Plans taking shape for industrial lot development at Iqaluit’s Upper Base

(Updated May 15, 9:35 a.m.)

A 20,000-square-metre pocket of land in Upper Base just 75 metres northwest of the new Plateau Phase 4 development site is set to become industrial land if the city of Iqaluit has its way.

The lot plan for the project was approved by city council at its May 8 meeting, and the plan has now been passed on to Nunavut’s minister of community and government services for approval.

The plan provides for eight industrial lots with restricted uses, due to their proximity to the new residential zone in the Plateau.

“In terms of unsightliness, their uses are restricted to warehouses, workshops, things like that,” said Iqaluit city planner Arif Sayani.

There hasn’t been interest to date from developers for the proposed industrial land, but Sayani said there is always need for more growth in Iqaluit.

“There’s a huge need for residential, commercial and industrial lands in our community,” said Sayani.

However, no residential homes can be built on another five proposed development areas in Upper Base because of toxic waste left near the area, left behind by the former Upper Base radar station, which was reclaimed in the 1990s. For the area closest to Plateau Phase 4, utilidors like water services cannot reach the site.

“Guidelines for industrial lands and residential lands are quite different. For residential and commercial, there’s very stringent qualities about land,” he said.

“If you have an industrial use, if it’s a warehouse or heavy industrial use, it doesn’t quite compare to actually having a home there.”

If the plan is approved by the minister of Community and Government Services, a proposal plan will take place and potential buyers will express interest.

“And if there isn’t [enough interest] we just hold off a year and try again next year,” said Sayani.

There are another five pockets of land in the northern regions of Upper Base that the city is also looking to develop into industrial zones in the future.