Lori Santink expressed her disappointment but lack of surprise at the recent city council decision to rezone two empty lots for new residential projects in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The properties, including 791 Arundel St., were sold to Terralux General Contractors and Development Limited earlier this year as part of addressing the city’s shortage of approximately 1,000 housing units.
Pending approvals, the city could witness the construction of over 900 new residential units, including 360 units in two apartment complexes at 791 Arundel St., 150 units in one building at 144 Fanshaw St., and 400 units in two buildings at 300 Tokio St. While the proposals for Arundel and Fanshaw streets required rezoning, which was approved by the city council, the Tokio Street property already had appropriate zoning in place.
Santink criticized the move, citing conflicts with the city’s Net-Zero Strategy and Climate Adaptation Strategy. She, along with the grassroots group TBay Greenspace Preservation, has actively opposed the development, collecting over 2,600 signatures in a petition and organizing a rally with over 100 participants.
The group’s concerns include the loss of green space, impact on sewer infrastructure, increased traffic, lack of winter public transportation access, and threats to local species. The introduction of Bill 60 by the Ontario government has eliminated the option for residents to appeal municipal council decisions through the Ontario Land Tribunal, further complicating the situation.
Devon McCloskey, Thunder Bay’s manager of planning services, mentioned that the developer still needs to submit applications for site plan control and building permits before commencing construction on the Fanshaw and Tokio street properties, with Arundel Street to follow suit. The city aims to address public concerns through multiple preliminary studies focusing on traffic, transportation infrastructure, and environmental factors.
Councilor Andrew Foulds, representing the Current River ward, opposed the rezoning of 791 Arundel St. despite acknowledging the unprecedented level of public engagement. Leia Minaker, an associate professor at the University of Waterloo, emphasized the challenges faced when balancing community opinions on housing developments, especially in the context of the housing crisis.
The ongoing debate highlights the need for clear communication and transparency from the city throughout the development process to address public concerns effectively.