Edmonton’s Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) has decided to revoke a development permit for a health hub that would have been operated by Boyle Street Community Services (BSCS) in west Ritchie.
The 126-page decision was released Wednesday.
In its conclusion, the board said “the appeals must be allowed and the development permit revoked.” It points to issues around safety and surveillance of the parking area under the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) requirement.
BSCS has said previously that it was tasked by the provincial government to create a health hub south of the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton.
The health hub was designed to include a supervised consumption site (SCS), and to offer recovery and treatment services.
A spokesperson for the provincial ministry of addictions said the ministry is exploring the need for a new SCS south of the river and will provide BSCS with up to $2.15 million a year to support its operations if the proposal ends up going forward.
The health hub has faced some opposition from people living and operating businesses nearby, who say they fear an increase in crime, a decrease in safety and the overall deterioriation of the neighbourhood.
More to come…
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