Mission council has deferred making a decision on a rezoning request needed for a proposed mixed-use development project which envisions 131 residential apartments as well as a variety of commercial uses, including retail, restaurant, office space and a community gaming centre.
The properties involved are located at 31802 Hillcrest Ave., 31896 Raven Ave., 7233 Wren St. and 31831, 31941, 31971 Lougheed Highway.
The site is almost 34 acres in size, but the Elevate Development Corporation is seeking to develop only 12 acres at this time.
On Tuesday night, a large crowd came out to a public hearing on the proposal, with the vast majority speaking against the idea.
Concerns ranged from traffic issues to environmental impacts, to not wanting a casino in the area.
“I’m extremely upset about the proposed rezoning of our neighbourhood … especially upset of the prospect of having potentially 200 to 300 new neighbours on our very quiet street,” said one speaker.
Residents talked about both Raven and Marsh avenues and the inability to deal with traffic or parking.
“The traffic issues are huge,” said another speaker. “That street is small and narrow now. We frequently get folks who just come on down and drive right into our driveway because they think that its a continuous street, then they have to back out.”
Other speakers wanted to know why the proposal would include a daycare and a casino, noting it is not a good mix.
Still others were concerned about the wetlands located adjacent to the project.
Speak after speaker came up to express similar concerns.
After the public hearing was completed, council decided that there were too many unanswered questions to grant third reading to the zoning request.
Mayor Randy Hawes said that third reading is not final approval and the developer should be given an indication that the project could move forward.
“I believe if we give this third reading today with the instruction that staff is to come back to us with a report, to me it just makes sense that we send the developer an indication that if he does all those things there could be an approval. Otherwise, it’s still all up in the air.”
He also said he believes the broader public is interested in the project.
But Coun. Jenny Stevens didn’t agree, saying there are a dozen questions to which nobody knows the answers and basic information is missing.
Coun. Pam Alexis called it a major development and said it is something that needs more than a two-week turnaround for a decision.
“This is a massive project. I’m sure when the Junction was put through there was more time than two weeks … We don’t have enough information to move forward.”
Coun. Danny Plecas noted that traffic was the biggest question and wants to see the report from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure regarding the Lougheed Highway and possibility of a new traffic light in the area.
With the project deferred, district staff will now put a report together, answering the questions raised.
There is no timeline for when the proposal will return to council.