City of Powell River councillors defeated a motion for staff to review how well the conditions of a temporary use permit for Lift Community Services’ overnight shelter on Joyce Avenue are being met.
At the December 19 committee of the whole meeting, councillor Jim Palm brought forward the motion for the staff report and said he thanked Westview Ratepayers Society and neighbour Dr. Ashok Varma for bringing forward concerns about security at the site.
“We’ve heard concerns from residents across the street feeling unsafe,” said Palm. “I believe Dr. Varma would appreciate a report from staff, spelling out the conditions of our temporary use permit, what conditions are not being met and what conditions are being met, and that report can be used as a starting ground.
“What we passed previously is a proposed meeting between Dr. Varma and Lift and other agencies to arrive at some hopefully safe go-forward compromise. This motion is to help neighbours in that area to get the true facts on where we are at in terms of the permit, its conditions, and whether they are being met or not.”
Councillor Trina Isakson asked staff about the level of work to meet the request.
Director of planning services Jason Gow said a report could be prepared but he was apprehensive about bringing it forward and what it would actually achieve.
“That is probably my biggest concern,” said Gow. “Do we just open up a problem that continues to be a problem? Having reviewed this file for the last couple of months, there are areas where staff continue to work with the operator to achieve the best outcome for all parties.”
Gow said there are actions occurring that fall outside of the terms of the permit. He said the permitted use for the temporary use permit is 20 beds for sleeping overnight and there is controversy and a lot of different opinions about what is happening there.
“I’m not convinced a report from staff is going to solve any of that,” said Gow.
Councillor Rob Southcott said minutes from the December 5 committee of the whole meeting indicate that staff would be directed to work with Varma and Lift to find solutions to the issues detailed by Varma.
Southcott said he was wondering if there was enough redundancy between the December 5 motion and Palm’s motion on the floor. Southcott said once the work between city staff, Varma and Lift occurs, he’s sure that something back from staff can be expected.
Councillor and committee chair George Doubt said the motion that Southcott was alluding to satisfies the complaints that were being heard from people. He said it was a more appropriate and positive resolution than the one Palm put forward.
Mayor Ron Woznow said he liked what Southcott had to say and there will be a process that brings together the parties, which, in the long run, will move the matter closer to a resolution that everyone would like.
Palm said his recommendation was a proactive one to help the affected people.
For the vote on the motion, Palm voted in favour and the rest of the committee voted against, so the motion was defeated.
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