Councillor Ron Cannan wants the city to pressure the province to preserve 琉璃神社鈥檚 Heritage Conservation Area (HCA) from development.

鈥淎re we going to allow the province to destroy it, I don鈥檛 think they want to do that either,鈥� he said at council鈥檚 May 13 meeting.

Cannan brought up the issue during a staff update of the HCA including management options and public consultation.

Staff emphasized the importance of preserving heritage values while accommodating the needs of a growing population.

However, new provincial legislation mandates three to four dwelling units when redeveloping a single-family lot, including in the HCA.

Director of planning and development, Ryan Smith, told council that staff have had several discussions with the province regarding the easing of density in the HCA.

鈥淚 got the same response 鈥楾his hasn鈥檛 been implemented yet why would we grant exemptions?鈥欌��

Cannan pointed out that this is a provincial election year.

鈥淚 think this is a time where we have some leverage to push back on them.鈥�

He also noted 琉璃神社 is a leader in densification and infill, pointing out this is a provincial election year.

鈥淲e鈥檙e not going to build our way out of this affordability crisis,鈥� Cannan added. 鈥淲e need to preserve some of the heritage and character of our community.鈥�

A portion of a public hearing this afternoon (May 14) will deal with addressing densification in the HCA.

It begins at 4 p.m. in council chambers at city hall.

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