As the old adage goes, “You can’t fight city hall.”
On May 19, council approved the high-density Midtown development in South Riel known as Area C, despite valid concerns of strong impact to our adjacent two-storey neighbourhood on Hawthorne Crescent, namely:
- Lack of privacy (future residents from 10- to 12-storey buildings peering down into our backyards)
- Homes in full shadow late afternoon and into the evening
- Increased traffic, noise and density
- Probable lower property values
From my perspective, throughout the meeting it appeared that all but one of the councillors’ minds were already made up regarding this bylaw change. I’d like to thank Councillor Sheena Hughes for being the only one who genuinely addressed our concerns and supported the current residents of this area. Our lives will be severely impacted by these 10- to 12-storey high rises directly behind our homes. Your support and common sense is greatly appreciated.
Thank you to the three residents who gave presentations regarding this matter on Zoom, and for the numerous residents who emailed letters against this bylaw change.
I must note that during Rachel Vincent’s presentation, Councillor Ray Watkins, who didn’t realize his mic was on, remarked, “Oh god, I’m going to f---ing vomit.” Is this how you support and address the concerns of St. Albert citizens? You did apologize and said your remark was not in relation to Rachel Vincent’s concerns. Hmmm, OK, sure. Sorry, to me, it was like a slap in the face.
Councillor Wes Brodhead remarked that change is difficult and the nature of living in community is that we have to live in community. So, we citizens of Hawthorne Crescent have to reluctantly accept this.
Good luck to future neighbourhoods facing similar high rise developments in your neighbourhood, in particular, Oakmont. We have been dealing with this for numerous years and although our concerns have been expressed many times, it didn’t do any good. What the current residents want for our city doesn’t matter. This is how this council wants to grow St. Albert, so be warned.
As for the Saga of South Riel, as I like to call it, it has come to a close without the ending we wanted. We will have to deal with the impact this decision has left on our neighbourhood. I must end this letter now, because while thinking of all of this, I somehow have the overwhelming urge to … vomit.
Annemarie Corcoran
St. Albert
