New housing subdivision planned for mill property

A new housing subdivision is being proposed for the south side of the former Mill property.

It’s an 8-parcel subdivision along 5th Street North.

Kenora lawyer Laura Wheatley represents the developer and says this is keeping with the city’s goal of developing the former mill lands.

“So, this application takes land that has sat vacant for decades and brings it back into productive use,” Wheatley told a planning committee meeting on Tuesday.

“It adds housing opportunities within the existing city settlement area, and it makes use of new municipal infrastructure, and it does so in a way that respects the character of the surrounding neighborhood.”

Wheatley adds that it’s not a huge subdivision.

“The lots are modest in size. They are evenly laid out, and they are generally consistent the lot sizes and frontages that are already seen along 5th Street North and the surrounding neighborhood. So, as you can see it’s not a large scale, or a high impact subdivision.”

The only opposition to the subdivision came from a resident that is concerned the streets in that area won’t be able to handle the increase in traffic from housing development.