Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Published Monday, July 07, 2008

HAY RIVER - A land rezoning battle - a replay of a controversy from 2004 - has erupted in Hay River.

The owners of a lot on Cameron Cres. have applied to town council to rezone it multi-family residential from institutional.

The vast majority of area residents oppose any zoning change, fearing it would mean a multiplex in the single-family neighbourhood.

That, they argue, would irrevocably change their Cameron Cres./Woodland Dr. neighbourhood by creating parking and traffic problems, making the area unsafe for children and lowering property values.

About 40 residents made their objections clear at a sometimes tense public hearing on June 16.

"You would in essence be destroying the character of the neighbourhood," said resident Brian Dawson.

Jim Markow said the application has caused a lot of worry and stress for residents.

"It doesn't impact the neighbourhood, it changes it," he said.

"We don't know what's going in, but it scares us," said Marsha Wallington, another resident. "It's too iffy."

Many residents would like to see the lot become a park.

At the hearing, Mayor Jean-Marc Miltenberger said the property owners were entitled to re-apply for rezoning 12 months after the last application.

The new application has passed first reading without discussion by council, but Miltenberger explained that was a formality to get the process going.

No date has been set for second reading.

Miltenberger objected to any speculation about what might be built on the lot, adding there has been no application for development.

"Do not make reference to speculation, rumour or innuendo," he told residents at the hearing.

Miltenberger also said council would have control of any development and could accommodate residents' concerns.

However, residents said the final say will be with the town's Development Appeal Board.

Coun. Vince McKay said council is trying to work with everyone on the issue.

Coun. Dawna O'Brien told the residents council needs an opportunity to vote.

"Don't infer that we're going to pass it," O'Brien said.

The 2004 application for rezoning was rejected by a vote of 4-2 by council.

Back then, the idea was to build a 12-plex on the .23-hectare lot.

The lot is owned by Jeff and Erin Griffiths.

Jeff Griffiths, who did not attend the public hearing, said he has no immediate plans for the property.

"It's just a rezoning now," he said. "It's not even a development."

The owner said it is hoped something will eventually be built on the empty lot.

Griffiths said he is not surprised by the opposition of residents, adding it is almost a carbon copy of what happened in 2004.

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

During the public meeting, one speaker said some area residents have discussed buying the lot from the Griffiths.

While the lot is currently not for sale, Griffiths said he would entertain offers.