ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — There’s a lot of controversy about the proposed Anglican Cathedral annex that would cover part of a burial ground of thousands of people.
But what people haven’t talked about as much is how that annex would be funded: through the sale of the Cathedral Parish Hall, which the annex is designed to replace.
The Parish Hall is conditionally sold to a developer, Parish Lane Development Inc., pending city approval of a proposed development.
That development is a 40-unit residential building that would result in the demolition of the Parish Hall – a designated heritage building – and cover the last naturalized green space in downtown St. John’s.
The proposal would require that the green space currently zoned open space, and the Hall , currently zoned institutional, both be rezoned as commercial central mixed-use. It would also require a municipal plan amendment.
The proposal has to go to a public meeting before city council makes a decision.
In the meantime, some downtown residents want the public to know more about the proposal before it goes to a public meeting.
“The thing that really gets me about their proposal is that this is a building (the Parish Hall) that they could use for the exact same purposes that they’re saying they need to build this annex on the Anglican (Cathedral),” said area resident Amy Evans.
“So, they could use this already existing building and renovate it, and have all those purposes fulfilled, and not have to sell this land, and not have to destroy the open space, and not have to have that building on the cemetery.”
Her neighbours feel the same way, and they’re circulating a petition to make others aware of their concerns.
Evans’ neighbour Matthew Graham said his children play in the wooded area where the 10-storey structure would be built. Evans said she’s brought the children to the area to pick apples.
“They’re climbing the trees, and learning the names of the different trees, and things like that in a way that there’s not a lot of opportunity for downtown kids to do,” she said, highlighting the importance of the green space to some downtown residents.
Another area resident, John Weber, said the size of the proposed development – which he called “mammoth” – is disproportionate to the surrounding neighbourhood.
He also stressed the importance of maintaining the green space.
“Once it’s gone, you can’t replace it.”
Residents circulating petition
The petition they’re circulating calls on city council to deny the application to rezone the open space.
It reads: “The green space behind the Anglican Parish Hall (68 Queen’s Road – across Harvey Road from The Rooms) is the last naturalized forest space in downtown St. John’s. It is home to century-old trees, songbirds and other small wildlife – valuable in and of itself – and is part of the historic fabric of downtown.
“This space offers a sense of nature to residents and to tourists as they visit famous landmarks of the City of St. John’s, such as The Basilica and The Rooms.
“It would be a tremendous and permanent loss to our city if this ‘Open’ space were re-zoned to ‘Commercial Mixed’ to allow the construction of a 10-storey condominium (currently under consideration).
“Further, changing the zoning of this open space conflicts with stated priorities in the St. John’s Municipal Plan (2003) and the Envision St. John’s Municipal Plan (Feb. 2019 – Draft).”
The residents have already gathered roughly 250 to 300 signatures by going door-to-door in the downtown area. They plan to present the petition at a public meeting concerning the proposed development. A date for the meeting has not yet been set.
The proposal
The proponent, Parish Lane Development Inc., submitted a preliminary design report to the city, including several images depicting the proposed development.
The aim is to build 40 residential units: 25 housed in one 10-storey building and 15 in a four-storey building.
The report calls it “an excellent area for additional inner core housing," boasting parking in excess of city standards, and universal and sustainable design.
The report also gives a brief analysis of key issues, including the reuse of open space.
“Although untended and largely unused because of the steep slope, it still represents a civic amenity,” it reads.
The proponent states it would maintain any open space and trees remaining after the residences are built, and include a public viewing and sitting area off Harvey Road and Queen’s Road.
Another identified issue is the demolition of the Cathedral Parish Hall which is a listed heritage building constructed in 1892-1893.
The report states that the building has “no practical reuse,” so components such as bricks and timbers will be reused in the landscape.
It also notes that criteria have been developed for protection of the views from The Rooms, and the building is designed to adhere to those criteria.
No notification given to residents
A city spokesperson said applications where a municipal plan amendment is required are subject to a public notice in the newspaper, and the city will notify property owners.
“The City takes an extra task in public notification of rezoning applications,” the spokesperson told The Telegram via email.
However, the residents of Garrison Hill said they haven’t received anything in their mailboxes from either the city or the proponent.
“I was at a party and someone had said, ‘I’m sorry to hear about what’s happening in your backyard,’
“I was at a party and someone had said, ‘I’m sorry to hear about what’s happening in your backyard.'" — Matthew Graham
“That’s how I (found out), and then we looked it up on the city website. We still haven’t heard anything from the developer or the city – anything official has not been put in our mailboxes.”
Weber said it’s a “classic example” of public engagement not happening at an early enough stage in proposed developments.
Currently, the city is reviewing a draft land-use assessment provided by the proponent. A city spokesperson said it will be referred to a public meeting but could not yet specify a date.
Meanwhile, a public information session about the Anglican Cathedral Annex will be held Thursday evening at 16 Church Hill.
Twitter: @juanitamercer_
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