WEB UPDATE: Turning Point's decision to drop bid for 32-bed recovery home a 'surprise'

A vocal opponent of a bid to open a 32-bed recovery housing facility on Ash Street said he was surprised at Friday's news that Turning Point is withdrawing its rezoning application.

Ernie Mendoza said he was informed of the decision by The Richmond Review, but said the decision isn't being met by a celebration by his neighbours.

In fact, he said he's got plenty of questions.

"We continue to wonder what the strategy is...knowing that the election is coming up," Mendoza said Monday. "We were surprised. It is a welcome news for us that their application is being withdrawn."

What he's now wondering is what's behind the decision to make the announcement now.

There hasn't been a new round of consultation with the community that he's aware of, he said.

Turning Point has announced it will instead look at putting a 10-unit facility for women on part of the site.

Mendoza wouldn't comment on what he thinks of plans to build a downscaled facility.

But he remains worried about what will happen to the rest of the property around a recovery facility.

"Obviously, it's in the interest of everybody in Richmond that everybody's voices have been heard."

Mendoza doubts this is the last that will be heard from Turning Point.

Turning Point's executive director Brenda Plant said the decision to withdraw the rezoning bid came in response to community feedback.

She said the proposed Ash Street site will mirror one on Odlin Road, except it will only be for women.

What happens to the rest of the property is up to B.C. Housing, Plant said.

She said this often acrimonious and contentious process has resulted in some good, namely increased awareness about the need for facilities for people who are trying to free themselves from drug addiction.

"This is not a moral issue or criminal issue, it's a healthcare issue. We have addicts in Richmond that need help."

Following consultation with Turning Point’s Neighbourhood Liaison Committee and the community in October 2007, Turning Point reduced the size of its original proposal from 40 to 32 beds, a 20 per cent decrease. Further consultation was undertaken to inform the community about the revised proposal, though many area residents were opposed to that downside proposal as well.

“While our proposed development would have provided Richmond with a valuable health care asset, it became clear a revised rezoning application would still have encountered challenges in terms of community support,” executive director Brenda Plant said Friday.

“We’ve therefore decided to withdraw our rezoning application.”

Over the next few months, Plant says she intends to have discussions with the city that would lead instead to the development of a 10-unit facility for women on the Ash Street site.

“Our residential recovery proposal was aimed at Richmond residents, men, women and women with children or infants to make it easier for them to get the help they need,” said Plant. “There is a critical lack of recovery options for Richmond residents, and we believed the Ash street development would have provided a significant opportunity for people in our community to recover and rebuild their lives.”

In the meantime, B.C. Housing would look for other affordable housing options on the remainder of the provincially-owned site, she added.

“We will continue to pursue our goal of meeting the need for affordable addictions housing within the community.”

Mendoza, meanwhile, continues to wonder.

"I don't understand why something as serious as providing shelter for women in Richmond is being headed up by Brenda Plant rather than the City of Richmond."

Established in 1982, Turning Point provides 31 beds for men and women in three facilities in Vancouver and Richmond. As a licensed, non-profit organization, Turning Point’s mission is to provide a supportive, abstinence-based environment where people may recover from the disease of addiction.