Thank you to city staff and the applicants, of the Zoning Bylaw Amendment Number 1065, for hosting the “neighbourhood” meeting on Aug. 30 in city council chambers. The appropriate-sized venue provided opportunities to share concerns on the rezoning of a neighbourhood next to the hospital and school. At the July 25 public meeting, people could not articulate their disapproval but did submit letters and a petition opposing the rezoning.
Concerns on the proposal are increased traffic and safety. This is a no-through road with egress issues for residents during evacuation of patients and students in this populated area. During construction, access by emergency vehicles or transit for the disabled and/or elderly residents will be compromised. Large construction vehicles will block traffic flow to the Hospital. The L shaped intersection of 10 St NE, is already challenging for pedestrians and drivers. Come check it out! Residents request a traffic study to be done because two conditions of the bylaw 3596 section 3.9 are met. Also, the road measures about five metres wide, technically a “lane” and, as per city engineers’ report, needs upgrading to a 20 metre-wide collector street. Is this a financially feasible development without burdening taxpayers? Future development may be limited by schedule B 2.11.2; hence, the latecomer agreement may not be viable.
The adoption of the rezoning favors the applicants as per the 2011 OCP, expiring 2016. The residents welcome new neighbours but the concerns are for all.
The final public hearing on this rezoning proposal is Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. in council chambers.
People in this community volunteer, share, teach, and create the vibrancy in art, culture, recreation, and various interest groups. People build community. We trust the city and developers to build safe neighbourhoods.
Alice Chin
