The development of a new Quality Foods store in Parksville faced a public hearing last week, with concerns and praise for the project voiced in city council chambers.
The public hearing was related to a bylaw that could change the zoning of the subject property at the corner of Alberni Highway and Despard Avenue. The amendment seems minor: to comprehensive development CD-25 from comprehensive development CD-21.
Council did not have a vote about the amendment during its meeting Wednesday night, but did hear from one resident who voiced concerns about the development.
Chestnut Street resident Elaine Lefebvre told council she had three concerns about the proposed development: green space allowance, increased traffic and the possibility residents could end up facing a large concrete wall on the back side of the building.
Bruce Robertson, representing Quality Foods, later told council it was premature to talk about design specifics, but “it’s our goal to build an award-winning building with unique architectural design. We are sourcing out some of the nation’s top designers.”
Kim Burden also took the microphone, speaking, he said, as a resident who lives and walks in the area.
“I think it’s an excellent use of the property,” said Burden. “I look forward to the project from a tremendous corporate citizen in our community.”
In other city council news from a light agenda Wednesday night:
• Council struggled with a fence-height issue that came to light earlier this year relating to a Humphreys Street development.
The questions centre around how high a fence could, or should be on top of retaining walls. A staff recommendation to keep the status quo was defeated, and council sent the issue back to staff. It’s likely to come back to the table at a future meeting.
• Council gave three readings to its permissive tax bylaw, but not without some discussion about the different treatments given the curling club and lawn bowling club. The curling club will have to pay about $6,000 in taxes while the lawn bowling club, because of the wording in its lease that expires in 2018, is 100 per cent exempt.
“How do we distinguish between these two organizations?” asked Coun. Bill Neufeld. “They (curling club members) just don’t see it as being fair.”
CAO Fred Manson explained the difference is in the lease language — the lawn bowling club has a no-property-tax clause.
The curling club’s arrangement is through the Regional District of Nanaimo.
“That becomes an RDN issue as far as I’m concerned,” said Coun. Marc Lefebvre.
• Council agreed to provide the Oceanside Initiatives group with $2,250 so the group can continue its business attraction efforts. The vote was unanimous, but the issue did elicit comment from some councillors.
Coun. Al Greir voted in favour of the funding, but he thought the city should also be concentrating on other issues.
“I still believe we should be spending more money on tourism,” said Greir. “We have a wonderful park but our beach is not the best.”
• Coun. Sue Powell challenged her fellow councillors to sleep outside for one night on October 15 to help raise awareness to the issues of the homeless in our community. This is the first year the Oceanside Task Force on Homelessness will participate in Homelessness Action Week recognized from October 12-18 in B.C.
Mayor Chris Burger agreed to join Powell on Oct. 15. Participants will meet at 6 p.m. at the picnic shelter in the Parksville Community Park.
As well, the gathering place in Qualicum Beach for the Sleep Outside Challenge will be at the Qualicum Beach Legion. Breakfast will be provided the next morning.
“By sleeping outside for one night, participants in this challenge will have a much more personal understanding of the conditions which some of our residents face every night. Homeless who are sleeping rough have little protection from the elements and are susceptible to health issues,” said Powell.
The city says participants Oct. 15 should bring only what can fit in a garbage bag or backpack and no tents. Items suggested include a warm sleeping bag, sleeping mat and layers of warm waterproof clothing.
