The Brewery District is looking to add additional density to its Sapperton site.
Wesgroup Properties hasn’t yet provided the city with a formal application, but has been considering the possibility of getting additional density through the use of increased floor space – something that’s available through an incentive in the secured market rental housing policy. Once it has consulted with residents and stakeholders, Wesgroup would identify a preferred option and seek a rezoning for the project.
Coun. Patrick Johnstone encourages the developer to have a “meaningful consultation” with the com-munity about the proposal. He noted that a recent incident on the property “wasn’t a great start” for a conversation with the community when it’s about to embark on a consultation process.
“This is the beginning of a rezoning process,” he said. “I want to give you a head’s up … we got a lot feedback from people on Alberta Street who were concerned about the loss of trees at your newly acquired property at 201 East Columbia St. As you are starting your public engagement process, you might want to start with talking to people on Alberta Street about what you are going to do about greenspace preservation.”
New Westminster councillors urges citizens to buy local
New Westminster city councillors says it’s more important than ever to encourage people to shop
New Westminster has declared Nov. 30 to Dec. 6 as Buy Local Week, which aims to encourage shoppers to support local businesses. With Christmas coming, Coun. Lorrie Williams said it’s an ideal time to shop locally.
Coun. Chuck Puchmayr said it’s more important than ever for people buy local, noting New Westminster is now home to two Wal-Mart stores. He fears that could have a “domino effect” and impact smaller businesses in the community.
“Not too many cities have two Wal-Marts,” he said.
Arts Council has big plans
The Arts Council of New Westminster aims to be a hub for artists and art in New Westminster.
Leanne Ewen, president of the arts council, said the group has reassessed how it contributes to the vibrancy of arts and culture of the city and has developed a strategic plan for 2015 to 2018. Ewen said she’d love to see New West viewed as the “city of the arts.”
Coun. Bill Harper noted that statistics show New Westminster has the fifth highest density of artists in Canada.
Former councillor to serve on city committee
Former councillor Betty McIntosh is making a return to city hall a year after retiring from politics.
Council has approved a recommendation from the city clerk to appoint McIntosh as the Seniors Services Society’s representative to the city’s seniors advisory committee. The society informed the city that its former representative is no longer a member of the organization and selected McIntosh as its new representative.
McIntosh served as a councillor for five terms, prior to last November’s civic election.
TransLink has plans for New West
TransLink is getting a jump on next year’s renovations to the Pattullo Bridge.
The transit authority requested an exemption from the city’s construction noise bylaw to facilitate deck rehabilitation on the Pattullo Bridge – work that’s expected to begin in May 2016. The exemption, approved by council Nov. 16, would allow night-time work to be done on the Pattullo Bridge from May to October 2016.
A staff report states that the project requires the Pattullo Bridge to be temporarily reduced to two lanes of traffic during the day, as well as most nights and on weekends.
In related news, the city has approved a construction noise bylaw that will allow TransLink to make structural improvements to the north approach structure to SkyBridge. The work would be done over several nights between April 1 and June 30, 2016.
Coun. Patrick Johnstone said he’d like staff to inquire whether TransLink’s timelines can be coordinated with the work the city is doing on Front Street in order to minimize the impact on community members by minimizing road closures. He’d also like the two TransLink projects to be coordinated so area residents aren’t subjected to an overabundance of nighttime noise.
Townhouse developed proposed in ‘Borough
An 80-unit townhouse development is proposed on Stanley and Boyd streets in Queensborough.
The city has received an application to rezone 430 Boyd St. and 350 and 354 Stanley streets, as well as an unaddressed parcel of land fronting on Boyd Street, to allow a townhouse development to be built. The project would provide 80 two- and three-bedroom units in 14 buildings.
A public hearing is taking place on Monday, Nov. 30 at 6 p.m. at Anvil Centre
New Westminster continues red-tape reduction program
An inter-municipal business licence program seems to be a hit, but the city is seeking input before ex-tending it indefinitely.
New Westminster piloted an inter-municipal business licence program in partnership with Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Vancouver and Delta, which allows mobile businesses related to the construction industry to buy one business license, in addition to their resident business license, to operate in all six cities. The program, which is set to operate until Dec. 31, 2015, seeks was to promote a friendlier business environment and improve economic development by reducing costs and administration for construction-related businesses.
According to staff, the program has received positive feedback from the business community and continued to show steady growth. Anyone wishing to comment on the program can write or email the city by Friday, Nov. 27 or attend a public hearing on Monday, Nov. 30 at 5:45 p.m. in council chamber at city hall.
Cat hotel approved
Twelfth Street is going to the dogs – and the cats.
Council has approved zoning bylaw that would allow animal boarding to be permitted at 800 12th St. The Burnaby-New Westminster Animal Hospital is seeking to relocate its operation from Burnaby to a new in New West, where it will establish a veterinary clinic, a pet-related retail store and a cat hotel that could board up to 12 cats.
More commercial coming to Victoria Hill
A new mixed-use project in the Victoria Hill development will include commercial space.
Council has approved a development permit for Parcel E of the Victoria Hill site, which will see 64 units built in two four-storey buildings. The project includes about 3,000 square feet of commercial space, which will be located on one side of the plaza.
“This site is considered very important to the development of Victoria Hill as a more complete community and is expected to provide a central gathering place, focused around the commercial businesses which will occupy spaces flanking the plaza,” stated a staff report.
