Construction of an affordable housing project in downtown New Westminster is getting underway.
The City of New Westminster and the Community Living Housing Society recently broke ground at 43 Hasting Street, where an affordable housing project is being constructed. The society was the successful proponent of the project, after the city released a request for proposals for innovative housing projects at two city-owned sites, including the downtown site.
“The start of the 43 Hastings Street project is a major milestone in the city’s commitment to housing affordability,” said Mayor Jonathan Cote. “We’re thrilled to have CLHS on board and look forward to the development of this project to help address housing challenges that many in our city face.”
The Community Living Housing Society, with support from the provincial government, will own and operate the development that will include three fully accessible one-bedroom units for people with developmental disabilities, rented at income-assistance shelter rate, and three below-market rental three-bedroom townhouses.
“CLHS is excited to undertake this innovative housing project with the support of the Community Living Society, the City of New Westminster, B.C. Housing and Vancity,” said Ross Chilton, chief executive officer of the Community Living Society and the Community Living Housing Society. “The project is small in scale but will prove to be large in its social impact.”
Banquet hall in Boro?
A banquet hall is being proposed in Queensborough.
Council has directed staff to proceed with the rezoning and development permit application concerning a three-storey banquet hall at 1084 Tanaka Court, which is near Queensborough Landing shopping centre. In addition to the banquet hall, the project would include a four-storey above-ground parkade.
“Staff would work with the applicant regarding the proposed parkade design as well as the form and character of the overall development, with input from the public and the New Westminster design panel,” said a staff report.
Before the project is approved, it will be reviewed by all city departments and the city’s advisory planning commission, and the applicant will hold a public open house. Council is expected to consider the zoning amendment bylaw, which would rezone the site from heavy industrial districts to a comprehensive development district zone, and hold a public hearing in April and consider issuance of a development permit in May or June.
