Converting a 12th Avenue home into a doctor's office would adversely affect the character of the Crescents neighbourhood, according to residents opposing the plan.
In his application, Dr. Guy Paterson said the home facing Lethbridge Street provides many advantages for his practice, including the ability to walk to provide in-hospital care, the close proximity of lab and x-ray facilities at the Phoenix Medical Centre and ease of access due to being on a bus route.
The proposed change would switch the zoning from single residential to commercial conversion, which allows for services such as massage therapy, pet grooming, daycares, offices and restaurants. City planning staff have recommended withholding final approval until a covenant on the land is registered to restrict the property use to single-detached housing, minor health services, a minor community care facility or a massage therapy service.
The application would also require a change to the Official Community Plan to switch the property from having a neighbourhood residential designation to the adjacent neighbourhood centre residential designation, which covers 13th Avenue between Winnipeg and Lethbridge Streets. That category discourages non-residential uses outside of medical and dental offices.
But residents who have provided feedback on the application are saying introducing commercial uses and more traffic into already congested streets will be a detriment to the neighbourhood.
"It seems as the growth and expansion of the medical facilities continue, so too does the threat to convert our residential properties to commercial uses," wrote Allan Johnson, one of 28 signatories to a petition opposing the application.
Previous applications in the area have been unsuccessful, according to a letter from Anne and Blaine Rowe, citing previous staff comments that the neighbourhood should be protected.
"Over the years, we, as a neighbourhood, have tried to share our unique and beautiful streets with the Prince George community and have been endorsed and supported with grants from the city of Prince George," said a letter from Diane MacKenzie and Raymond Banville, residents of the block known as The Gardens. "We believe our street represents our community much more positively by showcasing a welcoming, beautiful example of a caring residential neighbourhood than it ever could as a business."
A major concern among those expressing opposition is the addition of more traffic.
The neighbourhood - which fronts the hospital - is already congested with drivers looking for free parking for the various medical facilities.
"This is a family-oriented neighbourhood and the constant traffic impedes our safety and welfare (we don't even have sidewalks); the garbage in the area has increased, the dust and noise pollution are at their max, and people park in front of our houses continuously," wrote Marie-Noelle and Gary Nesbit.
Thomas Young, a family doctor and neighbour, suggested the applicant take advantage of vacant space in the Phoenix building - where he practices - if Paterson wanted to have an office closer to the hospital.
"Streets are now congested with parked cars and that will only get worse with development of this or any other property as a doctor's office, despite the construction of parking stalls on it," Young wrote. "And how does a row of parking stalls benefit the aesthetic appearance of the property and neighbourhood?"
City council will consider the application at a meeting Monday night. Public hearings begin in council chambers at 7 p.m.
