Lori Santink expressed her disappointment with the recent decision made by the city council in Thunder Bay, Ontario, to rezone two vacant properties for new housing developments. The city is facing a shortage of about 1,000 housing units to meet the growing demand. Pending approvals, over 900 new units are set to be constructed across the city, 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, which was approved by the city council, the Tokio Street property was already zoned appropriately. Santink criticized the decision, stating that it goes against the city’s Net-Zero Strategy and Climate Adaptation Strategy.
Santink, a member of the grassroots group TBay Greenspace Preservation, which has over 500 followers, highlighted concerns about the loss of green space, aging sewer infrastructure, increased traffic, lack of winter public transportation access, and risks to local species. The Ontario government’s Bill 60 restricts residents from appealing municipal council decisions, leaving judicial review as a possible recourse.
Devon McCloskey, Thunder Bay’s manager of planning services, mentioned that the city is awaiting applications from the developer for site plan control and building permits before construction can commence. The developer has made adjustments to address public concerns, with a focus on traffic, transportation infrastructure, and environmental factors.
Councillor Andrew Foulds, representing the Current River ward, opposed the rezoning of the property at 791 Arundel St. However, he acknowledged the significant public engagement on the issue. Leia Minaker, an associate professor at the University of Waterloo, emphasized the challenges of achieving consensus on housing developments amidst differing opinions and highlighted the importance of understanding the potential impacts on neighborhoods.
In conclusion, the city is navigating the complexities of housing development in Thunder Bay, with stakeholders closely monitoring the process and advocating for transparent communication from city officials.