Duplex proposal draws petition

A proposal to build four duplexes in a Hart-area neighbourhood is being met with opposition.

A 45-name petition has been sent to city council ahead of a public hearing Monday night over whether to allow the homes at 3865 Glendale Dr., and 3940, 3943 and 4016 Knight Cres.

“We are concerned that building duplexes will bring into our quiet neighbourhood an influx of traffic,” the petitioners say. “Also, having duplexes brings in more unknown people with the possibility of the crime rate going up exponentially.”

In letters in support of the projects, proponent Bruce Kidd of Kidd Real Estate Holdings Ltd., says the homes would be built once the mobile homes currently occupying the lots are vacated over the next three to five years.

He said the projects will provide new, yet affordable homes that are close to schools, shopping and lakes. Similar duplexes have been built on Peter Road on the opposite side of Highway 97 North, he noted.

Also on the agenda:

• Council will consider applying to the Canadian Radiotelevision and Telecommunications Commission for approval to implement a 311 service in the city.

It would provide “a single point of access phone number for non-emergency municipal government services,” according to a staff report.

• Staff will seek council’s approval to apply for a grant from the provincial government to carry out flood protection planning for Farrell St., Regent Cres. and other parts of the surrounding area within the flood plain.

Under the grant program, the government will fund up to $10,000 of eligible costs including 100 per cent of the first $5,000 spent and 50 per cent of the next $10,000 spent. The total cost for the project is estimated at $25,000 making the city’s portion $15,000.

• A progress report on improvement projects at the city’s parks and playgrounds will be presented to council.

• Recommendations from the Select Committee on a Healthy City Framework Social Development Strategy will be presented to council.