Condo owners raise privacy concerns
Northern News Services
Friday, March 10, 2017
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Council voted to proceed with plans for the Twin Pine Hill trail development - regardless of what the condo owners want.
Council heard a presentation from Vikrant Sharma and Chris Scott, representatives of Yellowknife Condominium Corporation No. 56 on Feb. 27, which represents the condos atop Twin Pine Hill. The duo raised concerns over privacy and loitering, and requested the proposed viewing platform be moved.
"We just want to ensure that the viewing amenity needs are balanced with the condo owners concerns," said Scott, adding that while they "are able" to accept the currently proposed viewing deck, the condo owners would prefer to move the platform to the other side of the condo units. The current plan includes a "low impact" viewing platform, like a bench, in that location.
"It's actually the same view as Pilot's Monument but from a different angle," said Sharma. "And also eliminates pretty much all the concerns of Summit condo owners. We feel that it's a nice balance."
Both he and Scott shared condo owners concerns that the current plan could be a draw for rowdy behaviour and loitering, in addition to tourists. The city has already denied requests to adjust opening hours from the standard public parks hours of 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The viewing platform has already been shifted around six meters to the left from where it was originally planned and a proposed promenade has been nixed from the plans to accommodate privacy concerns.
"Where the platform is currently located you can't actually see into people's houses," said Coun. Julian Morse. "I've been there three times now, I've looked at in the evening, during the day, so I see it as a good compromise."
Councilor Adrian Bell agreed.
"I walk the Niven Lake trail every day. Sometimes after dark. And I walk along the backyards of people's houses ... I've never seen anybody in their living room. Never seen anyone in their kitchen, washing dishes, looking out. It's just never happened," he said.
"So I kind of take the privacy concerns with a bit of a grain of salt. Having now seen the property pretty closely I don't really think it's that big a concern."
In fact, he added that having the trail system nearby might add value to the condo owner's property.
"We're proposing here to build a $500,000 dog walking trail for the neighbours," he said.
"So I think that there's got to be a little more give and take with respect to what it is that the public would want to see on this trail."
Council approved the plans with Couns. Niels Konge and Steve Payne dissenting.
