From a local resident I am writing to you out of the concern I have regarding the proposed change to the C7 zone, permitting the development of the Community Services transitional housing project. My family and I have lived on Rosewood drive for twenty five years and, along with about seventy residential and business neighbours, worked continuously over the past fifteen years to clean up and maintain our neighbourhood. Following years of drug running, wandering strangers, B & E’s, street-side prostitution etc. (they used to park on Busby Street 100 feet from our home), we formed a Neighbourhood Action Group in an attempt to clean up our community. With the aid of Chief McKenzie of the Abbotsford City Police, his staff and members of City Council, we managed to close down the active drug houses and an apartment building as well as eliminating the prostitution near residential areas. The police bike squads were also instituted at that time with great success in monitoring criminal activities. The continuous monitoring of our downtown area paid off in many ways. The development of the proposed shelter housing would not only set a precedent in expanding the C7 zoning to alternate social service sites (we already have a dozen plus social services facilities in this area), but it goes against all the ideals and hard work of the residents and merchants of the Historic Downtown Area over the years. I worked closely with Mary Reeves and the DBA when the zoning was changed from C5 to C7, which promised to protect the integrity of life and business downtown. The property owners took the new C7 zoning as a promise by City Council of a stable future where, with their investment dollars and hard work, they could make the old downtown a viable destination dream. They even agreed to pay increased property taxes to ensure that their investments and development for the future were secure. Homeowners in the area also began to enjoy the secure feeling and anticipation of new beginnings that the new C7 zoning would entail. What is proposed is a concentration of individuals into a residential and business area who have no job, no money, nor requirement to make changes for the better in their lives. What transpired with that obstreperous occupation of Centennial Park recently and the fracas opposite the Salvation Army site last summer, is the kind of activity we can expect as we become the Abbotsford edition of East Vancouver. We have such a unique downtown that many cities are trying desperately to create. (Kelowna, Chilliwack): people who care, close knit shops with unique offerings not found in the big box stores, small economical bungalow style homes within walking distance of all amenities, great potential for more highrise housing and commerce. Above all we are the people who care enough to work hard developing and maintaining our properties. We need people with money in their pockets downtown who are willing to work and invest in a positive future. We need you and City Council to keep the promise made with the creation of the Abbotsford Commercial Zone C7. Trust is paramount. We’re counting on you. Geoff Brown
Posted on: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 17:18:54 +0000