Full Agenda - Packed House
Strong Passions On Both Sides
The Public Hearing held in the Shaw Auditorium was full to overflowing as not only was there standing room only, in the 200 seat auditorium but some people had to listen on the speakers outside the meeting room.
There were 7 or 8 other issues on the agenda before getting to the 'main event' which did not get under way until 9:30. pm. Before dealing with the contentious issue of rezoning property on Bowen Road to facilitate the wet housing project several other applications for rezoning were dealt with. Without exception there was opposition to each application that would see property rezoned to enable more density on the lot. This rezoning would mean higher density housing such as duplex, triplex and fourplex all of which were opposed by neighbours as they felt the increased density would change the character of their neighbourhood. One such application for property on Wentworth brought the most passionate opposition to changing the quality of a very old property which is the pride of the neighbourhood.
Local hearing aid providers and opticians were opposed to an application by Costco which would see a covenant removed from title which would allow the big box retailer to also sell hearing aids and eyewear from their current location.
The Main Event
Finally at 9:30pm council opened up the meeting to those wishing to speak for or against either the 'supportive housing project' or the 'drug houses' depending on your point of view.
Both sides of the debate were most passionate about their viewpoints and emotions were pretty raw all around. Council, however, remained quite stoic throughout and it was never evident whether they are actually listening to the concerns with an open mind willing to reconsider their position, or whether they were just politely listening, because that is what is expected of them.
In any event it is clear that neither side has much in the way of 'hard' facts to support their positions and that is probably the root of the problem. For example on the one hand staff point to the success of other projects in other BC cities as evidence that the wet housing projects in Nanaimo will be a success. They did not seem to realize that the projects they were touting as 'proof' are in fact intolerant when it comes to drug use.
Perhaps one of the most compelling opponents of the wet housing approach to dealing with addictions came from a previous drug addict herself, who at one point said she would never have cleaned up if she had been able to stay in a wet house where she could continue her addiction. The fact she was speaking from first person experience rather than from a base of anecdotal testimony gave a certain weight to her testimony.
Meeting Continues Next Wednesday April 20
Same Time Same Place
I was at the meeting and there were 10 other issues on the agenda ahead of the wet housing. The room was far too small and many people were forced to sit on the floor, stand or leave the room due to fire regulations. Next time they will have to book the Port Theatre!
ReplyDeleteThere was actually one rezoning that went unopposed- a proposal for a 4-unit development on a vacant lot. The crowd, most of whom were anxious to get to the wet housing issue, breathed a sigh of relief when no one got up to deliver a lengthy speech against it!
ReplyDelete