About 200 people rally for new Irving Oil headquarters in Saint John

About 200 people gathered in Saint John's King's Square Friday to show their support for Irving Oil's planned new headquarters. 

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Irving Oil wants to build an 11-storey building on the south corner of the square. However those plans have been put on hold indefinitely while the province's Assessment and Planning Appeals board considers an appeal.

That appeal was launched by Saint John heritage architect and developer Jim Bezanson. The location of the proposed building is in a heritage conservation area and Bezanson contends there are bylaw infractions within the plans that should be addressed before the building goes up.

Real estate agent Bob McVicar is in favour of the development and organized the rally in the square. "We all worked hard all week," said McVicar, who was happy with the turnout. "Now we just hope that the outcome will be a good outcome that the community will be happy with."

McVicar launched an online petition urging the Assessment and Planning Appeals board to fast-track its decision. More than 1,700 people have signed it and McVicar hopes to reach 2,000 before he delivers it next week.

June Craft was walking through the crowd with a copy of the petition on a clipboard hoping to get more signatures in the crowd.

"If we don't show our support for things that hopefully will come to Saint John, then nothing will happen," she said.

Craft also said she believes in allowing the appeal process to go through, "but I think that we should all have our views heard, not just those who are against it." 

Several local business owners addressed the rally from atop the square's bandstand. Elizabeth Rowe is co-owner of Urban Deli and is expanding her Italian by Night restaurant into a new location currently being renovated.

"If the project for the Irving building continues, and they get to put the shovels in the ground, I think that it puts a whole new renewed optimism for city," Rowe said.

Rowe said she's still optimistic the appeal board's chairperson, Micheline Doiron, will rule in favour of the project.

City Market produce stand owner Robert Balemans said he's hoping the 1,000 Irving Oil employees who would work at the new building will provide a business boost.

"We need it a lot, like, you see everything closing around us," he said.

Despite the rally, Jim Bezanson is holding firm on his decision to file the appeal. Bezanson said he's met with the chair of the city Heritage Development Board to find a resolution. But he said he's not the one holding up the project.

"I've requested a meeting with the mayor and Irving. That request has been denied," he said.

"I'm the only one offering a solution that meets the rules, rather than looking for a way to circumvent them."

The current status of when the appeal will be heard is not yet known. In an email, city spokesperson Lisa Caissie said city staff are working to provide the appeal board with the information it requires.  

City council has scheduled a special open meeting for Monday at 4 p.m. to discuss amending the heritage conservation bylaw. If council votes in favour of a motion to amend, the bylaw would be altered to allow Irving Oil to carry on with its plans. An amended bylaw would not come into affect until May 2nd.

Irving Oil has not responded to several requests for an interview from CBC News.