Yellowknife, like many municipalities across the country, has a NIMBY problem.
NIMBY, of course, stands for SA国际影视传媒渘ot in my backyard.SA国际影视传媒�
ItSA国际影视传媒檚 a phenomenon whereby residents oppose construction or other changes to a neighbourhood because itSA国际影视传媒檚 going to have a negative effect on their lives SA国际影视传媒� the question is always SA国际影视传媒渢o what degree?SA国际影视传媒�
It happened last fall when the territorial government bumbled from one potential location to another in search of a temporary day shelter. Even the City of Yellowknife was guilty of NIMBYism, finding fault with some of the proposals. Nearby residents and businesses were also up in arms. With 30 to 50 clients coming and going from the temporary day shelter daily SA国际影视传媒� some of them struggling with substance abuse or mental health challenges SA国际影视传媒� it just wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 an enticing prospect.
But they needed somewhere to go.
Finally, in early November, with the mercury dipping into SA国际影视传媒渉ard to bearSA国际影视传媒� temperature territory, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs was forced to declare a state of emergency on behalf of the day shelter clients. That enabled the GNWT to take over the vacant Mine Rescue Building on 49 Avenue. It was a less-than-satisfying conclusion to months of hand-wringing by many in our community. In a supposed enlightened era when we continue to hear the refrain that addictions and mental illness shouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 be stigmatized, here was the repeated message of, SA国际影视传媒淵ouSA国际影视传媒檙e not wanted around these parts. Take your problems elsewhere.SA国际影视传媒�
Is there another episode of NIMBYism flaring up on the other side of the core? This time the scene is along Matonabee Street, where about a dozen neighbours have joined forces to say no to a 102-unit seniorsSA国际影视传媒� complex. The matter has landed in front of the development appeal board. ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 a litany of complaints, but the neighbours insist they donSA国际影视传媒檛 take issue with the pressing need for seniorsSA国际影视传媒� housing. The nearby residents just want to stop it from proceeding, is all.
Their opposition includes a city councillor, appointed to the development appeal board, who is allegedly friends with the CEO of AVENS, the project proponent, and perceived to be biased in favour of the development. For the sake of argument, letSA国际影视传媒檚 say those critiques hold water. The development appeal board comprises seven members and city councilSA国际影视传媒檚 representative is only one of them. In 2020, the board released two decisions and it altered the development permit in both cases, so itSA国际影视传媒檚 not a body that automatically rubber-stamp developersSA国际影视传媒� plans.
Another point of contention among the neighbours is that they were never properly involved in the decision-making process. This seniorsSA国际影视传媒� complex has been in the news numerous times over the past 18 months. There were governance and priorities committee meeting meetings held on this matter twice in January. With an increase in traffic being one of the main concerns, AVENSSA国际影视传媒� representatives said it would look at widening the laneway, building an access road from Gitzel Street and reducing parking stalls on site. It would surely be fair for the development appeal board to ensure those items are indeed adequately addressed.
The city sees the merit in the project. It issued a development permit in April. The federal government obviously believes in the seniorsSA国际影视传媒� pavilion. It announced $33.7 million in support last October. The GNWT is also on board, chipping in $5.1 million.
The seniorsSA国际影视传媒� complex also has the full-throated support of the Yellowknife Seniors Society.
YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 aging citizens cannot be exiled to Jolliffe Island. A resolution is needed at Matonabee Street. The neighbours have a right to speak up, but theySA国际影视传媒檙e outnumbered and should be prepared to make a few sacrifices in the name of whatSA国际影视传媒檚 best for this city.
