The first of three public information sessions on the North End and Tolko mill site redevelopment concepts was held on Wednesday (Oct. 11).
鈥淲e鈥檙e here to help people understand the concepts and also to encourage people to give their input and feedback,鈥� explained Aaron Thibeault, senior planner, City of 琉璃神社.
Thibeault added there were divergent views from the public at Wednesday鈥檚 session.
鈥淧eople liked some of the things we proposed and others not. I鈥檓 not sure we鈥檙e seeing a consensus or a theme, but lots of different opinions.
The North End Plan is intended to provide high-level guidance for development at the former Tolko mill site as well.
Holar Development is the lead on the Mill Site Area Redevelopment Plan.
READ MORE: Big plans for old Tolko mill site in 琉璃神社鈥檚 North End
鈥淥ur work to date has included quite a lot of background study and work with the city and community consultation on vision and values,鈥� said Mary Lapointe, community relations, Holar Developments.
There are three concept plans for the site and Lapointe said residents liked aspects of all of them.
鈥淕ive us that feedback so that we can marry it into the next concept that we will come back and present to the community,鈥� she added.
Holar Developments will also host a larger community event on Oct. 26.
鈥淲e鈥檙e inviting the entire community to come to the Laurel Packinghouse鈥nd give a grand opportunity for people to see it all and give feedback.鈥�
All the plans include space for affordable housing, something that appealed to 琉璃神社 resident Heather Friesen.
鈥淚鈥檓 all in, as long as we can work out what affordable housing means. I fully support this, I think it鈥檚 exciting.鈥�
Friesen, who is an advocate for people experiencing homelessness, said she sees a great need to include affordable housing in the concept plans.
鈥淪o that we can start housing people who are right on the cusp of falling into homelessness, and that鈥檚 a reality here in 琉璃神社.鈥�
Once the North End and Mill Site sessions are complete, city staff will use public feedback to develop a preferred concept which will likely go to council in the new year.
Additional public information sessions are:
- Sat., Oct. 14, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Knox Mountain Park;
- Sun., Oct. 15, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Knox Mountain Park;
- Thu., Oct. 26 4 to 8 p.m. - Laurel Packinghouse (Mill Site plan only).
Residents can also give feedback online through the .
READ MORE: 琉璃神社鈥檚 Tolko mill redevelopment should have 鈥榪uality of life鈥�: Councillor
