Site of proposed clinic on Academy Road. PHOTO: Trevor Smith
What is it with all the dermatology clinics springing up in River Heights?
First came one in the strip mall at Kenaston and Grant, then another on Grant at Waverly and now one is proposed for Academy Road.
The latter though is proving to be far more controversial.
I could understand neighbours protesting if this was a nightclub. But come on, this is a medical clinic!
Not surprising though as one of the road’s restaurant’s had a tough time recently securing planning approval for a side street patio.
It seems Dr. Shane Silver, an established Winnipeg dermatologist has raised the ire of locals with his proposal to relocate his clinic there.
Dr. Silver’s original plan was rejected by council but now a re-vamped plan has been submitted. It calls for a smaller single story building, only 3,300 sq ft, which is big, but no bigger than the Mormon Church directly across the street. Nor the new gym at Queenston School just around the corner, the bowling alley, the old RCMP building or the two service stations.
The new plan was approved unanimously by the City’s Executive Policy Committee (EPC) but with the proviso that it can’t be open on weekends and must close early on Friday.
Seems that dermatologists have to contend with all kinds of irritations.
Could be a good place to work though, you’d be guaranteed weekends and Friday afternoons off.
Local business woman Lindsay Steek, a spokesperson for the objectors cites a lack of parking spaces at the clinic could lead to traffic congestion.
The clinic proposal shows only five parking spaces. Which incidentally is five more than Steek’s Fine Furniture has which is located next door. However most of the businesses along the road don’t provide parking other than on-street.
I don’t own a business on Academy Road, but if I did I’d object too.
Five parking spaces! That’s ridiculous, why can’t the customers park two blocks away like everyone else and maybe walk past my shop on their way to the clinic?
Across the street from site of proposed clinic on Academy Road. PHOTO: Trevor Smith
The proposal still has to be approved by full council and there’s also an appeal committee hearing.
And whilst that happens there are some shenanigans going on in the neighborhood.
Steek claims that some business owners have been threatened to remove their “Transparency on Academy” signs or risk losing business. She also claims that she herself has been verbally abused for her stance. And she had to take down the Facebook page due to too many abusive posts.
Jeff Kerr, chair of Academy Road Biz, who personally supports the project still fields lots of phone calls protesting about a two story building, which is not the case now the plan has been revised.
Kerr has also received harassing calls and a lawyer’s letter demanding he modify his website to remove all support for the project or face legal action.
The Biz website has also been hacked. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not.
Welcome to River Heights Dr. Silver, it’s a nice place, but watch out for the locals, they can get under your skin sometimes.
