The City of New Westminster is seeking public input about a proposal that caused considerable controversy in the community last year.
City council has directed staff to consult with the Fraser Health Authority (Royal Columbian Hospital), the McBride Sapperton Residents' Association and the Sapperton Business Association regarding a proposed amendment to the official community plan for 273 and 275 Sherbrooke St. The Elizabeth Fry Society is proposing to develop a building that has four-storey and two-storey components.
"The four-storey portion of the building would occupy the western side of the property adjacent to the lane," stated a staff report to council. "This part of the building would have a 37-space licensed daycare on the ground floor, a multipurpose room on the second floor and the offices of the EFry Society on the third and fourth floors. The portion of the building on the east half of the site would be two levels and contain a total of 10 units of non-market (social) housing to provide long-term, independent housing for women."
While many child-care centres operate during daytime hours, the proposed child-care centre at this site would offer nontraditional hours (including a night nursery) to accommodate the different shifts of employees working at Royal Columbian Hospital. The hospital is located across the street from the site.
According to the staff report, the land-use that is being proposed would require an amendment to the official community plan because the site is currently designated as residential - low density. The applicant is proposing that the site be amended to a "major institution" designation.
Council has approved consultation requirements regarding the official community plan amendment. A deadline for submissions is April 12.
"Staff will submit a report to council in late April that will include a compilation of responses received," said the staff report. "The report will recommend further steps regarding council consideration of the official community plan amendment."
Residents living around the site expressed concern about the proposal when it was first considered by city council last spring.
A staff report noted that residents voiced concerns that the project would lead to more commercial development in their residential neighbourhood, that the design, height and scale of the proposal didn't fit into the neighbourhood, that it would worsen traffic and parking issues for Kelly and Sherbrooke streets, and that the future residents of the social housing component may pose a risk to the neighbourhood.
In June 2011, council tabled the rezoning application for the site at the request of the applicant. The Elizabeth Fry Society asked that the application be tabled so it could follow up on information presented at a May 2011 city council meeting about the redevelopment of Royal Columbian Hospital on land across the street.
At the time that the application was tabled, the city had received numerous emails and letters about the application from both supporters and opponents of the project. Area residents also presented the city with a petition signed my more than 140 people opposed to the project.
The Elizabeth Fry Society, which moved into its existing Sapperton location more than 15 years ago, provides a variety of support services to women and children. The society has been leasing office space in Sapperton for well over $100,000 a year.
The society submitted the application after determining there's a need for more non-market housing, housing that allows women to stay there as they age and daycare services that are offered in non-traditional hours.
