Development plans receive positive reception

There appears to be little opposition to the plan to sell 40 cottage lots near the Greenwich section of Prince Edward Island National Park. To do it, Phil Ferraro and Nancy Willis will have to convince the government to lift a requirement that the 160 acres they own remain a single property.

The developers outlined their plans during a public meeting on Monday night. The community gathering, along with a development plan for the area, will be factored into the government's decision on the project.

From Jan. 20, 2003: Developers to share Greenwich plans

"When we purchased the property it was with the understanding that it would be used for resort development and there was no restriction on the scale. What we're proposing is to allow the subdivision of a small portion of the land and to impose restriction on the scale of development instead," says Ferraro.

Willis and Ferraro envision a large recreation and office building for their land, as well as acres of organic agricultural land and native plant displays.

"What we want to do is build an ecological centre that focuses on education and to use what accommodations we build as an educational example," says Ferraro.

Around 45 people attended the meeting, and they didn't seem to oppose the plan.

John Lauer, who lives in Cable Head, was more interested in investing than environmental impact.

"If you were one of the potential investors on one of those lots, it's one thing to sign an agreement that says the infrastructure is going to come. I think I would tend to be the type of individual that says, well, when you've got the infrastructure in place then talk to me about purchasing the lot."