Dear Editor:
I want to weigh in with a few thoughts about the proposed zoning changes for Lower Sapperton. The area primarily affected is a two-block by five-block area bounded by Sherbrooke, East Columbia, Braid and Rousseau streets.
The city proposes to remove single family zoning to create a "buffer zone" along the north side of Sherbrooke between Columbia and Brunette by rezoning this for mixed commercial and institutional use. The neighbourhood opposes this because we are already under pressure from all sides. Pressures that in most cases have a negative impact on the livability of our neighbourhood.
First the proposed OCP change will put additional traffic and parking pressure on our neighbourhood. To this we add Braid and Brunette commuter traffic which spills into our neighbourhood whenever there is any disruption.
Second, development pressure on our single family neighbourhood continues with the Royal Columbia Hospital expansion, the Brewery District, the proposed Sapperton Green development (Braid Station) and the ongoing renewal of Columbia Street. To be fair we welcome most of the development around us because the additional shopping, services and restaurants enhance the livability of our neighbourhood. Coun. Chuck Puchmayr and I agree that Oscar's has the best corned beef hash around.
Third, we already host a number of institutional and social services.
I understand why the city would lean towards supporting the OCP change because it will bring additional jobs and an increased tax base. Hospital expansion also needs the additional ancillary support services that would be housed in this area.
The E Fry application is a convenient opening salvo to accomplishing this. Though this battle has taken center stage this rezoning issue is really not about them.
The real issue, the bigger picture is about setting a precedent for making the single family area of Lower Sapperton smaller. We need a critical mass size to maintain our sense of community.
As a community we sense the threat. At an unusually large turnout at the last MSRA meeting we responded with a resounding 36 - 0 against OCP change. Our neighbourhood is worth fighting for and we will continue to do so.
Please oppose the OCP change.
Lutz Holfield, New Westminster
