Housing project approved pending consultation
Despite presence of possible graves, duplex project could go ahead
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, November 5, 2015
LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Fort Simpson has renewed the Northwest Territories Housing and Development Corporation's development permit to construct three duplex buildings in the village, despite a sonar survey detecting four potential grave sites on the land in question.
Village council meet for their last regular meeting on Oct. 20. Members approved the construction of three duplexes, by the Northwest Territories Housing and Development Corporation despite concerns there are graves on the site. The approval comes with the stipulation that the corporation consults with the Liidlii Que First Nation and complies with federal, territorial and municipal regulations. - April Hudson/NNSL photo
|
The renewed permit is contingent upon the corporation consulting with Liidlii Kue First Nation and complying with federal, territorial and municipal regulations.
John Dewar, regional superintendent for housing corp., presented to council on Oct. 20 alongside colleague Jim Martin, vice-president of finance and infrastructure services.
Martin told council housing corporation wants to proceed with the development, providing the four potential grave sites are left undisturbed. In order to respect those sites, they are considering fencing five-metre sections where the grave sites are.
"Cold weather means we need to move quickly," Martin told council, adding they want to complete work in a month.
Housing corp. told council they had yet to consult with Liidlii Kue First Nation on the project.
Councillors agreed consultation should take place before the project goes ahead.
Village leases expired
The village is purchasing the land the Fort Simpson pool currently sits on for $1 from the Lands Department.
Although land is not normally sold in the village, SAO Beth Jumbo told council the pool is too close to Fort Simpson's other recreational facilities so the territorial government cannot use it.
The village's leases for land where they dump snow are also up for renewal and Jumbo said she is working to renew a lease for the public works department lands, which has been up since 2010.
The village has also been leasing land near the gun range for a potential cemetery. With that lease up as well, Jumbo said the lands department has recommended the village not use the land for a cemetery, as it is a potentially good area for future village development.
In regard to the gun range, Jumbo noted the land lease will be coming to council for renewal. Given the range's proximity to Four Mile, Jumbo said there have been suggestions the range shoot in the opposite direction or potentially move elsewhere.
Bylaw officer hired
Keyna Norwegian has been appointed as the village's new bylaw officer, following newly approved bylaw 2015-009,
The bylaw also appoints SAO Beth Jumbo as Chief Bylaw Officer and Lee Cazon as auxiliary bylaw officer if Norwegian is unavailable.
The new bylaw outlines fine ranging from $50 to $1,000 for individuals who fail to obey a bylaw order, and $250 to $5,000 for corporations.
