A city committee approved the first reading to rezone the former Riverside School site to low-density residential to allow for the development of 19 new residential lots on the plot of land the former school once stood.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
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City council will now host a public hearing before it moves forward with adoption to rezone the land parcel of the former Riverside School site following its demolition in January.
Members of the Municipal Planning Commission approved first reading of the application to rezone 201 Second St. NW from Direct Control to Low Density Residential to allow for redevelopment of the site to create 19 new residential lots.
The Riverside Neighbourhood Plan emphasizes preserving its low-density character and community identity, and the Municipal Development Plan supports various concepts of the proposed redevelopment.
City planning and development services staff say most properties in the neighbourhood are already primarily developed with single detached houses and are looking to align future development in Riverside to maintain desired development patterns.
Staff also say they intend to preserve and enhance the community’s identity and heritage through protection and recognition of several historic items preserved from the former Riverside School building and site.
These items include the iconic James Marshall Mural which has not been moved from its original spot and remains fully intact following demolition, as well as the ‘boys and girls’ entrance stones of exterior brick.
The doors of the interior main entry have also been preserved and are due to be incorporated into future renovations at the Monarch Office.
More than 500 bricks have also been taken by neighbours and residents as historic mementos.
Unfortunately demolition crews have been unable to locate two time capsules believed to have existed on the school site.
The developer has confirmed plans to incorporate these heritage components from the former school into a new preservation project.
The decision follows a controversial motion approved by councillors in December to demolish the former school site, which had been in a state of disrepair since 2017.
Council heard intentions from the developer is to build bungalow-style homes that would target senior citizens.
During a public meeting residents of Riverside expressed desire to see the land parcel developed as a park or green space.
A public hearing on the proposed rezoning is expected to occur May 4, and following that meeting council will make a decision.
If approved, next steps would be a subdivision endorsement and registration followed by individual development permit and building permit applications.
