Next Steps in the Marshfield Annex
If you have been following recent news on PEI, you may have heard about the potential annex of a large parcel of land, based in Marshfield, to be appropriated by the City of Charlottetown. This parcel of land is to be subdivided for residential usage, and commercial business.
On October 5th, the City of Charlottetown sent out a letter to inform the residents of Marshfield that there will be a second meeting, held on October 16th, at 7:00 PM, at York Community Centre, to further discuss the potential annex, and what that means for the future of Marshfield.
Above: Letter sent to residents of Marshfield, from the City of Charlottetown, on behalf of CAO, Peter Kelly, regarding an upcoming meet at York Community Centre, on October 16th, at 7:00 PM.
If you're left wondering why the potential annex of only a portion of Marshfield is such a big deal for other residents, you are not alone.
To better understand, here are just a few of the concerns for the rest of Marshfield:
1. If one side of the road becomes city jurisdiction, what does that mean for residents on the opposite side of the road? The pressure will be tenfold for these residents to join the annex.
2. The potential for a future amalgamation of Marshfield to city, as a result of the annex.
3. If Marshfield, a rural area, is to become urban-zoned, it will be operating under city bylaws, and this will have drastic impacts on farmers, and their farming practices. This includes significant increase in land taxes; being grandfathered as a farm into a city area, but only with the allowance of what farming practices you're currently utilizing at the time of amalgamation. Farmers will need to appeal and submit application to the city's Planning Committee, for approval, to change farming practices, such as changing crop, the amount of land being used - that you own - or expanding livestock numbers, even if only by a few. We haven't even touched on potential water usage consequences.
4. Astronomical increase in land taxes for all residents; and, costs for water and sewer, that some residents wont even have access to, because of where their properties are situated from future water lines. Can you imagine paying for something that you're not receiving? Just ask the residents of Three Rivers who've recently been amalgamated together - those who are paying for services they are not to receive. Why isn't this considered fraudulent?
5. The door we're opening to future urbanization; the loss of agricultural land; and, the dire impacts this action will have on wildlife, and the destruction of natural habitats.
Above: the yellow area highlights Scott Lewis's property, which is under consideration by the City of Charlottetown for annexation. The red dot signifies Jewel's Country Market for reference of location.
For a complete catch-up on details, which haven't been fully disclosed in other big media outlets, and publications, please visit the link below: