Construction firms, Mount Pearl wary of Glencrest plan

Some construction companies and the City of Mount Pearl are raising questions about the location of the proposed Glencrest subdivision in St. John's.

Blasting has been ongoing at several rock quarries for the past three decades — sometimes 24 hours per day — across the Trans-Canada Highway from the proposed development area, which is being managed by former premier Danny Williams.

Jim Organ, the executive director of the Heavy Civil Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, said companies doing the blasting want the City of St. John's to consider their activities before any construction starts on Glencrest. 

"There is going to be some vibration activity there, there'll be a lot of noise day and night," said Organ. "Dust, possibly some safety concerns."

Organ said construction companies which use the quarries are worried the development could affect their operations. He noted that's what happened in Paradise, where residents of new houses began complaining about the operations at a nearby quarry.

"Make sure that the planning is done properly up front, and that everyone is aware of the activity in the area," said Organ.

Mount Pearl concerns

Mount Pearl Deputy Mayor Jim Locke said the city has not taken a stand on the Glencrest application, even though the City of St. John's has asked for Mount Pearl's endorsement.

Locke said Mount Pearl wants more details. 

"You're talking a lot of traffic coming in, especially up there on Ruth Avenue, where Ruth Avenue comes into Mount Pearl," Locke said of the increased activity from Glencrest.

Mount Pearl has received a 500-page traffic study to analyze, but he said there are other issues to consider. 

"There's impacts on the trunk sewer system, there's impacts on where does the storm water go? How are they going to deal with the storm water runoff?" asked Locke.

The City of St. John's has deferred its rezoning vote on Glencrest until next week.