Smithers council has denied part of a development variance permit for a building at the corner of Columbia Street and Railway Avenue.
The property owner is doing some renos and wanted the town to remove the requirements to construct curb, gutters and sidewalks –which they agreed to at last night’s meeting.
Councillor Greg Brown says there isn’t a sidewalk system on the road currently and the work involved would be extensive.
“The main floor of the building is below or at the same level as the street,” he says. “The drainage is between the road and the building and if we have to build a sidewalk above the road, it will be above the building level and force water towards the building.”
Councillors did deny the property owner’s request to forgo grading and draining the off street parking to prevent water from pooling.
