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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
The Fort Simpson Village Council has asked for proof that a potential new development will look appropriate for the village's main street.

Members of the Fort Simpson Village Council have said they want to ensure any development on this lot looks appropriate for the village's main street. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

On July 4, a committee of the whole meeting was held to examine an application for a development permit. The application in question was from Leo (Yanny) Cordero and Lok Ying Wong.

The pair have applied to install six modular trailers on Cordero's lot on the village's main street, formerly the site of a portion of a garage and a service station.

The trailers, which include dinner, kitchen and sleeper units, would be used to provide commercial accommodations and meals to travellers. Cordero is currently storing the trailers in the village's industrial area.

Councillors raised a number of concerns regarding the development.

Coun. Bob Hanna said residents have told him the use of trailers made the development a camp and camps are usually temporary. We want buildings on main street that are esthetically pleasing, Hanna said. Other councillors voiced similar concerns.

Cordero said once siding is applied to the trailers, they will look like a single building and the development will remain there as a business.

Cordero has been asked to provide council with engineering drawings showing how the development would look and what types of siding and roofing materials will be used.

Mayor Sean Whelly said the village has no guarantee and not a lot of confidence that Cordero will make the changes to the trailers that he has promised. Council does have the power to refuse the application, he said.

"Your reputation on how you take care of your other buildings is coming back to haunt you a little bit," he said.

The mayor was referring to a number of rental properties around the village which Cordero owns. The properties are in varying states of disrepair.

Whelly said the village, however, is willing to work with Cordero and does want lots to be developed and the tax base to increase.

Other concerns raised by councillors included how the development will fit on the lot. According to the scale drawing provided, there will only be six feet left at the back of the lot between the last trailer and the former garage on the adjoining lot, said Hanna.

Coun. Tom Wilson asked where drivers who want to stay at the facility would park their transport trucks. Cordero said he wasn't concerned about that issue because transport trucks aren't allowed on the village's main street.

Wilson also voiced concerns about the history of the lot. There was a service station on the lot for approximately 60 years so who knows what kind of contamination is in the ground, he said.

Wilson said he would like to see soil samples of the lot and written assurances that there is nothing there that will harm people.

At one point in the meeting, Cordero used foul language and accused the council of putting up roadblocks and wanting him to leave the community.

After the meeting, Whelly said he thought Cordero had shown a willingness to address the council's concerns. Whelly said a public hearing about the development permit may still be held to allow adjacent land owners have their say.

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