Image: City of Chilliwack / Councillor Harv Westeringh speaks in support of a rezoning application for a property at 50700 Hack Brown Road at a council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 7.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Hack Brown Road development

Councillors greenlight commercial development, construction of two school campuses in East Chilliwack

Oct 9, 2025 | 10:32 AM

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack councillors have given third reading and adoption to a rezoning application for two new school campuses and a commercial development in Eastern Hillsides.

Multiple councillors vocally supported a rezoning application at their meeting this past Tuesday (Oct. 7) from Pebonato Land Use Consulting that would facilitate the construction of two new Unity Christian school campuses (elementary and middle) and a commercial development on the 3.22-hectare property at 50700 Hack Brown Road.

The applicant envisions construction on the site within two phases, with the commercial development and the elementary school in phase one, followed by the middle school in phase two. Phase one would only activate minor traffic improvements, whereas additional information regarding potential traffic impacts and associated road improvements would be required. As such, the applicant has agreed to register a voluntary restrictive covenant on title which would limit development to phase one until further analysis is completed.

Councillor Harv Westeringh said it was important for Eastern Hillsides residents to have a commercial hub similar to what communities like Promontory and Rosedale have.

“I just think it’d be nice to finish that neighbourhood,” he said. “it’s a big piece of vacant land sitting there. When I think of Promontory and Rosedale and communities like that where they have a commercial hub, it’s really important for the community, so really happy to see that there’s a commercial area in there. The traffic study that was being done should address any concerns about traffic in that area, so, happy to support.”

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Councillor Mercer said the proposed commercial space is a step in the right direction.

“I echo those comments. I suspect that the owners’ business plan for a commercial space would be one that’s successful. And if it’s gonna be successful, it’s gonna be what the community up there needs,” Mercer said. “I have no doubt that it’ll work itself out and it’ll be a benefit to the hillside and the community…I have absolutely no doubt it’ll be a first class development.”

Image: City of Chilliwack / Councillor Bud Mercer.

Councillor Jason Lum said any concerns about the intersection of Hack Brown Road and Annis Road need to be addressed by the province, not the City of Chilliwack.

“There were some comments about traffic impact at the interchange, the provincial infrastructure. I just want to underscore the province needs to upgrade those interchanges,” Councillor Lum said. “It’s not the responsibility of the City of Chilliwack even though there’s been an alarming trend towards the province trying to dump that onto the backs of municipalities. It’s really up to the province to be upgrading that and ensuring it’s meeting the need of a growing community.”

Referring to the development as a whole, Lum added, “It’s a great looking development. Excited to see some of that commercial come to life.”

Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / 50700 Hack Brown Road in Chilliwack.

Councillor Chris Kloot said it was encouraging to see that educational needs will be met within the community, especially since Unity Christian will have a campus that encompasses elementary, middle and secondary students almost next door to each other.