London Street & Ninth Avenue Development Petition

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We, the citizens of Connaught Heights, petition the City of New Westminster to immediately halt plans to construct a three-story, multi-unit (up to 24 units) structure on 2035 London Street and 2038 Ninth Avenue, in New Westminster.

Connaught residents are incensed at the lack of transparency and openness in the project’s process to date and utterly surprised this work has been initiated without any meaningful consultation with residents or involvement with the Connaught Heights Residents’ Association.

We understand Federal subsidy funding timelines are driving the current project schedule and would argue these dates should be relaxed given the unprecedented pandemic, similar to the direction many other Provincial and Federal government agencies have already adopted.

Further, the residents do not feel adequate, and informed dialogue can occur virtually. Many residents do not have access to technology, and online channels are limited in their ability to allow participants to interact and fully express or impart feedback. Most theories suggest 80-90% percent of communication is non-verbal.

Additionally, given the lack of transparency to date, residents are resistant and distrustful of the City’s handling of this project, which favours the bottom line considerations over the well-being and interests of its residents, which are being significantly impacted.

RATIONALE INCLUDES:

• The proposed structure unequivocally does not fit with the current landscape of single-family homes. There are no other multi structures in the immediate area.
• Green and open space in Connaught Heights is close to nonexistent, and residents regularly use the site for play and recreation.
• Historically, the site was a community centre, and efforts to cultivate community are viewed as priceless by its residents who have invested in the neighbourhood.
• Documented traffic concerns already plague Ninth Avenue and Dublin Street, and efforts to mitigate congestion is paramount. The proposed project would exacerbate these issues.
• Prior OCP discussions with residents led them to believe higher density initiatives would occur below Eight Avenue, closer to SkyTrain and future planned services.
• The City has documented that recreation facilities are not easily accessible from the Connaught Heights neighborhood, and an attempt to leave open space must be preserved.
• The City has alternate options to build on sites that are more suitable to residents and its intended occupants.

WE ASK THE CITY TO:

• Explore sites which are better aligned to existing and planned high-density neighbourhoods
• Consider using the proposed site for permanent park use to enhance the community livability
• Refrain from using online consultations due to a lack of awareness and accessibility concerns

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS(https://www.facebook.com/ConnaughtHeightsNeighborh...)

• Bob Petrusa, Connaught Heights Resident, bobpet.usa@gmail.com, 604 861-1927
• Karl A Brysch, Connaught Heights Resident. bballcoachkb@gmail.com 604-353-3990
• Dee Brar, Connaught Heights Resident, brar@shaw.ca
• Sally Herbert, Connaught Heights Resident, sallyoherbert@gmail.com, 604-802-4989