Lori Santink expressed her disappointment with the recent decision made by the city council to rezone two empty lots for new housing projects in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The properties at 791 Arundel St., along with two others, were sold to Terralux General Contractors and Development Limited earlier this year as the city faces a shortage of approximately 1,000 housing units.
Pending approvals, the city could see the construction of over 900 new housing units, including 360 units in two apartment buildings at 791 Arundel St., 150 units in one apartment building at 144 Fanshaw St., and 400 units in two apartment buildings at 300 Tokio St. While the proposals for Arundel and Fanshaw streets required rezoning, the Tokio Street property was already appropriately zoned.
Santink criticized the decision, citing concerns about the city’s Net-Zero Strategy and Climate Adaptation Strategy. She is a member of the grassroots group TBay Greenspace Preservation, which gathered over 2,600 signatures in a petition against the developments and organized a rally with over 100 participants outside city hall.
The group’s main worries include the loss of green spaces, outdated sewer infrastructure, increased traffic, lack of winter public transportation access, and potential risks to local wildlife species. The recent passing of Bill 60 limits residents’ ability to appeal city council decisions through the Ontario Land Tribunal, increasing the importance of thorough due diligence by the council.
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 proposed housing projects. Modifications have been made to address public concerns, with a comprehensive public consultation process in place.
Councillor Andrew Foulds, representing the Current River ward where 791 Arundel St. is located, opposed the rezoning. Yet, he acknowledged the unprecedented level of public engagement on this matter, emphasizing the widespread community concerns.
Leia Minaker, an associate professor at the University of Waterloo, highlighted the challenges faced by communities in addressing the housing crisis while navigating diverse viewpoints on urban development. She emphasized the need for transparent communication and consideration of potential impacts in future neighborhood planning.
In conclusion, residents like Santink are closely monitoring the developments and advocating for enhanced communication from the city to ensure transparency and community participation in the process.
