Jennifer McPhee
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (May 20/02) - Residents and potential residents of the Road to Nowhere subdivision are peeved over proposed re-zoning that allows denser, affordable housing in the area.

The original zoning plan included mostly single dwelling lots.

However, last year, when the lots didn't sell quickly, the city turned eight single-dwelling lots into multi-dwelling lots.

And now, after receiving complaints the area doesn't include enough affordable housing, the city has proposed a new plan.

If approved, the plan will make room for row houses, duplexes and semi-detached homes. It also creates smaller lots and cheaper prices. The City of Iqaluit currently has no other multi-dwelling lots available to developers in other parts of the city.

Director of Lands and Planning, Chrystal Fuller, said the plan "attempts to make a variety of housing types available for a variety of income levels."

However, those at a preliminary public meeting last week fear re-zoning will lower property values. Residents said they bought homes or signed leases thinking the area was a single-family dwelling area.

"I moved from the downtown area because I wanted peace and quiet," said Judy Allen who lives in the subdivision. "I object to the re-zoning."

Corrinne Attagutsiak has invested $6,000 in a home, but may back out if the new plan is approved.

She said her family scrimped and saved for two years for the money to buy a house.

"If they want housing affordable for lower income families, they could develop another area to put multi-plexes on," she said.

"I feel like I'm back at step one. We've lived in row housing and we don't want to go back to that."

Developer Rejeam Jacques of G.C. North feels the plan is unfair to those, like himself, who have already developed. He said houses on the proposed smaller lots will cost less, and sell faster.

"Basically we are penalized by the re-dividing of lots," he said. "Usually, people go for cheaper properties."

Jacques also has a single-family dwelling home for sale "trapped in the middle of row houses."

While he agrees Iqaluit needs space for row houses, he said: "It's unfortunate this hasn't been designed from the start."

Fuller stressed the plan isn't set in stone.