The City of Campbell River is exploring zoning changes for downtown and is asking the community for feedback. The zoning process involves creating a new downtown zone and refining definitions and locations related to social services. The zoning review process was recommended by the Downtown Safety Select Committee in 2021 as a way for the City to encourage redevelopment downtown and to address safety concerns.

“Council appreciates the hard work and recommendations of the Committee and has been reviewing and actively implementing their recommendations where possible” said Mayor Andy Adams. “We have supported numerous initiatives that aim to revitalize the downtown and create a business friendly environment, while also increasing resources for enforcement and security to mitigate problem behaviors, and we know there is more to do”

“We are aiming to achieve the vision that was set out in Refresh Downtown, a guiding document endorsed by Council in 2017. The City wants to encourage mixed use development with commercial on the ground floor, offices on the second floor and residential above,” said Jason Locke, manager of long range planning and sustainability. “This type of redevelopment is one of many elements that makes a city more vibrant and safe.”

Another part of the zoning review includes encouraging social services to locate west of Dogwood Street.  

“We want to balance the need to have important services accessible to those who need them, with the safety concerns we hear from business owners and residents,” said Peter Wipper, director of public safety.  “Right now there is a high concentration of social services downtown and that is having an impact on perceptions of safety.”

The zoning changes propose to direct drop-in services related to food security, hygiene and substance use to the Ironwood area in the future. Existing services downtown would be grandparented, meaning they are able to stay where they are. If providers of those grandparented services look for a new location in the future, they would need to relocate where zoning allows it.

For more information and to give your feedback on the proposal, please visit campbellriver.ca/downtown. An online survey will be available until Feb. 27 and four virtual round table events will be held Feb. 22 to 24. Please email sustainability@campbellriver.ca to sign up for an event or if you have any questions.   

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Contact: Jason Locke, Long Range Planning and Sustainability Manager                          
250-286-5797 |  jason.locke@campbellriver.ca 

News Release