Eric Fry speaks during a public hearing Wednesday on proposed changes to the Region of Queens land use bylaw. (Region of Queens YouTube)

It will take a little longer to find out if the old Stedman’s building on Main Street in Liverpool will have a new life as an apartment complex.

The Region of Queens held a public hearing on Wednesday on proposed changes to the municipality’s land use bylaw that would allow for more residential space on the ground floor of buildings in the downtown commercial district.

At their meeting afterward, councillors voted to seek legal advice on whether they have the authority to make one of those changes.

Developer Eric Fry wants to turn 194 Main St. into 18 residential units, four of which would be “hotel suites”, and two main-level commercial units of 300 square feet each.

Fry bought the 30,000-square-foot building earlier this year and has been trying to get municipal approval for his apartment proposal since February. His original plan was for 16 residential units, indoor parking, storage and no commercial space. Councillors refused to change the bylaw to allow that to proceed.

After Fry listed his property for sale, the region’s planning advisory committee agreed to consider a revised a proposal and return it council.

• READ MORE ABOUT 194 MAIN ST. HERE

Municipal rules require that at least half of a building’s ground floor must be commercial space.

On Wednesday, Fry spoke briefly in support of the bylaw changes. Four Liverpool residents spoke against them.

Tara Druzina said she wasn’t sure whether councillors had the authority under the Municipal Government Act to dictate who uses space in a building. A proposed change would forbid the owner or property manager from using one of the commercial spaces as an office.

“Municipalities regulate land-use types and their characteristics, but discriminating against and between identical uses based on ownership arrangements may exceed municipal jurisdiction,” she told councillors.

Denaige McDonnell said she was concerned that councillors were missing the mark in trying to change the bylaw.

“A common argument for expanding residential use is that there isn’t enough demand for commercial space, but deeper issues are at play here,” she said.

“
Many of our commercial buildings simply do not meet current building code, accessibility, or safety standards that are required for occupancy or for commercial use. And really what that’s telling us is that it’s not a demand problem, but it’s a readiness problem.”

McDonnell said the region is trying to change its bylaw to appease one property owner without having a comprehensive commercial plan.

“Structural changes like this need to be informed by clear, data-driven, county-wide strategy, not as reactions to individual development proposals.

“This proposed bylaw change may offer a short-term perception of flexibility and reward a single proponent, but it comes at a long-term strategic cost. Our commercial spaces are a very valuable part of our community. 
They are our most valuable assets for the future, and they deserve to be protected, planned and leveraged as part of a larger vision for economic sustainability.”

Susan McGibbon said she was worried the process is moving too quickly without a proper assessment of business in downtown Liverpool. 

“I’m not saying that is your fault, council. This goes way back. 
There’s been no development of an economic plan for the downtown for a very long time. So there’s no research, there’s no data, and there’s been little to no expertise in the understanding of commercial and retail in the downtown.”

Paul Deveau pointed out that during public consultations in the spring, residents and business owners said that there needed to be a downtown plan that protects commercial space while adding more housing.

“But here we are a few months later, and you’re again trying to amend a bylaw without a comprehensive plan.” 

Later in the meeting, councillors decided that they couldn’t make a decision on the proposed changes until they got legal advice.

Mayor Scott Christian asked whether staff sought advice on the wording around what landlords can do with the commercial space. 

Staff conceded they had not.

Council asked staff to have that information ready for their next meeting on Nov. 25.

Until then, the land use bylaw remains unchanged. Any substantive changes would likely restart the process and require council to have another public hearing.

Once councillors voted for a legal opinion, Christian called a break and met with Fry in his office for about 15 minutes.

Afterward, Fry told QCCR that he appreciated residents’ comments and their passion for the downtown. He said he understands that council has to make sure they have authority to make the changes.

“It’s unfortunate that this wasn’t flushed out as maybe as thoughtfully as it should have been. So, I understand there is a process to remedy, so we’ll have to wait until we hear what those next steps are.” 

Email: rickconradqccr@gmail.com

Listen to the audio version of this story below

MacPhersons in Liverpool has been sold. (MacPhersons via Facebook)

The Wasoqopa’q, or Acadia, First Nation have bought two Liverpool retail businesses.

The Mi’kmaw nation’s leadership announced Tuesday evening that it has bought the long-established MacPhersons in Liverpool.

And early Wednesday evening, it announced it has bought the building currently operating as the Milton Market in Milton. That building has been for sale since May.

Wasoqopa’q is based in Yarmouth but takes in communities throughout southwestern Nova Scotia to Halifax. It includes six reserves: Yarmouth, Ponhook, Medway, Wildcat, Gold River and Hammonds Plains.

Liverpool furniture and sporting goods store MacPhersons was established in 1982, but the MacPherson family said their family has been in business for five generations.

Wasoqopa’q First Nation said it has bought the store and the land behind the business.

Owner Horace MacPherson told QCCR on Wednesday he was too busy for an interview and would prefer to comment next week.

Chief Deborah Robinson could not be reached for comment.

In the post shared by Deputy Chief Avis Johnson about MacPhersons, the First Nation leadership says it will continue to operate MacPhersons as it is now.

“MacPhersons has a long history as a successful establishment in Queens and we plan to continue to deliver the same quality service customers have come to know. The operation will continue to be managed by longtime employee Tyler Frank, a Wasoqopa’q First Nation member.”

In the same post, the MacPherson family said they’re leaving the store in “the best of hands”.

“Our family is honoured to pass the store on to the First Nations community. It’s a meaningful transition for us, knowing the store will continue to serve the community with the same heart and eclectic spirit that’s made it special for so many years.

“We’ve always believed in offering a little bit of everything, and we’re thrilled to see that legacy carried forward.”

Post shared on Facebook about the MacPhersons sale

MacPhersons sells appliances, furniture, hunting and fishing supplies and a variety of other products, including clothing, household goods and some audio-visual and computer supplies.

It also leases space to the Needs gas bar and convenience store next door.

The Wasoqopa’q leadership said it also plans to develop the land behind the store which runs down to the Mersey River as an outdoor cultural gathering place guided by Mi’kmaw traditional teaching.

Region of Queens Mayor Scott Christian said he’s happy to see the business continue.

“I love MacPhersons because for me, it’s the store that has stuff that nobody else has in Queens. So I think it’s a really important member of the retail business community here. And I think it’s really interesting that (the new owner is) the First Nations community. I think it’s great.”

It’s unclear when the new owners of MacPhersons will officially take over. 

Facebook post about the Milton Market sale

As for the Milton Market property, the Indigenous community said they expected to make a formal announcement on July 31, “however in an effort to dispel speculation and false information we are sharing the news today.”

“We will use this property for a variety of programming, including an adult education and drop-in centre, workshops, small group gatherings, and other activities. More information to our membership will be shared once the purchase is complete.

“The ability to find appropriate space for our programming in the Queens area has gotten more difficult in the past few years. We are pleased to finally have a space of our own.”

Email: rickconradqccr@gmail.com

The Nova Scotia government is re-examining where and how people can buy alcohol. (Rick Conrad)

You may get a wider selection of stores to buy your 2-4 in Nova Scotia.

The provincial government is looking at expanding the places where people can buy booze.

Finance Minister John Lohr said in a release Thursday that the province wants to reach out to the public and people in the industry to gauge their thoughts and concerns about making alcohol available in more stores or allowing more places where people can drink.

“Nova Scotia is taking steps to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers, and that makes this a good time to look at how alcohol is sold and consumed,” Lohr said in a release.

The province plans to commission a public opinion survey of 1,500 Nova Scotians beginning this week.

Provincial officials want to gather input from people about the types of stores where liquor is sold, locations where people can drink alcohol, and the health and safety consequences of any changes.

Lohr says the province will also be surveying more than 250 health and safety groups, store owners, municipal governments, industry and consumer groups, alcohol producers and others.

The government will seek input until June 30. It didn’t say when the results of the consultations will be released, or when the province may make a change to how and where alcohol is sold in Nova Scotia.

Email: rickconradqccr@gmail.com

Sharon Potter from Annapolis Royal buys some bread on Friday from Leanne Arnott, owner of Five Girls Baking in Liverpool. (Rick Conrad)

The tariff threat from U.S. President Donald Trump may be on hold, but that hasn’t stopped Canadians from looking for ways to support homegrown products.

Trump agreed to pause a proposed 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods for 30 days after he struck a deal with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier this week.

We asked some shoppers in Liverpool if they’re trying to buy more local or Canadian products in response to the American action.

Use the play button below to listen to what they had to say.

The Nova Scotia minimum wage increased to $15.20 an hour on April 1. (Robert Owen-Wahl via Pixabay)

Nova Scotia’s minimum wage went up on Tuesday, but it’s still the lowest in Atlantic Canada.

Nova Scotians working for the basic wage are now earning $15.20 an hour. 

New Brunswick’s rate is now $15.30, PEI’s rose to $15.40, and Newfoundland and Labrador set its rate at $15.60. PEI plans another hike to $16 by Oct. 1.

An average of six per cent of Nova Scotia workers, or just over 26,000 people, worked for minimum wage in 2023, according to the province.

A selection of offerings from Pleasant Street Living. Photo contributed by Susan Lane

From Lane’s Privateer Inn to Pleasant Street Living, Susan Lane continues supporting local artisans and introducing guests to the finer things Nova Scotia has to offer.

After selling the Liverpool inn and restaurant which still holds her family name in July of 2020, Lane and her partner Cameron took time to think about what was next.

After scouring the South Shore, the pair decided to buy a 200-year-old home in Bear River.

While they went to work repairing the house, they also tried their hand at gardening and Lane, who is also a certified sommelier, got to know the local vineyards.

Lane also acquainted herself with the local shop owners and artisans but says it was a stint managing the local tourist information centre that really brought a plan into focus.

“That’s where I really got the idea that Bear River could really use another little retail shop.”

Lane had previously run her retail shop Snug Harbour in Liverpool as a passion project while trying to maintain the restaurant and inn.

Manager Milan Virani, new owner Ankur Viirani and Susan Lane outside Lane’s Privateer Inn, July 2020

With her new shop, Pleasant Street Living, she wants customers to enjoy a curated collection of antique and restored items as well as an assortment of carefully selected dry goods, flowers and health and beauty products from local and international suppliers.

“That’s been really important to me,” said Lane. “It’s actually taken me about a year to really look at what the other places are offering and do what I can to compliment what they are offering and create something unique.”

Lane says she and her partner have involved themselves with their new community and have quickly settled into a more rural lifestyle.

It was that change in pace and attitude that helped her settle on the name for her shop.

“The reason I chose the name is because, when we moved here, we live on pleasant street and our lives have really changed since we’ve moved here,” said Lane. “In the fact that, when I was in Liverpool, we were working over 100 hours a week. We really didn’t get to enjoy a lot of down time and [now we get] to work on our land and to do the things that I think really, just give a person overall health and wellness.”

Pleasant Street Living opened in mid-August and Lane says the website and Facebook pages are up and running.

She says they are happy to deliver and are always pleased when familiar faces from Queens pop in.

E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

To listen to the broadcast of this story, press play below.