Developer’s new plans for former school presented to city

Red River Coun. Brian McKinnon said a plan to turn a former Logan Avenue School into a mixed-use development is back on the table, albeit in a slightly different form than originally presented.

Developer Robert Zanette of Robert Zanette Real Estate Services has presented a new plan to city administration a revamped plan for the Sir John A. Macdonald property that calls for 42 individual and multi-use units on the property, at the same time turning the school building into condominiums.

The original plan called for 13 condominiums and 48 lots, which drew the ire of neighbours worried about traffic congestion and water pressure, among other concerns.

“This is the second iteration that we’re looking at right now,” McKinnon said. “The first one was single units, essentially covering the whole property. It’s changed. It is now a combination of single units, some multiple units like four-plexes and some townhouses. The remaining part will be the school.”

McKinnon said the earliest the zoning request could come before council is April 18, though admitted he’d be a tad surprised if it happened that soon.

“Our sense is that won’t happen because planning is meeting with the developer now to have him meet with the neighbours again,” McKinnon said. “We would like to have another public meeting to discuss the new plan so there can be some legitimate input.”

McKinnon said he thinks there may still be public concerns, hence the push for neighbourhood consultation.

“They sensed it was just too dense. The lots were very small. They were anywhere from 39 feet to 44 feet. The normal size of the lots in this area is 50 feet, 60 feet. So they would like to have maintained the integrity of the neighbourhood,” McKinnon said.

Zanette, who did not immediately respond to a pair of interview requests from Dougall Media Thursday afternoon, expressed surprise last February during an open meeting with area residents opposing the project.

“We’re not trying to destroy your neighbourhood,” he said to a standing-room only crown numbering about 100. “We want to be good neighbours.”

At the time Zanette denied he’d be delivering low-income housing to the neighbourhood, saying the homes he plans to build will average about $200,000 apiece. He admitted green space on the 10.5-acre property would be lost, but promised at least of fifth of the land would remain undeveloped.

Residents suggested the property, which presently houses playground equipment, has always been used as parkland by residents.

Bob Bradley told reporters last February he’s OK with the condominium portion of the plan, but asked that the green space be left alone.

“It’s an area where families can walk to and enjoy that area,” he said. “If you take a look around the neighbourhood there aren’t any other areas close by that you can walk to and have that kind of access,” he said.

McKinnon said he’s wearing two hats throughout the proceedings. On the one hand, as a councillor he likes to see appropriate development in Thunder Bay. But he also has to answer to his constituents, many of whom still don’t like the plan.

“This proposal has some legitimacy, but there are some concerns and I am obviously representing residents in this area and I will continue to do so. Until their concerns are heard, I’m still sort of on the fence right now.”