Sydenham Rd. shelter stays, Council passes Mayor's call for 6-month review

A motion to remove 924 Sydenham Rd. near Princess St. from consideration was defeated by an 8-5 vote.

Plans to have a homeless shelter on 924 Sydenham Rd. in Kingston will continue.

A motion by Councillor Paul Chaves to have the location removed from consideration was defeated by an 8-5 vote.

One of the eight that voted against the motion was Mayor Bryan Paterson who admits it was a difficult vote to make.

Councillors Don Amos, Wendy Stephen, Brandon Tozzo, Vincent Cinanni, Ryan Boehme, Greg Ridge, and Conny Glenn also voted against the motion.

Councillors Jeff McLaren, Jimmy Hassen, Lisa Osanic, and Gary Oosterhof joined Chaves in supporting the motion.

Seven people appeared as delegations at Tuesday's meeting voicing their concerns about the shelter's location.

They include possible encampments in the neighbouring Cataraqui Cemetery.

There was also a petition with 742 signatures presented to Council in opposition to the shelter on Sydenham Rd.

Paterson says no one on Council wants to see any trouble at these shelters but there needs to be a place where those without place to stay can go to.

Council did pass a motion by Paterson that would see City staff conduct a review of the shelter after six months of operation and have a report delivered to Council.

Paterson believes this is the best solution to what is an ever-growing problem in Kingston.

Back in May, Council agreed to purchase the Sydenham Rd. site for $2.45 million plus $65,000 in closing costs.

Story by Ken Hashizume