Women’s Recovery Centre Back to Council for OCP Change
Wednesday, December 12, 2012 @ 1:19 PM
Prince George, B.C. – The residents of the Haldi Road region of Prince George are preparing for round three in their effort to prevent a recovery centre for women from being developed n their neighbourhood.
The Northern Supportive Recovery Society for Women has an application on the agenda for Monday night’s meeting of Prince George City Council, seeking a change in zoning and the official community plan . Monday night’s application is expected to receive first and second readings which will push the matter to a public hearing. As is the normal procedure, there won’t be any opportunity for public input on the application when it comes before Council on Monday.
The application is for a land use amendment to open the proposed women’s addiction recovery centre at 5877 Leslie Road, the former Haldi Road elementary School.
Dr. Michelle Sutter, chair of the board of the society which will operate the proposed facility, says the application “specifically asks for a maximum of 30 care beds” at the site which is proposed to operate as a “therapeutic community facility.”
Dr. Sutter says the centre will have a positive impact on the community, “This treatment approach works, and a central part of its success is abstinence. Women at the recovery centre will be self motivated to improve their lives and will work together to achieve their goals. I know that some fear drugs in the neighbourhood will increase, but as proven in similar facilities this is not the case."
She points to the Cedars facility on Vancouver Island, which has operated for more than 5 years and while three times the size of the proposed Northern Women’s Recovery Centre, non of the fears envisioned by neighbours has materialized.
“Residents will find us to be good neighbours,” says Dr. Sutter.
This will be the third round in this neighbourhood battle. Area residents say a treatment and recovery centre does not fit the quiet country lifestyle they enjoy. Although they opposed the initial rezoning, Prince George City Council approved it.
Round two saw the residents take the City to Court over the matter and the residents won. The rezoning was tossed because it did not present a “reasonable alternative” to what was contained in the Official Community plan.
Round three will begin Monday night when Council is asked to consider the first two readings on a rezoning and OCP amendment.
Comments
No surprise this would happen. Just went on the city website and the council agendas etc are not even posted yet for Monday. Does not surprise me an applicant knows when it will be on the agenda before the rest of the public……Guess Sutter had a press release made up for after their Elvis tribute to raise money
Will City Council understand that “NO” really means “NO” ?
Wonder if we the taxpayers can go to referendum on such a contentious issue?
Yup Seriously these folks just don’t get it!
They have the feed back from the residents, they don’t want it either. The board needs to pull there heads out of there backsides and move on with something else. As noted above NO means NO!
The integrity of this recovery group has not changed since Marshall Smith departed. The actual numbers against this is 96%. Mrs Sutter is not doing her math well. I would suspect that this council will go against the will of the people as they seem to have little regard for the public but you never know they might surprise us.
Will Shari Green permit herself to vote as she removed herself last time with conflict of interest concerns from the public?
I see Heather Oland has been awarded the head of IPG and not involved with L&M engineering or the recovery centre.
But there are a web of companies and business pushing this through and have the clout at City hall. IMO
By 250 News
Thursday, September 20, 2012 08:56 AM
Prince George- The Northern Supportive Recovery Centre says the organization is applying to the City of Prince George to re zone the former Haldi road Elementary School.
In a media release the Recovery Centre’s Chair of the board, Dr Michelle Sutter says “Our community needs a safe and predictable environment where women and their families may embark on the healing journey of recovery and positive reconnection with family.”
Dr. Sutter goes on to say “Like other development in Prince George this project has had technical issues that needed to be studied and addressed as the project proceeded. We feel these issues have been dealt with. We are aware there are neighbours who have questions or are opposed to this project but they do not outnumber the many neighbours and citizens who are supportive.”
So what do you do with the women who need help? Put them in a facility with a bar right next door and goofballs selling dope on every corner?
Love this blog from the citizen
yeahrite
You perhaps should be informing your welfare recipient friends that they also should have policies to live by.
Why are all these welfare people acquiring pets that they obviously cannot care for properly, and then crying that the welfare will not accommodate all their needs if they go into rehab???
Why are women bringing babies into the world to be taken care of by the system, and charities. They do not care about themselves, and will care less for the unwelcome baby.
The ones requiring rehab are acting like someone twisted their arms to take drugs. They became hooked of their own free will, and then can hardly be described as any benefit to society–only an additional drain.
People with cancer get unbelievable good care, and at times I believe the care goes above and beyond all expectations.
I do not fully understand your definition of “Entitlement.” Are there too many people in our society expecting “something for nothing” and believing they are “entitled?”
These people have had every opportunity to “get a life.” They chose a path of least resistance and want the ones who work for what they have to be responsible for them also.
Nothing but takers–all the way around the board!
Yup, women need help. Just not in your neighbourhood right?
Posted by: RUEZ on December 12 2012 2:49 PM
Yup, women need help. Just not in your neighbourhood right?
Maybe you should get off your butt and go out and help them! build a suit in your back yard upto 6 patients. Nobel thought.
Wow, looks like the city is not up to snuff. It is 4:15 and they have nothing posted on their website for Mondays Agenda…..
Ludicrous! Those that are against this project that actually live near it, are being verbally chastised by people that don’t.
Some people have more nerve than a bad tooth!
Typical govt/business relationship. Keep writing/changing our laws to help them win their battle using taxpayers money.
“She points to the Cedars facility on Vancouver Island, which has operated for more than 5 years and while three times the size of the proposed Northern Womenâs Recovery Centre, non of the fears envisioned by neighbours has materialized.”
Of course none of the fears envisioned by neighbours has materialized – Cedars Facility is not located in a residential neighbourhood. It is located outside and away from city limits the same as Baldy Hughes.
Quit comparing apples to oranges. sheesh
forgot to add: access is by a Partial restricted usage road.
IMO nothing has changed. The spokespersons for the Recovery Center continue to mislead the public with half truths. Watching Sutter on the news tonight confirmed that. The city finally put the proposal on their website. Council has been amending OCPs frequently lately without any consideration to the neighbourhood’s wishes. Maybe Haldi Road residents should think about removing themselves from city limits? Just a thought.
Anything to get away from this City Hall. You can’t trust them.
Keep up the fight Haldi. When the city staff and this council start mucking with private neighbourhoods to amend the OCP and approve it, this means that they have spent their last term in that office. I also smell a bad odour with all the people involved and I feel maybe in a short while the RCMP will need to investigate some of these back door deals including Haldi. The public is becoming wiser and better informed and people having the power to vote in council that have no business voting because of all the connections. Thank you for fighting for the people of Prince George Haldi.
littlebird Haldi Road residents should think about removing themselves from city limits
———————————————
You are right I have given it alot of thought and am considering selling my house. I can just as easily invest in another house and make it my home in another city. City Hall is quickly making this decision for me. It annoys me that our mayor and council continue to ignore the citizens of Prince George.
Well said Ruez…the nimby’s are at it again. I’m in favour of it & I know other neighbours are also in favour of it so I hope city council says ‘Yes’. It has to go somewhere and this is just as good a location as any. Council has my support. Do the right thing & vote ‘Yes’.
57chevy – “Thank you for fighting for the people of Prince George Haldi.”
Glad to see someone is understanding this line city is following can happen in any neighbourhood. By the sounds of it the neighbourhood is not against a centre. Good idea wrong location. This city already has designated areas for “Institutional” in their OCP.
More people should be writng to city hall against this. I believe the Haldi area could use all of our help as a city they can get.
It would be nice to see other people from the city attending the MOnday meeting and others to help back them up..
The disregards for the people in the area is appalling to say the least. I read the application on the city website and it is clear who the city is helping. If one reads carefully it is clear on how much the city assisted with this application.
Littlebird – looking at getting out of city limits may be a good idea – I can think of lots of people that wish they could ;) Only problem is mayor and some of council sit on regional district as well – kinda like double dipping?
The Provincial low security jail at Huda Lake is still sitting empty. There has been a group who have been trying to establish a women’s centre at this facility for some time, but it seems they cant make any headway.
On the other hand, those who are trying to get the centre on Haldi Road are **connected** and seem to be hell bent to have the facility there.
Whats wrong with Huda Lake??? Why insist on Haldi???. It would be intersting to see all the players involved in these issues, so we could better determine what the hell is going on.
City Hall had better back away from this proposal, or they will carry this on thier backs going into the next election.
mythoughts – “the nimby’s are at it again. I’m in favour of it & I know other neighbours are also in favour of it so I hope city council says ‘Yes'”
Yuppers, here comes the input of the 4% that are for changing the OCP with their typical name calling. By name calling just shows your true colours. Have not seen one post that calls your 4% group names..shame on you.
Palopu
The BID Group has signed on as the official sponsor of âCanada Games Houseâ which will serve as Games Headquarters now through summer of 2015. The sponsorship for Canada Games House, located at 545 Quebec Street (2nd Floor, above Canada Post), includes office space lease arrangements and interior building enhancements and alterations.
Bid owner owns 50% of the Haldi property. Commanweath and some properties are tied in with Bid as well. This is a mess palopu
In all fairness, mayor and councils decisions have not been made within a timely and fair and consistant process. The only consistent thing I see is the continued changes to easily amending our OCP at whim. I feel that those affected by a decision should be involved in the making of that decision.
STOP OF DRUG REHAB BUSINESS INSIDE RESIDENTIAL AREAS
I am not oppossed to individuals seeking professional help to recover from drug and alcohol addiction. I am oppossed to a business with a corporate-style, high profit business model inside of residential areas. I am in favor of the rights of the people to the peaceful enjoyment of their homes and communities for residential purposes. The devastating effect on the character of residential communities by these businesses.I believe that this is not a reasonable use for a residentially zoned community.
Happyinmyworld – ^^^^ the way this mayor and council handles process puts the disregard of an OCP up with the AAP.
So did the residents not attain 96% against the rezoning etc.
Does not make sense – 10% to get an AAP, 60% to get an electorate area out of the city limits and the area residents are 96% against and won a court case?
This city does not look at a democratic process in any manner except following the so called requirements……
007 – Brian Fehr and Craig Woods own the property as a numbered company..
Palopu – only problem is the next election will be to late… The people of Haldi needs the people help now.
If anyone needs the email address send your letters to:
mayorandcouncil@city.pg.bc.ca
with useing this email address it will be posted on the city agenda as received – by law……(your email address will be removed. Then if anyone needs to do an FOI at anytime the letter will be public knowledge ;) It is like keeping the city accountable…….
dang sticky keys
tell us again who own’s Bid guesswhat
http://www.bidgroup.ca/our-team/
Marshall Smith, manager of strategic initiatives with BID Group (at least as of April 2, 2012 article in the paper)
HappyInMyWorld…”I am oppossed to a business with a corporate-style, high profit business model inside of residential areas.”
Really…what about all the local community pubs, convenience stores, gas stations, hair salons,daycares, etc, etc. Better rid of them too then. There’s even doctor’s offices in homes right smack the middle of residential areas. Gonna kick them out too?
Other cities succussfully run rehab & care homes in residential areas. Take a look at the ones in the residential areas of Chilliwack.
Really… mythoughts I don’t see any of your above mentioned places in the heart of any nieghbourhood in prince george. This center needs to go out further.
OH and by he way I have/had family members in Chillisack….. lots of crime abd junkies and they say it’s a !@#$hole.
Sutter says “only two things have changed with this application – zoning and amending the city’s OCP”. Well that’s comforting NOT
Applicant says ” what can we do with the zoning?” City says “change it” Applicant says ” what can we do to with our City’s newly written OCP?” City says ” we’ll change it to suit your needs.” BECAUSE IT IS AS SIMPLE AS THAT!! I say ” They are the FIRST contestant to ruin the character of a nieghbouhood if the Price Is Right!!!”. And don’t let them fool you…..This just could as easily happen in any nieghbourhood $$$ There are still many many questions unanswered and after almost TWO years citizens are still waiting with uncertainty.
Reading through the staff report it does not take long to find the spin.Under Property Information – Current Use it says “Unoccupied elementary school”……..WRONG!
There are no elementary schools that I have seen that have 2 fireplaces, a kitchen, living room, study, and 4 bedrooms with the master having a 5 piece ensuite. So the description should be corrected to read “Unoccupied Rural Residential Property.” MLS listing description…..residential detached!
The optics of converting an empty school into a treatment center would be a lot more palatable than doing the same to a rural residential property.
http://www.deanbirks.com/account/00ec3365180747e9/pdfs/Haldi_Rd_School_converted_to_a_home_for_sale.pdf
Trying to sneak it in through the back door failed when the area residents won the court case, it will be interesting to hear the reasoning for changing the OCP if that is what happens. The whole thing simply does not pass the smell test.
Side note …can’t seem to find the campaign donation list on the city website, felt like playing a game of connect the dots to see what picture might appear:)
Unfreakn’ believable! Bloody well give it up already…with the majority of the neighbourhood against it, and most demonstratively I might add, including having to take City Hall to court – and winning – I cannot believe the gall of the group. What gives with Dr. Sutter continuing to lead the bandwagon with this? How arrogant can this group possibly be?
Agree with most posters here. As with most things in this city lately, the bad smell in the air is generated primarily from City hall.
For crap sake, Councillors, do the right thing.
Oh, and a comment to the folks quick to resort to the “nimby name calling”, here’s food for thought. Rather than discriminate the Haldi dissidents when they are exercising their rights, with their first and only face forward and at much time, stress and personal expense….question the ethics of the players in the group pushing it all through, in desperation it now seems so there must be much at stake (what could that be?), under the guise of the “Women’s Recovery Centre”. Missing only are puppies, kittens, elderly gramma’s and kids in wheelchairs.
How about some citizens remaking those old rape posters and present them to city councillors? The posters that say, “No means no”. Apparently city hall is not quite clear on the concept. Ottawa and Victoria AND the RDFFG said no to the funding of the Performing Arts Centre. The no word? Some bigshot at city hall then says, “Harumph! We will just have to persue other avenues”. I love this town. Not city hall.
How about some citizens remaking those old rape posters and present them to city councillors? The posters that say, “No means no”. Apparently city hall is not quite clear on the concept. Ottawa and Victoria AND the RDFFG said no to the funding of the Performing Arts Centre. The no word? Some bigshot at city hall then says, “Harumph! We will just have to persue other avenues”. I love this town. Not city hall.
I actually feel sorry for the people of Haldi. Here it is Christmas time again – did the city not ruin one for the area last time around? Good game plan city and Recovery Center – NOT – Did they not do this to the BBK fiasco around Christmas?
This changing the OCP at whim for a selected few needs to stop. The people of this city need to rally together enough is enough.
Unless one is prepared to look into all aspects of the Womens Recovery Centre, you will not get the picture.
1. Who organized, and started the ball rolling on this Centre.
2. Was it the same, or some of the people who got the centre at Baldy Hughes going.??
3. Lorne Mayenthorpe was involved with the Baldy Hughes facility, and at some point Marshall Smith was hired.
4. Baldy Hughes when it was first set up, was supposed to be run by a Charitable Organization out of Vancouver, New Hope Society, or some such name.
5. Lorne Mayenthorpe was a Provincial Liberal MLA in the Vancouver area. Marshall Smith used to work for the Provincial Government.
6. Baldy Hughes property was sold in a Ritchie Bros. auction a few years ago for some $600,000.00 dollars. The property was leased from the fellow in Edmonton who bought the property, and the treatment centre was started.
7. Sometime later the Provincial Government bought the property from the Edmonton owner for some $3 Million dollars, and gifted it to the Baldy Hughes facility, so that they wouldnt have to make lease payments. In addition this facility is now funded by some $570,000.00 per year by the Provincial Government, and also takes in money from clients.
8. Marshal Smith eventually left Baldy Hughes, and started to set up the Haldi Road Facility.
9. Mayenthorpe, has returned to Vancouver, and will probably run in the next election for the Liberals. During his absence from Provincial politics it seems he was doing some work for the Liberal caucus.
10. Prince George had a 18 Bed facility for both men and women attached to the hospital, called **The Nechako Treatment Centre** This facility was closed down by the Provincial Government, ostensibley because the service could be provided closer to home by another model.
11. Is the Liberal Government behind the establishment of these facilities that are being run by charitable organizations, or societys, so that they can have a cheaper model, and still supply some sort of service??
12. These facilities generally have a percentage of thier clients sent to them by the penal system. The Federal and Provincial Governments pay for the clients who participate in the recovery program. In fact participation in these programs, gets you out of prison so that the balance of your sentence can be served in treatment. Is this what is happening at Baldy Hughes?? Is this what is going to happen at Haldi Road??
Can we get the full picture on what is taking place at Haldi Road, or will we just get enough information to confuse us.??
Perhaps Dr. Sutter should suggest to the board they build in her neighborhood….They will be after all, very good neighbors.
12. These facilities generally have a percentage of thier clients sent to them by the penal system. The Federal and Provincial Governments pay for the clients who participate in the recovery program. In fact participation in these programs, gets you out of prison so that the balance of your sentence can be served in treatment. Is this what is happening at Baldy Hughes?? Is this what is going to happen at Haldi Road??
At $4500 minimum a month at our tax dollar expense it will be the same thing…
Palopu – Add Kevin Falcon and Shirley Bond to your list and all the local Liberal supporters of the project..
Me thinks they were ticked off when they could not use it as an election point :) but if does go through then they can…..
By the way do not forget the new law they brought in early 2012 that anyone with a criminal record could not work at a centre.
Great post Palopu. Good knowledge of the history. Sutter continues to say the Haldi Rd people need to educate themselves. Why do you think so many oppose this facility. Its because at the very beginning the research was done and the dots were connected. IMO the group will get the center running and then sell it for millions to the government. Just like Baldi Hughes. And where does that leave the community. If it isn’t successful, Haldi rd will have been rezoned and then what will be allowed to venture in? Leave the whole neighbourhood as is , as rural residential. The building had been a residence for about 8 years, not an abandoned school that was vandalized and had drug users.
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