A standing-room only crowd in council chambers Tuesday morning.
Residents on Minnesota Street are upset the city might recommend selling of a small piece of a road allowance to allow a 32-unit housing development to proceed.
Shannon Campbell is a planner and resident in the area and says the city hasn’t properly consulted with them about the proposal.
“I haven’t seen any of the planners in the neighborhood, come out to our neighborhood,” Campbell told Kenora city council during the Committee of the Whole meeting.
“The stuff on Airport Road was like that. We’ve got other developments that are in trouble in Kenora, for the same reason. Come out and talk to the people.”
Councillor Graham Chaze says he hasn’t decided how he’s going to vote but suggests he’s in favour of the report to council.
“The benefits of this housing project, having more daycare space, supersedes the need for this property to be retained by the city and not allow this development to proceed.”
Keith Merkel from Edgecorp, which is developing the lot at 34 Minnesota Street, says they initially planned on a 24-unit building, but needed the extra units to make the project financially feasible.
Lake of the Woods District Hospital and the Kenora District Services Board, which are working with Edgecorp on the project, both are supporting the proposal.
Residents who packed council chambers say the street, that accesses Norman Park and the Rotary Splash Pad, is already congested, and more vehicles will make it more so.
They say they are not opposed to the development, but they would like a smaller building, with 24 units instead, so the need to 10 extra parking spaces is not necessary.
Council will vote on the issue at their next open meeting next Tuesday.
(Architects drawing of the proposed parking lot of 34 Minnesota Street)
