'Problematic decision': Permit board revokes Boyle Street application for new downtown location
Boyle Street Community Services say a city tribunal has revoked the development permit for its new headquarters and service centre.
The King Thunderbird Centre will replace Boyle Street's current aging facility to provide health services and drop-in support to people experiencing homelessness while incorporating Indigenous cultural programming.
That location is just two blocks north of their current site, a former banana ripening warehouse converted into a social support agency hub.
The Subdivision Appeal Board (SDAB) is an independent tribunal established by city council to hear appeals related to subdivision applications, development permits and enforcement orders.
While Boyle Street was informed of the decision Friday, the SDAB decision has not been released publicly as of publication.
The hearing happened on Nov. 10, and according to the hearing agenda and index, 15 different appellants advised the SDAB about their opposition to the new Boyle Street location.
Many of the appellants said the zoning class Boyle Street applied for its development permit did not sufficiently encompass the range of services the site will house.
"The types of operations Boyle Street offers are not compatible with the expectations of a commercial business district," said one appellant.
Jordan Reiniger, Boyle Street Community Services executive director, says it is "extremely disappointed" by the SDAB's "problematic decision."
The facility has already invested $8 million into buying, designing and renovating the new centre. Boyle Street has also fundraised $22.5 million of the total $28.5 million cost.
"Fundamentally, the zoning that we had applied for was the same zoning that we've operated under in this facility for many, many years," Reiniger said. "We felt very strong about the merits of our application because of all the due diligence we had done."
Jordan Reiniger, Boyle Street Community Services executive director, speaks with media on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022 (CTV News Edmonton/Jeremy Thompson).
Some of the named appellants include the following:
- Chinatown and Area Business Association;
- Chinese Benevolent Association of Edmonton;
- Fukienese Association of Alberta;
- Ukrainian National Federation;
- Central McDougall Community League;
- Victoria School of the Arts Parents Coalition; and
- McCauley Community League.
The McCauley Community League noted in its application that it opposes the development in part because similar social service agencies in the downtown core use proper zoning conventions, like the Hope Mission and Herb Jamieson Centre.
"The use class has been misrepresented," the community league said. "Boyle Street currently operates, and proposes to operate, a drop-in centre or day shelter. The application is limited to medical services and professional services. It does not include that of a drop in centre or day shelter."
Others believe the new location for the community support centre will harm their organization or business operations.
Reiniger said Boyle Street is still reviewing its options to respond, saying the SDAB decision is only a "road bump."
"We have a lot of options in front of us," he added. "So this project is not dead. We are going to continue to push forward with it, and we have some really strong partners that continue to support us as we do that."
But the permit appeal now sets back the facility's anticipated opening date next year.
"What's troubling about that is that everybody sees the need that's out here right now," Reiniger added. "The challenge that we are having with people experiencing homelessness on the streets of Edmonton and in the core and the King Thunderbird Centre is a solution to a lot of those challenges.
"The longer the delay is, the more problematic it is for the folks that are here on the street that are most at risk."
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Jeremy Thompson and Nahreman Issa
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Leafs star Auston Matthews finishes season with 69 goals
Auston Matthews won't be joining the NHL's 70-goal club this season.
Trump lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside a Brooklyn bar, papers left 'at her feet'
Donald Trump's legal team says it tried serving Stormy Daniels a subpoena as she arrived for an event at a bar in Brooklyn last month, but the porn actor, who is expected to be a witness at the former president's criminal trial, refused to take it and walked away.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Doug Ford calls on Ontario Speaker to reverse Queen's Park keffiyeh ban
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Speaker Ted Arnott to reverse a ban on keffiyehs at Queen's Park, describing the move as “needlessly” divisive.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.