Mission council has delayed a decision on a new industrial park that one resident called a potential “traffic nightmare” if it’s approved.
Instead, council asked city staff on Monday to prepare a detailed third reading report about the proposed park on 18 acres of land on Dewdney Trunk Road at Cade Barr Street.
The request came minutes after a public hearing that drew more than 20 speakers, most in opposition but also including a few supporters.
Cedar Coast and OTG Developments are asking for their property at 33447 Dewdney Trunk Rd. to be rezoned to allow for four “industrial” buildings that could include warehouses and some commercial uses.
The land is located in Cedar Valley, which the city has earmarked as being suitable for the Future Employment Lands designation that would attract jobs. The applicant says the project would provide more than 800 jobs and bring in $1.2 million annually to the Mission tax base.
The city received 23 letters opposing the project and three supporting it.
The main issues for nearby residents are how an industrial park would look in a rural and residential neighbourhood, the noise it would bring and an increase in traffic.
Brandon Kealey, who lives in the area and also ran for council in October, said Cade Barr Street from Cherry Avenue to Dewdney Trunk Road is already a “traffic nightmare” and adding more vehicles in the area would be a mistake.
“It is a tragedy in the making,” Kealey told council at the Monday hearing.
Kealey said bringing jobs to the community is a good idea, but the tax revenue from the business park isn’t worth the risks. Kealey also said there’s not guarantee many of the new hires will be from Mission.
“Let’s be honest, the tax revenue potentially generated from this proposal is not going to be the silver bullet for Mission’s high taxes. Far from it.”
But some speakers said the project would be an economic win for the community.
Ethel Lariviere, chair of Mission’s economic development select committee, said the city has a shortage of lots suitable for industrial parks. Lariviere said she understands the concerns of area residents, but the Cade Barr proposal is vital for the community’s future.
“The taxation burden on homeowners will continue to grow unless we respect those lands that are designated in our Official Community Plan for business uses,” Lariviere said.
Some residents who have children who attend schools on Stave Lake Street were concerned about increased truck traffic during construction of the industrial park and for years after the project is completed.
A traffic study has been completed and is being analyzed by staff, but people at the public hearing were told that Stave Lake is not a designated truck route and that trucks would use Dewdney Truck Road.
Some speakers, however, cast doubt on that claim, saying they see trucks on Stave Lake Street on a regular basis.
Other residents wondered if there will be enough parking spaces at the industrial park, or if workers will be forced to park on nearby streets. Others wondered if covenants could be created to “shape” traffic in the area. Some worried about hearing endless “beeping” as trucks backed up at the park.
“I think (the speakers) had some legit concerns,” said Coun. Jag Gill, who also had questions about what kind of landscaping would be added to “hide” the buildings.
City staff didn’t give a timeline about when the third reading report would be completed for council to consider.
Mayor Paul Horn admitted it was a “long list” of questions for city staff, and he was also interested in covenants to control traffic.
Horn added that many of the speakers suggested other uses for the property, including strictly residential or just retail, but reminded people that those would also bring large amounts of traffic to the area.
“It would be interesting to see a comparison,” Horn said.
RELATED: Mission residents call industrial park proposal a ‘white elephant’
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