Proposed social housing project one too many for neighbourhood, councillors say

PENTICTON – The prospect of another 52 units of supported housing in the Skaha Lake Road and Green Avenue area proved too much for local residents and city council this week.

“Congregating all these facilities in one area – there’s a name for that – a ghetto, and that’s not what I want for our Main Street,” Coun. Max Picton said in opposition to plans for the 52 unit supported housing project proposed for a B.C.Housing owned piece of property on Green Avenue.

Council chambers was full Tuesday evening, May 22, as local residents and proponents of the modular housing project attended a public hearing for a zoning amendment to allow for low density multiple housing at 179 Green Avenue West.

The action would result in a consolidation of zoning on two adjacent properties owned by B.C. Housing. One property contains Unity House, a meeting place for the Canadian Mental Health Association and Skaha Sunrise, a social housing complex. The other property is vacant an additional 52 units of modular social housing are proposed for the lot.

The lengthy hearing heard from a number of neighbourhood residents who, while mostly sympathetic to the aims and intentions of the proposal, felt the neighbourhood already had more than its fair share of low income and supported housing. Others felt the proposal was too close to Princess Margaret School.

“We’ve done our due diligence,” said Green Avenue resident Mike Biden, adding there were already 56 supported housing units on the adjacent property.

“This area is saturated with low income housing. We’ve got enough,” said another resident. 

Council deliberation following the hearing heard councillors hoping not to derail the project, but most councillors saying they could not support the proposed location.

Coun. Andre Martin said council heard valid points on both sides of the issue but he could not support the location, adding the project was needed in the community somewhere. He suggested the issue go back to staff to work with B.C. Housing to come up with a new proposal.

Coun. Judy Sentes called it an emotional issue, but said she was willing to give the present concept a chance. She said the city must hold the province to task to ensure the proper screening of clientele and supports were in place and there was a clear expectation of operation.

Coun. Max Picton didn’t mince words, declaring he would not support the size of the project or its location.

He said the vibrancy of Skaha Lake Road was being compromised by the number of social housing projects, noting the recent transformation of the Super 8 Motel, the creation of Fairhaven from the former Bel Air Motel and nearby Unity House.

“It’s not what I want for Main Street. There’s no way I can support this,” he said, adding he envisioned smaller facilities scattered throughout the community.

Mayor Andrew Jakubeit also noted logical arguments posed by both sides in the evening’s discussions, saying he had struggled with a decision on the proposal, at the same time not wishing to see it shelved or moved to another community.

The mayor said balance was an issue in the neighbourhood, and the housing mix has to respect what the neighbourhood desired. He also noted nearby residents were struggling with the location of the facility.

Council agreed to refer the matter back to staff, Coun. Sentes opposed.

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