A rezoning application to expand specialized home support services for youth into 100 Mile House has residents weighing in on both sides.
Just under 100 residents of 100 Mile House attended an emotionally charged and at times contentious public hearing for the proposed re-zoning application and bylaw amendment on Tuesday, Feb. 4.
While most in attendance were opposed to the proposal, there were some supporters.
The controversy over the rezoning amendment began in Fall of 2024 when Children Matter Community Services attempted to expand their services to 100 Mile House due to a need for specialized home support services in the South Cariboo. Renovations began, but the process stopped after the district received complaints about the property, and directed it to be rezoned. Council discussions over the rezoning have seen concerned citizens pack the District of 100 Mile House Council Chambers, with one meeting seeing over 60 residents.
The public hearing was held at the 100 Mile Community Hall, where around 90 people attended the meeting. The discussion pertained to a proposal to amend Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1290, 2016, to add a section on specialized home support services. The proposal also includes a site-specific rezoning amendment which would permit specialized home support services on 721 Cariboo Trail, in the southern end of 100 Mile House near Burghley Place and Marks Road.
All members of the District of 100 Mile House Council, as well as district administration, were present to hear the sides supporting and opposing the rezoning and bylaw amendments.
Tammy Boulanger, chief administrative officer of the District of 100 Mile House, read out all letters the district had received.
Those opposed say that seniors could be at risk, due to having such a facility in a residential area would entail. They also expressed fears their property values would fall and did not want to see rezoning occur in a traditional residential area.
"A facility like this requires well-trained, dedicated professionals with extensive experience with complex pediatric medical and mental health patient populations. 100 Mile House hospital is not equipped to deal with the significant behaviour and mental health challenges these individuals face," said Alicia Bennett in a letter read out by Boulanger.
Bennet said facilities in Williams Lake and Kamloops have better services and referenced the shortages of health-care workers the 100 Mile District General Hospital has faced in recent years.
"If this goes ahead, our house values in this neighbourhood will drop significantly. We know that. We know that neighbours are postponing home and property improvements pending the outcome of this application because they'll never get their money back," Rebecca Johnson, a community member who attended the meeting, said.
Johnson added there was an insinuation from Shawn Enns, the founder of Children Matter Community Services, that critics who oppose the project do not care about the children.
"I take great offence. This has caused a great deal of damaging relationships," Johnson said.
Lastly, many do not want the rezoning application to go through, because they had bought the property as a residential area, and wanted to live in a quiet area. Shirley Wares is one of the Cariboo Trail residents who spoke at the public hearing.
"We wanted to live in an area that was quiet, close to the hospital, not have to worry about my kids running up and down the street," Wares said. "We bought our home because it was a R1 area. We do not want to see it change."
Enns, in response, stated the reason why the property was chosen despite it being in the middle of a residential area was because there were no other zoning areas in 100 Mile House that would allow them to open up their homes. The reason they never had to make bylaw changes in other jurisdictions they have set up similar facilities is because other jurisdictions, such as Prince Rupert, consider a house as a principal residence of the children.
"There is nowhere else, that I guess, according to the interpretation of the definition within the bylaw would allow us to do that," Enns said.
In an interview with the simplymastery, Enns said he did not want to comment on the specific concerns of the community, as he did not want to go against anything that they said.
"I think that some of the misinformation that was spread early on really just resonated with people's fears and unfortunately, really stuck," Enns said.
However, despite the opposition from the majority of the audience, some residents came out in support of Enns' proposal. Several letters of support, including one from the Canadian Mental Health Association, said there is a need for supportive youth housing services in 100 Mile House.
"This need is identified in the district's own housing needs assessment. Leaving local youth without supervision and support isn't working anywhere. This is a foster home, not a halfway house," stated a letter from the board of directors of the CMHA's South Cariboo branch.
Some of those who spoke in support of the project were in tears over what they said was how some members of the community were characterizing children. Carolyn Shaw, a teacher and a newcomer to the South Cariboo, accused the community of 100 Mile House of ableism, as well as divisiveness and ageism.
"I'm sorry you're scared, and I'm sorry you're worried, and I'm sorry you're stressed. But welcome to the world. It's a stressful place," Shaw told council and the audience.
Others, such as Saturn Zezza expressed support, stating it would lead to real, tangible change for children in the area.
"Working with the Pride community in 100 Mile, something I often hear from those who criticize us is we must protect the children. Tonight, we are faced with a real opportunity to do just that," they told Council.
Zezza is the head of the 100 Mile Pride Society and said "youth in here are already uprooted - it is important for them to not be sent far outside our community."
In a written e-mail statement to the simplymastery responding to questions regarding their support, Zezza said the public hearing was one of the most difficult things they had ever witnessed in the town, citing how hard it was to hear what they call misinformation and fear-based language directed at both the Children Matter Community Services team and vulnerable youth in care.
"I left feeling heartbroken, scared, and ashamed of where I live," Zezza wrote. In response to some of the criticism, Zezza said they do not believe seniors would be at additional risk, and there is a similar business nearby the community.
"Carefree Manor is a care facility with 24/7 staff," Zezza stated, although it should be noted that Carefree Manor caters to seniors. "Rezoning is not the issue here, I believe the issue is the stigma around youth in care."
Zezza said the suggestion of putting such a facility in a rural area outside of 100 Mile House would be problematic.
"There would be less access to resources because of increased travel demands. More funds spent on travel means less funds for the youth; less activities, more difficult visits with family, greater demands on staff," they wrote. "Youth have a right to education, they have a right to health care, and they have a right to social and cultural participation. These things are available to them in town and are limited outside of town."
No further submissions, either verbal or written can be submitted now to the District of 100 Mile House Council. The district will now gather all of the information that has been recorded at the public hearing. The timeline stated that the rezoning amendments would be given a third reading on Feb. 11, 2025 - and adopted on Feb. 25, but it remains to be seen, given the opposition to the proposal, if it will go ahead.
Enns told the simplymastery he will be waiting until the following council meetings to gauge what they will decide to do with the proposed amendments.
