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New Westminster paves the way for Richard McBride replacement

Just how tall is Richard McBride Elementary School? Who knows? On Monday, New Westminster city council considered a development variance permit application for a replacement school for Richard McBride Elementary School at 331 Richmond St.
Richard McBride
The replacement of Richard McBride Elementary School comes at a cost to the school district's budget surplus.

Just how tall is Richard McBride Elementary School? Who knows?

On Monday, New Westminster city council considered a development variance permit application for a replacement school for Richard McBride Elementary School at 331 Richmond St. Existing zoning allows a 9.14-metre (30 feet) tall two-storey building on the site, but a three-storey school that’s 10.22 metres (33.6 feet) tall is being proposed.

“I have a pretty nice view,” said Devoy Street resident Margaret Halsey. “Of course, I don’t want that to change.”

Devoy Street residents don’t know exactly how much taller the new building will be than the existing 1929 school – because they don’t know the height of the existing 1929 school. They’d like the city to delay consideration of the variances until it can clarify the height of the existing school, so they will know how the new school’s height compares to the current building and so they’ll know what the impact on their views will be.

“Will we be looking at the windows of the school? Will be looking at the roof of the school? What will we be looking at in front of us?” Halsey asked council Monday night. “It’s important to know that.”

Lynn Roxburgh, a senior planner with the city, confirmed that due to the age of the building, the city doesn’t have Richard McBride Elementary School’s height on file.

As part of the plan for a new school, variances are being requested to the zoning bylaw and the sign bylaw. They relate to: an increase in permitted building height; retaining walls and parking within required setbacks; a reduction in the number of vehicle parking spaces; a shift in the number of bike parking spaces from long-term to short-term spaces; a reduction in the number of loading bays; and an increase in the permitted size of an under canopy sign.

Following an opportunity to be heard at Monday’s meeting, council unanimously supported the variances.

Mayor Jonathan Cote said the replacement for Richard McBride Elementary School is a very important project for the school district and the community.

“I think these requests are reasonable for the city to consider, to really ultimately see this important project and this elementary school get rebuilt in the community,” he said.

The $22.6-million school is expected to open in 2021.