Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN) is ready for the next step in developing the Poplar Glade Elementary property after a successful rezoning approval at Williams Lake city hall on July 8.
"We're excited to bring something innovative to the community," said Kourtney Cook, CAO for WLFN, after the public hearing and rezoning were official.
Six members of the public spoke at the public hearing on the proposed rezoning of the property, located at 845 Eleventh Avenue. The rezoning changes the property from civic assembly, institutional to the newly created zoning of neighbourhood mixed-use.
While most of those who spoke were not necessarily in favour or opposed to development of the property, the concerns raised included questions around costs of upgrades to infrastructure, potential tax exemptions for the developer, and impacts to local traffic from a potential higher density development.
Gary Muraca, chief administrative officer for the city said no tax exemptions were being considered for the property.
Resident John Pickford characterized Eleventh Avenue South as being somewhat of "a drag strip" for vehicles and asked how this development might increase the issues residents experience. Staff said those would all be part of conversations as any proposed development plan was brought forward.
City staff did clarify the nearby Kinsmen Park, which houses a number of ball diamonds, does encroach on the proposed development and will require city staff to work with WLFN as the plans move forward in order to determine what should be done with the remaining city park space adjacent to the proposed development.
One resident of the city asked whether WLFN would be able to put in another cannabis facility, after she said the one WLFN's development corporation operates in her neighbourhood has created impacts due to the smell. But Jessica Ball, a city planner for Williams Lake, clarified cannabis stores or commercial grow operations of cannabis are not included in the neighbourhood mixed-use.
One nearby resident who was opposed to the rezoning, inquired as to whether Williams Lake First Nation might be open to retaining the green space as a park for the community. The resident also wondered whether the city of Williams Lake might take over the space in order to retain it as a green space.
The city, under the previous city council, had put in a bid to purchase the property, but Williams Lake First Nation was the successful bidder in buying the land from School District 27. However, Gary Muraca, chief administrative officer for the city, explained the city's intention for the property would have been similar to what WLFN is proposing, creating much-needed housing for the community.
Council around the table and attending remotely, with Coun. Joan Flaspohler as acting chair while Mayor Surinderpal Rathor is away, unanimously supported moving the development of the site forward by approving the rezoning and expressed confidence in Williams Lake First Nation as the proponent.
Flaspohler explained the benefits of building up within the community, how infill development requires far less investment in expensive city infrastructure while still increasing the city's tax base.
"Building up is smart," she said, noting while change can be challenging in a community, it's important to see the potential.
Coun. Scott Nelson was enthusiastic about the mixed-use development, calling it "absolutely fantastic."
“We’re going to see more of this, we’re going to see more of this in the community, we’re going to see more of it across the province,” he said, of the increased density.
Coun. Sheila Boehm said she wants to see housing, and while concerns around commercial use within a neighbourhood will need to be addressed, she has seen this type of development work in other countries to address many of the current social issues, including housing affordability.
Coun. Jazmyn Lyons, and Coun. Angie Delainey, like many around the council table, also expressed support for Williams Lake First Nation as a proponent.
"I'm very much looking forward to it," said Lyons, of the potential development at the site.
Delainey said the council takes all the residents' comments very seriously, but she said WLFN has done great work in their previous builds and she expects this project will bring more positive improvements to the community.
WLFN's Kourtney Cook said the passing of the rezoning now allows for the next step, working with BC Builds to find a potential developer for the property.
She acknowledged the rezoning is just the first step in what will be a long process before any building will take place on the site, however, she was enthusiastic about what could be ahead.
Cook focused on the opportunity a new development might offer, conjuring visions of providing residents a sense of community within the neighbourhood and offering some accessible services for nearby residents, getting them some of what they need, where they live.
