Appeal of impound yard finds little support on St. John's council
Last Updated: Tuesday, January 6, 2009 | 3:27 PM NT
CBC News
Coun. Keith Coombs: 'I think what was carried out before was a travesty as well, and I think it is a shameful exhibition by councillors.' (CBC)Residents of a neighbourhood in the west end of St. John's left a city council meeting frustrated and angry Monday night, after councillors refused to reconsider a controversial impound yard planned near their homes.
About two dozen people from the Cowan Heights neighbourhood filled the public gallery to see council debate prior approval of an impound yard set for Redmond Road.
The debate, however, didn't last long or go far. A motion to reconsider approval for a 300-car yard did not even find a seconder.
Coun. Keith Coombs said the refusal of his colleagues to rethink their decision was frustrating.
"I think what was carried out before was a travesty as well, and I think it is a shameful exhibition by councillors," Coombs said.
Council voted in November to approve a 300-car impound yard proposed by Fitzpatrick's Body Shop.
The approval, though, came on the heels of two prior applications, and was contrary to advice from the city's own planning department, which holds that the entire area should be residential.
Residents believe the yard will become an eyesore and an inconvenience in an otherwise quiet neighbourhood.
"I think it's absolutely disappointing," resident Gordon Holden said.
"I think people are either stunned or on the take — one of the two," Holden said.
Holden believes the impound yard will stall further residential development.
He has already registered a file with the regional municipal appeal board.
