Prince Rupert council passes third reading of rezoning application for Lax Kw'alaams housing project

PRINCE RUPERT, B.C. -- Prince Rupert City Council voted unanimously to pass a third reading of a rezoning application on Monday for the development of a 70-unit supporting housing project for Lax Kw’alaams Band members.

However, the motion passed after a tense second public hearing on the project, where residents who live near the proposed project site at 11^th Avenue East expressed their opposition towards it.

Concerns raised included the project’s density, its added impacts on traffic, the possible effect on nearby homeowners’ property values and the fact that it will specifically house Lax Kw’alaams Band members.

The project’s proponents said measures such as traffic bulges and a crosswalk were added to address traffic concerns, and that research indicates the project won’t directly affect property values.

Speakers were also highly critical of the consultation process.

One person argued councillors were trying to push the project through, that they had already made their minds up, and that their body language suggests they weren’t listening to people’s concerns.

Councillors strongly disputed this.

 “I find it rather insulting that… our minds were made up by body language or other things,” said Councillor Barry Cunningham. “I don't think we would have a second hearing if our minds were made up. I wouldn't have wasted time going over into that area to look at it personally.”

“Around the insinuation that somehow this is a done deal – that we've already seemed to make up our minds, that we're trying to push this through – I wouldn't go quite as far as to say I'm insulted. But I do think that it's a little unfair for us to be accused of not being able to speak to people's concerns in the very forum that’s specifically meant for us not to talk, but to actually listen to concerns”

Nonetheless, the councillors voted to support the project, citing the need to provide more housing in the city.

“The most important issue here that we need to try and solve is to ease the pressure on housing, and this project is one step towards doing that,” said Councillor Nick Adey.

The passed bylaw will now be sent to the Transportation Ministry for approval, and the projects' proponents now need to finalize a restrictive covenant for the new traffic measures.

After that, the project can be sent back to council for adoption.