Terms of Reference – Neighbourhood Liaison Committee

Turning Point Recovery Society is making an application to the City of Richmond to rezone a site at 8180 Ash Street. The site is a former Group Home location owned by the Province of BC. The Group Home was funded by Ministry of Family and Children’s Services. The Group Home operation was closed several years ago and the site has sat vacant since. It is currently zoned to accommodate Institutional Use consistent with the proposed use.

The City of Richmond will engage the Society (THE Applicant”) in a thorough review of the proposed residential development for the site via the rezoning process, including compliance with existing zoning bylaws and design criteria and objectives in keeping with the Ash Street Sub-Area OCP throughout the rezoning application and Public Hearing process. There will be ample opportunity for public comment throughout the process.

As part of the rezoning process, the Society is dedicated to engaging the community in a transparent consultation process about its proposed operation, including the program philosophy and goals, the target population to be served, objectives and requirements for program participants, and standards of service provided by staff, and personal expectations and goals for program participants.

The Society wishes to involve neighbours and interested parties to participate in a Neighbourhood Liaison Committee (NLC) to accomplish the following:

1. Learn about the Society, its philosophy about addiction and associated behaviors, its clientele, and its operating style and programs and services.

2. Learn about the rezoning process and the steps required for the proposed development, including the timetable associated with a rezoning, approval and development process.

3. Advise the Society and its Consulting Team regarding planned Public Information Meetings or Open Houses that are contemplated over the coming weeks and months.

4. Provide feedback about the proposed development and its design.

5. Be informed and educated about addictions, the Society and the rezoning proposal and process to be able to  comment on the proposal in an informed and respectful manner.

6. To provide a forum for open, respectful discussion about any reasonable concerns and comments participants, or the constituents they represent, may have regarding the proposal as we proceed through the rezoning process.

7. To learn about what supportive housing is and the critical need for it in Richmond.

We have given careful consideration to the selection criteria to form the Neighbourhood Liaison Committee. We have contacted, by way of invitation, the following:

1. Neighbours who own homes immediately adjacent to the site;

2. Select individuals who have contacted the Society based on information letters sent by the Society to approximately 200 households in the neighbourhood adjacent to the site. These individuals represent, or have been asked to contact the Society on behalf of, a collection of individuals;

3. DeBeck elementary School Principal Mr. Don Taylor and a Parent Advisory Committee Representative;

4. Several representatives of government agencies, or related professional organizations, in Richmond who are familiar with recovery facilities; and,

5. An RCMP representative.

We are seeking constructive dialogue from participants by restricting the NLC size to approximately 12 people.

We look forward to working with you through this process.