Former Iqaluit mayor appeals daycare licence approval

Kenny Bell says he was never notified the city was considering a zoning variance application for the business

Kenny Bell, a former Iqaluit mayor, addresses the city’s development appeal board on Wednesday to contest a decision granting a home-based daycare business licence to operate in a neighbouring row house on the Plateau. (Photo by Daron Letts)

By Daron Letts

Former Iqaluit Mayor Kenny Bell is fighting city hall, challenging council’s approval of a home-based daycare in a rowhouse in his Upper Plateau neighbourhood.

Quvi Daycare got a city licence Aug. 27 to operate in a corner unit of a sixplex at 5191F Qajisarvik Rd. It has a capacity of five children.

Bell, who also lives in the multiplex, appealed the licence on Sept. 27, arguing he had not been notified the city was considering a zoning variance, the unit is not large enough to support the business, and added traffic caused by the daycare causes safety concerns.

Quvi Daycare required a variance because the apartment is a semi-detached dwelling and daycares are only permitted in single-detached dwellings.

“Just for the record, I had a ring camera at my house,” Bell told the city’s development appeal board Wednesday in the council chamber.

“It picks up every single movement outside. So, unless the power went out and the battery died in my ring camera, there was no one that attended my house.”

As is required, a notice of variance was delivered on Aug. 12 to all leaseholders within a 30-metre radius of the proposed daycare in advance of council’s deliberations, city planning director Mathew Dodds said.

Beyond what Bell called his “major issue” of a lack of notice for the variance application, he said he is concerned about parking congestion and dangerous traffic situations as a result of children being dropped off and picked up from the daycare.

He also said he believes his neighbour’s home is too small to meet city guidelines for operating a home-based business.

City documents say the daycare uses 18 per cent of the total home space. Bell says he believes use of the porch, kitchen and bathroom would result in more than 25 per cent of the total residential space being used for the business.

“Not only that, they are required to have desks and chairs for each student,” Bell said. “Where are they going to be stored? There has to be some sort of storage area that’s going to be used in that 25 per cent, as well.”

Two parents of children enrolled at the daycare submitted sworn statements challenging Bell’s account of congested parking and dangerous traffic resulting from the business.

A third parent, Lauren Helgeson, who lives nearby, spoke at the appeal.

“I have read the appeal letter and I would say I strongly disagree,” said Helgeson.

“There has never been an issue with cars blocking the driveway, kids being endangered. I think what the appeal has said is quite false, because I’ve been a witness to it every single morning.”

The appeal board, chaired by Coun. Romeyn Stevenson, is made up members of the public who are not on council.

Its written decision on Bell’s appeal is scheduled to be delivered within 60 days.

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(26) Comments:

  1. Posted by Who on

    Who? Oh yeah, that guy that went to Iceland for a conference on the taxpayer dime then skipped it to go on vacation instead.

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    • Posted by Ad Hominem on

      His previous actions do not invalidate his argument.

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      • Posted by Ethics Squad on

        His previous actions support the hypothesis that his current actions may also be driven by selfishness.

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        • Posted by Ad Hominem on

          I wouldn’t be surprised if his motive is entirely selfish and that he’s just trying to find fault with the daycare because he wasn’t notified. Regardless, if the city is required to notify residents and they didn’t, that is an issue. The fact that Kenny Bell is the one bringing this up shouldn’t make people disregard that the city didn’t fulfill their responsibility.

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          • Posted by Normand Marineau on

            As is required, a notice of variance was delivered on Aug. 12 to all leaseholders within a 30-metre radius of the proposed daycare in advance of council’s deliberations, city planning director Mathew Dodds said.

            You forgot to read the article.

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          • Posted by Fulfilling responsibilities on

            “The fact that Kenny Bell is the one bringing this up shouldn’t make people disregard that the city didn’t fulfill their responsibility.”
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            “As is required, a notice of variance was delivered on Aug. 12 to all leaseholders within a 30-metre radius of the proposed daycare in advance of council’s deliberations, city planning director Mathew Dodds said.”
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            Seems like responsibilities were fulfilled, and Mr. Bell was looking to throw excuses at the wall to close down something that impacted him personally.

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            • Posted by Jamesie on

              You all taking the side against Bell because of whatever reason. Have you just arrived in Iqaluit, too soon for you to have experienced the city having messed up?
              Interesting.

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  2. Posted by NiMBY on

    Funny how he downplayed all the concerns about beer and wine store, and the mens shelter to the lower base residents. He called us all NIMBY’ers, and he himself is one, big hypocrit.

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    • Posted by Yeah but at least… on

      … he does not hide behind a moniker.

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  3. Posted by Historian on

    This is the same genius that wanted to do away with the appeals process entirely.

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  4. Posted by Former mayor Probz on

    Had he behaved reasonably and not burnt all his bridges at the GN due to his ego, he wouldn’t have to work the graveyard shift managing the stoho and getting woken up early in the morning.

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  5. Posted by mike on

    valid points about the size of the space and style of house. i wouldnt want to bring my kid there.

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  6. Posted by Bell Tower on

    This Daycare hasn’t got a stanky leg to stand on.

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  7. Posted by Go Figure on

    I understand that parking and space can be scarce here in Nunavut. Still, it’s important to keep perspective, especially regarding the small daycare running from a neighbor’s unit.

    This individual is offering a service that benefits local families, and from what I can see, they are operating within reasonable hours and limits. It’s not causing any disturbances, and I’m sure you can understand that many people need to make the best use of their resources, sometimes by working out of their homes. It’s not like excessive noise or disturbances is happening late at night.

    I feel like focusing on this issue may be diverting attention from more pressing matters. It’s important that we find ways to coexist and support one another, particularly in a community where we all rely on shared spaces. Perhaps instead of finding frustration with this situation, you could find other avenues for joy or satisfaction within your own premises, or even consider if it’s time to explore other opportunities or activities.

    Your leadership and contributions to the community were valued, and I know there’s more you could do if you shift focus to broader, more meaningful projects that align with the city’s needs. Life’s too short to get bogged down by things that don’t directly affect us, and I’m sure you’d find greater fulfillment by directing your energy elsewhere Kenny.

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    • Posted by Succotash on

      We aren’t at a level of economic or social development in Iqaluit where we can afford the suburban “Pleasantville” mindset that would shut down a daycare centre for these kind of petty technicalities.

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      • Posted by Here We Go Again On My Own on

        Then why does the city zoning not permit daycares in semi-detached dwellings?

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        • Posted by Succotash on

          The municipal planning function is enamored with suburban ideas about the segregation of land uses, council doesn’t think it through and citizens are totally disengaged. That’s why.

          To my original point, this kind of fine tuning of acceptable activities is something that only an affluent community can afford. For a developing community like Iqaluit, with so many market failures, underutilized resources and missed opportunities it is absurdly idiotic.

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  8. Posted by Who cares about monikers? on

    Honestly, what does that matter?
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    We’re given an option to use differing names, so why not use them?
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    If it was so bad to use a moniker it wouldn’t be an option. Until that happens, you can’t use that against people.
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    Signed – iThink/John WP Murphy/ the Old Trapper/Eskimau Joe(copyright sign)/ (laughing emoji guy)/the real iThink/S/ etc.

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    • Posted by The Old Trapper on

      Agree that it should not be an issue to sign whatever name you want. This is especially important in a forum like NN, and where many people are employed by the government. Opposing opinions are often not appreciated.

      As for this issue, a daycare in a small multi-residence building is likely to be disrupting to other residents. And not all residents may be working the same shift schedules. Isolating a daycare to a separate building minimizes any issues. Would you want a daycare to be approved next door?

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      • Posted by Just another belly on

        I lived below one and it was a nightmare. It was extremely loud and disruptive but because it didn’t affect anybody else in my building,,no one gave a [care]. In Iqaluit the people, government, and all levels of private orgs just do whatever they want with no regard to rules, laws, or care for their neighbour. It’s actually important in society for people to stand up to things they don’t agree with. That’s how we prevent entire populations of people from being wiped off the face of the planet. Gain some perspective sheeple.

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  9. Posted by tone deaf on

    could this man be anymore tone deaf? this town is desperate for daycare spots and this is the battle he chooses to fight – which to me, sounds like a non-issue. poor Mr. Bell, misses being in the media I guess. He’ll take the limelight for just about anything eh.

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  10. Posted by Really Kenny on

    We all focused on the wrong thing, we need the GN internal investigation report from DFS for children that were sent down south to unlicensed group homes.

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  11. Posted by funny on

    i live in a unit with the exact same layout. it has more than enough room to have 5 children inside, room to play and a safe enviroment. this is ridiculous.

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