LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Councillors for Fort Simpson have re-approved the development of three duplexes just off 100 Street, four months after an original approval was overturned on appeal.

Ron Blauel met with Fort Simpson's village council as part of his work canvassing the community for support. Blauel is the man behind Dreamcatcher Air Services Ltd. - April Hudson/NNSL photo

The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation brought the project back to the council table on April 18.

A timeline set out in the new application calls for tenders to go out June 2, with construction commencing shortly after June 23. Site work is expected to wrap up July 11.

The duplexes are anticipated to be open for rental as of Aug. 8.

The project, which is slated for development behind the Nahendeh building, was originally approved by the village in October 2014. In September 2015, the project was put on hold after the discovery of possible graves on the site.

Months later, the housing corporation proceeded with the development and received development approval from the village, sparking an appeal from Liidlii Kue First Nation. The appeal was held Dec. 6 and the project's approval was overturned Jan. 21.

At that time, a decision from the village's development appeal board found the project's approval was void because proper policies had not been followed.

According to an April 14 report to council from bylaw officer Keyna Norwegian, the new application includes measures to block off the grave sites with a five-metre barrier between them and construction activity.

Prior to approval, councillors questioned whether the site plans had been approved by the fire marshal. However, fire marshal approval is only required for commercial sites, and since the housing development is zoned as residential, councillors agreed to proceed with approval, excepting Coun. Chuck Blyth, who voted against the motion.

Homeowner's Grant scrapped

Homeowners in Fort Simpson who pay their property taxes on time will no longer be entitled to a $200 tax rebate under the Homeowner's Grant Program.

On April 18, village council decided to turf the long-standing program.

The decision came on the heels of a survey circulated by the village asking residents whether they wanted the program to continue. Mayor Darlene Sibbeston said she had not received much feedback yet from that survey.

The Homeowner's Grant Program was started more than 20 years ago as a means to encourage residents to pay their property taxes on time. The rebate was originally $300 but last summer the previous council agreed to reduce the rebate to $200.

Sibbeston said the decision to scrap the grant altogether came because it did not benefit people living on leased land, band land or anyone who could not afford to pay their property taxes up-front.

Business proposal gets village support

Councillors agreed to draft a letter of support for Ron Blauel, who is working on starting helicopter service Dreamcatcher Air Service Ltd. in Fort Simpson.

Blauel made a presentation to council on April 18, asking for direction on whether he should proceed and giving councillors a rundown of his efforts to consult with community members.

The letter brought up a question among councillors and Sibbeston as to what the village's place should be when it comes to supporting new business, since it administers business licences, and whether it should agree to support all businesses that aim to start up in the area.

"New businesses are something very healthy and good for the community," said Coun. Muaz Hassan.

Coun. Chuck Blyth agreed, adding the village should support all new businesses that meet all the requirements to start up.

In-kind donation approved

Councillors agreed to give an in-kind donation of recreation centre facilities to the Open Sky Creative Society for the purposes of the summer festival.

On April 5, the society wrote to council asking the village to waive rental fees for the community hall, kitchen, arena and gym on July 2 and 3, the dates planned for the Open Sky Festival.

The society will still be required to pay for the use of the arena during its adult dance, which is a liquor licensed event.