Duane Hicks
The Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board is looking to build a new eight-plex unit in the east end of town, but one councillor doesn’t think it’s a good idea.
At Monday night’s regular meeting, the majority of council–except for Coun. John Albanese–agreed to allow the local DSSAB’s application to deem properties at 1301 Elizabeth St. E. and 1300 Fifth St. E. as a single property to be sent forward to the final step of a draft bylaw amendment.
The majority of council also agreed to direct DSSAB to apply for a site plan agreement for the future development of an apartment complex located there.
But Coun. Albanese said he’s not in favour of yet another apartment being built in that part of town, and feels the property should be left as an open space.
“There’s a lot of empty land in the Town of Fort Frances,” he noted.
“Why don’t we look at the empty land instead of concentrating on one area that’s going to create problems for people living around there?” he asked.
Coun. Albanese said he surveyed some of the residents who live in that part of town, and they told him if there’s empty units, why should a new eight-plex be built?
He agreed, noting he’s not against new apartments–just the proposed location.
“We need open space,” Coun. Albanese stressed.
“I’m pro-open space. People say, ‘We’ve got open space here, we’ve got open space there.’
“But we’re losing it.”
Coun. Ken Perry, who also is chair of the DSSAB board, noted DSSAB’s application to deem the two properties as a single one is well within the town’s Planning Act, as is the proposal to build an eight-plex.
“So what are we opposing?” he asked.
Coun. Perry also pointed out DSSAB owns the property.
Chief Building Official Tyson Dennis noted the deeming of the property essentially is “a housekeeping issue” while the reason for the site plan agreement is to give the town “some teeth” in the development of the eight-plex.
“You, as councillors, can decide and approve what’s allowed,” he explained.
This covers provisions such as storm sewer, water and sewer, whether there’s a fence between the apartment property and neighbours’ property, and so on, said Dennis.
“That will go back to you guys to decide what you want and what has to be there for a building permit to be issued,” he added.
Coun. Doug Kitowski said he doesn’t see any advantage in holding the project up.
“I understand there’s neigbours that have got concerns,” he noted. “Maybe they should ensure they’re voiced when the time comes.
“Let’s see if we can’t fix what the problem is,” added Coun. Kitowski.
