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CDC tries again

Bulkley Valley Child Development Centre trying to solve rezoning issue to move on Columbia in Smithers.

It is rezoning redux for the Bulkley Valley Child Development Centre.

Perhaps a sign that Halloween is approaching, the CDC rezoning issue in acquiring the vacant Smithers Christian Reformed Church property and building at 1471 Columbia Drive has risen again.

Councillors at last Tuesday’s town meeting expressed the belief that most neighbours did not have a problem with the CDC moving in. The concern voiced by petitioners from the neighbourhood is to do with what would happen if the CDC needed to sell the property, specifically, who they would be able to sell it to.

Another public hearing to rezone the property from its current P3 status that limits it to places of worship is scheduled for Nov. 10’s council meeting. The CDC could not secure financing for $600,000 in renovations with a prior rezoning attempt that included a covenent.

It’s only going to get more personal and it’s going to get sour,” said Coun. Charlie Northrup about bringing the issue back to public hearing.

I think you’ll find the public is prepared to show some patience with the CDC and trust that they will not create any serious problems for the neighbourhood,” said Coun. Bill Goodacre.

This is the hardest decision I’ve had to make in three years... we really want to make things happen for the CDC and at that location, but it comes down to what is our job as local government: making long-term decisions,” said Mayor Taylor Bachrach at the meeting.