Galway development proceeds despite Mount Pearl objections

St. John's city council has rezoned a parcel of land off Pitts Memorial Drive for the Galway development, despite a request from Mount Pearl to defer the decision.

Councillors voted Monday night to rezone the land west of the Southlands development from comprehensive development to commercial regional.

In a letter to St. John's councillors, Mount Pearl asked for a meeting before a decision was made on the project, adding they have major concerns about how the development will affect traffic and infrastructure in Mount Pearl.

Working together

However, St. John's Mayor Dennis O'Keefe defended council's decision to approve the rezoning on Monday.

He said St. John's is willing to sit down with leaders in Mount Pearl to address concerns about traffic and municipal infrastructure. 

He also hopes Mount Pearl and other municipalities on the northeast Avalon with work with St. John's as they move forward with the development.

"You know, it brings to light the whole issue of municipal co-operation in the area," he said.

O'Keefe feels both cities contribute to traffic congestion in the region.

"There are developments in Mount Pearl that have had an adverse affect on traffic movement here in St. John's," he said.

O'Keefe pointed to problems on Blackmarsh Road that he says have been exacerbated by development in Mount Pearl.

The Galway development is spearheaded by former premier Danny Williams.