in the decades since much of it was transformed from an oil tank farm and working port.
MacDonald’s vision for the property is a “people’s place", something similar to Victoria Row where the story of the P.E.I. railway could be told and vendors from Founders’ Food Hall could sell their wares outside.
“That lot could be used for a walking area. You could have flower beds but also well-placed plaques that could tell the railway story."
MacDonald said he doesn’t fault Jenkins for wanting to develop the property.
“The developer was working within the bylaws of the City of Charlottetown, and we have no complaint with what he did or is trying to do. We just think it is wrong for that location. We have no animosity whatsoever towards Mr. Jenkins. Right through this process, he has been most co-operative."
It should be noted that the city did purchase the nearby vacant property between Founders’ Food Hall and Water Street in 2018 for $1.25 million to prevent it from being developed. It is now a green space.
Jenkins said he sees nothing wrong with MacDonald’s vision for the lot.
“If I was to take my developer’s hat off and put on my public-good hat on I could see an outdoor pedestrian mall there quite easily. I get that. Problem is, we have some money sunk into it."
Jenkins said he is open to further discussion on the property.
“It’s a small town. If we can work with our neighbours, we will try but there is also the business side of it where you want to make a buck."
