By Spencer Sterritt

BC Housing seeking to join high-profile Parksville supportive housing lawsuit

Nov 15, 2018 | 4:41 PM

PARKSVILLE — BC Housing wants to join the legal fray surrounding a contentious supportive housing development in Parksville.

The provincial organization is seeking to be listed as a defendent alongside the City of Parksville in a lawsuit filed by several community members. The case could be precedent setting, with BC Housing telling NanaimoNewsNOW they’re not aware of any similar lawsuits in the past.

The lawsuit stems from complaints with the zoning process of land at 222 Corfield St. S. in Parksville, where a 52-unit supportive housing complex is currently being built and will be operated by the Island Crisis Care Society. The $6.9 million project is funded through BC Housing.

The civil suit, filed in August 2018, claims area residents weren’t properly informed about the incoming development as per City rules and they “felt intimidated (and) were deprived of the opportunity to meaningfully express their opinions” at a public hearing which stretched on for roughly two-and-a-half hours.

It also alleged then mayor Marc Lefebvre told one of the petitioners the development was a “done deal-regardless of public opinion.”

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The response from the City of Parksville, submitted to the courts in September, replied the petitioner “must have misinterpreted Mayor Lefebvre’s statements as to his strong views on the issue.” It also said public hearing notices were published in local papers and distributed as wide as possible.

Regarding the public hearing event, the response said Lefebvre called for final speakers three times and ended the event when no one else came forward.

BC Housing said they sought to be listed as a defendant because it will help them ensure the project moves forward.

“These homes are much needed and will provide vital 24/7 supportive services, which includes access to mental health and addiction programs, as well as employment and life skills training to help tenants move forward with their lives.”

The supportive housing development was a key factor in Parksville’s 2018 electoral race.

Winner Ed Mayne told NanaimoNewsNOW on election night he’ll keep “close tabs” on the project though he said with the rezoning process already complete, there’s little the new Parksville administration could do to stop the project.

“We can say ‘Oh we hate it, we don’t like it,’ but at the end of the day it’s a done deal. The only way it gets changed is if the court overrules it.”

Two of the petitioners, Adam Fras and Doug O’Brien, were elected to Parksville council and strongly spoke out against the project during the public hearing.

The matter is next in on Dec. 17.

The housing complex is expected to open in the spring of 2019.

Editor’s note: This story was updated on Dec. 17 to reflect new information from BC Housing, clarifying how far along the legal process they are and changing specific legal language.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit