A decision on whether to grant a rezoning application to create a new park on Marine Avenue is resting with City of Powell River council after the proposal’s public hearing wrapped up Thursday, December 18.
No one at the hearing spoke against the rezoning of the vacant lots on the southeast corner of Alberni Street and Marine Avenue. The rezoning will reassign the two lots from Mixed Use to Parks and Playing Fields designation.
The city received five written submissions of support before the deadline.
“We’re feeling optimistic,” said Cathy MacDonald, Marine Area Business Association (MABA) president.
MacDonald, who was first to speak in favour of the application at the hearing, said she was pleased the project was moving forward. MABA has been working on the park and town clock project for the past five years.
“We hope this is the first of many projects that will help revitalize the downtown area,” said MacDonald.
MABA director Anna Hindle said the park and town clock idea has received much support from the community over the years.
“I’m hoping that we can get this put together for the summer of 2016. This is a great project for Powell River and will create a landmark for us,” said Hindle.
Katie McLean, another director of the business association, said she hopes the city will allocate money in the 2016 budget to pay for the park’s upkeep once it’s built.
MacDonald said if the rezoning is granted the association will be able to apply for a Powell River Community Forest Grant to pay for the construction of the park and purchase and installation of the clock.
A decision on the rezoning is expected at a city council meeting in the new year.
