Lori Santink expressed her disappointment with the decision made by Thunder Bay’s city council to rezone two empty properties for new housing projects. The properties are located at 791 Arundel St., among others, which were sold by the city to Terralux General Contractors and Development Limited due to the increasing demand for housing in the area.
The approved rezoning allows for the construction of over 900 new housing units in the city. This includes 360 units in two apartment buildings at 791 Arundel St., 150 units in an apartment building at 144 Fanshaw St., and 400 units in two apartment buildings at 300 Tokio St. While the Arundel and Fanshaw developments required rezoning, the Tokio property was already zoned appropriately.
Critics of the Arundel Street proposal, like Santink, argue that it goes against the city’s Net-Zero Strategy and Climate Adaptation Strategy. Santink, a member of the TBay Greenspace Preservation group, highlighted concerns about the loss of green space, outdated sewer infrastructure, increased traffic, lack of winter public transportation access, and potential risks to local wildlife species.
The passing of Ontario’s Bill 60 means that residents can no longer contest municipal council decisions concerning rezoning and official plan amendments through the Ontario Land Tribunal. Santink called for legal support for a potential judicial review of the decisions.
Devon McCloskey, Thunder Bay’s planning services manager, mentioned that the developer is finalizing applications for site plan control and building permits before commencing construction on the properties. The projects have undergone preliminary studies focusing on traffic, transportation infrastructure, and environmental impacts, with extensive public consultation.
Coun. Andrew Foulds, representing the area where 791 Arundel St. is located, opposed the rezoning but acknowledged the unprecedented public engagement on the matter. Leia Minaker, an associate professor at the University of Waterloo, emphasized the challenges of balancing housing development with community concerns, such as traffic, parking, and neighborhood changes.
In conclusion, the housing developments in Thunder Bay are met with mixed reactions, with a focus on sustainable growth, public engagement, and addressing community concerns. The city aims to tackle the housing demand while considering the environmental and social impacts of these developments.