During a City Council meeting Tuesday Sept. 19, Council deferred further readings of Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw 1829 and Zoning Amendment Bylaw 1830, which both relate to the proposed B.C. Housing supportive housing project on Elliott Street in West Quesnel.
Before consideration of the bylaws can continue, Council asked that:
- the operating model be clearly communicated to Council and to the public;
- all questions from the public received at the Sept. 18 public hearing be answered and posted on the city’s website;
- the housing agreement be finalized and signed by B.C. Housing, and the “good neighbour” agreement be approved by Council and signed by the operator;
- a transition plan be developed that clearly outlines what services will not be offered at the proposed supportive housing project, and where those services will instead be delivered in the community.
During the public hearing on the bylaws on Monday, Seasons House staff and other residents expressed concerns that once the shelter on Carson Avenue closes, there will be a gap in services for homeless and at-risk clients. The Elliott Street housing unit proposed by B.C. Housing will not offer drop-in services of any kind.