Monday's council meeting was a bitter disappointment to the citizens of Akinsdale.
At council's request, we attended two design charettes, the purpose of which were to provide Akinsdale residents with input into what would be acceptable for the 70 Arlington Dr. property. In order for the charettes to better function, a group of Akinsdale residents met beforehand to try and decide among ourselves as to what would be acceptable on the property.
Our main concern was with the unaffordable 'affordable housing' that Apollo was going to provide. We believed that $200,000 to $250,000 is too much to pay for basement-less row-housing without yards, driveways or private space. In order to qualify for a mortgage, a family would have to have a net income of close to $60,000 per annum without any major outstanding debts and $10,000 for a down payment. It is our view that most Walmart clerks or employees of chamber of commerce members do not have this type of income.
We decided to focus on the Habitat for Humanity dwellings that serve a greater purpose. The original proposal was for 15 of the Apollo row-housing units. We decided on a cul-de-sac of six Habitat duplexes (12 family units) with six single dwellings. The single dwellings could have been replaced with duplexes if necessary, which would have brought Habitat units up to 20. Our proposal provided basements, back yards, driveways and, possibly, garages if so desired. These units were far superior to what was being proposed in the Apollo configuration, it also had a density acceptable to the community.
It was this design that our community took to the charettes. Out of 19 tables, all but one presented from 12 to 20 units around a cul-de-sac, the lone exception was for 28 units created by a group where the majority were not from Akinsdale. Guess which one won out? At Monday's meeting, council decided that the project should have a minimum of 28 units and a maximum of 34. The opportunity for basement suites was to be included which raised the total to a possible 68 units! They could have saved the $25,000 that the design charettes cost and saved us the trouble and effort to present our views.
This land is one of three school reserves that were allocated for Akinsdale. One was rezoned and sold off in 1980, and now this one is re-designated for residential as well. Knowing the role that our school grounds play in our parks and green spaces, we believed that we sacrificed a lot with our proposal and yet it wasn't considered at all. 70 Arlington Dr. was zoned as public service, which is the zoning for St. Albert's parks and school properties. With 'direct control' St. Albert's councils can do whatever they want with these properties without any recourse from St. Albert's citizens.
It is time for a change. Don't we deserve a least a few councillors who appreciate and value St. Albert's green spaces?
Dave Evans, St. Albert
