New seniors housing at King Edward site
The property once containing the former King Edward Elementary School is now being proposed to house a seniors’ housing complex by the Province of B.C. and Metlakatla Development Corporation.
The project is part of the announced funding for affordable housing by Premier Christy Clark last last year.
The site, at Seventh Avenue East and Green Street, needs a rezoning bylaw change from council to proceed. The site is currently zoned P1 (public facilities zone) and needs to be re-zoned RM2 (multiple family residential). It also necessitates a Quality of Life Official Community Plan (OCP) amendment from a designation of Open Space and Parks to Residential.
The seniors’ rental housing would be open to all seniors in the community, as stated by Metlakatla, with developers already undertaking a feasibility study to confirm demand.
Seniors’ housing parking requirements are met with one space per every four units in the design and landscaping, walkways, common spaces and gardens included.
Forty-two are proposed, with 10 in a typical townhouse development and two pods of 16 units each.
Council gave first readings to the zoning amendment and OCP amendment bylaws and instructed the applicant to hold a community information meeting.
Airport, arts centre board changes
Rupert council officially announced four new appointments to the Prince Rupert Airport Authority for two-year terms, including city workers Rory Mandryk, Paul Vendittelli and Richard Pucci. Cody Smith, director of business development at Quickload Logistics was also appointed. Vendittelli was appointed chair. Continuing board members are Don Scott, Gloria Rendell, Kelly Sawchuk and Knut Bjorndal.
City communications manager Veronika Stewart said that the process that is followed in board appointments (made in closed council meetings) starts with letters sent to those currently serving on the board, whose positions were not renewed, then letters are sent to unsuccessful candidates who were no pre-existing board members, then to thank those already on the board who did not apply to extend their position, then to those selected for the position. The information is then released publicly in a regular council meeting.
Alexander Hembroff was appointed to the Performing Arts Centre Society’s board for two years.
City applies for another water grant
Council supported staff in its request to apply for a fund, which would make up to $6 million available for capital improvements, to support the water dam infrastructure replacement project.
The Strategic Priorities Fund, from UBCM (Union of BC Municipalities), is a 100 per cent funded grant and the city operations department seeks to apply for the third and final phase of the water project – the Fern Passage Submarine Line – after the first phase gets underway this summer.
“This is the final puzzle piece in the supply line for the City of Prince Rupert’s watershed,” said operations director Richard Pucci.
“If funding is approved, then that would be the full funding, which would be huge for this community if we could secure all three phases, so good work on finding this fund,” said Mayor Lee Brain.
Pucci estimates the cost of this phase of the project to be between $5-6 million, a bump from a $2.4 million estimation cited in March.
Day of Mourning recognized
Rupert council proclaimed April 28, 2017 as National Day of Mourning and resolved to lower the flag at City Hall to half-mast in recognition of those who lost their lives while on the job. The request was brought to council by the city’s Occupational Health and Safety Committee.
Support offered to defibrillation program
Council instructed staff to write a letter of support to Northwest Community College in its endeavour to have two automated external defibrillators (AEDs) installed at the Prince Rupert campus to help those suffering from cardiac arrest. The defibrillators, donated by the Heart and Stroke Foundation are being made available by the foundation, the Province of B.C. and BC Emergency Health Services. Training will be provided to staff.
