Iqaluit takes hard line on unauthorized cabins

The City of Iqaluit will take a close look at the status of cabins put up in the community’s open spaces, a city news release said July 29. Officials will give notices to owners of unauthorized cabins that must be removed. “Our goal is to explain to those who wish to build cabins to do so in locations that are permitted and with the necessary approvals, and to anyone who enjoys our open spaces, to do so in a manner that respects the land and other users,” Mayor Madeleine Redfern said. Details of the city’s zoning requirements will be available at a public meeting, scheduled for Aug. 22 at the Arctic Winter Games Arena between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.. (FILE PHOTO)

Iqaluit wants to crack down on people who are building cabins illegally in and around the city.

The move comes a week after an early morning blaze drew firefighters to five shacks that were burning down behind Iqaluit’s elders residence.

Firefighters didn’t know which of the shacks were inhabited — if any — when they responded to the July 26 fire.

That made it difficult for them to fight the fire, and, at the same time, ensure any people living in the shacks were safe, said a July 29 news release from the city.

Some of the shacks along Iqaluit’s beach are abandoned, structurally unsafe, and located close together, noted the news release.

As well, there’s lots of garbage. Some of this garbage, such as oil drums, exposed insulation, and kerosene containers, is highly flammable, and this creates a fire hazard as well as creating a risk to public safety and health, said the news release.

The City of Iqaluit plans to discuss the presence of shacks and cabins on Inuit-owned land on the beach with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association.

Councillors have already told their staff to inform cabin owners that only temporary structures, such as tents, are permitted in “open spaces.”

They’ve also asked them to look into the possibility of allowing cabins to be built on other municipal lands, but farther away from the city.

Iqalummiut may set up beach shacks for uses such as storage of hunting equipment, but these can’t be used as dwellings.

These shacks must also be located near designated beach areas, with the landowner’s approval.

Cabins and shacks that don’t meet those requirements will have to be removed “within a specified time frame,” the news release said.

“As the community grows, the city has to enforce its by-laws,” said Arif Sayani, Iqaluit’s director of planning and development.

Iqaluit wants to make sure that it respects the “community’s wishes and needs” as outlined in the Iqaluit general plan and the Nunavut land claims agreement, said Madeline Redfern, mayor of Iqaluit.

Iqaluit “is trying to protect our open spaces,” she said.

Iqaluit is also working with other “local major landowners” and groups, including the QIA, the federal and territorial governments, and the Hunters and Trappers’ Organization, to discuss land rights and obligations as well as land use and access issues.

“We all recognize the value and importance of the land, its beauty and enjoyment derived from our relationship with our natural environment. Our goal is to explain to those who wish to build cabins to do so in locations that are permitted, and to receive the necessary approvals,” Redfern said.

At public meeting, scheduled for Aug. 22, representatives from the city will provide information and answer questions about the zoning requirements.

The results of the public meeting will be presented to councillors.

The public meeting will take place at the Arctic Winter Games Arena between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Anyone wanting further information can contact the Planning and Development Department at 979-6363 ext. 227.