City Council made the rare and bold decision to reject a staff recommendation at last night’s meeting and ultimately granted a local business’ rezoning application third reading.
T&K Behavioural Interventionalists Ltd. helps about 60 kids with special needs, ranging from 22 months to 19-year-old. The Preston Road business employs 11 behavioural therapists who teach life skills in both individual and group settings. The house just off the North Nechako Road near Highway 97 is a more central location in the city and more accessible for families driving in from places like Mackenzie and Vanderhoof. The business moved to the new location on February 1st, 2016, with a temporary business license while undertaking a rezoning process.
City administration recommended Council deny this rezoning to set a precedent and keep businesses out of residential areas. Staff also cited traffic and parking concerns as reasons for denial.
Seven presenters spoke to Council in favour of the application. Three employees shared the facility’s importance and how damaging change could be for autistic children. A neighbour of 23 years, who presented twice, explained T&K has been a much better tenant than ones past.
The most powerful messages came from parents like Meggan Maurer. She can get to the business in ten minutes from her Hart residence, which gives her time to head home after dropping her two boys. When T&K was in College Heights, she was faced with either waiting the two hours for the session to end or make the 25-minute drive home and leave again in an hour. Her youngest son went from being non-verbal to knowing 10 words in just six weeks. Council’s unanimous decision to grant the application will help her sleep easier.
“That is such a relief off my shoulders, I almost don’t even know how to put it into words,” she says, “It’s been a very long and emotional journey with our two sons with autism and the fact that T&K is allowed to stay where it is is wonderful.”
She’s not the only one. T&K Owner and Program Coordinator Kalma Arnett is relieved to have Council’s blessing.
“I realise that was the planner’s responsibility to give that information to staff but to have Council turn around and support us anyways it certainly makes me proud to be a citizen of Prince George and that our council is so proactive.”
Councillors thanked staff for their hard work on the recommendation. Both Council and Arnett understand staff has to follow strict, often black-and-white protocol which doesn’t offer much wiggle room. Mayor Lyn Hall explains that’s why it’s so important that members of the public speak up on important matters.
“Our staff have a commitment to doing what they feel is right, and then it gives the opportunity to the public to come in and talk about whether they agree with the recommendation or they don’t agree. That’s the democratic process through the public hearing that’s so important for everyone.”
Mayor Lyn Hall couldn’t remember the last time Council rejected a staff recommendation.
T&K Behavioural Interventionalists Ltd.’s rezoning application still has to go through fourth reading before it can be approved, and needs to provide a traffic analysis.
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