Lori Santink expressed disappointment but not surprise over the city council’s approval of rezoning two vacant properties for new housing developments in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The properties, including 791 Arundel St., were sold by the city to Terralux General Contractors and Development Limited to address the city’s shortage of around 1,000 housing units.

Pending approvals, the proposed developments may result in the construction of over 900 new housing units in Thunder Bay. This includes 360 units in two apartment buildings at 791 Arundel St., reduced from an initial proposal of 400 units, along with 150 units at 144 Fanshaw St. and 400 units at 300 Tokio St.

While the Arundel and Fanshaw street projects required rezoning, which was approved by the city council, the Tokio Street property was already appropriately zoned. Santink criticized the Arundel Street proposal, citing conflicts with the city’s Net-Zero Strategy and Climate Adaptation Strategy.

Santink, a member of the TBay Greenspace Preservation group, highlighted concerns about the loss of green space, aging sewer infrastructure, increased traffic, lack of winter public transportation access, and potential risks to local wildlife species. The group collected over 2,600 signatures in a petition against the development and organized a rally with over 100 participants outside city hall.

The Ontario government’s Bill 60 restricts residents from appealing municipal council decisions to the Ontario Land Tribunal, further complicating the situation. Santink emphasized the need for legal expertise in environmental law to explore potential avenues for addressing these concerns through a judicial review.

Devon McCloskey, Thunder Bay’s manager of planning services, mentioned that the developer must submit applications for site plan control and building permits before commencing construction. The proposed projects have undergone preliminary studies focusing on traffic, transportation infrastructure, and environmental factors, with extensive public consultation.

Coun. Andrew Foulds, representing the ward where 791 Arundel St. is located, opposed the property’s rezoning but praised the high level of public engagement. Leia Minaker, an associate professor at the University of Waterloo, discussed the challenges of balancing differing opinions on housing developments and emphasized the importance of transparent communication to address community concerns.

In conclusion, the housing developments in Thunder Bay have sparked significant public interest and debate, underscoring the importance of balancing housing needs with environmental and community considerations.