Yellowknife (July 30/04) - City council has given developer Mike Mrdjenovich the green light to build an apartment complex across from Stanton Hospital over the objections of two members who said it could slow emergency access to the facility.

"Through development we have blocked in one of our prime public institutions," said Kevin O'Reilly.

Council voted 5-2, Monday, to re-zone a plot of land at the intersection of Range Lake Road and Old Airport Road from commercial to residential.

The zoning change paves the way for Mrdjenovich to build an apartment complex adjacent to the hospital. The city had originally issued the developer a permit for an 81-room hotel.

O'Reilly said a city study predicted that apartments would increase traffic by 20 per cent along the northern end of Range Lake Road, which is also the primary access route for the hospital's emergency ward.

"I cannot support the re-zoning in the interest of public safety," said O'Reilly.

Councillor Mark Heyck agreed with O'Reilly, saying the intersection was already one of the busiest in Yellowknife.

No major concerns

But the majority of councillors disagreed with O'Reilly and Heyck, including David McCann who said hospital officials were satisfied the apartment building would not interfere with ambulance service.

"The fact that the hospital has no major concerns speaks volumes," said McCann.

Councillor Alan Woytuik also disputed O'Reilly's interpretation of the city's traffic study. Woytuik said while traffic is expected to increase by 20 per cent, the actual number of vehicles will be minimal.

"20 per cent of very little is still very little," he said. In order to accommodate the extra traffic, the city is planning to enlarge the intersection at Range Lake and Old Airport Road by adding extra turning lanes.

"The concerns with traffic have been answered to my satisfaction," said councillor Wendy Bisaro.

The re-zoning bylaw has been sent to the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs for approval. It's expected to return before council for third and final reading later this summer.