Public Hearing of Objections October 17

By Vicki Hogarth

CHCO-TV in Charlotte County

September 28, 2022

SAINT ANDREWS – An updated site plan for construction of a new apartment building on Mowat Drive was presented by the developer at the September 20th Town of Saint Andrews council meeting held at the W.C. O’Neill Arena Complex.

Council unanimously agreed to set October 17, 2022 as the date for a public hearing of objections regarding changing the zoning of 32 Mowat Drive from commercial to residential in order to proceed with the development of Compass Housing. 

Local developer Tressa Bevington of Compass Housing has partnered with the Town of Saint Andrews to build a 42-unit affordable housing unit at the former location of the Blue Moon Motel. The same developer is behind past projects such as the 37-unit Anchors Landing in Saint Andrews and the Beacon, a 50-unit St. Stephen building.

As part of the development agreement, the town will provide Compass Housing with $500,000 towards building a rental complex named The Compass at 32 Mowat Drive. The apartment building will include 36 two-bedroom units and six one-bedroom units ranging in price from $800 to $1200 per month. People working in the community in the service sector at minimum-wage level jobs will be prioritized as renters.

"We are maximizing the space while keeping as much natural scenery and green space as possible," said Bevington. "You will also notice we have 60 parking spots even though we are only required by bylaws to have 53. We feel adequate parking is important. Each apartment will also have balconies, but they are not visible in our site plan yet. We are also adding a trail to connect the subdivision to Mowat Drive."