A proposed change to the Official Community Plan had city councillors at odds with each other - and city staff - about how to promote development downtown.
In a five-four vote, council approved the addition of the Fourth Avenue Flex Area to the Official Community Plan. The proposed changes would allow development of four-story, mixed-used buildings on the south side of Fourth Avenue between Winnipeg Street and Victoria.
"We've been looking for a home run in the downtown for 40 years and haven't hit it, so let's try hitting singles," coun. Cameron Stolz said. "Let's look at the fringes of the downtown core. Let's start from the outside and work our way in."
Currently there is 454,011 square feet -16.1 per cent - of vacant commercial space in the city's downtown, equivalent to three large box stores. In addition, there 1.67 million square feet of undeveloped or underdeveloped property downtown.
In a report to council, city staff advised against the proposed flex area because it may draw development away from downtown. In addition, the water main serving the area would need to be expanded if the area was developed into apartments and there was concerns about potential traffic impact.
Stolz said with the existing zoning of Fourth Avenue, there is still potential for the city to need to address those concerns.
"On the other side [of Fourth Avenue] you have C1 zoning, downtown commercial, which would allow you to build anything," Stolz said. "Right across the street... somebody could come tomorrow and build build a 20-story office tower."
Coun. Dave Wilbur said a proposed development in the area was defeated because of the current zoning.
"There was a plan to put another business just up the road from where Royal LePage is," he said.
The area currently is under developed, he said, and unlikely to attract new development with the current zoning. He said the concerns raised by city staff are " very speculative."
"I felt that speculation didn't belong in front of us at council," he said.
The report by city staff served to create more uncertainty, rather than promote development in the city.
"What we have here is not a green light, not an amber light, it is a red light."
Mayor Dan Rogers, along with veteran concillors Don Bassermann, Murry Krause and Brian Skakun voted against the proposed change.
"The red light was there and we've driven right through that and have to hope it's not a car wreck," Rogers said. "I'm extremely frustrated. In my opinion we're shooting ourselves in the foot. The report said 'don't do this, and here's why.'"
Residents on Fifth Avenue, backing onto the proposed flex area, said the proposal has benefits and drawbacks.
"Some of the houses backing onto us are an eyesore. A lot of people have spent a lot of money redoing their houses down here," resident Samantha Hermanson said. "However it means more traffic, more noise."
Another resident, who asked not be be named, said the changes might spur new development in the area.
"I could help Prince George. Something new could make things a little nicer downtown."
