Jackson Heights subdivision is a go after 50-plus years

Owners started planning the new North End neighbourhood in 1960s

The Jackson Heights subdivision plan got final approval from city council on Monday.

The development of 328 homes — houses, as well as townhouses and apartments — will go in the city’s northwest corner, on 50 acres of vacant land first set aside for a subdivision in the 1960s.

Some property owners bought lots decades ago and are still holding them.

“This will close a chapter that’s been open for many, many, many years,” said retired urban planner Heather Sadler to council, prior to the vote.

Sadler’s family bought property in the subdivision decades ago and it has been passed down to her. Now it’s time to develop it, she said, and council ultimately agreed.

“This will close a chapter that’s been open for many, many, many years.” HEATHER SADLER RETIRED URBAN PLANNER

The new subdivision plan got preliminary approval at a committee meeting on Oct. 19, although the two north end councillors voted against it then, and they voted against it on Monday, too.

Northcrest Ward councillors Andrew Beamer and Stephen Wright were the only two councillors to vote against the subdivision, which would be in their ward.

Neither councillor spoke about it on Monday, but at the earlier meeting, they both said they were concerned that new development will increase traffic congestion in Northcrest Ward without any clear traffic solutions in the works.

The development is meant for the Lily Lake planning area, which is expected to have nearly 2,700 new homes across three separate subdivisions over the next few years, with the largest of the three having 1,800 homes.

Coun. Kim Zippel noted on Monday that it will mean many new homes near Jackson Park and on the Jackson Creek valley.

“We are putting 2,700 units on top of this valley — and it’s going to put a lot of pressure on the

park,” she said.

Although Zippel did vote in favour, she noted that there must be further chances for people to speak up about the subdivision plans.

Mayor Diane Therrien agreed, and said there will be opportunities for people to voice any concerns along the way to construction.

City planning staff recommended approval for Jackson Heights development because it would finally allow construction on a swath of land first divided into residential lots in the 1960s.

While roads were roughed in, and are still visible, the lands were never developed due to lack of servicing, city subdivision planner Brad Appleby told councillors on Oct. 19.

Typically, a developer is responsible to pay for the installation of city services, but in this case there was never a single developer.

Instead, there were 90 landowners who have recently formed a corporation to push the development forward.