Shelter given 3-year permit

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Port Alberni’s cold weather shelter has been approved, after months of meetings, multiple reports, letters and petitions.

Operated by the Salvation Army and Bread of Life, concern for the Third Avenue facility brought dozens of people to yesterday’s city council meeting where they spent 2 hours discussing the issue, allowing many voices to be heard.

Mayor Sharie Minions said the new process of increasing voices and inclusivity was a success.

“One thing that we have changed specifically is to formally give opportunity for members of the public to provide input on temporary use permits written on our agenda. That wasn’t previously on our agenda when I took temporary used permit comes before council, and we intend for it to be on our agenda going forward,” she said. “A temporary use permit is in essence almost like a mini rezoning, it’s temporary and not permanent but it does impact the community so we do feel that it is critically important to give opportunity for members of the public to not just write a letter, but rather to be heard just like they would for a public hearing. So while the meeting takes longer, it gives us an opportunity to actually hear from members of the public who want to come forward and share their input.”

The Salvation Army had requested a renewal of the 3-year temporary use permit but Councillors Todd Patola and Dustin Dame tried to reduce it to 2 years.

That motion was defeated and council voted unanimously for the 3 year deal.

Only one person spoke in opposition, but his concerns were more related to the neighbourhood mitigation strategy than the actual project.

The Salvation Army will now have 3 years to operate the cold weather shelter before pursuing a full rezoning of the site, or moving to another location.