Iqaluit looks to make new housing lots available in Apex

The City of Iqaluit is looking to make new residential housing lots available in the satellite community of Apex because it is fast running out of housing options.

By 2013, there will be no single-family housing-lots available anywhere in the city. And, with a growing population, Iqaluit needs to find more space.

About 40 residents gathered at Abe Okpik Hall in Apex to hear the city's proposal to add up to 72 new lots. Some lots are already surveyed and others would need new roads and services like electricity extended.

The majority of development would be on either side of the road leading to Rotary Park.

There's some opposition from people like Anne Crawford who don't want the potential growth to impact the feel of the community.

"Whatever is done should be done in a way that encourages our identity as a community."

Crawford and others want to ensure there will be greenspace for activities like berry picking and places for children to play. She suggested a residents committee be formed to consult city council and staff.

Alethea Arnaquq-Baril has lived in the neighbourhood for 20 years and she spent most her childhood playing outside in the neighbourhood.

Now, she and her husband are renting a 500-square-foot house on the corner of her father's lot.

"We want to build a house and I've been really dreading moving out of Apex so that we could live in a house that could fit a family."

They want to stay in the area but there are no lots.

Apex currently has 102 homes, most of which are lots designed for single-family homes.

City staff say they will take the information and present it to council at a committee meeting on Nov. 28. It will be several years before construction starts as the creation of the new lots will be done in phases.