The MHA for St. John’s East – Quidi Vidi, who’s also the former deputy mayor of St. John’s, has written city council on behalf of constituents upset about a proposed housing development on a piece of property known locally as Limeville.

The old Alderdice property, known by neighbours and visitors alike as a green oasis in an otherwise densely developed area, was recently purchased by a developer who wants to build luxury condos on the site.

That’s sparked an online petition urging council to reject the proposal.

Sheilagh O’Leary says the property is an historic site and contains an abundance of flowers and other greenery.

O’Leary told the Tim Powers Show on VOCM that owner Penny Alderdice, who passed away last year, initially wanted the property to serve a community purpose.

She says her original intent was to see it developed into a community space, but ultimately she wanted to leave something for her family after she was gone, so it was sold.

O’Leary says the concern for many is that the company is planning to build three large executive townhomes on the site that she says does not fit in with the surrounding neighbourhood.  She says as a former deputy mayor, she understands both sides of the issue, but she wants to make sure that residents have an opportunity to have their voices heard.

“While it’s actually zoned for this development, it’s perfectly allowable in the state that it is. I really, truly believe that council has a higher level of responsibility, and a level of accountability to what’s going to manifest in that property. Because it will change the landscape of that historic area forever.”