Prince George City Council approved a temporary use permit for supportive housing at 3809 Pinewood Avenue.
According to a staff report to Council, Set Free Recovery has been operating at that location in a reduced capacity than what they were applying for through the permit.
“Our “Supportive Recovery” program is a christian abstinence based program which interacts daily with our clients,” writes Richard Korkowski in a letter of intent provided to City Council.
“There are rules for proper behaviours, chores, groups, doing required written step work and studies, accountability, curfew, visits, etc.”
Korkowski noted he and his wife managed a 50 bed centre in Chilliwack, as well as eight homes in regular neighbourhoods in Abbotsford.
The applicants had originally came to Council asking for a three-year temporary use permit, which City Staff had recommended denying because the number of residents living in the space would be double what is zoned for the area.
Councillor Susan Scott said she and other councillors toured the place.
“I believe strongly in not only what their intent is, but also the location where they are,” she said.
“The degree to which they have reached out to the neighbours and engaged people, directly in relation to what they’re doing, but also as good neighbours, and there is no indication from their previous location that there is any sort of issue.”
Councillor Garth Frizzell suggested a two-year temporary use permit instead.
“Given what I’ve seen, it is worthy of giving an exception,” he said.
“Mostly because I want to see an opportunity for it to thrive, also because of the letters of support from Northern Health and from others, the visit itself was also compelling.”
Manager of Legislative Services Ethan Anderson noted the letter from Northern Health had been retracted.
Council voted to grant the two-year permit.
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