Hoping to help the issue of affordable housing in the city, the Timmins Native Friendship Centre has teamed up with architect and developer Barry Martin to build 18 new residential units.
Veronica Nicholson, Executive Director of the Timmins Native Friendship Centre, has asked the city for a zoning bylaw amendment on the south portion of their property.
It would change from 'institutional' to 'medium residential' and would allow for the construction of two rows of 1.5 storey residential dwellings.
They are also asking for minor breaks from setback requirements, as well as required parking spaces.
The units would be situated off of Kimberley Avenue, between Balsam Street South and Cedar Street South. The site was formerly the Flora MacDonald Public School playground.
"We believe that the need for this housing project has been driven by community needs and desires. Timmins has long recognized the need to improve physical infrastructure and affordable housing availability. More specifically the proposed project will address one of the most common themes to emerge during the Timmins 2020 public consultations. There were several concerns around affordable, good quality housing" said Nicholson on Monday night.
"Another huge factor that should not be overlooked is the increase of the homeless and/or at at risk of becoming homeless among the indigenous population in Timmins. The uniqueness of this phenomenon for aboriginal individuals is directly related to oppression, racism, and discrimination that have resulted in severe social and economic marginalization" she said.
Included in the council package, was a letter of opposition from Marg Eggert and Linda Pasi, two residents of Balsam Street.
"It will obstruct our view of Sacred Heart Church and there reduce our quality of life. We are concerned that constructing this big of a building could also reduce the resale potential for our home, as that view is definitely a selling point. Everyone who visits us remarks on it" said the letter.
Martin, an architect and engineer, has worked with the Timmins Native Friendship Centre in the past, including the conversion of Flora MacDonald Public School to its current state.
"I knew that the housing program would have opposition, there could be opposition, because we're building it in Downtown Timmins" he said.
Martin has been involved in most of the social housing projects throughout the municipality in recent decades. He said the units will actually be one and a half stories tall, and not two stories tall, as many residents were told. He was well aware of Eggert and Pasi's concerns.
"So there will still be a view of the church. We can't give control on projects based on the view when one person lives a full block away" said Martin.
"Every other social housing I've done in this town has been two storey. This one is one and a half storeys. So I think that what we've done, is we've done a project that will fit within the neighbourhood, and not offend the neighbours. In fact, I think it might increase their values in that particular area" he added.
Developer Barry Martin and Veronica Nicholson of the Timmins Native Friendship Centre made their intentions clear. Andrew Autio for TimminsToday Councillor Noella Rinaldo said she could understand the concerns of the neighbours, as it has been an open space for many decades.
"I think the neighbours are picturing, all of a sudden these buildings just taking that whole lot and no green space. Walls and bricks" she said.
Martin and Nicholson both assured council there will be a 'fair amount' of green space in the development.
Mayor Steve Black said that it was a goal of council to support affordable housing in the city, He then opened up the floor for the public.
John Cornelson, a nearby property owner and landlord had concerns about impacts on property values and rent prices. A woman from Birch South didn't like the idea of an apartment building being able to look into her yard.
Father John Lemire of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish came forward with a few concerns, but also with praise and respect for the work of the Timmins Native Friendship Centre.
"Two of our major concerns about this project surface around the areas of parking as well as the issues of snow. And what type of impact that will have on our neighbourhood, and in particular way how it will affect us as a parish community both for daily and Sunday mass, for funerals and for weddings" said Lemire.
City staff will be preparing a report, taking the public input into consideration, which will come back to council for review and approval at a future meeting.
