Controversial road proposal shut down by Charlottetown council

Charlottetown has decided not to proceed with a controversial road proposal thatwould have connected a local business to a residential street.

The proposal would have required a new road to be built to for vehicles to go directly from Mel's Convenience Store which is located on St. Peters RoadtoAngus Drive.

Eight councillors voted againstthe motion, including Greg Rivard.

"There's a safety component that has to be paramount as the residents are concerned with the additional traffic," he said.

Rivard moved to defer the decision, but he rescinded it and theproposal was voteddown,but an option was left to hear another proposal if new information is presented.

Mike Duffy, chair of planning and heritagefor the city, was the only one to vote in favour of the road being built. He said residents have been vocal about not wanting the road due to traffic concerns,but he doesn't believe traffic would have been an issue.

"The other problem people were having was with truck traffic. Simply if you don't want truck traffic, simply put up [a sign saying]no truck traffic. That solves that problem," he said. "It shouldn't be used as a reason to kill an idea or kill a project."

Duffy said without the road between Mel's Convenience Store andAngus Drive, people will have to instead take a longer route on a roundabout that will be constructed soon.

Angus Drive resident Paul McGonnellwas pleased with council's decision.

"It would be too much traffic for this residential street," he said.I'm glad council saw it our way."

Residents also voiced concerns about the way the city advertised a public meeting for the development.

Duffy said aroundsix people gave their opinionsat a public meeting and about eight letters were sent. He said he doesn't think that should be enough to kill a project.

Duffy said the developer can offer another solution thatcan be brought back to council.He's hoping to see a solution offered that is acceptable to all parties at the regular council meeting next month.

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