Council supports bigger Kam Lake homes
Removal of size restriction on dwellings one of three recommendations made to council
Randi Beers
Northern News Services
Published Friday, October 17, 2014
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Following a debate at the Municipal Services Committee Monday at city hall, councillors seem set to remove a size restriction on residential dwellings in Kam Lake.
Peter Curran, middle, stands with his family Joseph, left, Anna, Diep Duong in front of equipment he rents out of his home business in Kam Lake. He and his wife have long advocated for more lenient mixed-use zoning his neighbourhood. - Randi Beers/NNSL photo |
The debate focused around a number of options for the industrial business park that is experiencing rapid growth and transformation.
Jeff Humble, the city's director of planning and development, presented recommendations to remove a 140-square-metre size restriction on dwellings in the area, add a $50,000 Kam Lake transportation study for road and trail improvements to the 2015 capital budget debate and address other land-use and zoning matters including allowing for food and beverage establishments, kennels and heavy industrial businesses in the area.
One-hundred-and-forty square metres is roughly 1,500 square-feet.
"Residential development in an industrial zone is perhaps not the greatest fit, but the (development) applications we have received show amazing creativity," he said.
Following Humble's recommendations, a few residents gave presentations of their own.
Kam Lake resident Peter Curran showed council a Power Point presentation with his wife, Diep Duong. Curran told council he grew up in Kam Lake and has chosen to raise his own family on the same property where he was raised.
"I support mixed use," he said of his vision for the neighbourhood as he showed council photos from his childhood. "Mixed use is the quintessential experience for this resident."
Eric Sputek, president of the Kam Lake Property Owners Association, also stood up to argue that removing the size restriction on dwellings while maintaining an industrial component could make his neighbourhood "blossom."
"Kam Lake is unique. It's something you don't see everywhere and if we maintain that, we might see more," he said.
Six councillors indicated strong support of the recommendation to remove size restrictions on dwellings, but Coun. Niels Konge, who lives in Kam Lake himself, said his support stopped at the proposed $50,000 transportation study.
"Coming up to budget, it is my goal to have a zero per cent increase during budget debates," he said.
"I think this could be done in-house - we have our own planners and engineers."
Coun. Dan Wong spoke in favour of the transportation study, saying Kam Lake residents have been asking for services and the city needs to do something.
"I've heard sidewalks are needed and I believe all residents have the right for a safe sidewalk," he said.
Coun. Cory Vanthuyne agreed with Wong, saying he was one of the original people asking for a Kam Lake transportation study because he believes the city needs to research how to best combine heavy industrial and residential properties. Council will vote on all three recommendations during a regular council meeting Oct. 27.
