Lori Santink expressed disappointment but not shock at the city council’s approval to rezone two empty lots for new housing projects in Thunder Bay, Ont. The properties at 791 Arundel St., along with two others, were sold to Terralux General Contractors and Development Limited this year as part of efforts to address the city’s housing shortage. The approved rezoning will allow for the construction of over 900 new housing units across the city, including 360 units at 791 Arundel St., 150 units at 144 Fanshaw St., and 400 units at 300 Tokio St.
Despite concerns raised by Santink and the grassroots group TBay Greenspace Preservation, the city council greenlit the rezoning of the Arundel and Fanshaw street properties. Santink criticized the move, citing conflicts with the city’s Net-Zero Strategy and Climate Adaptation Strategy. The group collected over 2,600 signatures in a petition against the developments and held a rally outside city hall with over 100 participants.
The Ontario government’s Bill 60 restricts residents from appealing municipal council decisions via the Ontario Land Tribunal, leaving judicial review as the only recourse. Thunder Bay’s manager of planning services, Devon McCloskey, mentioned that the developer is finalizing applications for site plan control and building permits before commencing construction on the proposed sites.
Coun. Andrew Foulds, representing the Current River ward, opposed the rezoning of the Arundel St. property. However, the high level of public engagement in this matter was unprecedented, drawing concerns from citizens citywide. Leia Minaker, an associate professor at the University of Waterloo, emphasized the importance of transparent communication and understanding the impacts of housing developments, particularly in regions like northern Ontario facing growth challenges.
As Thunder Bay navigates these housing initiatives, Santink stressed the importance of ongoing public awareness and engagement throughout the process.