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Laneway housing plans discussed at Nelson city council

Laneway housing, Nelson CARES plans for Ward Street Place and park fees were discussed at Monday's city council meeting.
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Laneway housing

City councillors applauded a project at 409 Chatham Street on Monday night.

“I think this is excellent,” said councillor Donna Macdonald, adding it addresses a lot of goals laid out in the Path to 2040, the Downtown and Waterfront Master Plan and policies around affordable housing.

Council approved the development variance which allows for the construction of a second detached dwelling unit on the property.

Dave Wahn, manager of development services and sustainability, said the plan speaks to intentions of introducing laneway houses and granny cottages in Nelson.

Ward Street Place to see facelift

Council will send a letter to the Nelson CARES society in support of their revitalization project.

A request for decision was received by council at Monday’s meeting which highlighted the society’s plans to create 12 new affordable rental units in Nelson, relocate Stepping Stones emergency shelter to a more suitable and safer location, rejuvenating the commercial streetscape of Ward Street and reducing the risk of fire loss for Ward Street Place.

Nelson CARES will do a formal presentation to council about their plans for Ward Street Place at a committee of the whole meeting on May 28.

Reservations and rates for Nelson’s parks… and flagpoles

The city amended its fees and charges bylaw Monday.

The new bylaw comes after months of work by city staff and council in an effort to address funds not being collected for the use of sports fields and even flagpoles.

Macdonald said it may sound “silly” that a fee is being attached to the flagpole, but reservations only need to be made for exclusive use like photographs of special events.

The bylaw also incorporates the Nelson and District Youth Centre’s request for a slight increase to the rates for the city campground.

Staff is still working on how the city can collect fees effectively from people coming to Nelson to use the sports fields from outside the municipality.