Saint John developer appealing new headquarters, not 'anti-Irving'

A Saint John heritage architect and contractor has gone public with his reasons for filing an appeal with the province's Assessment and Planning Appeal Board last week over the approval of plans for the new Irving headquarters building.

Jim Bezanson takes issue with the building's height and its positioning, which won't comply with the city's heritage conservation area bylaws.

In a letter he sent to the media, Bezanson said he is not "anti-Irving or anti-development."

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"I have followed the rules in my development projects, and in filing my appeal when I believe that my neighbour is not adhering to those same rules," he said in the letter.

"I am being asked to give up my democratic rights so that my neighbour can proceed with a development that breaks the rules."

Despite it being too tall and too far back from the sidewalk, the city's Heritage Development Board approved the plans for the Irving headquarters.

The exemption was given, in part, because the board felt the plans fit the Kings Square location where it would be built.

Bezanson said in his letter, he has a simple solution to the problem "that does not require compromising any principles, regulations or rights," and that he's working with city officials.

He said he has "offered to share that concept with the proponent" of the project. He does not say whether he has had a response to that offer.

The Assessment and Planning Appeal Board has not revealed how long the process of an appeal will take to complete.

However, Bob McVicar, a Saint John real estate agent, who is in favour of the project, has said he's concerned the project is going to be tied up for too long in that appeal process. 

He's launched an online petition asking the chair of the board to fast-track the appeal.