Steveston Merchants Association (SMA) President Jim van der Tas says he is concerned Onni Group’s latest rezoning proposal leaves enough wiggle room for the developer to lease space to commercial entities that will negatively affect existing businesses in the village.
He told the Richmond News that while SMA initially considered the proposal to be a fair compromise, information Onni presented to a city council committee on Monday differs from what he understood the proposal to be.
“What was presented to me and what was presented to council wasn’t the same thing,” he said.
Van der Tas said the potential for a grocery store, as proposed by Onni, in the second-closest building to the village is not viable for merchants. He understood from Onni that the company was looking to instead establish a gym or even relocate Steveston Marine Hardware. But at committee, Onni representative Chris Evans said a grocery store is still in the cards.
Evans told committee SMA generally supports the proposal. Evans told the News Thursday he would clarify any discrepancies with SMA.
Van der Tas said there’s also concern that the hotel may not span both of the two most easterly buildings.
The hotel is critical, said van der Tas, to pare down the retail options on the site, thus reducing competition.
Other ideas for the 60,000-square-foot development include office space and a bank.
If the site is rezoned, the closest building to the village appears slated for retail and/or a restaurant, which is fine by the SMA, said van der Tas.
What exactly should move into the site is the root of a five-year battle between the developer, local residents, merchants and the general public. The debate has seemed never-ending to some.
Onni’s latest proposal will go before a public hearing on Oct. 16 — a significant step in the official city hall discourse.
Mayor Malcolm Brodie said city staff will canvass SMA, Steveston Community Society and Steveston 20/20 (a group of citizens, chaired by former councillor Linda Barnes, that oversees developments in the village.)
Brodie told the News public opinion will help form council’s decision.
But when asked how he will weigh opinion, Brodie said there can be no formula. So, it’s unclear who has more sway — a merchant, a group member, a resident who will live across from the proposed hotel or someone who lives in City Centre.
“I don’t think there’s a formal process. I think everyone will see it in their own way,” he said.
Resident John Roston, who lives across from the development, noted past city consultations show most residents oppose whatever Onni has tabled. Meanwhile, Onni’s own consultations and open house dialogues indicate support for commercial expansion of the site.
Roston said there is more support for a Granville Island-style rezoning that features local, artisan crafts and a market.
“A prime waterfront location is no place for a large grocery store,” said Roston.
He said council has lacked specificity in its past demands and is calling for more assertiveness from the local politicians.
Roston’s neighbour Jeff Jones told committee the matter has dragged on too long and he wants anything to vitalize the area — a common thought amongst many.
A major bone of contention from council is the amount of money Onni is offering to rezone the buildings.
City staff and Onni agreed that rezoning would increase the value of the land by $4.8 million. Onni said it would pay half of this.
The $2.4 million offered by Onni is actually less than the $3 million it offered two years ago, because the cost of retrofitting the hotel units eats into the profitability.
The city typically receives 100 per cent of the land lift when it allows developers to rezone for density. Coun. Harold Steves said Onni should pay $6 million to $8 million.
