Editor:Re: Burnaby turning into a place only for affluent, NOW letters, Aug. 8.
I wish to correct some of the information provided by Greg Bourgeois. Regarding the Elizabeth Fry Society proposal of 2008, the city has supported their important work since 1977, with a $1-per-year lease for a group home on city-owned lands.
Council supported the society’s proposal for a 16-unit transitional and supportive housing development at 5170 Hastings St., advancing the rezoning application through public hearing and second reading. To support the intended use of the property, the parking requirements were reduced by Burnaby council to one space for every two units, from the zoning standard of 1.6 spaces per unit. The city supported the parking reduction for this site from the requirement of 26 residential parking spaces to the proposed eight parking spaces.
As such, the statement made by the letter writer is incorrect – the city did not insist that parking be provided for each apartment, and this was not reason for the Elizabeth Fry Society not being able to advance the project.
The provincial government of the day, in 2008, withdrew the funding prior to completion of the rezoning process.
Despite the city’s efforts to recover support for the project, the provincial government, at the time, failed to provide funding, and the project was withdrawn by the society.
Burnaby continues to seek new ways to contribute to a range of housing for all income levels and needs, such as implementation of rental-only zoning and further partnerships on non-market housing projects.
I invite Mr. Bourgeois, and all Burnaby residents, to further explore Burnaby’s affordable housing programs and achievements. I think they will find plenty of which to be proud.
Lou Pelletier, director of planning and building, City of Burnaby
