By Mark Squibb
Mount Pearl City council has issued a stop development order to Nickle Properties Inc., in relation to a for-profit emergency shelter at 53 Greenwood Crescent, the site of the former Riverwalk Hotel.
It’s not the first-time council has issued an order in relation to the property. In May 2022, council ordered Nickle Properties and the Elizabeth Fry Society NL (a not-for profit that aids women in need) to cease operations at the address. That order named Steven Saunders of Nickle Properties and the executive director of the Elizabeth Fry Society Newfoundland chapter.
Councillor Bill Antle brought forward the most recent order, this one directed at Nickel Properties Inc.
“This has been ongoing on for a number of years,” said Antle. “The City has received ongoing complaints and reports regarding 53 Greenwood Crescent. Complaints have included, but are not limited to violence, drug use, and discarded drug paraphernalia. Recent reports have raised concerns that the property is not operating as a hotel… it may be operating as a for-profit emergency shelter. Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation has acknowledged that it is now placing individuals at the property to meet demands related to an emergency shelter. The property owner, therefore, has made a material change in use of intensity of the property without a permit or application as required by the City.”
Councillor Mark Rice voiced his support of the motion.
“We’ve had many conversations with residents in that area – not so pleasant conversations,” said Rice. “My perspective as a city councillor, is that you’ve got to listen to the residents that live in that area. Sometimes, when you’re trying to make decisions as a city councillor, for all areas of the city, you listen to the residents in that area, and their concerns, and they have some major concerns over there. There’s been criminal activity at times. I know we’ve had conversations about how many times the RNC have been called over there the past several months. And we have to listen to residents in the area... I certainly support this because we have some residents over in that area that have actually moved out of their house and are living in their cabins.”
Council, minus Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley, who was absent from the meeting, voted unanimously in favour of the order.
Of interest, council approved a 24-unit row dwelling development at 43 Greenwood Crescent in June 2024 to the same company, Nickel Properties Inc.
The Pearl could not reach either Saunders or the Elizabeth Fry Society for comment.