The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Jonathon Naylor Editor City council is looking to open up new residential lots in one of Flin Flon's nicest neighbourhoods, but some nearby residents aren't keen on the idea. While nothing is finalized, council announced last week they intend to present a development proposal involving nine new lots on Kingsway Blvd. along the creek. 'The interest in this area is based primarily on the relatively flat terrain and the nearby presence of water lines,' read a city ad that appeared in the July 13 Reminder, 'which factors suggest some prospect of lower development costs, compared to other potential sites in our community.' If council approves the new lots, they won't come open until 2013 at the earliest. For Marty Ledoux, who has lived on Kingsway Blvd. for nearly three decades, the idea makes no sense. 'I guess being on the street I'd be a little biased, but I don't appreciate the fact that there's a proposal for lots here,' he said. 'I'm of the understanding that our town is getting smaller, and I don't know why we're building more lots when the town is decreasing in population.' Ledoux also fears new lots would take away from 'a very picturesque' neighbourhood and lower proper values of existing homes. Council will host a public meeting sometime this September to give residents a chance to present their views _ pro or con _ in person or in writing. 'No lots can be sold, and no construction can begin until the consultation process and all other necessary procedural steps are complete, and all necessary approvals have been obtained,' noted the city ad. Ledoux said he has spoken to a few neighbours about the matter and they agree with him. 'They're actually quite upset that there is a possibility of houses going up across the street,' he said. Council's proposal comes as the Town of Creighton looks to open as many as 30 prime new residential lots in the coming years by extending the Collins St. subdivision. Held steady While census figures show Flin Flon and Denare Beach continue to shrink, Creighton has essentially held steady in terms of population. The proposal also follows another move by Flin Flon aimed at spurring residential development, as council recently voted to offer rebates on the remaining lots on Roche and Murton boulevards. Council will now waive the purchase price on the 10 lots provided the purchaser builds a home worth at least $150,000. For every $1,000 in value above that amount, the city will deduct $50 from the debenture fee _ which ranges from $10,388 to $19,213 _ attached to the lots. The available lots are located at 177, 179, 182, 194, 202, 208 and 212 Roche Boulevard and 181, 185 and 187 Murton Boulevard. Also available until recently was 183 Murton, but council has approved construction of a new home on that property. The normal cost of buying those lots ranged from $4,795 to $6,305.
