Mayor Ellis uses Strong Mayor powers for the first time to rezone Alhambra Square for “The Bridge”

Mayor Ellis used Strong Mayor powers for the first time to rezone the former Banquet Hall property at 1 Alhambra Square for “The Bridge” social and health services hub, council agreed unanimously.

I, Mayor Neil Ellis, hereby direct staff, under section 284.3 of the Act to:

1. Prepare a By-law to amend Zoning By-law Number 10245, as amended, as it affects the land municipally known as 1 Alhambra Square by rezoning the subject lands from Highway Residential Fourth Density (R4) Zone and Open Space (O1) Zone to Highway Commercial (C3-62) Zone with special provisions.
   
   The effect of this By-Law is to align the zoning with the policies of the City’s Official Plan, and to permit the use of the property for a community centre.

Council agreed unanimously

REC. NO. 52-2024
Moved by Mayor Neil Ellis
Seconded by Councillor Chris Malette

That Council support the use of Strong Mayor Powers for appropriate planning approval as required for the property at 1 Alhambra Square “The Bridge”.

Councillor Tyler Allsopp For
Councillor Kathryn Brown For
Councillor Paul Carr For
Councillor Lisa Anne Chatten For
Councillor Barbara Enright-Miller For
Councillor Sean Kelly For
Councillor Chris Malette For
Councillor Garnet Thompson For
Mayor Neil Ellis For
Carried 9-0 on a recorded vote

The rezoning would allow for medical offices.

The usual rezoning process would make approvals from Canadian National Railway (CNR) necessary since the railway is next to The Bridge Integrated Care Centre and existing zoning guidelines could take anywhere from 6 months to 1 year.

Even to hold it up a month now is too long.  They have gone through architect plans that they have now and they’re working through that process and it’s time to get this in gear.

Mayor Neil Ellis

I originally said that I would not use them, I guess maybe I should have backtracked and said I would only use them for the good of the community

Mayor Neil Ellis

Council agreed unanimously

if there was ever a time to use Strong Mayor powers, our homeless situation cannot wait another year.

We are in crisis right now, this is an imperative piece of leading the city. We’re very much appreciative of you stepping forward and being able to do this. Having the support of us I’m sure is also indicative of moving forward.

Councillor Lisa Anne Chatten

We didn’t like [Strong Mayors powers], it was a bitter pill to swallow but the levers of which allowed us access funding.

in this case, I agree with my colleague Councillor Chatten. Knowing the slow manner in which these approvals can come from CN and any of the major utilities like that they’ll rag the puck on this one until we have people literally dropping in the streets

We cannot take our foot off the gas on this issue. We have to move forward on the hub issue.

Councillor Chris Malette