Edmonton’s Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) revoked a development permit for a health hub that would have been operated by Boyle Street Community Services (BSCS) in west Ritchie.
BSCS has said previously that it was tasked by the provincial government to create a health hub south of the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton.
The health hub was designed to include a supervised consumption site (SCS), and to offer recovery and treatment services. It would have been located at 10119 81st Avenue.
A spokesperson for the provincial ministry of addictions said the ministry is exploring the need for a new SCS south of the river and will provide BSCS with up to $2.15 million a year to support its operations if the proposal ends up going forward.
The 126-page decision was released Wednesday.
In its conclusion, the board said: “the appeals must be allowed and the development permit revoked.” It points to issues around safety and surveillance of the parking area under the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) requirement.
In a statement Wednesday, BSCS said: “Today, we received the disappointing news regarding our overdose prevention site, known as Wolf Den.
“This decision denies essential services for those we serve.
“The critical support that overdose prevention sites provide is needed now more than ever.
“As we move forward, we will take the necessary time to consult with legal counsel and deliberate on our next steps.
“Our commitment to exploring all possible avenues remains unwavering, ensuring that this essential service is available in our community,” BSCS said.
A city spokesperson said that a variance would have been required to address the parking lot security and surveillance issue, and consultation would have also been required. Since there was no consultation “to support the variance,” the permit was revoked, Lyla Peter, director of development approvals and inspections, explained.
She said if Boyle Street decides to submit a development permit for the same service in the same location, “the city will determine the eligibility to accept a resubmission.”
The health hub has faced some opposition from people living and operating businesses nearby, who say they fear an increase in crime, a decrease in safety and the overall deterioration of the neighbourhood.
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“When you put the people who have consumed illegal street drugs that are untested, unknown in quantity and impact, and then they leave the facility out to the general public, it creates danger, so it’s all about location,” said Rob Bligh with the Scona Concerned Citizens group.
“We know that people need help, we just think you shouldn’t destroy good neighbourhoods when you’re doing that.”
Bligh said a more suitable location would be close to rehabilitation services and further supports and not in a place that’s so densely populated.
“The development permit has been under debate for some period of time,” he added. “We’re very pleased the development appeal board made this ruling.”
“I think the key is, in helping people, we need to find ways to do it without causing others harm,” Bligh said.
Gabriel Sparshu works in the area and was sad to hear the permit had been revoked. She said the services the facility would offer are much needed in the community.
“We get lots of people that clearly need help and maybe don’t know where to go,” Sparshu said. “We’re pretty inundated with houselessness and addictions. It’s definitely something that this area needs. I hope that the revoking of their permit doesn’t stop the whole thing.”
“The main concern that people are having is active drug use on site, but it’s happening anyway.
“It’s happening in the alleys, it’s happening in apartments. They’re not going to come here and start taking drugs just because there’s a safe consumption site here. They’re already doing it and there’s already people dying. Having a place where they can come and not feel like they’re going to get persecuted is a huge plus for the community,” she added.
“I think people are concerned that it’s going to cause (addiction) to happen but they’re kind of numb to the fact that it’s already happening here and people are dying and that shouldn’t be the case.”
Alberta’s latest substance-use numbers show the province had its highest opioid-related death totals on record in 2023. The report shows 1,867 people died from opioid-related causes. Edmonton and Calgary also set new highs last year.
There were 237 opioid-related deaths in Alberta in the first two months of 2024.
With files from Paula Tran, Global News
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