A man who was planning to open a recovery residence in Yellowknife has withdrawn a development permit application for the project.
The city had approved a development permit in January for a home on Calder Crescent to change its use from a single detached dwelling to a special care residence.
Bala Tirupathi, who had applied for the permit, said the initiative aimed to provide a stable, home-like environment for up to four people to “regain stability, reconnect with culture and community, and reduce the risk of relapse while transitioning through different stages of care.”
In a recent email to Cabin Radio, Tirupathi said he decided to withdraw his application as “additional costs associated with compliance” and ongoing property expenses made it not financially feasible at this time.
Tirupathi said expectations and barriers for the project were “more complex and demanding than anticipated.”
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“While I respect the role of regulatory processes, I had hoped for a more collaborative and solution-focused approach that could have supported a small, community-driven initiative aimed at addressing critical service gaps,” he wrote.
“It is disappointing that, despite the clear need for such supports in our region, the process did not allow for greater flexibility or partnership in exploring workable solutions.”
Thirty-six people wrote in opposition
Some residents had opposed having a special care residence on Calder Crescent.
Thirty-six people who said they live in the neighbourhood, or have family or friends who do, wrote to the city objecting to a development permit for the project. A further 10 people wrote to the city asking for more information about the proposal, while one person supported it.
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People who opposed the project raised concerns that it could “alter the family-oriented character of the neighbourhood” and result in safety issues, increased street parking, and impacts on property values.
The municipality said a special care residence was a permitted use in the neighbourhood under its zoning bylaw and the proposed development aligned with the city’s 10-year plan to end homelessness.
The city approved the development permit with conditions including a requirement that staff be on site around the clock and additional off-site parking be provided.
Commitment to community ‘unwavering’
Tirupathi is the founder and chief executive officer of Holistic Counselling and Rehab Services. The company’s website states he is a registered clinical counsellor with more than 13 years of experience.
He said his commitment to supporting marginalized and underserved people “remains unwavering.”
Tirupathi said he had worked with Elders and traditional counsellors on the recovery residence project.
While the project is not going ahead, he said they “remain committed to exploring other avenues to bring forward meaningful solutions that support individuals and families in our region.”
