Is Rothesay ready for its 'grow up'? Apartments set to take town to a whole new multilevel

Proposals to build three four-storey apartment buildings in the heart of Rothesay are about to test the town's support for growth and its judgment of what is "aesthetically pleasing" and suitable to the town's distinctive character.

Those values are enshrined in Rothesay's new municipal plan that went into effect last year. 

It vows to protect traditional Rothesay neighbourhoods — think single detached homes set back from the street on generous leafy lots — while increasing housing density along Hampton Road, which is being promoted as a pedestrian-friendly commercial corridor. 

The three projects that are subject to public hearings this month would add roughly 120 rental units between 95 Hampton Rd. across the street and one block south of Sobey's and Hillcrest Drive across from Rothesay High School. That's a stretch of road 1.4 kilometres long. 

Brett Taylor told council there's a need in town for housing that allows seniors to age in place. He made his pitch last Tuesday for a 36-unit apartment building at 95 Hampton Rd., between Scott Avenue and Clark Road. 

He said his Magnolia Lane apartment buildings behind Cochran's Country Market have been a good fit for his tenants, who have developed a social network and look out for one another.  

The buildings are largely occupied by retired people, he said.

And they're happy to be able to walk to almost everything they need. 

The most contentious part of his proposal seemed to be a requirement coming from town staff.

They're demanding that Woodland Avenue, which now ends in a cul-de-sac, be extended to Hampton Road at a cost of about $100,000, to be paid by the developer. 

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Traffic has become a sensitive topic in the Kennebecasis Valley, with Hampton Road often choked for several blocks after schools let out. 

Joanne Godfrey, a resident of Woodland Avenue, said punching Woodland through to busy Hampton Road would encourage drivers to cut through her quiet street to get around the traffic jams. 

"I see the people who try to avoid the lights [at Clark Road]," said Godfrey.