Special Council session today to review application for Crane's Crossing work for old Raffles Building

The Crane's Crossing supportive housing project will be
the subject of a Special Council session for this afternoon
(image from City of PR Agenda package)

Prince Rupert City Council will consider the first significant downtown proposal to come under the recently adopted Official Community Plan; with a Special Council session called for this evening to review the plans for Crane's Crossing, the supportive housing facility destined for the old Raffles Hotel.

At the afternoon session, set for a 4 PM start, Council will receive a report from the city's contract planners at iPlan, with Chris Buchan providing the background to the proposed housing to be operated by the North Coast Transition Society.

The NCTS took possession of the property in late May of 2020, for much of the year they have operated the city's homeless shelter out of the main floor of the facility.

The report notes as to how the proposal meets the city's guidelines and goals, as well as to provide some details on parking related themes, a topic that has become a flashpoint of sorts for Council in recent months.

"The exterior renovation is largely in compliance with both the General and Midtown Development Permit Guidelines. The proposed renovation maintains both the General and Midtown goal of defining a street edge. The proposed building materials are encouraged in the General Development Permit Guidelines and will result in an aesthetic improvement to the area.

A total of 15 parking stalls are required for this site. The applicant has proposed parking on-site and a designated parking lot located on an adjacent site. This parking will be secured through registration of an easement and covenant prior to Building Permit issuance. The applicant will provide a surplus of parking which adds to a total of 27 parking stalls."

As part of their work tonight, Council members will be asked to approved the Development Permit and Variance request related to the property.

The full package related to the Crane's Crossing application can be reviewed from the Agenda for this evening's special Council session.

Some past notes on the Crane's Crossing proposal and more items on housing in Prince Rupert can be reviewed from our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.