Dear Editor,
We have been Sapperton residents for 24 years, living on Kelly Street, and we are in favour of the proposed Elizabeth Fry rezoning of 273 and 275 Sherbrooke St. from residential low density to major institutional.
We believe the new project design on Kelly Street will enhance the livability of Sapperton and that it will not lower property values. The amendment to the official community plan is necessary for this valuable project to go ahead; it is a one-time-only amendment for the benefit of this social service society (not a commercial business) and will not affect the security of residential housing on Sherbrooke Street.
The availability of more child care and non-market housing is essential to every community plan and is in keeping with the city's affordable housing, child-care and livable city strategies. It is essential that there be numerous child-care and affordable housing options available in our city for vulnerable single women and children in need. The proposed design and landscaping of this project is in keeping with the neighbourhood's character and will be an attractive addition.
Elizabeth Fry has been a good neighbour. It has shown by having adjusted the project design to meet community concerns that it will continue to be so in the future.
The New Westminster Police Service has no issue with this project moving forward. As Elizabeth Fry has indicated, the clients who use this facility are not dangerous. The women who occasionally smoke outside the building are not ogres and are friendly enough if you take the time to say a neighbourly "hello" when walking by.
We would like Sapperton to be a welcoming and inclusive community, and we support the completion of this project.
Marianne Phillips, Andrew Phillips, Sapperton
