THUNDER BAY -- Neighbourhood concerns weren't enough to keep city council from wanting to increase urban density and add to its tax base.
Around half a dozen residents near a proposed ten-unit building on Strand Avenue brought their issues to city council Monday saying that the project didn't fit with the rest of the area. One building, it would be a 10-metre high four-plex on one side and a 12-metre high six-plex on the other.
"It's just a monster of a building to be on that size of property,” John Tyson said.
“It doesn’t fit our neighbourhood.”
Peter Haslam, who along with Tyson petitioned the neighbourhood, agreed.
"You're going to change the whole character of this neighbourhood now,” he said.
People in the area wanted to see the project as two separate four-plexes instead, something zoning wouldn't allow for, leaving developer Mario Micheli to start the process all over again. Other residents had traffic concerns along with privacy issues as the building would allow residents to see into nearby backyards. The zoning amendment, which city council approved, calls for a privacy fence be put up.
Coun. Aldo Ruberto said he understands that people are concerned but the city wants to increase density and tax revenue in part to help with city infrastructure costs and ease tax bills. Tax revenues from the building would be around $16,500 every year. Ruberto said it's about finding a balance.
"We’re going to be making these decisions all over the city because we’re looking at infilling," Ruberto said.
But Coun. Trevor Giertuga said he couldn't support the plan knowing that 55 people in the area were completely against it.
