An appeal has been lodged against the construction of a budget-friendly housing project in Amherst, N.S., resulting in a delay in the commencement of building the apartment complexes.
The YMCA of Cumberland is set to create 36 units across two structures on 1 Albion St., with plans for the organization’s housing outreach personnel to be stationed in one of the buildings. A third of the units are earmarked for supportive housing pending funding approval from the province.
Trina Clarke, CEO of the YMCA of Cumberland, expressed understanding of the situation, stating, “We anticipated this possibility, but we have faith in the process and our project.”
In a 4-2 vote in July, Amherst town council approved the development agreement, with Coun. Dwayne Ripley and Coun. Nic Furlong dissenting.
An appeal was filed on Aug. 4 by Amherst resident Ray Hickey contesting the council’s decision, citing conflicts arising from existing supportive housing and office setups in the vicinity. Hickey highlighted concerns about the negative impact on local businesses, services, and residents due to these developments.
Ashley Legere, executive director of the Cumberland Homelessness and Housing Support Association, emphasized community engagement efforts following recent incidents. Legere underscored the need to address safety concerns for staff and guests while acknowledging the importance of projects like the YMCA initiative in tackling the housing crisis.
The development garnered support from various local non-profits and Nova Scotia Health during the planning phase. Clarke emphasized the project’s role in addressing longstanding downtown issues.
A dispute over the lack of amenity space in the project was raised by Hickey, alleging a violation of the municipal planning strategy. Despite plans for shared outdoor space between the buildings, Hickey noted the absence of balconies and raised concerns about the adequacy of the amenity area.
Andrew Fisher, the town’s planning director, defended the project’s amenity space during a meeting, stating that the bylaw regulations were flexible in development agreements. Fisher highlighted the availability of nearby parks for residents’ use.
Clarke estimated that the appeal could postpone the project’s groundbreaking by six to twelve months, expressing disappointment at delays amid a growing housing crisis.