To Town of St. Paul Council: My family and I moved to St. Paul a bit over five years ago. We moved here for my husband's career, but it became a place we called home. St. Paul has been a great family community for us to raise our children.
To Town of St. Paul Council:
My family and I moved to St. Paul a bit over five years ago. We moved here for my husband's career, but it became a place we called home. St. Paul has been a great family community for us to raise our children. We love our neighbourhood and our street. We are sad that transfer season is upon us, but that is beyond our control with my husband's career and we are currently on the market to sell our house. The real estate market right now is a tough market. There are so many homes available in St. Paul, and selling for well under appraisal value. Many people are already taking a decrease in property value simply with the absence of oil in the surrounding area.
I am one of the many opposed to the proposed SPAN development site in the vacant field east of Glen Avon School. Those initiating this project have stated that the SPAN development will not have a negative effect on the surrounding neighbourhoods, however, we have already firsthand been negatively affected by it. Recently, our realtor received comments from the showings of our house and passed them on to us. The comments we received were as followed: Her clients liked the house but are concerned about the proposed SPAN development in the field to the south of our property. The development is only in the proposal stage yet it is already concerning to potential buyers.
We specifically chose our neighbourhood because of its location. It is significantly removed from any large affordable housing developments. We are not naïve with our assumptions as my husband is quite familiar with affordable housing neighbourhoods through his work with the RCMP.
On Tuesday, Sept. 5, the St. Paul Journal published an article titled: Attainable Housing Project Considers Site Options. In the article, it mentioned that Philip Lee reached out to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the National Association of Realtors for more research-based evidence on attainable housing whose studies indicated no negative correlation between property value and attainable housing. I'm curious if these studies will be made available for the residents to read over. I'm also interested to know whether these organizations conducted current studies in the town of St. Paul or whether the results are based on their already gathered data from other communities. My reservations towards the results of the studies is that simply by looking at real estate listings and talking with people who own homes near affordable housing, such as, Red Wood Manor and the Desjardins Apartment, the property value is less than homes in neighbourhoods not situated near affordable housing.
In addition, no alternate locations were suggested by Philip Lee in regards to a SPAN development. There are other plots of land within St. Paul and surrounding that could better accommodate affordable housing and not negatively affect the property value of the surrounding neighbourhoods. I remember there being an online survey conducted for the proposed location of the skate park. It presented multiple options and allowed the community to have a say in the matter. I'm unsure why alternate options have not been proposed and presented to the people of this town. As resident Dennis Giggs stated in the article, “putting it all in one area is just not acceptable.&”
Furthermore, the realtors in our town are suggesting that property value will decrease, yet, it appears Philip Lee is dismissing their input into this matter. From what I've gathered, many of the realtors in town are originally from St. Paul. They are well versed in the dynamics and trends of this town. I believe their input should be equally regarded.
If property values decrease, it will impact the home owners in my area, as well as decrease property taxes. Although, decreased property taxes would be nice, it does not make up for the loss that would be taken on our homes. Plus, I'm also very well aware that the town relies heavily on our property taxes to provide services and maintenance. I believe our property taxes would be better used towards improving services like recycling, snow removal and pot hole maintenance, rather than providing land for affordable housing.
A needs and demands analysis for the project had been done in 2016, but the oil industry had recently undergone a significant recession. Many people in the oil field were now forced to sell their expensive homes and move into more affordable housing. Rental fees were still inflated at that time. If we look at the community dynamic now, I believe there is a very different picture painted. There is no real industry drawing people to St. Paul, there is an excess of affordable homes currently on the market, and rentals are available. The real estate market does not need an additional 70 to 100 homes.
If council is looking to put money towards new initiatives, I would highly encourage considering proposals that could benefit this town in a positive way. This town is significantly lacking a multi-plex, such as, those found in the surrounding communities like Bonnyville and Cold Lake. These services provide work opportunities, child care, as well as draw people into the community. It would be an ideal location to host larger events, accommodate a children's play place open daily, indoor running track, and many other possibilities that benefit the people of St. Paul.
Lastly, I'd like to mention the survey that was conducted by SPAN as I was one of the four people surveyed. I'm greatly concerned by the conduct of the survey. The two young college girls appeared to be doing a class project survey. They did not identify themselves with SPAN or any other association. They asked a list of vague questions that did not at all indicate that the field east of Glen Avon was the proposed location or that the proposal consisted of such a large number of affordable homes. The flyer handed out after the completion of the survey gave no real information, just a diagram of the dream. They did not give any information regarding the possible negative effects of placing it in the proposed field.
The only reason I know I was one of four individuals who was approached was in thanks to my neighbour Bob Marcyniuk along with Dennis Giggs who went door to door on Sept. 7 around the neighbourhood of 45th Avenue and Lakeshore Drive to conduct their own survey. He informed me that he has submitted the survey results to all of you. It is evident from this survey that the home owners in the area surrounding the proposed land development are in strong opposition to this proposal. SPAN has not properly informed the people of St. Paul of the negatives of this project and it seems more apparent that they have little regard for the concerns of the home owners directly affected.
Is affordable housing a bad idea? No. But I do not believe that the location is ideal, the number of homes would flood the already inflated market and the town of St. Paul would significantly benefit in using that money towards community programs, services and maintenance.
I know you have a big decision ahead of you. I believe you love this town and want to see change, growth and prosperity happen. I encourage you to hear all sides and consider all options before making such an important and impactful decision. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter of concern.
Sincerely,
Melissa Visser
St. Paul