City of Powell River mayor Ron Woznow brought forward reconsideration of seven motions that had been passed at an earlier council meeting this month regarding supportive housing, but the results did not change.
At the November 22 city council meeting, Woznow brought forward the motions that were passed at the November 7 city council meeting, related to the proposed second supportive housing development adjacent to qathet General Hospital. Included were the first three readings of the permanent closure and removal of highway dedication bylaw, so that the road dedication could potentially be used for siting the supportive housing facility, and there were also three readings of the city’s zoning bylaw to allow for the development.
Woznow said if the reconsiderations were approved, they would be the start of a process that could lead to city land being used for the BC Housing supportive housing project.
“BC Housing’s experimental housing project on Joyce Avenue is an example of the negative impact and unproven approach to a social challenge on our residents and businesses,” said Woznow. “Since being elected in 2022, I have listened to many delegations, received texts, emails, phone calls and had one-on-one discussions with individuals who have suffered because of this project.
“To be very clear, I have always supported programs to help individuals with housing needs. In my career, I have chaired organizations in three cities that have successfully planned and implemented supportive housing programs that had no negative impact on the communities in which they were located.”
Woznow said BC Housing’s “unproven model” that it chose for the Joyce Avenue project has caused many problems.
He said council had the opportunity to turn that project into a positive for the city. He said premier David Eby has made a clear commitment to the residents of BC that he and his cabinet will take steps to correct situations like what has been faced in Powell River. Woznow added that Powell River has a new MLA and cabinet minister, Randene Neill, who has the experience and background to be a strong advocate to correct the Joyce Avenue “housing experiment.”
“We want minister Neill to advocate that the Joyce Avenue housing project be on a priority list,” said Woznow. “In summary, council has the opportunity tonight to rescind bylaws and focus on asking our MLA to assist us in solving one of the most pressing issues facing our city. I encourage council colleagues to reconsider the motions that were passed and ask minister Neill to help our city.”
Councillors spoke at length about the motions, with most councillors, except councillor Jim Palm, in support of the permanent closure and removal of the highway dedication, and the amendment to the city’s zoning bylaw. There was also a motion to direct staff to extend an invitation to BC Housing and Vancouver Coastal Health to meet with council and discuss the proposed new housing project.
Councillor George Doubt said he was not in favour of rescinding the motions. He said council had given three readings to the two bylaws and passed another motion after a lot of consideration to set up a committee process to consider all the aspects of the possible supportive housing construction. He said permission had been granted by qathet Regional Hospital District to change the use the use of the land.
“I’ve heard, and council has heard from staff, that they won’t be doing anything more to bring the next readings of these bylaws until sometime in the new year,” said Doubt. “There is plenty of time to get in touch with the new minister and to talk with all the people involved about the neighbourhood’s concerns. My concern is BC Housing will find a way to spend its money elsewhere.”
Palm, along with the mayor, favoured defeating the motions.
When it came to a vote, Palm and Woznow voted in opposition to the seven motions, with the rest of council in favour. The original motions, as a result, stand. Final adoption still has to be carried by city council. Council also carried a motion that staff be directed to invite Neill to meet with council regarding the existing and proposed new housing project.
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