A proposed wheelchair-accessible addition to a Burnaby seniors’ home received resounding support at a public hearing on May 31, but some neighbours aren’t happy with the project.
While many speakers stressed the need for affordable, wheelchair-accessible rental homes in Burnaby, some neighbourhood residents expressed frustration with the current noise from parking lots and garbage trucks.
Speakers on both sides expressed deep emotion regarding the project at Seton Villa Retirement Centre (3755 McGill St.).
One speaker, whose mother lives at the seniors’ home, called Seton Villa a “magical kingdom” — except for the fact it isn’t wheelchair-accessible.
“It’s now like living in heaven here at Seton Villa, because it’s clean and the staff are friendly and the food is great,” said another resident of Seton Villa who spoke at the hearing.
“I’m now focusing on the needs of others at Seton Villa, and they need more care, and they need a wheelchair [access], so that is why I support the new build that is proposed.”
Some residents on neighbouring Trinity Street spoke in opposition, saying noise from the dump trucks, among other issues, had a negative impact on their lives, and further development would increase the trouble.
“Having watched what we call the ‘garbage truck symphony’ or the ‘semi-truck rodeo’ … we have no idea how this is gonna go down,” said a Trinity Street resident.
The current Seton Villa tower cannot accommodate people who use a wheelchair, and so if a resident were to begin using a wheelchair they would be forced to move.
One speaker said 21 seniors had to move out for this reason in 2021.
Seton Villa, just west of Burnaby Heights Park in North Burnaby, is a non-profit retirement centre run by Action Line Housing Society that provides seniors with affordable housing.
The assisted living facility currently has a residence tower, a gym building, parking and a heritage mansion and garden.
The under-utilized gym is proposed to be demolished and some parking removed to make room for a new four-storey supportive housing building with 48 self-contained adaptable units, as well as an administration area over two levels of underground parking.
It’s a revised plan from one put forward in September 2019.
Forty-five units are proposed to be studio suites between 405 and 447 square feet, with three one-bedroom units at 599 square feet.
The new facility is intended to allow residents to age in place.
Rental rates of the proposed units would follow certain BC Housing program requirements, with 30 per cent of units at affordable rates, 50 per cent with rents geared to income and 20 per cent at deep subsidy rates, though percentages are to be confirmed.
Currently, Seton Villa has 217 suites ranging from 216 to 648 square feet, with monthly rents from $1,880 to $2,850.
The new building would include amenities such as a café, dining area, fitness room and lounges. Outdoor amenities would include a forecourt area and a rooftop patio.
Marika Albert, policy director at BC Non-Profit Housing Association, spoke at the hearing in support of the project, citing statistics that the number of seniors over the age of 65 in Burnaby is expected to grow by 17,000 by 2030.
She said there are currently only 900 units of affordable rental housing in Burnaby available to seniors.
