(Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Community concerns

Residents fear new development may create unwanted traffic for Midtown area

Aug 10, 2021 | 5:00 PM

Editor’s note: An amendment was made to this story at 9:15a.m. Wednesday, to include a statement from the City of Prince Albert.

The development of the future Peavey Mart location off 15th St. East in Prince Albert is attracting a lot of interest as crews work to pave the lot and finish the building.

However, at least two residents who live in the nearby Midtown area are expressing some concerns. Sandra Kaun told paNOW she is very worried the development will open up a neighbourhood that is already having a lot of issues with foot traffic and vehicle traffic.

“Not just adding access from another residential street, it’s adding access from a main artery in the city,” she said. “One of the main arteries in the city.”

When she previously called city hall, Kaun explained she was advised there would be no direct access road connecting 15th St. E. to Fourth Ave., and there was even an explanation a fence would be erected at the back of the parking lot. However when speaking with workers on site, Kaun was told there would be really nothing stopping traffic from using the back alley lane.

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“That’s not acceptable,” she said, stressing the number of children who live in the direct area. “That’s changing the traffic flow into a residential area significantly without community consultation.”

Kaun worries more people will be using this alley behind the future Peavey Mart. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

Former Ward 3 Councillor Lee Atkinson also lives in the direct area, and explained a Master Plan report done by the city, some 40 years ago, recommended the city never put traffic through Midtown. The reason cited was the increased volume of traffic would lead to the deterioration of the neighbourhood.

“However, it’s unfortunate that the current council didn’t look at the plans before approving them to mitigate that circumstance,” Atkinson said.

Moving forward Atkinson said he would like to city council consider adding some traffic calming measures near the intersection of 13th St. and Fourth Ave. E.

Ward 3 Councillor Tony Head was able to confirm for paNOW he had spoken to Kaun, but indicated he was still reviewing the complaint.

Meanwhile, the contractor in charge of the project was able to confirm discussions were underway to address the traffic concerns relayed by the residents, but could not say if that meant blocking traffic from using the back alley behind the store.

Craig Guidinger, the City’s Director of Planning and Development Services, confirmed there has never been any intention to connect traffic through to fourth Ave.

“The plan has always been to put up permanent fencing around the site to prevent thru-traffic,” he said.

Construction of the new Peavey Mart location is scheduled to wrap up this fall.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell