With the passage of City of Powell River bylaw 2739 (housing agreement), plans are in the works to move ahead with a 40-unit, six-storey apartment complex between Franklin and Alberta avenues in Westview.
At the February 15 city council meeting, councillors unanimously endorsed the bylaw, which sets out the terms and conditions of the occupancy of the housing units identified in the bylaw. Under the agreement, the developer, Veyron Properties from Campbell River, is mandated to allocate at least six units for below-market rentals. The composition of the units will be at least three micro-units and three one-bedroom units for a period of 15 years. The city’s planning staff had advocated for two micro-units, two one-bedroom units and two two-bedroom units for a period of 25 years.
Veyron Properties president Brett Giese, in an email, stated the project has been named Evo.
“We plan to submit a development permit later this week,” stated Giese. “We plan to break ground summer 2024, with planned completion in fall 2025.
“With the approval of this project this will allow us to provide ongoing employment for our talented Powell River-based team, along with local trades and suppliers currently constructing our uptown project, which is on schedule to start welcoming residents July 2024.”
The uptown project is located in the vicinity of qathet General Hospital, adjacent to the Coastal Breeze complex on Joyce Avenue.
City director of planning services Jason Gow stated in an email that no further bylaws are required to permit the development.
“However, prior to construction, there is a requirement to secure a development permit related to form and character of the proposal, possibly a development variance permit depending on the proposed design, and a building permit,” stated Gow.
Mayor Ron Woznow said that between Franklin and Alberta avenues, the city had an empty lot where the building situated there burned down and has been sitting empty for a number of years.
“What we are going to do now is have 40-units available for people in Powell River,” said Woznow. “This will start to address the big shortage that we have.
“When Brett [Giese] did the first 140 units [at the uptown project] he made provision for affordable rental units, even though there was no requirement by the city to do that. He set a good bar. Also, the fact that he would come and build and then build again sends a real message to good developers that this is maybe a good place to come to. We need that.”
Woznow said there is a lot more credibility with government agencies and private developers if the city can point to examples.
“The thing about Brett is he has been recognized for a number of years for the quality of the units he has built on Vancouver Island,” said Woznow. “When someone with those qualifications comes to Powell River and wants to build two complexes, it sends a very positive message.”
Ontario Avenue residents Sherry Burton and Jim Blom were disappointed with the decision. In addition to concerns about the effects on the view scape, the couple was disappointed about the composition of the below-market rentals. They stated in an email to the Peak that the planning department had advocated for two micro-units, two one-bedroom units and two two-bedroom units. The email stated that gave them some solace about the height variance precedent being set. However, council opted for the developer’s pledge for three micro-units and three one-bedroom suites.
With the 14 affordable housing units in the uptown development also being micro-units, the city is getting 17 micro-units and three one-bedroom units, shutting out families in need of affordable rental housing, the email stated.
“Why affordable housing needs are not part of the variance application is astounding,” the email stated.
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