City of Powell River Council has renewed the temporary use permit for the emergency shelter at 4746 Joyce Avenue for the winter season.
At the November 7 city council meeting, councillors considered a recommendation for the renewal commencing December 15, when the existing temporary use permit expires, until March 31, 2025.
City chief administrative officer Lisa Bhopalsingh said the proposal was to extend the use of the building on Joyce Avenue for the purpose of the ongoing use of the 20-bed shelter.
Councillor George Doubt said this was an extension of the temporary use permit that allows an overnight shelter to keep people out of the storms and out of the freezing rain. He said it only goes until March 31 because the facility where the temporary use permit is located has an expiring lease.
“It’s a short-term extension,” said Doubt. “We need a place for people to shelter. There needs to be a way to get out of the rain and the storms, which are coming. We are not providing money to operate it. We are not leasing the building or hiring staff. All we are doing is issuing a permit for people who want to do it to get the job done, so I’m in support of doing it.
Council carried a motion to renew the temporary use permit to allow non-commercial, short-term overnight accommodation commencing December 15 and ending March 31, 2025.
Councillor Jim Palm said he wanted the public to be aware that this is the same location that has been used for a number of years.
“When this first came forward, it was on a temporary basis, and it has been extended,” said Palm. “I know businesses in that area have been affected and they are looking forward to seeing this location come to an end in terms of this usage. Once that ends, they will breathe a sigh of relief with some of the carrying on that has been going on in the area. It’s going to have to move somewhere else.
“We all realize that in the extreme weather conditions and winter months, people need shelter out of the cold, so we are doing the right thing in this regard.”
According to a staff report, staff circulated the application to Powell River RCMP, Powell River Fire Rescue, and the city’s bylaw enforcement department, with no concerns noted by RCMP. Powell River Fire Rescue noted the importance of Lift Community Services, which operates the shelter, to continue to conduct garbage and sharps sweeps and enforce the loitering policy.
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