GETTING PASSIONATE ABOUT OLD DOWNTOWN

Residents, property owners and business people broadly welcomed plans
for a proposed new zoning system aimed at combatting problem areas in
downtown Abbotsford at a public meeting on Tuesday night.

A crowd of about 80 packed into Trinity Memorial United Church and
learned more about the new C7 zone and its aims - to capitalize on
the character and challenges in the area, attract a healthier retail
and commercial base and modify parking standards.

Stretching out as far as Pine Street to the north, Cyril Street to
the east, McDougall Avenue to the south and McCallum Road to the
west, the proposed bylaw would prevent certain new businesses from
setting up shop.

The Abbotsford Downtown Business Association (ADBA) supports the
revamp, and speaking after the meeting, secretary Mary Reeves was
encouraged by the attitude from all sides.

"All in all, I think the response was very positive," she said. "You
are never going to please everybody, but the majority certainly
seemed to support it and some didn't seem to think it went far enough.

"I think a lot of the people who came with pre-conceived ideas may
have now had their ideas changed. This is not anti-anything. It is
pro-retail and pro-pedestrian friendly and we are going to require
everyone on board." Reeves was aware there was a long way to go
before the scheme became a reality, but hoped attending councillors
would keep any opinions they heard in mind when it came to a vote.

Despite requests from city staff to keep comments restricted to the
zoning policies of the plan, a number of social concerns were raised.

One Cyprus Street resident said she was afraid to walk two blocks at
night, claiming she feared for her safety.

"You see these people come out of their houses early into the morning
and going straight into the liquor store," she said. "Some are
harmless but others are the hardcore drug dealers and prostitutes.
They come to this area because of the low-cost housing in the area."

Similar concerns were raised by a single mom, but she did not believe
the social situation was necessarily economy-based.

"I have a low-income family but I can tell you I no more appreciate
the drug dealers and prostitutes than anyone else," she said. "The
problem is not low-income people but people who have a problem with
the laws of this country. I cannot even let my children play in my
own front yard."

Under the plan, no further detox centres, drug or alcohol addiction
counselling or treatment centres, needle exchanges or safe injection
sites would be permitted. And there were varying opinions on whether
this was the correct move.

One man argued treatment centres should be introduced to help those
affected kick the habit. "Otherwise the problem will just move
somewhere else," he said.

However, another was applauded when he said such treatment centres
were a hindrance.

"Needle exchange centres increase Hep C and HIV and make it look
attractive because they feel it is accepted in society."

Under the zoning, a number of businesses will not be permitted to set
up in the downtown area, including new cheque-cashing facilities,
bottle and paper collection depots, thrift stores, tattooing and body
piercing parlours, escort services and those selling sex or drug
paraphernalia.

Applications for building supplies sales will be knocked back, as
will those for body rub parlours, certain drive-through restaurants,
household appliance repair sales, personal loan services and firms
providing vehicle and marine sales, leasing and servicing.
Auditoriums, banquet and reception rooms, child care centres,
churches and seniors centres would be permitted, as would federal and
provincial offices, municipal offices, museums, performing and visual
arts centres and community centres.

Certain restrictions have also been proposed for some buildings.