Abbotsford (Josh Olund BCIT Radio A&E) – Abbotsford council is looking at amending its zoning bylaw to allow emergency response shelters in all the zones during a provincial state of emergency.
However, the only exemption is where agriculture is a permitted use and not use on property in the Agriculture Land Reserve.
The Abbotsford council had the first two readings to the bylaw amendment at its executive meeting on April 26.
Abbotsford’s current zoning bylaw only permits an accessory emergency shelter at Bakerview Mennonite Brethren Church.The approval of any additional emergency shelters has been handled on a case-by-case basis.
But the pandemic has necessitated more shelters to accommodate those for whom there is no space in already existing housing projects due to COVID-19 protocols, such as adequate distancing between individuals.
Coin. Ross Siemens says people have been asked what will happen to individuals in emergency shelters when the pandemic is over.“I think the majority of folks that are housed here will probably go back to some of the housing projects that are in place, but we are advocating with BC Housing for more,” Siemens said.
An opportunity for public input will now be scheduled,in place of a public hearing, which cannot be held in person due to COVID-19 restrictions.Before the bylaw is adopted, it requires consultation with medical health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry along with approval from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
