Castlegar city council has a hard decision to make. On the one hand, you have much-needed housing. On the other, you have a park.
From the beginning, the announcement that a developer was interested in building a mixed-use housing and commercial development at the site of the former Brandson Pool has been an emotionally charged subject. The March 14 public hearing in a zoning amendment application for the development was no exception.
The in-person meeting component was held at the Castlegar Community Forum, and with a capacity limit set at 50 the space was full. Many others watched online through Zoom.
Prior to the start of the meeting, the city had received 46 written submissions regarding the project. Seven expressed support, while the rest were either not in support or were hesitant and seeking clarifications.
The meeting lasted four hours 20 minutes. That’s not a typo — the meeting started at 6 p.m. and ended at 10:20 p.m.
City staff and council exercised great patience throughout the evening, allowing everyone who wanted to speak a chance to speak without time limits. Some were allowed to approach the microphone multiple times. This is not the way things are done in many other communities. Time limits on speakers and meetings are more the norm.
Some speakers took their frustrations out on staff and council with innuendos of wrong doing and questions outside of the scope of the zoning hearing. These were all met with calmness and respect and occasional reminders to be respectful until one illustration crossed the line of sexism at which point the mayor and a councillor called foul and asked for an apology.
Almost all of the speakers were against allowing the development to move forward. While varying angles were given, the main reason for the opposition was the loss of park space.
The developer needs a portion of Brandson Park in order for the project to proceed. While project plans call for green space on the new development, there will be a net loss of green space compared to the existing park. The city says that if the project goes forward, the remaining park space will be redeveloped and will include a children’s playscape.
But for many, that’s not good enough. They want to see the memory of Bob Brandson honoured and green space preserved.
So that leaves council with the difficult decision of weighing more than 50 new units of housing stock against leaving a park intact. A 2018 housing needs assessment showed a need for more diverse housing in the city and resident surveys rank increasing housing as a top priority for the city. The city’s advisory planning commission, a board made up of residents that are not councilors or staff, advised council to approve the project as long as the project’s green space remains accessible to all and that the community is consulted regarding the reconceptualization of the remaining park space.
So the choice isn’t as clear as some would think.
A decision will be made at the April 4 council meeting and it’s one that has garnered the attention of the community more than any other in recent years.
READ MORE:
2405 Columbia Ave. project details
LETTER: Development ‘disservice’ on 24th Street in Castlegar
COMMUNITY COMMENT: Proposed commercial/housing development at 2405 Columbia Ave. in Castlegar
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