A community meeting held downtown Sunday drew a handful of neighbours to hear about the new six-storey family centre planned by Ruth and Naomi's.
The rezoning hearing for the 36-unit supportive housing project was set for Tuesday night at city hall.
"We held the community meeting to inform neighbours on Princess and Margaret Avenues what the new building is going to look like, and what are our plans are for it," said Bill Raddatz, executive director of Ruth & Naomi's Mission.
Part of applicant's request is for reduced parking requirements, and to close off Fletcher Avenue for a day care playground.
The new building would house a range of services on the first two floors and housing for low-income residents in the other four.
"We support the project in principal," said neighbour Barb Turpin, "although there appears to be some flaws and omissions in their planning that are cause for concern."
Turpin lives close by and was one of about 100 neighbours who received hand-delivered invitations to the community meeting. She was one of seven who showed up.
Turpin said she also submitted a letter to council in advance of the rezoning hearing, in part critical of the reduced parking, which will see fewer spaces than residents in the new complex.
"The family centre is something that addresses those at risk for homelessness," said Raddatz. "Everyone knows that rents are becoming unaffordable."
He said there will be 23 parking spaces in the front and rear of the new building, and another 16 or 20 spaces adjacent the site in overflow parking, for a total of approximately 39 for staff and residents.
They are hoping for support from city council, after the rezoning hearing, as the province has already come to the table with funding in the amount of $6 million for capital costs, said Raddatz.
The new centre will have day care services and a teaching kitchen, as well as a wellness centre on the first two floors, which will be in concrete. The remaining four floors will be wood-frame construction with eight to 10 residences for low-income families.
If approved, the new complex will go up in the space now occupied by houses at 46123 and 46135 Princess Ave. Those structures will be demolished prior to construction.
"The applicant wishes to amend the Official Community Plan designation of the subject properties from "Residential 1" to "Residential 3a (Density Bonus)" as specified in the Downtown Land Use and Development Plan," according to the staff report, "amend the text of the R9 (Supportive Housing and Health Contact Centre) Zone, and rezone the properties from the C2 (Local Commercial) Zone and R2 (Urban Residential Transition) Zone to the amended R9 (Supportive Housing and Health Contact Centre) Zone to recognize the existing supportive housing facility located at 46130 Margaret Avenue, and facilitate the construction of a new facility on 46123 and 46135 Princess Avenue.
"Additionally, the applicant will seek council approval to close the portion of Fletcher Street adjacent to 46123 Princess Avenue to utilize this area as private amenity space for a daycare in association with the supportive housing facility.
"Staff recommend that the application be held at third reading pending the applicant entering into a Good Neighbour Agreement with the city and necessary approval by the Ministry of Transportation for the amendment bylaws.