Residents opposed to the Elizabeth Fry Society's application to construct a building next to its current location continue to press city council in advance of a public hearing on June 25.
The Elizabeth Fry Society has applied to change the official community plan designation of 273 and 275 Sherbrooke St. from residential low-density to major institutional so it can construct a building next to its current building at the corner of Sherbrooke and East Columbia streets. The new building would include office space for the non-profit society, a licensed child-care centre and non-market housing for women.
On Monday night, city council gave two readings to the official community plan amendment bylaws.
"I won't be supporting this," said Coun. Betty McIntosh. "Many of the residents who will be affected by this have spoken to us many times."
Other council members, however, stated that the public hearing is the next step in the process and is the time when council considers the proposal. Coun. Jonathan Cote noted that all comments received to date will be part of the public hearing package.
Neighbours who are opposed to the project, as well as various people supporting the project, have been appearing as delegations before city council for weeks. On Monday night, numerous neighbours appeared before council to voice concerns about issues such as parking impacts, safety and the encroachment of commercial/institutional into their residential neighbourhood.
Several people said they support the work being done by the Elizabeth Fry Society but they can't support an expansion of its programs, as they believe the neighbourhood already has more than its share of social services.
Catherine Cartwright said 232 people who live in the neighbourhood have signed petitions against the proposal. She said there is "overwhelming" opposition from the people most directly impacted by the development.
"At what point are our objections enough?" she said.
Geoff Pinkerton, president of the McBride Sapperton Residents' Association, said 36 people voted against the proposal and none voted in support of it during a recent vote at the residents' association meeting. He said the overwhelming feeling in the area is that the official community plan should not be amended on an ad-hoc basis.
Mike Begg told council that 132 signs have been posted on residences in the community by residents who don't support the amendment to the official community plan. He said the neighbourhood welcomes development on the peripheral of the neighbourhood, but this institutional project is invading the residential neighbourhood.
Jim Ryan said the new building will provide 23 parking spots and the existing building's parking will be eliminated, worsening the existing parking problems.
"In our residential neighbourhood, parking is already a major issue," he said.
While a number of area residents urged council to reject the proposal, a number of New Westminster residents, Elizabeth Fry clients and representatives of other service providers in the city asked council to support the project, as it would provide much needed affordable housing for women.
A Knox Street resident supported the project, saying it's a natural expansion for the society, given the multitude of services it offers. She expressed concern that the "tone" of the debate has changed and has become an "attack" against the organization and its clients.
"The emergency department at Royal Columbian Hospital is a war zone," said the resident about the hospital that's located across the street. "I feel that is more of a concern for the neighbourhood than any client of EFry could be."
Dave Brown, who manages shelters in New Westminster and Burnaby, said people key into problems caused by facilities, but don't always look at the positive benefits of those projects. He said Elizabeth Fry Society works very hard to be a good neighbour, but noted some things happen that are beyond its control.
Several women who have benefited from the society's programs and services offered testimonials about how the society helped them and others through difficult times, and its need to offer day care and affordable housing programs for women and children.
"If I hadn't gotten their support, I don't know where I would be today," said one woman.
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