Former crack-house site on West Seymour gets OK for suites

NEWS — The owners of a former crack-house property got the go-ahead from council Tuesday night to build two houses with secondary suites despite a chilly reception from neighbours.

While the usual concerns about parking, traffic and drainage were expressed, at times the public hearing became a sounding board for past grievances about rowdiness and drug activity at 331 and 343 Seymour St. West.

Michael and Ruth Fane bought the property about seven years ago and cleaned up the century-old fiveplex but it burned to the ground last April. Current zoning wouldn’t allow them to rebuild a rooming house but it would allow two single family houses. They want the houses to include secondary suites to make it easier for buyers to finance them.

Several neighbours told council they were glad to see the old building go and were worried that approving the application for the two new homes with suites would just be a fresh beginning of old problems.

“This house was a particular problem and to be honest when I saw the flames curling into the sky I was delighted,” said Ralph Adams, who owns property down the street. “What guarantees do we have that this won’t turn into another slum house?”

“It was a straight-up crack house,” said another neighbour. “The owner of the property was never around when the shit hit the fan. I don’t understand why this is even gonna be considered.”

Others said West Seymour just isn’t suited to higher density because the street is extremely narrow and can’t handle more cars. “Finish the services on the street before you start jamming more people onto the street,” urged another.

Michael Fane agreed that “when we bought it, it was without a doubt a crack house.” But he said the new homes will be built to a high standard . “I think it would very much enhance the area.”

In answer to concerns the homes and suites would simply be turned into rental units, he said, “I have no intention of doing anything but selling those properties.”

Coun. Nelly Dever asked Fane why he didn’t design the proposed homes in heritage style instead of the modern design he was showing on his plans. “I honestly believe making a bad copy of a heritage house is not doing any service at all to the true heritage houses in the area,” Fane said, pointing out City staff described the West End as “eclectic.”

Coun. Tina Lange opposed the rezoning and amendment to the official community plan necessary for the proposal to go ahead. “West Seymour is one of the oldest streets in the city,” she said. “It’s a goat path.”

If there was an opportunity to reduce the number of cars on the street, council should take it, she said.

But Mayor Peter Milobar said the narrowness of the street is “part of the character” of West Seymour. “It’s been from day one too narrow a street.”

He also disagreed with worries about the new buildings being allowed to deteriorate into havens for illegal activity again. “There’s no way the economics work to have a brand new crack shack.”

Council voted 7-1 to approve the rezoning and OCP changes. Coun. Nancy Bepple was absent.