IQALUIT - A vacant lot in Iqaluit's Plateau subdivision will not be rezoned for commercial development after citizens packed the council chambers at a public hearing on July 20 to oppose the change.

Nova Builders was trying to get the city to rezone this piece of land in Iqaluit's Plateau subdivision so they could build a two-storey commercial and residential building with 20 parking spots. Councillors voted down the bylaw allowing the rezoning on second reading July 21. - Emily Ridlington/NNSL photo

Developer Nova Builders had been asking for the rezoning to build a proposed two-storey commercial and residential building with 20 parking spots and loading docks adjacent to residents' backyards.

"I urge you to take our concerns seriously," said Virginia Lloyd, a resident who owns a home next to the lot.

She told council how she bought her first house on the Plateau as it was "somewhere safe where I could raise my kids." She said she and other residents do not want a large commercial building in their neighbourhood.

Seven city councillors out of eight present voted in favour of a motion that would discontinue the rezoning process of the piece of land from public institutional to industrial. In a continuation of the council meeting on July 21, councillors did not approve the second reading of the bylaw allowing the rezoning.

Council received seven letters from members of the public against the development. A petition with 63 signatures was also presented to the councillors.

Concerns in the letters received echoed those of Lloyd's. Reasons residents gave against the rezoning included that there is a playground across the street from the lot, it would increase traffic, the price of homes would be devalued and it would increase air, light and noise pollution.

The only councillor to vote against the motion was Romeyn Stevenson. He prefaced his comments by saying he knew his views would not be popular.

He said that when residents purchased lots near the property in question they should have been well aware it was zoned for a building.

After the meeting, Lloyd said while she was opposed to the potential rezoning she is open to having four single residential units on the lot as long as the city is willing to openly communicate what is going on with the residents.

"There was minimal communication until it was absolutely required the public be informed that this was going to happen and a public hearing was going to take place," she said.

Anthony Barney, who is considering moving into the neighbourhood, told council he too was not pleased at how the city handled things.

"I kind of felt it was a little bit under the table," he said.

Mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik said she had never seen so many people come out to a public hearing before.

"I think council saw an overwhelming resistance against that proposed rezoning," said Michele Bertol, senior director, planning and lands with the city.

She said the same applicant or another could always submit another rezoning application. In addition to paying $1,000 for the application, Bertol said the applicant has to invest and spend money to pay an architect for a building design which must accompany the application.