An emergency shelter is being proposed at the former Elks Hall in downtown Williams Lake.
BC Housing is expected to make a presentation to Williams Lake city council on Tuesday, March 12 seeking support for an application to the province for statutory immunity for the property.
If the shelter were to go ahead at the 98 First Ave. South location, it would replace the emergency shelter at the Hamilton Inn started in 2020.
In a report to council, manager of economic development Beth Veenkamp noted city staff have been working with BC Housing on the proposal.
“There are limited options in Williams Lake, and this location has been identified as suitable for a short-term solution while there is continued work towards improving supportive housing options in Williams Lake,” Veenkamp noted in the report.
That location is presently zoned as C-1 town centre commercial.
Veenkamp said the benefit to council for undertaking a re-zoning process would be the formal public hearing process, however, the longer-term prospect of having “traditional shelter” as a permanent permitted use on that property is not recommended by staff.
She explained in the report that statutory immunity allows the use, otherwise not permitted without following zoning regulations, to operate and continue under the provincial agency.
In the event that operations are ceased by the province, the use is no longer permitted at the proposed location by another operating party, outside of this agency, unless granted municipal approval.
This means that once the operation leaves that building the permission to operate goes with it. This option also limits liability risks for the city.
“If council wishes to support the development of shelter space in the community, the statutory immunity route is recommended. However, council will need to determine whether the proposal from BC Housing to seek statutory immunity for the proposed shelter should be supported,” Veenkamp noted.
Staff has also drafted a good neighbour bylaw for the emergency shelter, should it be approved.
The Elks Hall was sold in 2021 to a local construction contractor.
READ MORE: Elks Hall sold, closing in Williams Lake
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