The city announced Friday that it is seeking a court injunction to guarantee construction crews access to a Marpole property that is currently being blocked by protesters who don’t want a 78-unit modular housing complex for the homeless in their neighbourhood.
The city said in a news release that since Tuesday “multiple protesters” have been on the site at West 59th Avenue and Heather Street and blocked Horizon North construction crews from accessing the property.
“Infraction notices were issued to protesters on site who blocked the sidewalk, but the protesters continued to block entrances,” the release said. “At this point, the delays due to protests are affecting the anticipated move-in date for tenants. The temporary modular housing in Marpole will help 78 homeless residents into safe, warm homes and BC Housing and the City are taking action to ensure no further delays to this project.”
Here’s what the rest of the release said:
“While the City respects the residents’ right to protest, the temporary modular housing is urgently needed to address the immediate housing needs of Vancouver’s homeless residents while more permanent housing is being created, and the City does not want to see it delayed.
As part of the development permit process the City hosted four community information sessions in the Marpole neighbourhood with 650 people attending. Meetings with community groups, including Marpole Business Improvement Association, Marpole Community Association and Parent Advisory Committees from theschools in the neighbourhood were also held. Feedback was gathered online and in person with approximately 300 comment cards and 400 emails received. The City understands the residents of the Marpole neighbourhood have concerns about the operation of the temporary modular housing and is committed to working with the community towards good stewardship of this site and the community in general.
On Monday, November 27, the Director of Planning for the City of Vancouver, Gil Kelley, announced the conditional approval of a development permit to build 78 new temporary modular homes at the Pearson-Dogwood site in Marpole at 7430 & 7460 Heather Street (650 West 57th Avenue).”
