I take great exception to the comments made in the letter entitled ‘May goodwill prevail.’
By the tone of the letter, it would seem that the writer might be rather shocked to find that many Akinsdale residents do volunteer their time to make St. Albert a better place. In fact, he probably even worked with a few Akinsdale residents on those duplexes in North Ridge that he’s so proud of.
These are just a few of the questions I have with respect to the current fiasco:
• Would any other developer/builder be allowed to use every last square inch of their property to build, rather than staying within the confines of the property?
• If that’s the case, then why are we not legally allowed to build our homes and garages right on top of our property lines?
• Once the multiple dwellings are in place, who will pay the taxes on those properties?
• Do residents of these particular townhomes get a cut rate that no other developments are entitled to?
• If the answer is yes, then the city will have a big problem explaining the situation to all those residents of townhouse developments that currently complain that their taxes are so far out of touch with reality.
• If the answer is no, then how can people with limited incomes be expected to pay the property taxes in St. Albert?
• If property is devalued in Akinsdale as a result of us backing down from this fight, who can we look to for reimbursement?
Having moved from another area of St. Albert to Akinsdale, I am rather surprised at the lack of green space available to residents here. Now that the Anthony Henday is coming, even more green space is being eaten up. Where will it end?
As for Arlington Drive? That's nothing more than a runway for low flying aircraft. I'm pretty sure that anybody who has to back onto that street every morning or cross it by foot must say a prayer before doing so. Adding another 58 units on that street is just begging for trouble.
Finally, speaking of NIMBY, what I find odd is that people who do not live in Akinsdale are strenuously beating the drum to decrease our green space. Instead of implying that we're no better than uncaring louts, why don't they look in their own backyards to see what green space they will give up to accept a 58-unit development.
When you find that space, let us know and we'll help you build!
Fred Trotter, St. Albert
