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Dear Residents’ Association:

You may have heard that City Council has recently initiated three separate, but closely related, projects that are being bundled into one review and consultation process in the interest of moving quickly to meet current and near-future funding deadlines, as well as respond more readily to urgent needs in the community. These Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw amendments would enable urgent housing and time-sensitive crisis services, including two non-market rental housing project opportunities identified at 350–366 Fenton Street and 68 Sixth Street.

WHAT IS THE PROPOSAL?

This initiative includes three separate, but closely related, projects:

1. City-wide bylaw amendments to allow more rapid response on projects meeting specific criteria and addressing an identified emergency or crisis. These bylaw amendments would offer a way for the City to respond more quickly, on its own or in partnership with other governments, to current crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, recent fires and heat waves, the overdose crisis, the regional homelessness crisis - and any other future crises.

Long term affordable housing on City-owned land at 350-366 Fenton Street in Queensborough. These bylaw amendments would allow a proposed project that includes 58 units in a three-storey multi-unit building with a mix of studio, one and two bedroom units. The building would be for Indigenous individuals and families, including providing spaces for women and children. This initiative is a partnership between the City and Vancouver Native Housing Society, who would be the operator. This project is an update to a concept that was proposed in 2020. (See Attachment 1 for a project fact sheet.)

Supportive housing on Province-owned land at 60-68 Sixth Street in Downtown. These bylaw amendments would allow the proposed project of 52-units of modular homes with supports for adults at risk or experiencing homelessness. An experienced non-profit housing operator would be selected, and staff would be on site 24/7 to support residents and provide services. This initiative is a partnership between the City and BC Housing, who would own the building. (See Attachment 2 for a project fact sheet.)

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HOW DO I GET MORE INFORMATION?

More information on the Crisis Response Bylaw Amendments and the details of the proposed projects can be found at: www.beheardnewwest.ca/crisis-response-bylaws

This page will be updated regularly as the project advances.

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HOW CAN I BE HEARD?

There will be multiple opportunities for you to provide feedback:

Send Comments – You may send comments or request a one-on-one meeting with City staff (via phone or physically distanced in-person) by contacting the Planning Division (see contact information below).

2. City-Led Consultation (October 1 to 24, 2021) – You can learn more about the projects and provide feedback directly to City staff at upcoming virtual information sessions. Event details and registration are posted on the Be Heard project page.

Date & Time	Topic
Tuesday, October 5 7:00 – 8:30 PM	Hear a presentation from staff on all three projects, and participate in a Q&A.
Tuesday, October 19 7:00- 8:00 PM	This session will focus on the proposed supportive housing project at 60-68 Sixth Street.
Wednesday, October 20 7:00- 8:00 PM	This session will focus on the proposed long-term affordable housing at 350-366 Fenton Street.
Thursday, October 21 7:00 – 8:30 PM	Join us for the final session on all three projects, hear a presentation from staff and participate in a Q&A.

3. Public Hearing (anticipated December 2021) – You can provide feedback directly to Council related to whether or not you support the proposed bylaw changes. You will receive a letter about the opportunities to provide feedback to Council once the hearing date has been set.

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QUESTIONS?

Please feel free to contact the Planning Division, if you would have any questions or would like to set up a meeting with City staff.

Email: devfeedback@newwestcity.ca

Phone: 604-527-4532

Post: Planning Division, Development Services Department

511 Royal Avenue New Westminster, BC V3L 1H9