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Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services
What they thought was a nature preserve appears primed for development, said Ingrid Panayi, who owns a house on Niven Drive.
"I think there's going to be a lot of very angry people," said Panayi.
"When we bought the property we were told we couldn't cut down the trees, but what are they doing?"
Panayi said she noticed red survey tape near the trail last week, but the slashed survey line was something new.
On Tuesday afternoon, a freshly-cut survey line intersected the trail a few meters past an open area that features park benches and a wildlife information sign.
Numerous cut trees were found on both sides of the trail.
A press release issued by City Hall at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday states that a five-meter buffer zone will remain between the trail and future homes, but the survey line appears to be much closer than that in several areas.
The press release further states that the city has entered into a purchase agreement with Homes North for developing Phase VI of the Niven Lake subdivision, although it has yet to be finalized.
The tentative plan calls for the development of 100 single-family lots on the west side of Niven Lake.
Niven Lake resident Dale Maedel, who was out walking his dog Tuesday, said he was shocked by what he saw. He is also angry that residents were not consulted.
"This is incredible; this blows my mind," said Maedel. "Everybody was shown plans detailing what was going to be here in the future, but this isn't what I expected."
Upset people 'no surprise'
Acting mayor Wendy Bisaro said she isn't surprised people are upset.
"Part of the problem is that we haven't done the P.R. required to let people know what's going on there," said Bisaro.
"So we're going to have to play catch-up."
Bisaro said she couldn't recall whether the decision to sell the land was made during an in-camera meeting.
"I'd have to go and check the minutes," said Bisaro.
She added that the city has been trying to sell the land for some time, but the only taker was Homes North.
Coun. Kevin O'Reilly said the deal was "the subject of some in-camera discussions."
O'Reilly said he was planning to ask questions about it at last night's regular council meeting.
"I just think this whole thing has been handled terribly," said O'Reilly.
"I don't even think this thing has a development permit."
According to the press release, part of the trail will have to be moved to make way for the new development. It states that the trail "encroaches onto a segment of the development."
Coun. Bob Brooks said about 12 metres of trail will be moved.
"My interest is to make sure whatever section being removed is replaced with as good as or better quality trail system in that area," said Brooks.
But Jamie Bastedo, who advised on the original construction of the trail, said it appears the city views green spaces and nature trails as only a secondary importance to making money on developments.
"I think this is just another example of putting the private cart before the public horse," said Bastedo.
"It's a shameful example of clandestine decisions about public land without public output."
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