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School board has every right to sell Arlington Drive

I am disappointed at the seemingly virulent opposition to the proposed affordable housing development on the former school site at 70 Arlington Dr.

I am disappointed at the seemingly virulent opposition to the proposed affordable housing development on the former school site at 70 Arlington Dr.

One has to consider the result of a large school being built on that somewhat restricted site and the possible overflow of cars parking around the area and the noise the schoolyard might generate. The site has only one corner house on each side of the parcel so in my view, those two homes are the only ones really affected. I speak with some experience on the matter as a former alderman who had to deal with this issue over many years, and as a consultant and realtor involved with an offer that was made by a local architect in early 2007.

Our plan was to build a somewhat mixed-use condominium project of affordable housing with low profile bungalow style homes facing onto Arlington Drive to reduce the shadow impart on the two adjoining corner lots. Notwithstanding that our proposal was not accepted, I still support the current proposal.

I researched the legal and zoning implications of this parcel on behalf of architect Si Siren, who has designed a number of projects in this area and is a St. Albert resident. I came to the conclusion that the Protestant board had the right to sell the land and apply for a rezoning that would allow an affordable housing project for the property. The board and the city have arrived at the same conclusion.

The original five-acre parcel was reduced to almost three acres when the board gave two acres to be added to the park. The board has also incurred considerable costs in the ownership of this parcel and in my view has the right to dispose of it. What better way than to provide some much needed affordable housing.

The final call is left in the hands of our elected council who should, of course, listen to the concerns of ratepayers — both those who oppose and are the most noisy and also to those who support this proposal. I hope and urge council to support the application. It is an opportunity to provide affordable housing whose time has come.

Bob Russell, St. Albert

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