Rutland community members turned out in droves last Sunday to protest the McCurdy Road supportive housing project.

Chants of 91裸聊视频渒eep Rutland safe91裸聊视频� rang out from nearly 100 residents as cars drove by and honked in support.

Even passing police officers flicked on their patrol car sirens, tooted their horns and waved as they cruised by the fenced-off lot.

91裸聊视频淭he reason we are gathered here today is because we are against a facility that does not have rules around drug and alcohol consumption within the proximity of the schools,91裸聊视频� Chrissy Lwowski, a concerned resident at the protest.

This community member has this to say about the .

91裸聊视频� CaitlinClow (@caitleerach)

As cannabis retail stores need to be 150 metres away from elementary schools and 500 metres from high schools in Kelowna, opposed residents said those same rules should apply for wet houses that allow for consumption.

READ MORE: MLA urges a 91裸聊视频榩ause91裸聊视频� to controversial Rutland supportive housing project

91裸聊视频淭his is not an appropriate site,91裸聊视频� Lwowski said. 91裸聊视频淲e have not run out of land in Kelowna.

91裸聊视频淭he last we had all heard was this was a dry facility coming in, so we91裸聊视频檙e all pretty alarmed that it has come through the way that it has and we91裸聊视频檙e not OK with it.91裸聊视频�

The development was originally put forward by religious organization Freedom91裸聊视频檚 Door but failed to raise appropriate funding. The project was then passed on to BC Housing.

City council had approved the rezoning of the lot for the previously proposed project application, so could only vote on the form and character of BC Housing91裸聊视频檚 design before issuing, or denying, a development permit.

Coun. Charlie Hodge was the only councillor who put forth a protest vote against the project when the form and character of the development came before council on June 17. (See story A3)

91裸聊视频淭his project is not the project it was,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淪o, it91裸聊视频檚 a tough decision.91裸聊视频�

Christopher Bocskei, a coach, protest organizer, community volunteer and someone who has experienced homelessness, said he knows these facilities are necessary for addicts, vulnerable and at-risk individuals.

But he doesn91裸聊视频檛 want it to be this close to the kids.

READ MORE: Petition started in protest of Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 McCurdy Road supportive housing

91裸聊视频淒rugs will go up, crime will go up, it91裸聊视频檚 a problem waiting to happen,91裸聊视频� Bocskei said.

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e trying to save our kids here, we91裸聊视频檙e trying to save our community.91裸聊视频�

He suggested a better location for a facility this size and type would be more successful across the street from the RCMP detachment.

Bocskei said the 49-unit development offers 49 opportunities to have students exposed to, or perhaps even addicted to, substances.

91裸聊视频淚t is incumbent on the operator, BC Housing and the province to ensure this functions successfully,91裸聊视频� responded Coun. Brad Sieben.

A was started and shared online June 21 and since then more than 2,600 people have signed it.

Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick also called upon British Columbia91裸聊视频檚 Housing Minister Selina Robinson to 91裸聊视频減ause91裸聊视频� the project until issues in Heath House and Hearthstone 91裸聊视频� two other wet facilities 91裸聊视频� are resolved.

91裸聊视频淭he people of Rutland are very generous and caring and have done more than their fair share when it comes to housing the hardest to house,91裸聊视频� Letnick said in his open letter.

A public information meeting will be held on June 26 at Rutland Centennial Hall, 5:30 p.m.

Caitlin.clow@kelownacapnews.com
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