Council Approves Several Re-Zoning Applications

By 250 News

Prince George City Council has approved the rezoning of several lots in the  City , most notable is a large section of land in the BCR site.  The intent of the rezoning is to create some parkland and reduce the  amount of property available for  heavy industrial projects.  The changes will allow  for the development of a "cargo reload centre" at the north end of the  property, adjacent to the BC Rail tracks.  "This kind of project would allow for a large paved  reload centre which is more  in keeping with what we envision for this piece of property. " says Development Services Dan Milburn. 

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Also the subject of a public hearing this evening, was an application  to allow for the building of a 38 unit, 4 storey condominium on the piece of ground on Ospika where a mausoleum had  been proposed several years ago.  That piece of property  was  zoned  as  Parks, recreation and education.  A letter opposing the re-zoning expressed concern for increased traffic should the  rezone be allowed.  The letter said  there would  be extra traffic spilling on to Ospika and there would be increased danger for pedestrians.  The Development Services department of the City says there is a request for the developer to  present a geo-technical survey indicating the slope is stable.  The owner, Michael Yusep said "When I bought the piece, I saw a hole in the ground with a great view"  He says he has already had inquiries from people who  want to know if retirees will be welcome.  Yusep  says  he is not a  big bad developer and will  work with  the neighbourhood to bring about the best for all.  Councilor Glenn Scott was the  only one to vote against the project. "I’ve listened to both sides of the argument and I will side with the residents of the neighbourhood."

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The application  for  a variance on a piece of property of James Drive was approved although it  drew a great deal of concern with a petition  from neighbours presented along with one letter from a  neighbour saying a new home on that site would  decrease sunshine on their lot. The variance requested 40% site coverage on the lot  while other properties in the neighbourhood are held to a maximum  site coverage of 30%.  The square footage  of the planned home  is 3700 . Councillor Deborah Munoz did not support the  variance as she says the home is too large for two people, and  "We should be moving towards smaller more energy efficient homes."  Said the Mayor "I applaud people who build big homes, they get big tax bills and that helps us build our roads."

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City Council has denied  a rezoning  request  for two lots on Laurier Crescent  from URS-3A to URS-5.  Those who opposed the  rezoning expressed concern over the changes to the flavour of the heritage neghbourhood  of the Crescents.  "Crowded lots mean crowded neighbourhoods" says Helen Clare.  She has lived on Laurier Crescent for  40 years. The proposed homes would be 22 feet wide, and  50 feet long  "About the same size as a double wide trailer" says Helen Clare.  Another neighbour  indicated there is a need to look at research about the  difficulty to  fight fires  when the homes are so close together. Doug Jeffries is the President of the Crescents Neighbourhood Association,  He says for him the issue is character, and the  housing designs shown don’t fit in  with the  existing housing styles.  Jeffries says the  Heritage Commission is interest in having this neighbourhood  declared a heritage neighbourhood and the smaller lots and newer homes don’t fit with that.  "45 foot lots would be o.k." says Jeffries,  but he asks why  Council would allow  30 foot lots in this neighbourhood when  it wouldn’t be allowed in other parts of the city. The existing  zoning would allow for a 33 foot tall building covering 40% of the lot. 

The change would have allowed  a building, 26 feet high, spread over 45% of the lot. Councillor Scott voted against the rezoning saying  "This is one time we have to listen to the neighbourhood." He is concerned about the loss of the flavour of the neighbourhood. Councilor Brian Skakun says this particular application doesn’t fit in with the neighbourhood because the lotsare too small. Councilor Murry Krause echoed those concerns and voted against the  application. Councilor Don Bassermann supported the  rezoning saying this project has more  positives than negatives for the neighbourhood.  The Mayor, Colin Kinsley says "I feel there is a certain fear of the unknown, I don’t think this will detract from the  neighbourhood especially if there is discussion about what is developed."  The Mayor, Councillors Bassermann and Zurowski were the only three to vote in favour of the  rezoning request, Councillors Munoz, Sethen, Skakun, Scott, Krause,  voted against the aplication.

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The  Developer who lost the bid for changes to Laurier Crescent,  also asked for the same kind of changes to two lots on 6th Avenue.  This time he got the approval he requested.  There were no people in the gallery to speak against that proposal.

Councillor Don Zurowski says " I want to celebrate this,  its about  infill, it’s about populating the downtown, for us not to support this kind of infill it will mean a lost opportunity to populate downtown."

This time, the Councillors  were in favour of the changes,  "This  is a much better use of the plans the developer has in mind and a much better location for them", says Councilor Sherry Sethen.

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