Onni floats rezoning plan in Steveston
Onni is floating a plan to rezone its soon-to-be-built waterfront commercial properties in Steveston.
Construction of the last Imperial Landing waterfront parcels began last fall—six low-rise buildings zoned to allow maritime uses on the ground floor and apartments above.
Now Onni is testing the waters of public opinion to change the restrictive maritime-use zoning to allow businesses such as a grocery store, pharmacy and fitness centre.
Onni held two open houses in the Lord Byng Elementary gym late February to pitch the idea to Steveston residents and business owners.
On a website dedicated to Onni's new proposal, the developer contends rezoning the commercial space to allow a broader range of commercial retail uses "will better serve the community's needs."
Onni vice-president Chris Evans said construction is well underway, so the only item open for debate is what kind of uses residents might like to see.
"If we feel there is support for the addition of some other commercial uses we will move forward with a rezoning to include those uses," he said. "This decision has not been made at this point as we are still meeting with local stakeholders and community groups."
In the last decade Onni has tried repeatedly to change the site's zoning, with no success.
Construction of the project is expected to be complete later this year.
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