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Council votes to give city housing a small bump
City of Cranbrook council last night (Dec. 10) unanimously adopted a zoning bylaw and amended the city’s official community plan to allow for the conversion of a Van Horne Street motel to long-term rental units.
Council passed the third reading and adopted Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 3950, 2018 and Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3951, 2018 following a public hearing.
Five people addressed council regarding David Derkatch/Senakovicz Investments intentions to transform the Heritage Estate Motel at 362 Van Horne Street South to 24 long-term rental units.
All five spoke to the need for more affordable housing in Cranbrook.
“This proposal sounds ideal to us,” said Nancy Lemire of the Cranbrook Salvation Army. “It would close the extreme weather shelter tonight.”
Bill Barger of the United Way East Kootenay told council the city can’t wait on affordable housing help from the provincial or federal governments and the community has to take the lack of available housing, affordable or otherwise, to task itself.
“We need private entrepreneurs. We can’t do this ourselves,” he said.
Council also voted in support despite concerns expressed by city administrative staff.
“While staff recognizes there is a need for additional rental housing options in the city and this proposed project may help to revitalize the property and add additional rental units to market, from a land use planning perspective, staff have some concerns with respect to the introduction of residential uses on the highway corridor,” noted a bylaw report by Reb Veg, Office of Innovation and Collaboration.
“Concerns include the lack of services (shopping, medical etc.) or pedestrian infrastructure, incompatibility between long-term residential use and highway traffic and noise, and the precedent and future expectations that may be set for all other motels along the highway corridor. Given the location, tenants may be car dependent as there is no sidewalk fronting the property and according to the applicant’s information, the nearest transit stop is 500 m away on 3rd Avenue South,” Veg reported.
“For reasons noted above and including the additional concerns regarding potential for flooding and operational/service provision issues related to the sidewalk proposal to this location, administration has reservations with respect to the bylaw changes at this time which is reflected in the recommendation.
“However, should council wish to approve the amendments, staff strongly recommends a restrictive covenant be registered on title advising of the potential of flooding and indemnifying the city from any and all claims that may result from flooding and displacement of residents,” the bylaw report concluded.
Jason Wheeldon, acting as agent for the developer, said steps will be taken to address Jim Smith Creek flooding and has offered to put in a 350 metre sidewalk along Van Horne Street.
“I think we have heard from the people in the business. We are at a housing crisis stage,” stated Coun. Wayne Price. “This developer is trying to do the right thing. This is something that is right for the community.”
Coun. Norma Blissett said city staff concerns “are valid. No it isn’t ideal but it will serve the community well. It will also repurpose what could become a derelict building.”
The existing motel is located on a 0.362 ha parcel fronting Van Horne Street S, south of downtown, the bylaw report outlined
“The 24 units have a variety of access with all but three units having at grade, barrier free entry. Thirteen units currently have kitchenettes with the remaining 11 units being renovated with kitchenettes. The application states that if successful, the motel will be renovated and upgraded with electrical service (individual hydro meters), improvements to fire ratings between units and fire alarm/detectors installed in each unit. In addition to the units, there is also an owner suite with three bedrooms/two baths and a full kitchen. The property has parking at each unit with additional visitor parking and room onsite to provide additional spaces if necessary.”
– Ian Cobb/e-KNOW
