Lori Santink expressed disappointment but not surprise at the recent decision by Thunder Bay City Council to rezone two vacant properties for new housing projects. One of these properties, located at 791 Arundel St., was sold by the city to Terralux General Contractors and Development Limited as surplus land earlier this year. Thunder Bay is currently facing a shortage of approximately 1,000 housing units to meet the growing demand.
Pending necessary approvals, the city could witness the construction of over 900 new housing units, including 360 units in two apartment buildings at 791 Arundel St. (down from an initial proposal of 400 units), 150 units in an apartment building at 144 Fanshaw St., and 400 units in two apartment buildings at 300 Tokio St. While the proposals for Arundel and Fanshaw streets required rezoning, the Tokio Street property was already appropriately zoned.
Santink criticized the Arundel Street proposal, stating that it conflicts with the city’s Net-Zero Strategy and Climate Adaptation Strategy. She is a member of the grassroots group TBay Greenspace Preservation, which garnered over 2,600 signatures in a petition opposing the developments and organized a rally outside city hall that attracted more than 100 participants.
Major concerns raised by the group include the potential loss of green space, the impact on aging sewer infrastructure, increased traffic without adequate access to public transportation in winter, and risks to local species such as the yellow-banded bumblebee, Canadian warbler, and grey fox. The introduction of Ontario’s Bill 60, which limits residents’ ability to appeal municipal decisions, adds to the challenges faced by concerned citizens like Santink.
City Council’s approval of the rezoning has sparked significant public engagement, with Devon McCloskey, Thunder Bay’s manager of planning services, highlighting that the developer must submit applications for site plan control and building permits before construction can commence. McCloskey emphasized that the developer has made numerous adjustments to address public concerns, with a focus on traffic, transportation infrastructure, and environmental considerations.
Councillor Andrew Foulds, representing the Current River ward where 791 Arundel St. is situated, opposed the rezoning. However, he acknowledged the unprecedented level of public engagement on this issue, noting widespread community concerns across the city.
Leia Minaker, an associate professor at the University of Waterloo specializing in urban planning, discussed the challenges faced by communities in Canada dealing with housing crises and differing opinions on development. She highlighted common concerns such as traffic congestion, parking issues, privacy concerns, shadows from tall buildings, and changes to neighborhood character resulting from new developments.
In the context of northern Ontario, where housing affordability has historically been better, Minaker pointed out the projected population growth due to mining projects and economic activities in the region. She emphasized the need for clear communication and transparency from city authorities throughout the development process.
Santink emphasized the importance of ongoing communication and public awareness regarding the housing developments in Thunder Bay. She remains vigilant about monitoring the projects as they progress.