LUKE HOUSE LOSES

A charge of NIMBYism from the operator of a Burnaby halfway house hasn't
swayed city council.

Allan Ammerlaan, executive director of Luke 15 House, appeared in front of
council Monday night to ask them to help keep the halfway house open.

It's run into trouble with city hall because the operation - which now
provides a home for 17 men - does not conform with the residential zoning
of the neighbourhood.

Ammerlaan founded the home, which helps those with addictions and those
released from prison, 12 years ago.

He pointed out to council that, until recently, there had been no
complaints about its operation.

"We were an open book. We never hid anything from the citizens of Burnaby,"
he said. "We were always open to the fact that we were home to 23 men."

The organization was working from two homes in the Edmonds area until it
suffered a fire in October at one of the houses.

Ammerlaan said he'd wanted to stay in South Burnaby and, in fact, searched
for a home to accommodate them.

But he said he was unable to find a home and so was forced to move to Union
Street in North Burnaby, where they moved in Dec. 1.

"It was clear that we were not welcomed by our neighbours," he said.

But he noted he called a residents' meeting and suggested that a committee
be set up to include the neighbours, Luke 15 representatives and police.

"We have done everything possible to help make the neighbourhood feel
safe," he said. "I am saddened by how some of our neighbours have responded
to their fears."

Ammerlaan said the "red tape" being presented by city hall is an expression
of the "not in my backyard" attitude of the neighbours.

He asked that council at least allow them the chance to apply for a
rezoning before enforcing the bylaws.

Mayor Derek Corrigan said the home provides a much-needed resource in the
community.

But he objected to Ammerlaan's charge of NIMBYism.

"It is not petty, it is not red tape," he said. "Those are the laws of our
community."

Corrigan said the city never acted before because it never heard complaints
before and had not determined that the home wasn't complying with the bylaws.

As for the reaction from residents, Corrigan pointed out they have a right
to voice concerns about compliance with bylaws.

"You are not in compliance with the bylaw," he said. "It is unfortunate. It
says nothing about the quality of your operation."

Coun. Celeste Redman told Ammerlaan theirs is not a unique situation and
the city sometimes discovers non-compliance with bylaws "by accident."

"It's not optional for us to enforce the bylaw," she said. "We are not in a
position to legally ignore our own zoning bylaws."

Ammerlaan is now looking at applying for institutional zoning, which he
admitted may require a lot of work.

Corrigan warned, however, that there is no guarantee a rezoning will go
through.

"I don't want, as mayor, to hold out any false hope," he said, noting that
residents are given a chance to voice their opinions.

"If they feel that their property interests are adversey affected _ they
may well be opposed," he said.

Corrigan said residents' opinions will "weigh heavily" with council.

In the meantime, he said, Luke 15 House is not complying with bylaws and
action will be taken.

"There will be enforcement by our staff in relation to the bylaw."