City council has just made it easier for Souls Harbour Rescue Mission to develop a 30-unit housing development and community service centre.
During the recent regular meeting, council gave three unanimous readings to a zoning bylaw amendment to rezone 212 and 218 River Street West to C2 high-density commercial district from M1 light industrial district to accommodate the project.
A consultant provided city administration with a satisfactory environmental report about the sites, which prompted municipal officials to promote the amendment to the zoning bylaw, a council report explained. Along with public advertising, city hall sent notices to property owners within 90 metres of the area informing them of the potential change; no responses were received.
Souls Harbour Rescue Mission — which operates Riverside Mission — wants to redevelop both properties on River Street and construct a three-storey, 2,047.5-square metre (22,750-square-foot) building with 24 affordable housing units and six suites for addiction programming, according to previous information.
There will be a 5,000-square-foot food and distribution centre across the three floors, a new Riverside Mission, a full commercial kitchen, a dining space that converts into an emergency shelter, community offices, and board rooms. Other services will include employment training, high school and post-secondary education, and ministry opportunities.
Construction is expected to start in 2022.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, March 8.
