Friday, July 1, 2011 NewsLeader A5
Council narrowly OKs controversial highrise Gives go ahead to 21-storey Downtown building
Location: 660 and 668 Columbia Street (shown hatched on the sketch plan)
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Purpose: The purpose of proposed Bylaw No. 7473, 2011 is to provide long-term heritage protection to the façades of the Holbrook Block and the Trapp Block, to formalize the heritage conservation plans for each façade, and to include provisions respecting the phasing and timing of actions required by the agreement and other terms and conditions that may be agreed on by the local government and the owner.
By Grant Granger NEWSLEADER
City council has narrowly given the go-ahead to a controversial Downtown highrise despite vociferous opposition from residents of a nearby building. More than 20 opponents lined up to speak at a public hearing into a proposal for a 21-storey building at 125 Columbia St., on Monday. Most live in an adjacent highrise at 31 Elliot St., and they told council there wouldn’t be enough room for parking and traffic in the area, as well as for construction vehicles to safely maneuver. Despite their complaints, council voted by a 4-3 margin to
Get Noticed !
City Contact: Development Services Department at 604-527-4556.
Inspection of Documents: A copy of the proposed bylaws may be inspected at Legislative Services. Details and materials may be inspected at the Development Services Department (Planning), City Hall, 511 Royal Avenue, New Westminster, British Columbia ,during normal office hours being 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday inclusive (except Statutory Holidays) from June 13 and 20, 2011.
Written submissions can be submitted to the Corporate Officer until the close of the Public Hearing. All persons who prefer to have their submissions available to Council members in advance as part of the Public Hearing agenda package, should deliver their submissions to Legislative Services, 511 Royal Avenue, New Westminster, BC V3L 1H9 (Fax #: 604-527-4594), by 12:00 noon on Tuesday, July 5, 2011. Please be advised that submissions received will be published on the City of New Westminster website, with other associated information. No further submissions can be considered by Council after the conclusion of the Public Hearing. Rick Page, Corporate Officer
ggranger@ newwestnewsleader.com
OPEN HOUSE DIRECTORY
Public Participation: At the hearing, the public shall be allowed to make representations to the Council respecting matters contained in the proposed bylaws. All persons who believe their interest in property is affected by the proposed bylaws shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to be heard, or to present written submissions respecting matters contained in the bylaws.
examples of places where the city did not require developers to provide adequate parking. “Today they’re completely packed with parked cars. If even one person in Victoria Hill decides to have a party where are they going to park?” While disappointed at the outcome, Barb Keating, a vocal opponent who lives at 31 Elliot, had mixed feelings about the public hearing. “Part of me is feeling good that some people heard what we had to say,” said Keating. “It’s a zoo already, so what’s it going to be like with a new building and a new school (St. Mary’s) behind us? We want to be able to get around here.” She vowed to keep up the fight. She said TransLink outlined a lot of hoops the developer and the city still have to jump through. Keating also said she and other opponents will become involved in the upcoming fall civic election campaign. “We’re going to be very persistent,” Keating said. “We will watch to make sure all the regulations are adhered to and it’s not just talk.”
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NEWSLEADER
b) HERITAGE REVITALIZATION AGREEMENT (660 and 668 Columbia Street) BYLAW NO. 7473, 2011
proposal providing give third reading to approximately one the rezoning request parking stall per unit from Ballenas Project instead of the 1.5 the Management. city usually requires. Coun. Bill Harper, “A lot of people who supported the are moving to New proposal along with Westminster Lorrie Wilto be close to liams, Jonathe SkyTrain than Cote and stations,” said Mayor Wayne Harper. Wright, said 18 Coun. Jaimie months’ worth McEvoy wasn’t of extensive OK with it. consultations, Although he is including MCEVOY a heavy transit talking to 1,000 user and propeople and motes its use, conducting he opposed the project walking tours showed along with Betty him it was a worthy McIntosh and Bob project. Osterman. McEvoy The city’s Downsaid even if residents town Community Plan of 20 units have a seccalls for densification ond car then valuable of areas within five- to street parking space eight-minute walks of will be taken up. SkyTrain stations and “When you don’t 125 Columbia fits the have parking access bill since it is next to the more pressure the Columbia station. you put on the street Harper believes many parking, which has an residents of the buildeffect on the outside ing will use transit and not have a vehicle. neighbourhood,” said McEvoy. That’s why he was Densifying downOK with the Ballenas town has its benefits, but “we want to make sure we do it right,” said McEvoy. “We have a Downtown Community Plan and we should stick to it, but we also have a parking bylaw and we should stick to it, too.” McEvoy used Ginger Drive area and the relatively new Victoria Hill subdivision as