City Council voted in favour of issuing a temporary use permit to the Bread of Life to open a 25-bed low-barrier, transition house on Third Avenue.
Neighbouring businesses were split on the proposal with some writing letters of support, and others like Rick Stemko of H&R Block saying they’ve never been consulted.
“There’s been no neighbour consultations; none at all,” he said. “It seems to me, little or no consideration has been made for a more feasible, long-term location. Instead the city is using a temporary use permit to stifle the community’s involvement, circumvent the official community plan, and avoid the normal process of rezoning this property.”
Captain Michael Ramsay from the Salvation Army said they will have trained people on staff to prevent neighbourhood issues, building on their experience operating the successful warming centre and overnight shelter
“We’ve got many qualified, experienced staff partnered with many great agencies: CMHA, Kuu-us, and of course Bread of Life and the Salvation Army,” he said. “So we’ve got many agencies walking alongside all of the individuals and we just hope this is one more way we can help the vulnerable people in our community.
Captain Ramsay from the Salvation Army said he’s stopped by the business to talk with the owner several times, and was able to arrange an actual meeting after they met at yesterday’s city council meeting.
The Temporary Use Permit was granted for a 3-year term and is contingent on developing a good-neighbour agreement along with fire and safety plans.
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