Dear Sir:
After attending the city council hearings of May 13, 2013 and July 22, 2013, I couldn’t be more disappointed in the decision made in regards to the rezoning of 4407 Sparks St, from R1 to R3.
City council voted in favour of the rezoning although the neighbourhood opposed it for a number of reasons. Almost the whole neighbourhood was in attendance at the hearing (approximately 20 people). A number of neighbours spoke opposing the rezoning and a number of letters (10 as per Terrace Standard, dated August, 7, 2013) were submitted as well. One council member who opposed the rezoning mentioned this was the highest number of people that have attended a city council hearing in regards to the rezoning of property.
It’s clear that the number of concerned neighbours did not matter and that some of the city council members were not interested in even listening, which showed by their behaviour. Some of the council members were using their tablets while members of the public were speaking. It appeared that their minds were already made up at the July 22, 2013 hearing, when this was a important decision to the neighbouring residents.
How is it that in April 2012, there was a rezoning application made for 5034 McConnell Ave., where two neighbours opposed the rezoning and council rejected the application in favour of the concerned neighbours?
It appears that the decision to rezone may have been more tax-based than anything. The only people to benefit from this, is the City of Terrace, the property owner, the building contractor and sub-contractors. It is interesting how one person can persuade some Terrace council members, but yet a whole neighbourhood can’t.
Doug Rentz, Terrace, B.C.