City council approves affordable housing project despite opposition

Despite strong opposition from residents, an affordable housing project on Saskatoon’s west side can now proceed after approval from city council on Monday.

In its final meeting before the civic election, council unanimously approved the 164 unit complex to be built on Hart Road in the Blairmore sub-division.

“It’s going to be a vibrant neighbourhood,” Toby Esterby, executive director of Camponi Housing told the Brent Loucks Show on Tuesday.

“We are really looking forward to making the connection to the surrounding communities — Kensington, Parkridge and Blairmore and establishing those bridges.”

During the public hearing, there were six requests for members of the public to speak, and at least 15 letters both for and against the development presented to council.

Shawn Fraser, CEO of the John Howard Society of Saskatoon, wrote in support of the project.

“Camponi Housing has made Saskatoon a better city. We believe in their vision and would encourage the city of Saskatoon to support their work in the Blairmore area. Affordable housing is crucial in supporting our citizens. Camponi are good neighbours, and this project will be positive to the Blairmore area and the entire city of Saskatoon.”

However, there were about a dozen letters from area residents who were not in favour of the project going ahead.

Timothy Martin said he felt that the voices of those living in the Blairmore area had not been heard.

“I believe this development is way to (sic) dense for this area and the increase in population is unsustainable for Parkridge…When I bought my property 2 years ago, nothing was said about a very dense development going right next door! False advertising if you ask me! ”

Residents Hildegaard and Keith Martin believed when they bought their property in the area in 2020, it would remain low and medium density. They also mentioned their concern about safety for seniors and families.

“You are placing many seniors as well as young families in harm’s way by allowing this to go forward! There will be increased vandalism – past history of Camponi Developments are difficult to ignore….please do the responsible thing and defer this to new council members.”

Several other residents echoed their concern about safety, neighbourhood density increasing, and what they believed was a lack of transparency on the part of the developers and council.

A petition presented at the meeting signed by more than 150 people also failed to sway council from allowing the project to move forward.

Esterby said he wasn’t surprised by the pushback from the public, noting fear or a lack of understanding is common when doing large scale developments.

“We’re going to move families in there that are needing adequate housing. To house those families with three children. To house the families with four children. Those families right now are either squeezed into two-bedroom apartments or paying exorbitant rent that is beyond their affordability.”

-With files from Brent Bosker and Lara Fominoff