THUNDER BAY -- If there is any redevelopment of the Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital grounds and the wooded land north of the LPH, the city councillor who represents that area wants it restricted.
Current River ward councillor Andrew Foulds says redevelopment of the site should only take place in the southern portion facing Algoma Street.
"I believe the property on the Algoma side, which is really where the building is as well as the grassed area, does present itself as some potential for infill."
The citizens' group Friends of the LPH Greenspace has lobbied for several years for the preservation of the wooded area that has a network of well-used walking trails to the rear of the hospital.
Members of the group remain concerned because the draft of the city's latest official plan refers to the entire parcel as offering "a significant redevelopment opportunity."
Public meetings about the 2018 official plan are scheduled for four different locations across the city this week, from Monday through Thursday.
In an interview Monday with tbnewswatch.com, Foulds reiterated that he doesn't support redevelopment of the wooded area for residential or any other purposes.
He said leaving it as is serves the broader public interest, not just for recreation but in terms of stormwater management as well.
"In terms of being a sustainable community, we cannot be getting rid of these urban features that serve a critical role in preserving our infrastructure as well as our waterways," Foulds said.
The Ontario government owns the land where the LPH is situated, while the city owns the property where most of the walking trails are located.
The hospital is slated to be closed in the near future.
Foulds said he's pleased that the official plan that's currently up for public consultation designates the LPH and the adjacent wooded section as a Special Policy Area.
It means that "for anything to move forward on that property, there will have to be a development plan that has to be approved by the city," the Current River councillor said.
City planners list the objectives of a future development plan for the area, in part, as follows:
- create an attractive, well planned, and resilient residential neighbourhood by preserving and enhancing the natural features
- develop an integrated parks and open space system to serve the active and passive recreational needs of the community and effectively manage stormwater
- provide for the establishment of a convenient, neighbourhood commercial node if required
- develop a land use pattern that provides opportunities for and integrates a full range of housing types, densities and tenures that will meet the physical requirements and financial capabilities of a variety of households
- develop higher density dwelling types before lower density housing forms
The official plan document notes the significant amount of community interest in the future of the LPH lands, and says "development proponents are encouraged to engage in public consultation."
Foulds said worried citizens should continue to voice their concerns, including during the current round of public meetings.
A copy of the 2018 Official Plan is available online.
