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HAY RIVER - A controversial rezoning application in Hay River continues to move ahead despite significant public protest.

On July 21, town council passed second reading of the application to rezone a lot on Cameron Crescent, despite continuing opposition by almost everyone in the neighbourhood.

Several signs in Hay River's Cameron Crescent area protest a proposed rezoning of a lot in the neighbourhood. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

Some visibly angry homeowners stormed out of council chambers after the vote.

The owners of the lot have applied to rezone it multi-family residential from institutional.

Area residents fear the rezoning would lead to a multiplex in the single-family neighbourhood and create parking and traffic problems, make the area unsafe for children and lower property values.

"That was no democratic process," said resident Roman Moizis following the vote, adding council provided no answers to residents' concerns.

Moizis expects council to approve the rezoning application on third and final reading.

"They're going to vote the same," he said.

Some members of council assured residents their concerns would be addressed by controls on any future development application.

The lot in question is owned by Jeff and Erin Griffiths.

Jeff Griffiths said those opposed to rezoning don't want anything built on the lot.

Asked about the emotional reaction by residents following the vote, he said, "If I was that emotional about it, I'd get out my chequebook and buy it."

Griffiths said there could be 60 per cent lot coverage under institutional zoning, but only 28 per cent under multi-family residential.

If the rezoning is ultimately approved, he said he has no immediate plans for the property.

The proposed bylaw now goes to the minister of municipal and community affairs for approval, and will then return to council for third and final reading, likely next month.

Councillors were divided on the application. Vince McKay and Kevin Wallington voted against it, while Dawna O'Brien, Diana Ehman, Pat Burnstad and Mike Maher voted in favour.

Coun. Sandra Lester declared a conflict of interest, while Coun. Ken Latour was absent from the meeting.

Recognizing there is virtually 100 per cent opposition from residents, Wallington said council has a responsibility to listen to them.

Wallington also questioned whether controls on eventual development would be sufficient. "I still don't feel that's strong enough to go forward with this rezoning."

The councillor said approving the rezoning application would chip away at the people's confidence in council to represent them.

Maher said no one wants to see a four-storey building built on the lot.

"I believe that nothing is going to go there that is unrealistic," he said.

Maher's vote on the application bothered some residents since he is chair of the Southwest Territorial Business Development Centre, where Jeff Griffiths works as general manager.

Maher said he informed council of the relationship and doesn't feel his volunteer role as chairman - and essentially Griffith's boss - should prevent him from voting.

"If he was my boss, I would declare a conflict," said Maher, adding he was mistaken to have declared a conflict of interest in the proposed rezoning when it previously arose several years ago.

The controversy over the lot is a repeat of a battle from 2004. The council of the day rejected rezoning by a vote of 4-2.

Those plans called for a 12-plex to be built on the 0.23-hectare lot.